Quetiapine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Dar...
• July 16, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been taking quetiapine 25 mg day and night for about a month now. I find it is great for taking away anxiety, but I am so, so tired I could sleep the clock round. I'm also on 20 mg Cipralex for depression. I have no energy to do anything."

• Dar...
• July 16, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been taking quetiapine 25 mg day and night for about a month now. I find it is great for taking away anxiety, but I am so, so tired I could sleep the clock round. I'm also on 20 mg Cipralex for depression. I have no energy to do anything."

• Mik...
• October 15, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel is great. Been taking it for seven years. I take 200 mg at night for bipolar. It does take time to get used to it. It does cause me to get hungry 30 minutes after taking it. Just eat a healthy snack. At first, I did gain a couple of pounds. Searching online did not help. Everyone complains about how much you need to eat. It's self-control. I make sure to exercise every day. And trust me, it's not easy. There are days I have no energy. But I tell myself I have 3 little girls and have to make sure I do not get fat and unhealthy. I have bad mood swings without it. It caused me to make it miserable for my wife, kids, and coworkers. Driving was a mission every day."

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 10, 2019

For Insomnia "Very scary drug. At first, it was good and helped with my sleep. Been taking 25 mg-100 mg at bedtime for the past 7 months. Definitely puts you to sleep; however, you’ll get some insane and crazy nightmares from this stuff. Very hard to get out of bed in the morning. Literally no energy and feeling like a zombie. My eyes are always bloodshot, and I honestly feel like a zombie. I try to not take this med when I don’t have to as much as possible. Good for anxious nights where you can’t fall asleep. But definitely not worth the nightmares and morning after. Honestly, I would stay away. This drug is crazy and shouldn’t be prescribed for insomnia."

• the...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 8, 2017

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on this for about 8 months so far. I take 300 mg at bedtime. It helps with sleep, but I do feel a bit tired during the day. This has really reduced my mania. I used to argue with people until I was literally foaming at the mouth, but now I lose interest in arguments within 5 or 10 minutes. Twitter and news used to upset me, and I'd get amped up about stories, but that's gone away mostly. Now I can react to things that used to make me furious with a laugh or just a short discussion with someone. Seroquel's not perfect, but the weirdness and intensity I used to experience have gone. It also helps greatly with my IBS. I haven't had any weight gain, but my diet is low-fat and limited. Seroquel is much better than TCAs, by the way. Good luck!"

• 0rd...
• September 24, 2014

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel helped my paranoia and really kept me mentally stable, but I also was tired all the time, sometimes sleeping for 15 hours a day. I also gained 30 pounds within three months of being on Seroquel. I wouldn't recommend this medicine for anyone who does not wish to rapidly gain weight."

• Tom...
• June 13, 2015

For Depression "I have been struggling to find a medication for my simple depression for about a year and a half now, basically tried all SSRIs and a couple of others. I am now on 40 mg of Prozac (which I feel like I don't need) and 150 mg of regular Seroquel before bed. The XR made me really tired and moody, plus the expense was outrageous, but trying the regular, I finally feel myself again. Although it's my first day taking it, I feel balanced out and basically normal again. P.S. If you're struggling out there, keep fighting! God put the hardest problems on us for a reason!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 3, 2013

For Depression "I have been taking between 150-300 mg of quetiapine for 5 years. This medicine has transformed my life, and combined with venlafaxine, it keeps my depression, anxiety, and anorexia at bay. The tiredness is a small price to pay for being able to work full-time and greatly reduce the need for psych admissions."

• 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."

• nos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

Quetiapine "My psychiatrist prescribed me Seroquel for my depression as a teenager, and in hindsight, I have no idea why, seeing as it is an antipsychotic. He might have thought it would help with my mood swings and anxiety, but all it really did was make me too exhausted to get out of bed and cause my depression to get worse. It got to the point that I was institutionalized for six days, I felt so utterly depressed and miserable. All the people I've talked to have had similar experiences with this medication. I definitely wouldn't recommend taking Seroquel unless your psychiatrist really thinks it's the best option for you."

• DET...
• April 26, 2010

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 with psychotic features 3 years ago, but always dealt with grandiose thinking, mild delusions, and a good deal of depression. After self-medicating for two years, I had a mental meltdown, and after spending 2 months cooped up in my apartment, anorexic, dying; I decided it was time to see a psychiatrist. The medications I was prescribed ranged from mood stabilizers to antipsychotics, benzos, sleeping pills, many I was allergic to, like Depakote and Trileptal. Anyway, at first, I tried the regular Seroquel but gained 40 lbs in one month and slept 14 hours a day. Switched to Seroquel XR, not as tired, lost 20 lbs, appetite/mental noise decreased, panic relief, strong sleep aid, life manageable; they are expensive. HIGHLY recommend."

• Kri...
• June 25, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Suffered severe panic attacks and general anxiety on and off for months. Life was horrible, to say the least. Tried increasing my antidepressant dose (Cipramil), but no effect. Doctor suggested Seroquel XR, 50 mg each night. Worked well, but was still getting anxious spells. I increased to 75 mg and have had a week without panic. I'm able to work, enjoy things, and feel more optimistic about the future. I feel a bit tired and fatigued, but I have recently been diagnosed with anemia, so I think this plays a huge role. Other than that: no side effects. Love this drug!!!!"

• Lit...
• August 5, 2013

For Insomnia "I have been on quetiapine 50 mg for I don't know how long, but my sleep lasted 3 hrs. Then I would wake up and sleep the rest of the night. I was very tired and depressed all the time, very unhappy. About 5 days ago, my psych put me on 100 mg. Now I sleep all night, it feels like I'm in another world. I have not seen any more hunger. I won't know about weight gain for a while."

