Quetiapine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Sha...
• January 24, 2019

For Insomnia "I get restless leg syndrome when taking any dosage of quetiapine over 25 mg. I used to be able to take 300 mg without any incident, but now I find myself 'jumping' just as I am falling asleep, and it just wakes me up more. It also seems to increase my anxiety. I have really bad anxiety as it is. I do not need any more. This works for some, and as I said before, it worked great for me. I used to wake up rested a few years ago (2007-2012), but now the medicine just scares me. Kudos to those who can take it. I loved it when it did not freak me out... lol. Now I stick to an OTC, or if it's really bad, I have to take Klonopin (clonazepam) for anxiety and Ambien (zolpidem) for sleep. My insurance covered the medication for about 5 of the 6 years I was on it. After that, I had to pay out of pocket, which was so far out expensive that I had to buy them from a pharmacy in Canada. Totally legal too. Saved over half. I only had to pay out of pocket for about that 1 year (2012)."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2012

Quetiapine for Insomnia "I was hospitalized and couldn't sleep due to intense anxiety in the hospital. I was given 50 mg Seroquel. I felt the effects within 20 minutes, but then they kept getting stronger for well over an hour until my perceptions of time and space were very distorted. I couldn't even sit in a chair without feeling I was going to fall out of it. Next, I started getting paranoid until 16 hours later I took Klonopin, and everything went back to normal. If I was at home or work and took Seroquel for the first time, it would have been a disaster. I did sleep for a few hours while I was on it, though."

• Jul...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2021

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been bipolar for over 30 years, well, when I was diagnosed. Seroquel has balanced my moods. I still get anxious but not so bad. Now I have Pristiq during the daytime. My day determines my nighttime Seroquel. Good days 100 mg, not so good 150 mg. It works for me for now!"

• SED...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 26, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This really helps. I have OCD and cyclothymia. Cyclothymia is almost fully cured. OCD is much better - but on higher doses, it gets worse. Therapy is very important, and understanding yourself too. I take Kwetaplex XR by Adamed (I'm from Poland - it's just Quetiapine which is long-acting? I have no idea how to name it) - 150 mgs. Sleep is improved. It has some side effects you can relieve. I saw changes in thinking on higher doses, and I felt lazy and anxious. Now I started to lose weight, and everything is alright."

• ang...
• March 26, 2011

Quetiapine for Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been using Seroquel for about 18 months together with Pristiq. At first, I took 25 mg at night, then I added to that 100 mg Seroquel XR. I seemed far more relaxed and able to cope with life a little better. However, over the last 2 months, the agitation became unbearable, and my depression increased immensely. I have dropped 50 mg of the XR over the past few days, and I am already feeling less anxious and agitated."

• uni...
• December 31, 2017

For Insomnia "Doctor put me on Seroquel to help me sleep and lessen the effects of Cymbalta withdrawal (decreased from 60 mg to 30 mg at the same time I added 25 mg Seroquel). Has been about two weeks now. Seemed to be great at first, made me sleep earlier and made my vivid dreams less terrifying, didn't turn me into a zombie like some people, and even lowered my anxiety (I think). Now I'm experiencing dark thoughts more often and more intensely than I'm used to. It has helped me get on with things in daily life, but I worry about the existential dread. I am also more 'grayed out' than usual; I complete my tasks and hobbies, but they don't fulfill me as much as they did only two weeks ago."

• New...
• June 27, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Seroquel about four years ago. I was a severe alcoholic at the time. I was once up to 900 mg daily. I quit drinking over a year ago. I switched to a new medication because of weight gain. Latuda did nothing for me. In addition, once I was completely off Seroquel, my anxiety and insomnia went through the roof. It was so severe that my doctor put me back on Seroquel. I have been diagnosed with bipolar type II, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. My doctor started seeing me every two weeks, and we were finally able to find my 'magic dose,' which is 200 mg at bedtime. He also added lithium. I am very pleased with Seroquel. I know that many people can't tolerate it because it is a hard drug, but for me, it works great."

• Kat...
• September 16, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking Seroquel 200 mg for years. I am bipolar, but I'm manic, I don't get depressed. Anyway, Doc increased the dose to 400 mg. Okay, I have anxiety and panic attacks. I also take buspirone 30 mg twice a day. I can't sleep, and when I do, it's only a couple of hours. I also gained weight and have a little twitch, and my hands shake. What do I do? Doctors don't listen to what you say and put you on a bunch of crap. Thanks for listening, any input is welcome."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "About six years ago, I had a terrible episode while taking oral steroids for a major asthma flare. I developed severe anxiety and panic on high doses of steroids. My doctor suggested I take a very small amount of Seroquel. I am very sensitive to medications, so she started with the 25 mg tiny pill, and I cut it into quarters (yes, that’s how sensitive I am to meds). Just taking a quarter pill of Seroquel helped calm the severe anxiety and panic. The first dose I took was half of the 25 mg pill, and I was sedated within 10 minutes! Now, years later, I’m having the same side effect from oral steroids due to asthma treatment, and my doctor called in Seroquel 25 mg. Again, I am to cut it in half or quarters to start. I am baffled by the people who take hundreds of milligrams of this drug a day. I don’t know how they function or even get out of bed to use the bathroom or to eat, etc. Maybe their body gets used to it. It’s a lifesaver for steroid anxiety. Very strong medication!"

