Quetiapine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2017

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar, PTSD, and depression. I was put on lithium and Seroquel about 5 months ago. Lithium makes it so I don't feel... anything. And seriously, I take it around 6 pm, and the next morning I feel like a zombie. Half the time I can't even get out of bed to go to work. All I want to do all day is sleep. I've told my doctor, but he keeps telling me to give it some more time... I have kids I have to take care of, but I feel so tired and lazy on Seroquel. The only upside is it does help me sleep throughout the night instead of being awake, depressing about my life. Lithium, not sure what it does to me, but tries to block my emotional feelings, which is good and bad at the same time. I still feel sadness, though. Every day."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2018

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I used this medication at the peak of my mania-induced paranoid psychotic episode, and it helped calm it immediately. However, I am extremely sensitive to medication, so while taking only 25 mg of this, I became so tired that I couldn't possibly stay awake. Even though I took it at night, it became dangerous because I could no longer walk or talk properly, I even considered peeing in the bed because I couldn't even walk to the bathroom...lol. Although it completely knocked me out for 8+ hours and I had a fantastic sleep, when I woke up, I was still tired... which eventually made me depressed. I ended up stopping this medication because I couldn't get the dose up to where it needed to be to control my bipolar symptoms (any higher than 25 mg and I'd start drooling). I guess I'm just very sensitive."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2022

For Insomnia "I've been on 12 mg every night for a month along with Lovan. It's great for sleep, but the next day I'm tired, weak, dizzy, and can't function until late afternoon. Then I take the medication again, and the same process starts over. I thought it might be the Lovan, but I took that years ago with no side effects. I'm not sure if it's a combination of both or just the quetiapine. I have to get off it, but I need sleep. What to do..."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, anxiety, and adult ADD. Was prescribed Seroquel to help with sleep. I have been on this medication for approx. 4 months, and I have seen a dramatic improvement in my sleep, my depression, and my ADD. I wake and feel rested in the morning, I feel optimistic and in a better mood, and I have noticed my hyperactivity has decreased tremendously. I truly believe this drug should be prescribed to people with ADD/ADHD. I have been prescribed Adderall and Vyvanse for the ADD, but would physically feel exhausted, though they did help my compulsiveness and hyperactivity. Seroquel has worked wonders for me."

• 649...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have started to take 200 mg in July 2015. I have gained too much weight, nearly 20 kg. I have taken 100 mg in December 2015, and now I have been taking 50 mg. I want to quit Seroquel because I feel like a zombie. I sleep very well, but I can't get up early, and I often go to work too late. During the day, I feel tired and sleepy. For my mind and brain, it is good, but the damage of Seroquel is more than the benefits, I think. It does cause addiction. I want to quit it, or I want to take 25 mg anymore."

• Cle...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 6, 2015

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel helped my mental status, but I couldn't take being tired all the time, and the weight gain was ridiculous, even with eating healthy and working out six days a week. To get off of it, you have to taper so slow. When I dropped from 12.5 mg to 0 mg, I went through terrible withdrawals, way worse than stopping opiates. Throwing up, flu symptoms, I lived in bed and was close to wanting to just quit. I was worthless from day three of stopping to day nine. I woke up on day ten feeling back to my old self and so happy to be free of this stuff they call Seroquel."

• Sud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2021

For Insomnia "I had a panic attack one night and couldn’t get much sleep. I’ve never had bad sleeping problems before, really, but the problem kind of persisted for a few days. Somehow, I ended up being prescribed this for sleep. One 50 mg tablet a night before sleepy time. First off, it barely even helps at all. At most, I get 3 hours of very poor sleep on this, even if I do everything needed to be tired and get a good night's sleep. I’m going on 3 days of taking this, and it’s basically ruined my life (not kidding). The side effects are 100% not worth it: the extremely dry mouth, dizziness, inability to focus on anything, and tiredness the following day are pretty bad alone. But when I consider the fact that I’m no longer able to get even 1 hour of sleep at night without it now, and it has caused me to fall into a deep dark hole of depression where all I do every day is research whether this drug is right for me (which I don’t believe it should be prescribed to anyone for sleep)."

