Seroquel for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• cmw...
• April 16, 2013

"I just started taking Seroquel (50 mg) for now at bedtime, and will eventually increase the dose to 150 mg when told to by my doctor. So far, I have experienced serious trouble waking up the next morning, but my doctor says this will go away as I continue to take it. As a teenager, I can honestly say it has helped so far, and that I highly recommend it to others who have struggled as I have."

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

"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."

• Woo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

"I started Seroquel due to being on the 'spectrum' of bipolar and having bad anxiety, depression, and some paranoia. I remember when I started it, feeling at peace just being in public. Calmest I have ever felt in my life. Had to stop it because I was having issues with it causing edema in my legs. Have issues with type 2 diabetes prior to this, so figured I'd better not try to start it up again. I really wish I could because it was nothing short of a miracle for me. Weight gain wasn't bad. Getting up too fast from bed would cause dizziness and ear ringing sometimes, but just a few hours after I took it at night. (Didn't happen that often though.) In combination with Luvox, it made a big difference in my life for the better."

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

"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."

• oct...
• October 3, 2013

"I have been bipolar for 26 years. After my first and huge depression, I have not missed lithium, not even for a day. I have had a really good acceptance of Seroquel, but not of Seroquel XR. The difference is huge, and XR plays with your sleep patterns and more. The insatiable hunger is so, so true, as is the weight gain. I just eat less and less and less, and as a person who has had an amazing metabolism, I still am 105 lbs. After 3 children, my teen weight, I am now at 115 lbs, and I hate it. But I have no desire to stop Seroquel."

• Jak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 16, 2019

"Seroquel has been life-saving for me after being on the wrong medications that made me more unstable, so I ended up being in hospitals for years. Now, at 125-150 mg of Seroquel, I’m able to get rest and have reduced agitation and anxiety, and am finally stable. I have also been put on higher doses, which felt uncomfortable, but the right dose has been life-saving."

• Mel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 24, 2017

"I've been on Seroquel more years than I know. I have always been on the magical 200 mg. I'm only on 50 mg now because of weight gain. I really did not want to be on this and tried to go off. The headaches and misery are just awful trying to come off this drug. So, back on Seroquel... along with Lamictal, Tegretol, and Topamax. I have Bipolar 1, another name I've been told is Classic Bipolar. Seroquel helps with sleep for sure. Don't like the heaviness on the chest if it's too high a dose. Also, getting up to eat like 10 minutes after taking it. AND feeling zombie next day. I've noticed if my meds aren't taken before midnight, forget the next day. Next day is gone. Sleeping all day. And if I don't snack with these meds, my heart feels weird."

• Sno...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 18, 2021

"I started off taking 25 mg of Seroquel with Lamictal, 450 mg of bupropion XL, risperidone, and 9 mg of melatonin to aid the sleep effect of the Seroquel. I slept great and gained no weight on it. I began having trouble falling asleep. My pdoc upped the dosage to 50 mg without changing anything else. At first, I was a little groggy in the morning. That went away, and now I sleep well every night for a little over 8 hours, which is normal for me. So I've had a very good experience with it."

• Eve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2021

"This drug is awful. I became a zombie. My muscles began twitching, and I felt like I was hit by a truck after taking it for 10 days. I stopped it and immediately felt better and actually felt my emotions again. I do not recommend."

• Ckn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2017

"Where do I begin? Seroquel, personally I think it is a great medication for the right person. I've taken Seroquel on and off 3 different times, I am currently back on it and will most likely stay on it. I take 800 mg before bedtime and sleep like a baby. I do have a few side effects from this medicine, which include dry mouth, constipation, and indigestion. I take Seroquel for borderline personality disorder (BPD), I am also on 300 mg lithium and 300 mg 3 times a day of gabapentin. Seroquel helps control my mania and impulsive behavior, it does not make me a zombie, and I have great concentration. What I don't understand is this drug being prescribed to people for sleep issues, sure, you sleep like a baby, but those are the people with all these terrible side effects and horror stories."

• Aub...
• September 23, 2016

"I've been taking this for a few weeks, and I think I've already gained 10 pounds because I am hungry 100% of the time. I've had insomnia for all 20 years of my life and have yet to find a medication that makes me sleep until this one, and on the 50 mg dose. That would be amazing if it did not make me sleep for the rest of the day too. It shuts me down to the point where it is harder than normal to breathe. I've been staying with it in hopes that I would improve, but all I've noticed is that I am more irritated by even the smallest things."

• Kim...
• August 8, 2013

"This medicine worked at first, but after taking it for a few (2) weeks, I developed anxiety and panic attacks. I've had panic attacks in the past but not like these. I wasn't afraid of anything specific; it was like a constant fear. Also, my heart would race so bad. I am being weaned off this and switching to Zyprexa."

