Quetiapine - PTSD, sleep difficulties, terror & nightmares?
Question posted by Anonymous on 20 Nov 2016
Last updated on 2 December 2016 by sweetsvirgo
Can Seroquel be taken ONLY as needed (in lieu of every day, same time, without a necessity to wean off) for only 1-2 months, maximum, at an "adequate" but not "high" dose? I am suffering horribly; I simply want to get over a very chronic "temporary hump" as I continue Therapy to effectively address my PTSD and ultimately recover adequately with a short-term aid to afford me the opportunity to arrest my PTSD without a need to medicate following my successful conquering of this hurdle that is very significantly impairing my efforts to accomplish the recovery I would be certain to attain.
I used Seroquel some years ago for a short time and it worked remarkably well and I recovered in full. Unfortunately, I was recently faced with a horrific trauma and the PTSD has returned. Please advise? Temporarily, it really helped me way back then!
You may already know Seroquel is an anti psychotic medication that can help with mood stabilization and sleep disorders. If it helped before, I'd talk to my Dr about starting it again. Should wean up slowly as not to have sedating effect but therapeutic and when you feel like you no longer need it, wean off per doctor's instructions. There's a new med called Latuda, it's same family of meds, just less sedating, less side effects. I suffer from insomnia and take 200mg of Seroquel every night about 6, 7yrs and it's magic to me. Puts me to sleep, keeps me asleep, never noticed any nightmares or intrusive dreams. Sometimes it hangs on a bit the next am but just till I get going. Wish you the best!
Votes: +0
CH
chuck1957
21 Nov 2016
Ann; Yes you should do what Janie,Said and if Seroquel well not do what you would like it to, Ask the doctor about some of the newer medications that they have been using for PTSD that you could just stop when you get over this hump. The Doctor well know what they are and remind the doctor most the time they are used for high blood pressure, Prostate problems but they have found them to be highly effective for PTSD, I am so sorry that you have to climb this road again,But you never know what can trigger it really so it is very good that you know what is going on. All my best to you.
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
21 Nov 2016
Hi, Chuck1957 ... Thank you for your feedback as well. I'm going to have to consult and search for an only "as needed" med and see what my Provider(s) can offer for my research and considerations.
In the past, I had a workbook that really turned my PTSD around. I wish I could remember the name of it or at the Author. I just happened across one last night and ordered it from Amazon ... it looks to be even better, at least I hope and pray that it is. It is also big on Cognitive Therapy exercises, as was the one I used prior. Having the Workbook to do something "hands-on" about my PTSD was THE KEY that freed me by challenging my thoughts and "changing my mind." It worked. Unfortunately, this time it is far worse and even brought back all that I had recovered from!! So now I need "combination" therapy ... but I also know that uninterrupted sleep is key as well ... and that's worse than ever!! I literally feel like I'm sleepwalking during the day. Non-productive and tormented.
IN
Inactive
21 Nov 2016
I am posting from a phone ... I can't read much well on this thing. Hence, if it's not against the Rules here, I'm happy to post the information about the Workbook and share about it here as I work through it. Please advise?
IN
Inactive
21 Nov 2016
Wi-Fi is down here. Very temporarily, I hope!!!
CH
chuck1957
21 Nov 2016
Ann; I do believe that they well let you post some highlights from the book as long as you put the name of the book, And where the Info. is from. all my best Chuck1957 have a good Holiday.
IN
Inactive
22 Nov 2016
The Workbook is called:
The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook SIXTH EDITION Author: Edmund J. Bourne, PhD
The excerpts and feedback I read prior to ordering this speak very highly about addressing and remedying the multiple components of PTSD and of course, the other conditions addressed all fall within. I'll check it out and share feedback.
Happy Holidays and Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, Chuck ... and to all.
JA
janiebme
22 Nov 2016
Hi Ann- Chuck had some good suggestions. I do not know of any 'as needed' med that helps PTSD except for the benzos. And as you probably know you may build tolerance, addiction and they may increase depression when used alone. They were a God saver when I was at my worst. With my first bout of PTSD I was on benzos only, I did not know anything about the issues they could cause. Even on those I was a basket case. They did not address the depression issue. I did not know what PTSD was until I was diagnosed with it. I was put on a cocktail of meds. Weaned off all with therapy, EMDR, books and support. Then I got hit again a year and a half later. Had some stressors and the PTSD returned as strong as the first time. I did not seek treatment for 3 months and should not have waited so long. Back on the cocktail of meds, but this time they did not work.
After 10 months of suffering with side effects from each drug and almost having to be hospitalized I figured out what meds work for me. I was unable to take SSRI's or SNRI's and nothing I had done before worked. It was a bleak, scary time. PTSD does not go away, I may be on meds the rest of my life, but it is better than the daily deep dark place and nerve racking anxiety. If you decide to go med free I commend you for your courage and fortitude. I hope the very best for you.
IN
Inactive
22 Nov 2016
Hello, Janie ...
I'm saddened to hear that you have been through so much! If necessary, I will take long-term medications. I have several other approaches that have worked very well in the past and I'm seeing improvement but it is very slow; the sleep problems are the most extreme.
I fully recovered twice (trauma at Age 14, another at Age 19), however, also recognizing that once a person has had a bout of PTSD, we become more prone to these "attacks" should there be any future trauma(s).