• Stu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2020

For Depression "I had major depression, suicidal idealization, major anxiety. 1 x 50 mg tablet at night, feeling much better within 24 hours. Some lingering tiredness and more sleep required, instead of 7-8 hours, need 8-10 hours. Years on various SSRIs, 10%-15% improvement at best. Valdoxin, Prozac, Zoloft, etc."

• zai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 6, 2014

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "I've been on Seroquel since being diagnosed (now 18 months). Started taking 50 mg but now I'm on 100 mg. I've got to the point on this medication that the side effects are too much. Constantly tired. Feel very vague. My memory is terrible. I'm starting to forget about things I've already done. Still very paranoid. Also, I'm still having panic attacks. So for me, it's time to move on and try something new (Olanzapine)."

• Eli...
• August 15, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I sometimes hear negative things about Seroquel. At first, I had bad giddiness and lightheadedness. I wanted to stop, but was recommended to stay on it, and I did. I changed to XR and I haven't looked back. It's been three years, if I hear an offhand remark at the chemist that it's not popular, I tell them I would not change. I tried Zyprexa, but it wasn't good for me, I didn't last even a full foil. Seroquel isn't too bad on the weight, and a better diet and exercise would help. For me, this is a great med, and I don't want to change, it helps with so much, it has many uses. The tiredness you can have wears off, and as time goes by, your body gets used to it. It is tiring, but a small price to pay. I'm sticking with Seroquel. I am a positive vote."

• Nyo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2015

For Insomnia "Seroquel at 37.5 mg does help with sleep. But be mindful this is not a drug to take in the morning. I have been reading reviews on here where people are taking this drug in the morning. You are going to be sleepy and sluggish. Do not do it. A low dose of anything under 50 mg will help you sleep. Anything over that and you will be tired the day and sluggish."

• Min...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 9, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking quetiapine on and off for years. I have to say that the drug makes you feel great. I have been taking various doses over the years also because of different life events and tolerances built up. I can sometimes go without taking it for some length of time, but I find that when anxiety gets you down, this drug is amazing at making you feel calm and relaxed. I suffer from quite bad anxiety and this drug takes away all that worry. It does make you extremely hungry, and I now have a large stomach, haha. But it’s great. I currently take 6.25 mg and just enough to get you to sleep and feel chill. At higher doses, you can feel tired and groggy the next day, which is no good for work. Anyway, I approve of this drug."

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2012

Quetiapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been taking 200 mg of Seroquel now for about 4 years for schizoaffective disorder. I love this medicine, especially after trying Abilify and Risperdal, which made me lethargic and apathetic towards everything. It has also helped with my borderline personality and generalized anxiety disorders."

• Bri...
• April 5, 2017

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this for about 2 months, and I've recently been getting extremely tired all day long (even if I take it way earlier the day before). The drowsiness is so extreme that I can't even watch a show. I'm literally struggling to stay awake all day because I feel like I just want to sleep my life away. My depression has been through the roof as well! And to top it off, the weight I have gained since I have been on it has been insane. I constantly want to eat all the time! I have gained at least 20-30 pounds in the past month or two! I am definitely going to tell my doctor I want off of it ASAP! I can't take it anymore."

• Dav...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 15, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Seroquel for 10 years of varying dosage until finding the right balance of this medication. It cured my insomnia and dampened the racing thoughts. Very happy with it for those reasons. However, I feel very dizzy and tired around an hour after taking 350 mg at night. It levels out the mood swings. Curbs feelings of elation and empathy, which is quite a price to pay for steady moods. To conclude, Seroquel has had a very positive influence in the treatment of bipolar disorder. I think of it as preventative medication that 'quietens' the mind (hence Quetiapine - its pharmaceutical name)."

• SGM...
• June 22, 2014

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I went to a psychiatrist last week for post-traumatic stress disorder, having been diagnosed by the VA when I retired. I was put on 50 mg quetiapine. While in two days, my lifetime nail biting ceased, and I feel less anxious, I am tired as heck."

• Dai...
• April 6, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "At first, I hated this medication. It made me really tired, with feelings of non-reality and weight gain. The doctor who put me on it said to wait and give it a chance. I'm glad I did. I use it to sleep at night. At some point, I will reduce it, but it's great for now. I have very restful sleeps, but I am unable to remember my dreams. I am bipolar, and although I am on other medication for it, I believe that Seroquel has been key in my mood stability. I take 100 mg every night and 25 mg PRN for anxiety if needed. Although I get tired on it, it does slow down my thoughts."

• sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "The only good side was that it helped me sleep well. But I couldn't even get up in the morning, I was so drowsy still and felt hung over badly. Also, I was very lethargic. Like numb, and I felt numb. Like crap. Almost like seriously depressed without a depressed state of mind. Horrible."

• Eli...
• November 28, 2014

Quetiapine for Major Depressive Disorder "Seroquel for depression isn't heard of much. I'm on it, and yes, at first, it was horrible. Head spins and just like motion sickness. But I was advised to stick it out and did. Approx. 6 weeks it settled down. I take it for bipolar, the racing mind, no sleep, or little sleep. With Seroquel, I sleep a night's rest. My mind isn't active at all. I'm on 300 mg. A bit tired of a morning, but if you are up early, which can be hard, the effects wear off sooner. I won't swap to any other, I tried Zyprexa, but I'm sticking with Seroquel."