• sle...
• October 15, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on this medication for about 9 years for bipolar. Even after all that time, I still suffer from the exhaustion. I need to sleep 12 hours every night; any less, and a few days later, I have to sleep for 14 to 16 hours to catch up, so it pretty much rules my life in a bad way. But it has more or less stopped the manic episodes, or at least made them less severe. It doesn't help with depression. After six years off work, I'm trying to go back, but everything has to be planned around taking quetiapine. I can't drive after taking it, and I need to take it about five hours before I want to sleep, so nights out are a no-go, as I'm too groggy the next day. If I miss a dose, I literally cannot sleep; my jaw tightens and I get anxious. I take 600 mg."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Since my diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which took multiple different psychiatrists over 10 years to diagnose me with BPD, I was told that quetiapine would help dampen down the symptoms. I was also told that there is no cure for BPD. To date, I have been taking the medication for just over 2 months, and I can safely say that I feel no relief from the medication. Each day is a struggle and sometimes extreme anxiety, stress, and mood changes. I still have suicidal thoughts on occasion. Since days can be extremely unbearable to the point where I stay in my room and try to sleep because it's the only relief I get. Doctors are very quick to throw tablets at you, and in their mind, you'll be okay. This is far from the truth. I have been mentally ill for over 10 years with multiple suicide attempts and hospital admissions. Nothing changes. Nothing has helped. I don't know why it isn't working, but all I know is that it is not. You can talk about your feelings, but that is a short fix."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Since my diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which took multiple different psychiatrists over 10 years to diagnose me with BPD, I was told that quetiapine would help dampen down the symptoms. I was also told that there is no cure for BPD. To date, I have been taking the medication for just over 2 months, and I can safely say that I feel no relief from the medication. Each day is a struggle and sometimes extreme anxiety, stress, and mood changes. I still have suicidal thoughts on occasion. Since days can be extremely unbearable to the point where I stay in my room and try to sleep because it's the only relief I get. Doctors are very quick to throw tablets at you, and in their mind, you'll be okay. This is far from the truth. I have been mentally ill for over 10 years with multiple suicide attempts and hospital admissions. Nothing changes. Nothing has helped. I don't know why it isn't working, but all I know is that it is not. You can talk about your feelings, but that is a short fix."

• Dal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 21, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been taking 100 mg quetiapine 3 times daily with 150 mg lamictal and hydroxine. The quetiapine doesn't make me tired, but I also do not wake up all through the night. I do see myself rather anxious throughout the day."

• Typ...
• December 5, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Initially, I hated this drug. It made me tired, run down, and at times anxious. I even broke out in cold sores, it made me feel so ill. Then, at later stages, it was a lifesaver. I went from 25 mg to 300 mg during terrible hypomania and mixed episodes, it saved my life. Quitting it was hell, you will feel sick and nauseous for weeks. It's a very strong drug, and I say for type two bipolar to be used cautiously, as it's overly strong most of the time. You want to feel normal, not overly drugged as you do with this drug if taken for long periods of time. So, for me, it's a mixed review."

• Spo...
• December 13, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking 25 mg the past month, and it made life worth living again. It stabilizes me so well. I can do things again without feeling empty. Granted, I started taking it during a depressive state, not mania, so I don't know how well it will work then. The doctor upped my dose to 50 mg at night because it makes me drowsy and to fix my nightmare issue. Warning, it made my anxiety after taking a pill bad the first two weeks. After that, it went away. I continue to take my dose at night. When I take it, it doesn't make me feel anything, which is okay because I usually sleep, but the next day is when I feel its stabilizing effects. One last warning: I found that if I took the pill without eating or drinking anything, the drowsiness is worse."

• ac6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Been on this for about 6 months. People say it knocks you out. Well, I think that it only does this for the first 2 weeks. I was on it, I take 100 mg twice a day and 75 mg before bed. It is a very, very good medication for schizophrenia as it really blocks most of the delusions and voices and also helps a lot keeping the temper under control, but when you flip, you really go nuts. This med keeps very stable most of the time and helps appetite very well. I have not really gained too much weight, but it's best to do some exercise when you can. Helps a bit with anxiety, but not enough for me. So, I'm currently waiting to go to the psych doc to work something out to stop anxiety, and I'm thinking Lyrica as benzos don't really do much for me. All in all, very good medication."

