Quetiapine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Pla...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2017

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I had side effects beginning Seroquel, which subsided after 6 weeks. I grew to appreciate this drug, it did wonders for my racing thoughts, plus sleep. BUT now I need to come off it after many years. OMG, even tapering is horrible. I'm off it now, and I’m suffering withdrawals. So extreme lethargic, depressed, flu-like, had 2 weeks of random vomiting, plus still had nausea and can hardly look at food. I used to call Seroquel my friend and smile, but now my light-headedness is back. I wish I had energy and could eat well. 2 weeks this could last or more. Just putting this out there, I was a fan and still am, I guess, of this drug, but coming off is hard. I hardly ever get side effects and have gone off quickly with some, but this - this is hard."

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

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Lol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2022

For Insomnia "My issues are severe anxiety and depression/BPD traits/insomnia/agoraphobia. I just took 25g last night and wow. I woke up today (have I even woken up yet?) and I feel worse than I have ever felt in my life. I woke up at all the same times as usual, only this time, when I had to get up to go pee, it was like being absolutely hammered without any of the fun. Horrible trip. Couldn’t wake up even when it was time to wake. Couldn’t take care of my dogs because I could hardly move. I felt confused, guilty, frightened, and upset. Made me feel suicidal. It sparked an argument with my spouse because I said I wouldn’t take it again. I can hardly be around him because I’m so tired. It’s made me super emotional and kinda angry that anyone would think giving me something that makes me unable to function would be what I needed when I was already so low. I’ve been against meds from the start but finally wanted to see if it could help me and went in with a hopeful heart. These are not what I need at all. I’m willing to try other meds but these are a no."

• VC8...
• December 22, 2017

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "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! :)"

• Jay...
• February 28, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I am writing both as a user and a person seeking additional information on Seroquel XR. I have been on it for about three months. I have found that it eliminated the manic phase of my diagnosis, as well as anxiety. However, tapering back and forth due to side effects has made it difficult to make consistent observations, and I have suffered depression and even suicidality as a result. What have others experienced on this topic? I understand bipolar disorder is a multifaceted illness and therefore should be treated from both angles. Are most of you on more than one medication in conjunction with Seroquel? I understand I have also had a difficult time taking it as prescribed, and this may have hindered my results. Thank you."

• PSY...
• February 26, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 59 years old, worked as a psych nurse for 28 years, and am bipolar. My symptoms manifest in severe depression, anxiety, and insomnia, so bad I retired early. I have now been on Seroquel for 6 years, and in combination with Lamictal and Requip, I have been able to enjoy life, sleep well, and manage well as an outpatient. Seroquel is, for me, a miracle. I spent many years addicted to Xanax and other benzodiazepines in a futile attempt to sleep and decrease the anxiety. I know that many psyche meds were originally meant to treat other illnesses and found to be beneficial in others, so I feel extremely fortunate to finally have a medicine that works! I often joke with my friends that whoever discovered this medicine should get a Nobel Prize in medicine."

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

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Ser...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 30, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I absolutely loved this med at first. Started off with 25 mg cut in half and taken morning and evening for anxiety. Upped to 50 mg XR after a few weeks. Had it for 4 years, and it worked wonders. Then I started experiencing brain fog, memory loss, extreme fatigue, depression, and many, many more. It took me 2 years to realize it was the drug causing it. Got off in March '21, and I am still suffering from withdrawals."

• ano...
• April 17, 2011

Quetiapine for Insomnia "I am in treatment for Lyme disease, and the antibiotics, as well as the infections, cause insomnia, depression, anxiety, and racing thoughts. I used herbs to quiet my mind so I could sleep, and they were successful for a couple of years, but finally, I needed something stronger. I take just half of a 25 mg pill an hour before I want to fall asleep. It works very well, but I do feel groggy in the morning. At first, I even had trouble talking, as my speech was slurred."

• Lia...
• September 6, 2015

Quetiapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "English is not my main language, so if something is not understood, know why. From the age 16 to 17, I had depression and I had social anxiety, then I tried to kill myself and went into a mental hospital. The trauma I had there made me do the same thing again. They tried every single medication on me, and then they decided Seroquel XR is the best med for me. It really made me be balanced, but also made me apathetic and not connected to my feelings and thoughts. My memory was terrible, and I barely talked. I stopped taking it for one day and went into a manic-psychotic mood, and I'm writing it from another mental hospital. I'm happy that I stopped taking this, I want to feel alive, not like a zombie."

• one...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 21, 2013

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I took Seroquel for a year and a half. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I can say for the most part the medicine did help me. I was taking 50 mgs because I have kids. It helped me along with therapy to deal with my depression. I had to stop."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on Seroquel for 5 months so far for intrusive thoughts and anxiety. My experience is not the best nor the worst. Started off with Lexapro 10 mg and Seroquel 25 mg. I went up to 150 mg to help with the side effects of Lexapro and then I quit Lexapro. Seroquel helped my anxiety and intrusive thoughts tremendously, until I got to 150 mg. After a week of being on 150 mg, my depression increased by a million folds. My psych and I went up to 300 mg hoping it works, but it just made my depression worse. Now I am tapering down and got to 75 mg/day and depression is lifting but still not great. The tapering process was very slow, but the side effects were still awful. My biggest issue is that it gave me depression. I only had intrusive thoughts and anxiety, which it does treat, but honestly the depression side effect is not worth it."

• sui...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2015

For Depression "Got this at ER. Caused my depression to worsen after three weeks. Despite drowsiness, the co-occurrence with restlessness initially caused inability to sleep. Further use led to somnolence, further lack of motivation, and suicidal ideation. Discontinuation caused depersonalization and severe aggression. Read the story of Dan Markingson. Not recommended at all for depression."

