Quetiapine and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Idk...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2019

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Struggling with a lot of insomnia due to OCD and anxiety, I oftentimes have trouble falling asleep. But this medication lets me get 8 hours of sleep every night, which allows me to cope with the anxiety and OCD. It really helps with unwanted OCD thoughts, lets thoughts come and go better. It doesn’t completely get rid of my very general daily anxiety, but it helps me sleep, which is very important to me!! Also, I’ve experienced no weight gain, the only side effect would be if I take it late, 12 am - 1 am, at night and have to get up early the next day. I do feel a little drowsy for a bit."

• Ted...
• December 24, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Prescribed by shrink for insomnia and anxiety when I was having a terrible time trying to get off benzos. Has worked very well, albeit I have stuck on the same dose of benzodiazepines on advice, i.e., not come down any more. It's great for going to sleep and not waking up at 4 a.m. worried about stuff. Yes, it makes you a bit drowsy, and you do eat more. It reminds me of the munchies. Best thing is just to go to bed. I wanted to say, though, that the dose is critical. For sleep, the dose is very low. I take 12.5 mg. I went up to 25 mg and was a zombie, it was horrible. If you have a shitty time, try halving the dose. I know it does different things at different levels, and maybe if you took a whole lot more, then it would work in a different way."

• My...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Seroquel gets rid of 95% of my anxiety and severe insomnia. I've tried everything else. I don't feel drugged. I just feel something like a normal person. It's amazing. It only got rid of about 30% of my depression, but together with Lamictal, they cover 80% of my depression as long as I make sure to stay social. I take 350 mg about 2 hours before bed. It was EXTREMELY sedating at first, but within a month (maybe 2 weeks), I adapted to each new dose increase. I do have to make sure to get 8-10 hours of sleep every night, but a big part of that is my CFS and sleep apnea. We slowly went up over the course of 3 months to get to 300 mg. And after being on it about 2 years, I had to raise it to 350 mg because it wasn't working as well."

• Sli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2020

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Finally was able to get back on Quetiapine after adding fiber pills to my diet, and I am loving sleep. Spent my whole life not sleeping well or at all lately (was up for almost a week straight last year). Quetiapine IR was a surefire way of knocking me out within an hour and staying asleep well into the morning. Pretty groggy, though, and had to keep increasing my dose. My Pdoc recently sent the XR version into the pharmacy instead, and it is rather different. I don’t get knocked out right away, which means I can create a better sleep hygiene routine. If I am more relaxed, I don’t need to be put to sleep but gradually work my way into it. It does take a minute to fully wake up, but I have to say I feel my overall mood remains pretty stable for most of the rest of the day."

• cou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2013

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "I was prescribed this for paranoid psychosis and depression. At first, I was to take a half of a 100 mg tablet at night for a week, then raise to the whole pill. After taking the half the first night at eight and feeling drunk, I decided this might not be for me, so I cut the half in half and take a quarter pill a night. It has helped me sleep and seems to curve my overthinking things and thinking that every comment or conversation on social media is about me. I think also by getting off social media altogether, it also helped my situation. But overall good medication, it's the only thing I take."

• jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 24, 2012

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1 about 8 months ago. My doctor put me on Seroquel 100 mg. I do have to take it at night due to the drowsiness it causes. It has made a dramatic change in the racing thoughts and negative self-image I felt. I've also had a marked change in my insomnia. I was misdiagnosed for a number of years and couldn't understand why the other meds didn't make a difference. I wake up feeling rested. I did have some vivid dreams when I first began taking it. I also get the munchies, but they have subsided considerably in the last month or two and have dropped almost 20 pounds. This is magical as far as I'm concerned! As well as the Seroquel, I also take 20 mg of Lexapro and 600 mg of Neurontin every night. Thanks!!"

• Sle...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2014

For Insomnia "I have been taking this since it was prescribed in detox three years ago. It has worked wonders for me. I only take 1/4 of a 50 mg pill and sleep through the night. I don't take it on the weekends to avoid building a tolerance. Sometimes, if I am under stress, I will take a 1/2 pill. The only thing I notice is that I need to take it when I have at least 7 hours to sleep, or I may be groggy in the morning."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has been very helpful with sleep, and I also noticed some mood stabilization in combination with Lamictal and sometimes Klonopin. Sometimes it is overly sedating, but taking it a couple of hours before normally going to sleep is important for me so that I don't feel drowsy the next day. I did not notice any weight gain on it. My doctor started me on 50 mg, which was good for sedation, but no major difference in mood. 100 mg does make a difference in lowering my anxiety and some mood stabilization with my other medications, but sometimes she recommends me to take 200 mg to reduce mania from flaring up when it starts. Overall, this med has been useful for Bipolar 1 for me."

