Seroquel XR for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• cul...
• September 27, 2010

"After much trial and error with other medications, I am pleased to find that Seroquel XR really helps. I take 500 mg per day. Started at 200 but worked my way up until I felt better. Wish I had discovered this years ago."

• slo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2020

"I have been on Seroquel XR for almost a year now. Started on 150 mg, then went up to 300 mg. Today I started 400 mg as my moods are getting very impulsive, and I’m getting manic. I’ve been on probably over 25 medications, and this is by far the best. Zyprexa made me gain 60 pounds in 6 months and also made my breasts start leaking a milky substance. All I can say is give it a try. It doesn’t hurt at all. You never know if it will be the life-changing medicine for you."

• Ann...
• October 8, 2015

"I have been taking Seroquel for a little over a year and a half now, and it has been the best thing for me. I started off at 350 mg when my mania was insanely uncontrollable. But after 2 months, I was able to go down to 250, and ever since, it's been perfect because I don't fight the drowsiness in the mornings and get a great night's rest. I did gain weight, only 20 pounds, but I have always been extremely athletic (2-sport collegiate athlete), and it didn't really affect me at all. Just as long as it keeps the manic/depressive episodes on lockdown, I think I can handle a curvier body. I seriously recommend this if you can handle a little weight gain!"

• Bip...
• July 31, 2017

"I have to say I've rated this medicine a 7 out of 10 because it has brought me out of both some wicked manias and depressive episodes. The sedation is a love-hate relationship with me-it's nice for my anxiety, but is also a nuisance. I must take this medicine 12 hours before I need to wake up, or I have trouble waking up. I feel it does interfere with my creative and intellectual abilities a tad bit. Overall, however, it's a good med."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2017

"I take this medication for bipolar, but it also does wonders for generalized anxiety disorder. I have suffered for decades with anxiety and panic attacks, and SSRIs have stopped working for me. When I started taking Seroquel, it was like I finally saw color in the black and white world I was living in. My moods are completely under control, and my anxiety is controlled for the most part. This medication definitely has side effects. It's a tranquilizer. It makes you very tired. It also made me gain a significant amount of weight... but I would rather deal with the side effects than deal with the horrible anxiety I was living with every day. I take it before bed... make sure you're able to get at least 8 hours of sleep so you're not groggy the next day."

• p-m...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2016

"Been on Quetiapine MR for around 9 months. 300 mg at night. Found it far less sedating than Olanzapine. It's been a miracle for my bipolar, absolutely no depression and no manic episodes. Yeah, I put on weight, but the effects on my mood and mental health have been incredible."

• Mar...
• June 21, 2015

"I went from taking 120 mgs of Cymbalta to taking 150 mgs of Seroquel XR just over one year ago. I fortunately did not suffer from any of the initial side effects that I've now researched and have learned are really common when starting this medication. However, one month ago, I'm not sure why, but I ended up missing two nightly doses. What I experienced was nothing short of being in hell, literally. I physically was incapable of movement, getting up to simply get to the restroom was near impossible, every muscle in my body was weak and near useless. I couldn't do anything but remain in a fetal position curled up on my side for the duration of over twelve hours. My head was cloudy, confused, and unable to process any thought. After this experience, I want off."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2010

"I had a doctor who took me off Zoloft, which did not work at all, and finally put me on Seroquel XR. After 1 week, I think that I notice a slowdown in my racing mind and a little bit of an ability to deal with it. I still get extremely angry in situations, so I asked him, and he put me on 300 mg. The anger still exists, unfortunately, but I think that my mind is more manageable. I slur my speech quite a bit. I have never had any luck with SSRIs. At least with Seroquel, there is some indication that something is changing, and it does feel positive. I hope that it works. I was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression/anxiety after 29 years of living with it."

• Ori...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2013

"I was one of the unlucky ones whose prolactin levels skyrocketed. I was only on 100 mg, with a plan to ramp my way up to 500 over the course of 10 weeks, which was obviously vetoed when my chest started swelling quite noticeably. Lactation isn't worth what's essentially only a sleeping pill at 500 mg doses."