• Alt...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2018

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I use this drug in a low dose, 25 mg, to help me sleep. I am diagnosed BP1. It makes me tired enough to get to sleep. I do not feel extremely tired, but if I lie down and close my eyes, I fall asleep quickly and usually can stay asleep for 7 or more hours. Some days, I do feel very groggy, but it is worth it to me. I drink very little alcohol - one beer every two weeks or so, but if I drink the beer close to bedtime, the combination makes me extremely tired. I have gained 15 pounds since my last bipolar major episode (severe M followed by severe D in fall 17 to winter 2018). All the gain happened on olanzapine (discontinued), but either lithium or Seroquel seems to have made it tough to take some of that weight off."

• Wha...
• May 15, 2019

Quetiapine for Schizophrenia "I started taking this when I was 12 years old, and the entire time I was on it, I gained probably like 40-60 pounds. But I was somewhat overweight at the time, so probably thought not much about it. I would miss school because my mom had a death wish if she woke me up. It made me tired and foggy for days. Last October, my mom woke me up just a few hours after taking it. And I couldn't even comprehend what she was saying. So along with the schizophrenia, I also have sleep apnea, I stop breathing in my sleep. Thank god I can figure it out pretty fast and wake up. On Seroquel, it's impossible and also makes it worse. Even after more than ten years, I really hate this medication. I haven't taken it for a year or more. But they still prescribe it. They started me on Abilify, which I recommend for anyone with schizophrenia or B.L.P. or B.P. because Abilify does work, and it works fast, and also it doesn't cause any sleeping problems or drowsiness. And even comes in a once-a-month dose."

• fly...
• August 21, 2018

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Diagnosed bipolar II early 2017, age 29. A combination of 100 mgs of lamotrigine + 20 mgs Lexapro worked better to stabilize my moods/reduce my anxiety than anything ever had before, I was happy. Partner and I decided I was in a good place to start planning for a baby, however, my psych warned of the possible risks of conceiving on lamotrigine, so I began a 12 mth period of transitioning to Seroquel, which is considered lower risk during pregnancy than lamotrigine. Transitioning between drugs was going to be destabilizing - I was prepared for that. What I wasn’t prepared for was getting to a point where I should have “stabilized” on my 200 mgs of Seroquel, and to be more depressed, more tired, more overweight, less motivated, more aggressive/irritable than I had been in a very long time. I gained 10 kgs in a year, my appetite was HUGE, and I could barely function due to heavy sedation. Back on lamotrigine now and feeling much more like my happy self again."

• Zom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 21, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Weight gain, lethargic 300 dosage at bedtime, any more you'll have heads turning in public. Reclusion is a major problem due to zombie effects, messed up part is my roommates had to tell me because I didn't even notice. I have not been able to get a job. I tried college, and it didn't work. My short-term memory is short, can't even remember what I ate for dinner three days ago. I do sleep, though. All you can do is push on and forget."

• 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."

• tig...
• September 23, 2009

Quetiapine for Insomnia "Was taking Seroquel in combination with Wellbutrin and Zoloft. Took at night to help me sleep, but it left me foggy, tired, and dizzy the next day. In addition, it made me VERY fat. Gained 20 lbs in a little over a month and could not stop eating. Off it now, will save the pills for anxiety attacks (knowing it will knock me out). Effective, but side effects were too much."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2010

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I am a 49 yr old male - after a confusing and distressful life for myself and family at the age of 35 yrs and a 3 mth stay in the hospital, I was diagnosed as being bipolar. I have taken different medications over the last 14 yrs (Seroquel, Tegretol, etc.) and after my most recent manic/depressive episode, started taking Seroquel. I take 300 mg at night and at present am quite stable with mood, thoughts, and sleep patterns, though I do feel lethargic, drowsy, and being on 'auto pilot' during the day and suffer aching limbs. This, however, is a small price to pay for actually feeling like a normal part of society for the 1st time in my life."

• Haz...
• July 19, 2012

Quetiapine for Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been on these tablets for 3 days now, for borderline personality. I've been so tired after I take the 100 mg at night, but my anger is still a problem, and I'm feeling a tiny bit less like I'm lonely and no one understands me and my emotions. But honestly, not much of a change. I just still don't know if my life's going to get any better."

• Din...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on this for over a year, and it works wonders for me. Yes, at the start, this leaves you zombie-like in the morning, but it absolutely passes. After 3 weeks, all is settled nicely, and the lethargy entirely passes. So don't let the initial hangovers put you off, it's short-term stress for long-term gain. I'm on 100 mg IR and 200 mg XR at night, and it gives me magnificent sleep and solid coverage the following day. Love this drug for sleep and mood stabilization. If you've been prescribed it, persist with it because it's very much worth it in my opinion."