In my case, mine were several years apart and total four to date. I fully recovered from the first two. A third took place (2005) that I hadn't quite recovered from ... and this most-recent fourth one (just over a year ago) has been the most brutal of all and the other three pale by comparison.
Unfortunately, I also, as you say, waited too long to address it (denial, in my case) and this one made the three prior episodes I had prior come back in full, even all of that of which I had effectively recovered from. All four are one now ... every one of them is back and they are all four "playing together" and making my life quite a struggle when I have so much "on my plate" already.
I'm doing my best and I am a very Faith-filled person ... taking time for that helps me profoundly. My answers are coming in God's ways and through the methods He chooses. It's my responsibility to do my part and I'm giving it my all. In my case, there are several reasons that support the "less is best" approach with meds. Besides these four traumas I mention, I am also facing that of my potential fatality due to medical struggles ... but I have awhile to process that.
IN
Inactive
22 Nov 2016
Short Version: About my Medical ... the treatment(s) is/are as bad as the condition and may prove worse or ineffective. It's a very delicate balance of which very few things, even the most common/everyday OTC meds, can cause deadly complications. So far, Seroquel is approved; however, it won't help for long (initially explained in original post) and will have a rebound effect on the PTSD and perhaps worse if I take it long term. I need an as-needed med to be used sparingly and simply get over this hurdle. I am confident that I can conquer if I simply have the temporary boost I need to regain my wits and consistently use the many strategies and resources available to me that have already proven to be effective. The brain is a miraculous organ that loves to be fed ... I've done it before, I changed my perspectives and in doing so, my perceptions changed as well. I'm doing it again, I just need one little nudge to help me so that I can help myself.
An old story I once heard (applicable to "good and bad") ...
If you cage two wolves, which one will thrive?
The one that you feed.
IN
Inactive
22 Nov 2016
For over 20 solid years after the first two episodes, I had a very happy PTSD-life and was tremendously blessed. I believe I can achieve this again.
IN
Inactive
22 Nov 2016
My options are extremely limited. Even OTC's and "natural-herbal" things and similar can pose very serious dangers. I'm in quite a pickle. So the research begins ...
Thank you both for you help, I tremendously appreciate it and am most grateful. I'll post updates.
Yours truly, "Ann"
IN
Inactive
22 Nov 2016
My options are extremely limited. Even OTC's and "natural-herbal" things and similar can pose very serious dangers. I'm in quite a pickle. So the research begins ...
Thank you both for you help, I tremendously appreciate it and am most grateful. I'll post updates.
Pardon the typos (can't edit). That 20 years was PTSD-FREE!! I didn't have a trace! It can be done in some cases ... we're all different. It's takes astounding commitment, very hard work and absolutely consistent non-stop efforts for awhile ... but it can happen for some people. Healthy overall lifestyle is huge as well. No caffeine for me!
Yours truly, "Ann"
IN
Inactive
22 Nov 2016
UPDATE: Awaiting approval for a two-month supply of Xanax, no refills, temporary and only as needed (bedtime & sleep, esp. targeted) ... via my Therapist's very adamant & astute recommendation and further, following up with a consultation with my PCP to establish this necessity and the many, countless reasons that support this as the best option for me.
I need a clear mind to retain the information I need to practice to afford myself the recovery I will then attain by doing my part. Once I am able to sleep properly and regain my footing, in getting restful & productive sleep, I will then be afforded the wits and cognitive function to utilize the insurmountable tools & resources available to me and this will be conquered.
The first priority is productive, restful sleep. It's important, in my case, to know where to start. Quite simple ... I need to start at the beginning. Xanax is the beginning ... with that help afforded to me, I will then attain the foundation I need to do my part & help myself!! Nobody else can do this for me. There is help, I need it to begin, I am attaining it ... what happens after that is all up to me. I am responsible, IN FULL, for my own recovery ... on the sole basis of MY efforts. Meds help ... but for me, they are not the "end all, be all!" I like me! I don't feel worthless, "less than" or anything similar ... I'm taking me back!! Meds are temporary for me ... in my case, more than what I need to afford myself the opportunity to do my part is simply a copout on with no excuse and on the sole basis of nothing more than sloth. That's not who I am. I am not a victim and no human being will be afforded such a false sense of entitlement to believe I have been defeated. God has me!
Prayers for all!! Happy Thanksgiving! Updates pending further developments.
Hi Ann- It is a hurdle as you said, when PTSD rears it's ugly head once again. I am sorry you had to suffer from a horrific trauma. Talk to your doctor about starting back on Seroquel. You can discuss the dosage, how much per day and the duration. You can tell your doctor just what you wrote in your post. Hoping for the best outcome for you :)
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
21 Nov 2016
Hi, Janiebeme ... Thank you for your feedback. I doubt this would be a good option. I try hard to go "all natural" but in some cases, prescription medications are necessary. In such cases, I prefer to use them solely on an "as-truly needed" basis, as rarely as possible. I don't want to take anything as a "daily regimen" ... and upon digging up my notes, the Seroquel was great for the PTSD ... especially so I could get some peaceful sleep all night without waking up in torment, but after the third week, it rebounded on me and I had to be weaned off due to major depression that developed which only compounded the problem. I'd like to avoid that med, if possible ... since it can't be taken only on an as-needed basis.