• tra...
• January 29, 2021

"Took Seroquel XR for 11 months for depression, bipolar 2. Had a rare side effect. This drug causes tooth caries and gum disease. I had to have all 24 of my teeth pulled out. It was devastating. Also, difficult to convince the doctor of the problem. Luckily, I read the packet inserts."

• mrs...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2016

"I was on citalopram (Celexa), lithium 1250 mg daily, and olanzapine 20 mg and a lot of benzos. A state-run mental health clinic opened in a local town, so I stopped seeing the private psychiatrist and started to attend the public clinic. The psychiatrist was revolutionary. She immediately stopped the antidepressant because it was elevating mood into mania. She dropped lithium to one dose at night to aid kidney wear and tear. She stopped olanzapine because I was still having mild persistent psychosis and put me on 800 mg of quetiapine (Seroquel). The first week was tough, I was very nauseous and sleepy, but once my body adjusted, it was much better. The mix of quetiapine and lithium is really working for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2017

"Great med, weight gain yes 50 lbs over 8 months. Started working out at the gym and watching what I eat and feeling good and hopeful for the future. Down 30 lbs. Does feel a little loss of motivation at 500mg. Trying to lower dose to 300mg. Update later."

• Chi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 29, 2018

"I take 400 mg Seroquel XR once at night and 100 mg of Lamictal 2 times a day and Ativan 1 mg 2 times PRN. I have found that Seroquel XR has been a lifesaver. The immediate release made me sleepwalk and sleep eat and would wear off halfway through the night. The XR stays in my system longer and helps me fall asleep and stay asleep. Only downfall is if I don't set an alarm on the weekends, I could easily sleep 12+ hours."

• VC8...
• December 22, 2017

"Seroquel XR saves my life! No more mania and no more suicidal thoughts in the past year of taking this med! It completely squashed my mania and stopped my racing thoughts better than any other medication! I still had some depression for a while, but not nearly as bad! My doctor recently added Lamictal for additional help on the depressive side, and I’ve never felt so stable in my life! Not to mention that Seroquel helps me sleep well for the first time in my life! :)"

• CRC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2022

"I've been taking this medicine for 11 years. I was diagnosed with bipolar 26 years ago. Then, 3 years ago, another doctor said I don't have bipolar, it's mood dysregulation from complex trauma and PTSD. Anyway, regardless, I do need medication, as it does help. I was originally given Seroquel for anxiety and to help me sleep. Doses have been from 100 mg to 200 mg per day. I've always noticed that when I take it, my sinuses get extremely blocked to the point it affects my breathing. Then I got COVID and developed asthma, so I could no longer tolerate being on it anymore. So the doctor helped me reduce it. I'm now down to 25 mg per day, and my sleeping has improved a lot. I'm no more anxious than before. I realize now that this medication was making me so sleepy and zombie-like, I had no motivation, just getting by each day. It seems I didn't need that much Seroquel after all. I am grateful for this medication, but I think maybe people are being given higher doses than are necessary."

• Sus...
• April 30, 2009

"I just started taking Seroquel XR a week ago after a bad experience with Geodon. So far, so good. I feel more 'laid back' on Seroquel, and it helps me sleep, which is good for me because I have bad insomnia. I'm only taking 150 mg now, but notice no ill effects. Time will tell if I need to take more."

• Kim...
• November 16, 2010

"Just started Seroquel XR, and it gave me a great, good night's sleep. Woke up feeling a little groggy but went back to bed after an hour awake. So far, the depression and anxiety are gone. That's good because yesterday my anxiety was really bad. Tried Geodon and hated it. Really made me sleepy 24/7. So far, so good as far as the first day goes. I'm praying that this is the medication that works for me."

• pea...
• December 8, 2009

"I have taken Seroquel XR for two years. I take 800 mg at night for bipolar. At first, it seemed like I would never come out of the haze, but it wore off over a week's time. Honestly, really, I have had no major bipolar problems since I have taken Seroquel XR. It is wonderful. But be sure to have insurance! Without my prescription, it would be like $500/mo. It works very well for me because I take Adderall in the day, and this helps me go to sleep at night. Great medicine."