• Mba...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 16, 2021

Quetiapine "I'm prescribed Seroquel along with Keppra to help my seizures (been 10 years), and it is awful. I'm always forced to go back to Seroquel every time I get a seizure, and the side effects are terrible. Here is my review: and please read carefully. Disadvantages: 1. Knocks you out within minutes. 2. You wake up feeling like a zombie. Swollen eyes because you will feel tired and unmotivated for the whole entire day. (NEVER TAKE IT IN THE MORNING) 3. Unable to control your mood within the first few weeks of usage (you feel emotionless, unmotivated, no motivation to respond to people or get up from bed). 4. MAJOR WEIGHT GAIN. 10 kg within months. 5. Dependency - can't sleep without Seroquel. And it's so hard to get off it. 6. Weird dreams. Advantages: 1. Helps prevent seizures. 2. Helps sleep. 3. Improves mood over time (after 1-2 months of usage. First few weeks will be hard for you). 4. Controls heart rate. 5. Helps prevent daily anxiety and panic attacks."

• tar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "While Seroquel did somewhat help me, for borderline personality disorder, I feel it did not help enough and the side effects for me were horrible, so I had to go off it as I could not handle it anymore. I would increase it, but then the weight gain I experienced from it got worse, and I was even more tired than it already made me. I would fall asleep at work, and if I took the higher dosage at night, I would not wake up at all and could sleep for 24 hours straight. Decided it wasn't worth it."

• Pry...
• November 9, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I recently was admitted to a psych ward for a suicide ideation/attempt. I've previously been diagnosed with ADHD and borderline personality disorder. I was taking 70 mg Vyvanse 1x a day, 300 mg Wellbutrin XR 1x a day in the morning, and 20 mg of Paxil 1x before bed. The psychiatrist in the hospital discontinued the Paxil and prescribed 100 mg Luvox 2x a day and 50 mg Seroquel before bed. I've been taking the medication for 9 days. I wake up tired and feel tired the whole day. I also feel jittery, but that could be because I drink caffeinated beverages to help stay awake. My hope is these effects wear off."

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2022

For Insomnia "When I suffered from insomnia, this was the only medication that put me to sleep. I took 25 mg, and sometimes I had to take half because it knocked me out a lot. The day after, I felt extremely tired, it doesn’t give reparative sleep, so I stopped taking it."

• But...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "It leaves me so tired, mellow, and calm. I have no negative thoughts. Just thoughts. They aren’t necessarily super positive, but it’s nice to just have thoughts with no strong emotions attached. It does leave me more sleepy than I’d like, but it’s so worth it to me. I’m 24 and female and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It has helped both. I’ve only been on it a short while, but the sedative effects are already proving helpful."

• Nam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2021

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Seroquel for my bipolar. My doctor prescribed me an antidepressant (Mirtazapine) at first because he thought I was simply depressed, but that sent me right into a manic episode. After that, I was prescribed Seroquel. It did end my manic episode, but the side effects were bad. I had really bad and vivid nightmares every night. I struggled with that before, but Seroquel made it so much worse. I used to wake in the middle of the night, scared, and my whole room spinning around me and cold sweat. The worst part is that I felt even more depressed than I did at the beginning. It helped for mania but didn't help at all against my depression. I feel like it made it worse because I was tired 24/7. I wasn't as anxious as I was before, though. I had to get off it because I had to go to the doctor because I literally couldn't pee anymore. That's a not so common side effect of antipsychotics. All in all, it did not work for me personally, but everyone reacts differently to it!"

• the...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2014

For Depression "I have unipolar depression with occasional manic symptoms. For 20 years, I was on antidepressants but started quetiapine about 6 months ago in conjunction with citalopram. When I reached a daily dose of 300 mg, I was feeling great mentally. But the side effects of constipation and tiredness made it difficult to stay on this medication long-term, so I'll be trying lamotrigine next."

• Ste...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I've been on and off it for ten years, mostly for sleep and as an antipsychotic. It does not alleviate my looping thoughts at all. It has minimal effect on my anxiety levels. Sure, it puts me to sleep, but it also makes me feel lethargic. I take it because it is all my doctor suggests for me. All I can say is that it's better than nothing, I'm not a fan of this medication, never have been. To reiterate, it has zero impact on my off symptoms."