Quetiapine and Brain Fog: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 24, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am a 29-year-old female. I was put on this drug, 150 mg, for a year, and within that year, I have put on 4 stone, and my cholesterol is really high. I am fed up with the weight gain and feeling tired all the time. My psychiatrist is eventually taking me off this and wants to try venlafaxine. I don't know if that will help with my depression, but I will give it a go. I also take 45 mg mirtazapine at night, which also helps me sleep. I feel like I have no motivation to do anything. I also have started to cut out foods to help me lose weight. I feel like all I do is sleep and feel in a fog with twitches and no energy."

• LMT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2023

Quetiapine "I was on hydroxyzine for 5 years for insomnia, but it’s not for long-term use, so I tried Seroquel 50-100 mg. I really like it and sleep great and have fun, vivid, and creative dreams. However, after a month of use, an hour after I take it, I have this horrible allergic reaction where my nose completely swells shut and I can’t breathe. I take Flonase and have to get up and walk around, feeling loopy and dizzy. My nose does clear up. Then I wake up in the middle of the night and have a pounding headache, like my head and neck have a lot of pressure. It’s horrible and such a bummer because it was great at first. I don’t know what I’ll be on next for sleep. Are there other sleep meds like hydroxyzine and Seroquel?"

• No ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2021

Quetiapine for Depression "On this for depression & bipolar. Terrible word blockage. Would experience electrical-like zaps in my brain. Felt like a zombie, unable to focus, no energy to do anything. Slept for 16+ hours every single time I took it."

• don...
• December 6, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Prescribed 25 mg off-label to take for insomnia when required. I had them for weeks and not taken them but gave in last night after a rough week. Took 25 mg at 2230, fell asleep within 40 minutes, slept until 0930. Woke three times but back to sleep straight away. 1100 am now and feel sedated and spaced out, not refreshed like I've had a good sleep. Not going to make a habit of taking these, just have a break now then from intense tiredness and being up all night."

• Cck...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 18, 2019

Quetiapine for Major Depressive Disorder "While on Seroquel XR, my habits, escape mechanisms related to BPD were improved. These related to gambling, alcoholism, and reckless behavior. The side effects in my case were severe and included increased appetite, weight gain, tachycardia, and feeling like a zombie. I found myself questioning why I needed this drug?"

• Sar...
• August 11, 2015

Quetiapine "I was on Seroquel XR 350 mg for 3 years to treat clinical depression and anxiety. The only problems were the weight gain (about 80 pounds in 3 years), a general 'zombie' feeling that made concentrating a little difficult, and some short-term memory problems, but all of that was worth it since my moods were finally stable. Come to find out I was misdiagnosed, and now I'm being treated with Topamax for Bipolar II, but if that doesn't work, it's back to Seroquel. I suggest trying it to anyone who hasn't had luck with other medications. Once you get past 150 mg, it might knock you out pretty quick, so take it at night and give yourself enough time for a solid 8 hours because you might not wake up before that."

• lyn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 3, 2025

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "This drug literally saved my life. At first, it is hard to get used to the fogginess and feeling sleepy, but most of the side effects went away after 6 months. I did gain about 30 lbs, but that was over the course of 10 years and I have recently been able to get it off. I have had to keep track of calories and eat well to not gain weight on this med. However, that is a better lifestyle anyway. This med helped so much with my OCD/intrusive thoughts and depression. I don't know if I will ever go off this med. At this time, 50-100 mg is all I need. However, when I have a major depression episode, it is increased to 200-300, but that has only happened 2x in 18 years. I felt I needed to write this for someone on the fence about trying this medicine or not. I am glad I did."

• flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Made me a complete zombie. Threw them out."

• DMM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 4, 2022

For Insomnia "I have been on this drug for a long time now. I’m on the highest dose. You definitely need 8 hours of sleep on this medication. If not, you will be loopy."