• Bli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

Quetiapine for Major Depressive Disorder "Have had major depression and major depressive episodes over 45 years. Have tried various SSRIs. Seroquel is the best so far, it helped me significantly with one 25 mg dose. Where the SSRIs did not seem to help much at all after months of use: Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor. Side effects seem to be minor, except it does make me sleep a lot. A LOT. Up to 10 hours a day. Deep sleep, not just REM sleep. Works extremely well for me. Although I try to use it only when I need it. In short periods of 2 weeks or so, and then see if I still require it. Very effective. I can honestly say this drug saved me from the edge of desperation and suicide."

• JND...
• February 22, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have bipolar type 2 for 20 years now. I'm also a registered nurse. I take Depakote for my mood stabilizer and Lexapro, and for about 6 years was on 25 mg of Seroquel for sleep. It put me to sleep, a very deep, restful sleep, but I found come morning when it was time to wake for work I was soooooo groggy throughout the day, it was awful... UNTIL when I had to come off my Depakote to get pregnant, and my doctor said we could increase my Seroquel to take its place, that the higher the dose of Seroquel, 200+, the LESS daytime sleepiness I would have and I wake up feeling refreshed. Most sedating drugs, the reverse is true, like for example, Valium, take a tiny dose okay, but bigger doses and you're asleep. Not true of Seroquel. Look it up or ask your psych."

• Kat...
• May 8, 2012

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel helps both manic and depressive symptoms, however, it is much better when combined with other mood-stabilizing medications. Good for providing sleep, but it can be too sedating until you get used to it (just take it consistently and stick with it). Slight raise in appetite for carbs but nothing a healthy diet and exercise can't counteract, which is what you should be doing if you have a serious mental illness anyway. A good first medicine to try, because it's a mood stabilizer (for both types of episodes), antipsychotic, sleep medication, and anxiolytic! It's great for controlling anxiety and making you feel calmer and means you don't have to take Valium or sleeping pills, which can be addictive-whereas Seroquel is NOT addictive."

• Tya...
• September 26, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I've struggled with severe anxiety for most of my life (leading me to being physically sick and suicidal at its worst), and recently was diagnosed with bipolar 1. I'm generally a big advocate for natural healing, but things have gotten so intense that I needed more help. My psychiatrist is amazing and wanted to go slow! He said he doesn't want my first experience with big pharma to be traumatic. I noticed at 300 mg I was really groggy, irritable, and had a slight hand tremor. Mind you, I'm 5'2 and 115 lbs, so I'm a light weight with most substances! 150 mg has been my sweet spot! Overall, I'm super optimistic! But I'm also working hard to be consistent in all aspects of my life. That's key for bipolar/anxiety! I meditate, exercise, eat right, spend time in nature, journal, go to therapy, go to bed and wake up at the same time, etc. No medicine will be a cure-all on its own! Peace and happiness is a constant practice. Coming from a suicide survivor, I promise it gets better!"

• dev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2019

For Depression "I went on Seroquel for psychotic depression. I also suffer from ADHD, and I'm on stimulants. I've been on it for a few months now, and I've just started school, and the brain fog has really been screwing me over academically. Other than that, it's helpful, but far too sedating. I've done horribly in all my assessments despite studying because it's like my brain isn't working. My teachers are all concerned about my performance. I take a dose of 300 mg. I haven't had much weight gain, but I feel really stiff all the time. I've constantly been late to school and passing out because of this med, so I can't even show up to school. It works pretty well, but it's way too sedating and neutralizes all my thoughts. Switching from XR to IR somewhat helped, but I'm still having a ton of issues."

• yor...
• September 29, 2008

Quetiapine for Borderline Personality Disorder "I'm three weeks into taking 200 mg of Seroquel along with my usual Effexor. I was prescribed it off-label to help with the mood swings I get from being borderline. For the first time in years, I am not full of anxiety. I sleep longer, am able to exercise in public without feeling self-conscious, am eating more healthy foods, although still too much of them. The drowsiness was awful initially but has mostly disappeared now."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2011

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I've had bad reactions to every mood stabilizer I've tried, but this was truly the scariest. I had to withdraw from college because I was sleeping constantly, crying for 8 hours at a time, and hallucinating. I eventually became suicidal and landed myself in the hospital for 2 weeks. I know that everyone reacts differently, and finding the bipolar cocktail is a painful trial-and-error process, but if you have this experience, I wanted you to know you are not alone."

• Que...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 24, 2017

For Depression "I was diagnosed with delusional jealousy in November 2016. I was utterly convinced my wife was cheating on me despite no evidence to support this irrational belief. The lack of evidence just made me even more suspicious. I was out of control. Taking Prozac and Lorazepam to try and control the anxiety was making things worse. A private psychiatrist diagnosed me and prescribed quetiapine 300 mg. The first 2 weeks were a bit groggy, but I kept fit, ate healthily, and went to bed early. The results were astonishing. I was immediately so much calmer and rational. At the very least, this drug saved my marriage and, at best, it has probably saved my life. Yes, I'm hungry all the time and have to be careful with food, but it's a small price to pay."

• Sle...
• April 8, 2016

For Insomnia "I do not have depression, anxiety, etc. But I do have occasional insomnia. Someone told me to try Seroquel, and I did. Best stuff ever for insomnia. I've tried the XR 25 mg and 50 mg. Both work, but I have to take it early enough because the drowsy effect is long-lasting. But best sleep ever!!"