• Mim...
• March 26, 2019

"I have bipolar. Been on 175 mg quetiapine for many years. Tried other antipsychotics, they didn't work at all. Was sectioned in 2016, was changed to 700 mg quetiapine XR. Yes, a very high dosage. My weight was 49 kg, gained weight very fast to 67 kg, not happy at all. I have put myself on a diet (carbs are the problem with this medication). I have all the side effects that are on the leaflet that you get with the medication. I guess many of you know the side effects: shortness of breath, fatigue, memory loss, dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo, tinnitus, agitation, itchy skin, weak muscles, aches and pains, blurred vision, poor judgment, awful constipation, restlessness, hand and leg tremors, evil weight gain. On the plus side, I am stable. Along with the quetiapine XR, I am on a cocktail of medication: lamotrigine, promethazine, Valium, procyclidine, cyclizine. I have many side effects and other health issues."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

"Love this medication. I take it with two other mood stabilizers, an antidepressant, and another when required antipsychotic. This works wonders. I do not get tired on it and I typically take 600 mg, I have gone up to 1000 mg before when needed. Definitely chills me out. I do not get akathisia on this one, like I do all the other antipsychotics. Overall, just wonderful. If you have had issues with akathisia before on other medicines, this would be the one to try."

• CoJ...
• June 9, 2009

"Seroquel did not work for me; I went up to 400 mg and felt like a zombie. Now, I've taken Seroquel XR 300 for 1 1/2 years. I've seen my anxiety level go to 'normal.' But, it is necessary for me to plan the time I take the medication to avoid slurred speech in the morning; it needs to be in my system at least 11 hours, it seems. Constipation is severe enough to take laxatives every day. My husband has to keep reminding me the positives outweigh the side effects by far. Then I stop and think and know that is true."

• Alo...
• April 20, 2017

"I have bipolar, most of the time, being on Seroquel has helped settle my racing thoughts, helps me sleep at night, and helps me regulate my moods. At times I still get the highs and lows, but not as severe without Seroquel. The side effects that I get are dry mouth, dry skin, increased appetite, and high cholesterol. Most of the time, this medication helps me out."

• Bip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2017

"I was on the immediate release version of Seroquel 200 mg, and the side effects were horrible! Everlasting hungover and craving for foods like it's a drug, or I would be going through withdrawal, aka blood sugar crashes. So my doctor switched to Seroquel 200 mg extended release, and it was a GODSEND form of a drug! Barely any of sedating effects and even lack of any hungover... And the best part was that I forgot to eat breakfast by accident several times in a week... If for immediate release, I would be going crazy for missing breakfast. Imagine that!"

• DDT...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2021

"I have mixed feelings about this medication. Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril, Trazodone, and so many other medications prescribed for sleep do not work for me. I can go days without sleep even with those medications. Of course, Tylenol PM, melatonin, and all of the over-the-counter brands are totally useless in my particular case. I wish so much that over-the-counter medications would work for me, but unfortunately, they don’t. I have bipolar 1 with rapid cycling a lot, so I am on a cocktail now that finally worked out for me, and I am finally more stable than I have ever been. Seroquel XR is working for me as far as the ups, downs, and sideways that I have experienced over the years. To me, that is great and a relief, but to me, the best result and the greatest benefit is the sleep that I get every night, and I don’t feel groggy like I did when I first started taking it. I am taking 800 mg at night. I get about 7-8 hours of sleep. Just got a lot of weight gain is the con of it. Working for me."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2009

"I've only been on Seroquel XR for 5 days, so it's hard to tell long-term side effects. It definitely makes me calmer and allows me to handle difficult or stressful situations more appropriately (not crying at the drop of a hat or feeling extreme anxiety). I am only on 50 mg at bedtime, but I'm not completely 100%, so hoping to increase that dose a bit when I see my doc next. I do get headaches and have lost my appetite (still haven't lost any weight though). I am hoping for the best!"