• bip...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I haven't had a depressive or hypomanic episode the entire time I have been on 300 mg quetiapine XL/modified release. It has stabilized my mood effectively, even in the face of traumatic life events (nearly lost my mother to a pulmonary embolism) and concomitant treatment for ADHD with a trial of methylphenidate. The first week was difficult. I had dizziness, increased anxiety, and nearly fainted after standing up too quickly at night. These initial side effects passed after about a week of being on 300 mg. I now only occasionally get dizziness or excessive tiredness after taking the dose in the evening. My only complaint would be having to fast around 3 hours the dose (2 hours before, 1 hour after), so it can be a bit antisocial when it comes to eating in the evening depending on how early you take it. In summary, quetiapine works really well for me with minimal side effects."

• Gem...
• April 15, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I take quetiapine and sertraline. I was taking 200 mg sertraline and 200 mg quetiapine, but the weight gain was insane. So, I cut down to 50 mg quetiapine at Christmas and 100 mg sertraline. I've recently been very ill with norovirus and had the worst return of symptoms: suicidal thoughts, anxiety, racing thoughts, and a new one, OCD. So, I increased the quetiapine again to 100 mg (made up of 25 mg tablets), and I've had what I can only describe as increased effects. Does that even exist? Cold feelings from flight-or-flight anxiety and agitated feelings."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2021

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Seroquel again for about a month. Last go with this drug was about 1 year prior, so I thought I knew how it affected me. This time was much different. I’m terrified to take it every single night because I think (I know this is irrational) I won’t wake up. I have a “mini” panic attack when I take it, and around the time I’ve talked myself out of that one, I become sleepy… that starts my “real” panic attack, and I feel I need to fight it. I didn't used to dream much, but I have been having vivid BAD dreams; 1/2 the nights. My anxiety and anger are at an all-time high. I used to be a cutter, and now still unable to deal with daily life, it would seem I have converted to biting my forearm. Also, waking up the next day and going to work-people thought I was on drugs because I couldn’t process anything for the first hour, along with weird shaky vision. At first, this drug did wonders for me but has since taken a nasty turn. Risk > benefit ratio for me."

• Sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been taking one quetiapine 25 every night for the past 3 nights. Mainly for being able to manage anxiety and to fall asleep at night so I can have enough energy to work 22 hours a week and take care of my 4-year-old and 1 1/2-year-old. I slept great the very first night I took it. Then, I didn’t and couldn’t and wasn’t getting out of bed. Took another one the second night, same thing the next day. Hoping it would get better, now I have more anxiety than I had to begin with. Never taking this again, I don’t care if my doctor tells me to stick with it, no way. For some people, it may take a week, maybe more. There’s no way I can live like this. I’m waiting for it to wear off. I’m getting better. I’d rather take the anxiety I had before than this."

• Aci...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2022

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Seroquel 10 mg for anxiety and insomnia. My doctor said to start at 5 mg for a couple of days so my body would get used to it. Within 20 minutes, I felt sedated and sleepy. I have to cut it into quarters before I take it because otherwise I feel dumbed down and heavy, like I smoked a whole pound of weed or something. My eyes even become reddish and lazy. It damn near gives me anxiety. I have never taken the whole 10 mg because I'm terrified of how I might feel. Also, if I take it after 7 pm, I struggle to get up at 4 am for work. I've snoozed my phone all the way to 7 am before just because I literally could not keep my eyes open for more than 5 seconds from feeling so tired, like I only had an hour of sleep. Maybe it's a different result for bipolar, but it isn't working for me at all."

• JT1...
• August 25, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Caused depression and negative, self-defeating thoughts early on. They just got worse and worse until finally, it peaked in major anxiety and panic attacks so bad I could barely speak. Then I had to step down from the drug slowly due to the well-documented withdrawal problems. So more time feeling god-awful and wasted time out of my life. In my opinion, avoid this med if you can. It's a serious drug."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2020

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Listen to me when I say never, and I mean never experiment with this drug Seroquel or Seroquel XR. It will only make your anxiety worse, and if you have OCD, you're in for a nightmare. Worst drug ever, and it will not help with your symptoms whatsoever and will only help you sleep at night. Do not, and I repeat, do not get on this medication. On top of that, you will have some of the craziest thoughts you could ever imagine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 11, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been on quetiapine for over 5 years. It’s kept me stable to a certain degree. It does have some side effects: hyper paranoia, pacing, worrying about everything from money to family with terrible anxiety. Seems to happen 2-3 times a month. But I’m on 550 milligrams. It does work. I have PTSD, bipolar, ADD, crazy dreams. But I’m stable, quetiapine does help. Not for everyone, though. Does help with sleep, but your tolerance just becomes more and more. Like any other mental medicine, I guess. Just my honest review. Try it, expect the worst munchies ever. Huge side effects for me are heavy, heavy late-night eating due to the medicine making me hungry but never feeling full. I guess I’m crazy for leaving a positive review. It’s not for everyone, I don’t eat during the day ever, so maybe it’s keeping me alive, lol."

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I think it has a bounce-back effect and causes anxiety."