• fre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2013

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Took for bipolar disorder (for the depression). In small doses, this caused me to be too sleepy to function. When I took a large dose at night, however, it knocked me out, and I was good the next day. This really did help with the depression and mood swings. However, it caused significant weight gain. I had to stop taking this when a job had ended and I no longer had insurance. I fought insomnia for around 6 months, but after that time, was finally able to sleep again, and the weight came out. I would recommend this for someone who really needs it, but not until other medicines have been tried first with no success."

• den...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 20, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Back in 2013, I was prescribed quetiapine. I was coming off, 'cold turkey' benzo withdrawal. I had been on benzos in one form or another since the late 60s. So my psychiatrist, at that time, prescribed it as a low dose of quetiapine. I've been on it ever since. The drug was very effective for helping me sleep. I take 200 mg at bedtime. I also take 50 mg during the day. Occasionally, I will have restless leg syndrome as a side effect. The other side effect is drowsiness, which I only get from the 200 mg bedtime dose. There are possible side effects like an increase in sugar levels and movement disorders, i.e., tardive dyskinesia, but I have my sugar levels monitored, and tardive dyskinesia is a rare side effect. All in all, it works for me."

• Yoy...
• May 8, 2017

For Insomnia "I take quetiapine for my insomnia. Within the first 30 mins of taking it, my body starts to tingle like a warning that I'm about to sleep. I climb into bed, get really groggy, and sleep. The next day is always horrible after taking the pill. I'm tired all day, it's hard to wake up for school. I don't want to do anything but sleep. I recommend you take this pill when you know you don't have to wake up too early."

• Meg...
• September 4, 2016

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "I was prescribed Seroquel for PTSD. Never again. 25 mg, I had the worst panic attack of my life, I could barely walk, but I was so scared I kept trying to run around. It was horrible. I went absolutely crazy, then passed out hard. Not my kind of medication. My mother-in-law takes 250 mg a day for schizophrenia, she has for six months now. So far, it is not helping her delusions, hallucinations, or paranoia. She was told to take it at suppertime and seemed drunk and sedated all evening. She now takes it at bedtime, but it is not helping her. :("

• San...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 17, 2022

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I’m 61 and was diagnosed bipolar NOS, meaning I don’t fit into any category, but I have elements of bipolar. I used to be very impulsive and have made some bad decisions. I was high energy, but I also had a lot of depression. I had bad reactions to antidepressants. I would get very irritable. I've been on a low dose of lithium and 25 mg of Seroquel for several years. The Seroquel makes me a little groggy in the morning, but it has really helped with irritability. I’ve gained some weight because I’m not as hyper as I used to be. Hope this helps. I’m not ashamed to admit I need meds. Some people resist when they should be on them."

• Wyn...
• March 31, 2011

Quetiapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been treated for schizoaffective disorder and bipolar 1 since 1998. I have been on many medicines and combinations of medicines. In 2006, I had been off medicines for about a year when I went into psychosis and extremely manic - I was not sleeping and could not relax. The hallucinations and delusions were troubling. I was given Seroquel, and on the first night, I slept and slept very well for the first time in months. I woke up with a clear head and was not confused about who or where I was. I did not get the zombie feeling, but I was very tired all the time - taking Seroquel 4 times a day. When my dose and frequency were reduced, the sleepiness went away. (I take it just at bedtime now). I didn't get weight gain from it. Seroquel was my miracle medicine."

• GRa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 25, 2018

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Seroquel XR for 2.5 years now, with doses ranging from 150mg to 250mg. Currently taking 200mg. It does work, but it works very slowly, therapeutically speaking. The anti-anxiety effects kick in, I would say, in a week or two maximum, and the sleepiness is very intense in the beginning. What I don’t like about it is that you get used to the dose very quickly, and the symptoms return, needing to either up or lower the dose. It’s not a super stable medicine. The first days of upping the dose, you do feel more stable, calmer, peaceful, but a week after, you find yourself asking for more. Now, therapeutically, it brings you back to earth, you know, but it’s not enough. In my case, the lack of motivation is a big thing for me. It was so bad my doctor thought I had attention issues and wanted me to try Adderall, and I said no because I knew it was from Seroquel. Anyway, all antipsychotics are motivation killers and make existing depression worse and trigger ADHD in my case. Good luck."

• Cor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 11, 2012

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "I take a dose of 600 mg at nighttime (because it makes me sleep). I wish that I could take less because I don't like that it makes me so tired, but I need it to stay sane. I've been on it for 5 years, and I used to sleep about 12 hours, but now it's down to 9. The good thing about Seroquel is that I have only sleeping as a side effect. I have been on other meds and had everything: dry mouth, blurred vision, drooling, constipation, you name it, I had it. So Seroquel is at least good for that. The only bad thing in the last 2 years I have noticed is overthinking and like a conversation going on in my head, but I can't find a good medicine, and I don't want to increase Seroquel because of the sleepiness."