• jkq...
• September 25, 2010

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 17. I'm now 19. I was on Seroquel for about six months, and it did improve my episodes to be a lot less frequent. It was a Godsend in that area, but the side effects were horrible. I gained about 55 lbs in five months. I went from a size 4 to a size 12 in a very short amount of time. I became very depressed, I spoke with my doctor and stopped taking it, and I’m doing fine. I have not had any episodes since June 2009, and the weight is coming off very easily. I just exercise three times a week. Overall, I rate this medication a 6 just because of the side effects."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2010

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I only took this one evening, it put me to sleep. This was one of the strongest medicines I've taken. I was put on 50 mg. I felt horrible the next day, couldn't concentrate to read, felt more depressed, had to go back to bed in the morning, and felt horrible the whole day. Luckily, my doctor said I could quit it."

• mar...
• July 7, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "When I first started taking this medication off work, it pulled me out of my anxious, depressed episode, but it came back once I started working again. I find it helps with anxiety a bit at 300 mg, but feel drugged, sort of depressed, may not be the medication. And still feel I am not coping. Australian government subsidizes all medication with or without insurance."

• Zel...
• November 4, 2020

For Depression "I’m on 50 mg of Citalopram. Not sleeping soundly, which has just turned into insomnia. Psych has given me quetiapine 25 mg to help me sleep. It has taken me 5 days to work out I must have it at 6 pm for it to work (apparently the effect takes 2-3 hours to come on) and to not be groggy until midday the following day (awful). Since taking it, I have noticed a slight increase in depression. Then today, bang, anxiety back although it was quite short-lived. Someone on here mentioned the bounce-back effect, which I’m beginning to see is happening with this drug, the same as Ativan did... just makes depression and anxiety worse. Psych seems to think it’s not addictive either. I really don’t agree with that. How can something that puts you to sleep so nicely ever not be a choice over insomnia? I think I’m going to stop taking it as much as it helps my sleep. Can’t risk having depression and anxiety be any worse. This is a very heavy drug. I’m quite surprised she prescribed it so easily. Beware."

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Until I found quetiapine, I was always anxious and had to be doing something all the time. I always felt restless, and sleep was my enemy. Racing thoughts meant I looked at the clock every hour and got more anxious as I could not sleep. The next day would be tired, worn down, and depressed. A relatively small dose changed my life. I sleep, enjoy sleep, enjoy the vivid dreams, and wake up feeling rested and able to cope with day-to-day stresses. However, I find it harder to keep active and have put on a lot of weight. This makes me feel a bit depressed sometimes. But on balance, I prefer the calmer person I am now. I am much less likely to be manic and do stupid things that I regret. And"

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took this years ago. I don't remember the dose, but it was enough to destroy my life. I was told to take it at night after dinner. I did that, and in 30 minutes it felt like I hadn't eaten all day, and I ate a lot before taking it. I would then eat again because I was so relaxed. I tripled my weight, my doctor's solution was to monitor my glucose!! Unbelievable! I was always a thin girl. The fat caused me even greater depression, which didn't seem to worry the doctor. I wanted to warn others, as I was too depressed and uninformed about weight gain and meds. If you are gaining weight, especially a lot, it is not working. Maybe a lower dose would be the answer, as it did quiet the mind."

• Mhi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Ache on the entire body. Painful constipation, cataracts, low blood pressure. Very weak and painful arthritis. More depressed and no enthusiasm at all but sleeping. Doctor has stopped this drug for me now 3 months ago. Only continue with arthritis and cataracts."

• Lu1...
• September 8, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I took just 25mg, and I felt awful-stomach pain, headache, and weakness. I had a problem with falling asleep, and when I did, I had nightmares. In the morning, I couldn't get up, spent all my day in bed with muscle pain and a headache. But the worst was feeling irritated and restless. I felt really down and depressed. I even had thoughts of hurting myself... Shame because I had a lot of hopes with it :-(. This med is not for me..."

• 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."

• Gom...
• July 22, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "This has been a horrible experience. I have gained too much weight. I am more depressed than ever. This medicine says it is prescribed for me for sleep. First few nights, absolutely true. Now all I get is restless legs, intense food cravings, and it is physically hard to get up. Terrible constipation, which leads to feeling extremely bloated. No drive or motivation whatsoever. My doctor thinks I should stay on this poison. I am going on a vacation in a couple of months, this 40 lb weight gain is really stressing me out. I will see if she will prescribe Adderall, which I used before, quit cold turkey, and felt no withdrawals. The only reason I give it a 2 is that it has helped insomnia."

• Gom...
• July 22, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "This has been a horrible experience. I have gained too much weight. I am more depressed than ever. This medicine says it is prescribed for me for sleep. First few nights, absolutely true. Now all I get is restless legs, intense food cravings, and it is physically hard to get up. Terrible constipation, which leads to feeling extremely bloated. No drive or motivation whatsoever. My doctor thinks I should stay on this poison. I am going on a vacation in a couple of months, this 40 lb weight gain is really stressing me out. I will see if she will prescribe Adderall, which I used before, quit cold turkey, and felt no withdrawals. The only reason I give it a 2 is that it has helped insomnia."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2016

For Paranoid Disorder "This medication did not work for my paranoia, anxiety, depression, and delusions. In fact, it made me feel worse. I started to believe more ridiculous things were going on around me. I actually surprisingly lost a little weight, but that could be attributed to quitting breastfeeding in the process. I slept really well on this medicine, which was helpful with the intrusive thoughts. I had a problem going from 300 mg to 400 mg. The twitching became extreme, especially in my face. I became severely depressed on this medication because my intrusive thoughts started to feel more real. The only perk to this drug was that it increased my libido. I am now starting a new medication. I guess every person is different."