• qui...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 16, 2024

"My dosage is 200mg XR at noon. Completely removed anxiety and feel smooth when I go to sleep. I take 300mg Seroquel, and it takes 30 minutes, and I'm knocked out for a good night's sleep. Need time to adapt to it but well worth it. Not for everyone but for me it works! Godsent medicine."

• NWI...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 11, 2022

"I was diagnosed bipolar when I was 16. It’s been a rough ride. I’ve been with my husband since I was 16. I had to finally take some serious action when I was 25 to help with the anxiety, mania, and insomnia. I found what was to be the best doctor in my life. He worked with me on several doses of Seroquel. I take other meds too, but I take my Seroquel at 9 pm every night. It stops the racing thoughts, anxiety, and I sleep all night. I wake up just fine! Some people think they need Xanax or some kind of narcotics, but for me? The Seroquel has saved my life! It does give you a dry mouth and it sure does give you the munchies, but be prepared! This medicine really does work!"

• Aud...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 9, 2017

"My experience with this drug has been generally positive. It does tone down my hypomania and is amazing at helping me sleep (it used to take me up to 3.5 hours lying in the dark to fall asleep... now it's closer to between 1-2 hours). However, it does give some weird side effects. It gives me intensely vivid dreams. I normally dream very little, but this gives me very strange dreams every night that I can very clearly remember on waking up. These dreams even frequently (3/4 times a week) cause me to wake up in the middle of the night! Would not recommend if you already have frequent nightmares or night terrors, as Seroquel may make those much worse. Ineffective for depression."

• Ano...
• September 16, 2014

"Somewhat hit or miss on mania, racing thoughts, and the like. Pretty effective as a sleep aid, though. Currently taking 300 mg as needed, as it was mainly prescribed for sleep. It is as effective as benzodiazepines in that regard, without the benzo withdrawal. It does leave me feeling gritty and nasty the next morning, though, but it's better than insomnia."

• Jac...
• February 5, 2016

"I have had severe depression and anxiety for a long time. Adding to that, I was sexually assaulted and now also have PTSD. Long story short, I became addicted to opiates and am now in recovery. Being in recovery, I embarked on a journey to get my mental health under control. I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 and PTSD. I take Seroquel at night with Lamictal and Lithium twice daily. The Seroquel is a must for me. After five years of flashbacks, panic attacks, and night terrors over my rape, I can finally get a full night of sleep. I have asthma, and it doesn't bother it, and I'm on 100mg per night. I saw one reviewer say do not take Seroquel if you have asthma. The truth is everyone is different. Seroquel works great for me."

• MG ...
• March 30, 2017

"I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 5 years ago. I was so stressed about work, even though I liked my job and wasn't stressed about it for years before. Had continuous trouble sleeping more than 4 hours a night, sometimes less. I went off work for two months due to stress, anxiety, and depression. My doctor prescribed 25 mg of Seroquel and 20 mg of Cipralex for depression. I take both at night, an hour before going to bed. I saw a psychiatrist for about two months during the time I was off work. I didn't get off the couch basically all day for about a month. Started to sleep better and feel a bit better after a few weeks. I sleep perfectly now and haven't had any real problems the last five years."

• Eli...
• August 15, 2015

"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."

• JLD...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2024

"I started Quetiapine approximately one week before my first semester of Finals at law school during my third year. The reason I first began Quetiapine was for mood stability purposes; I had tried many other second-gen antipsychotics with the goal of finding one that helped me to stop a single bad thought from spiraling into an all-consuming depression that would ruin my day or week. Quetiapine has been successful at doing just that. Most vividly, I recall taking the drug during a week in which I had 4 law school finals in one week and the work/studying felt insurmountable. Without making me too tired to complete the work, I remember my mindset quickly turning to “Even if the work is insurmountable, I don’t care, I’ll be fine.” The stability Quetiapine has helped me find in regard to mood has been incomparable to other drugs in the best way. I too experienced the side effect of weight gain. I believe one can avoid that by simply making an effort to be active. I recommend this drug."

• Lif...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2022

"I have bipolar and extreme anxiety. I did not want to take the typical addictive anxiety meds due to addicts in my family. After trying probably eight other meds, I was prescribed Seroquel twice a day. It changed my life within a week. I could finally sleep, was less impulsive, and stopped vomiting due to anxiety."

• Deb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 8, 2021

"I was prescribed Seroquel for sleep, and I was diagnosed with Bipolar II. At first, I was prescribed a low dose, but I still couldn't sleep, so now the dose is 200 mg at night. I also have ADHD, so I take Adderall, along with the Seroquel. What I notice is this: If I go off Adderall, I get very depressed. I did some research on this phenomenon and found out that Seroquel is a dopamine antagonist, which means that it actually suppresses dopamine in your brain. I also take 100 mg of Topamax twice daily as a mood stabilizer, and the combination of medications seems to work like magic. I don't gain weight at all. However, when I had some blood work done, my thyroid hormones were low, and also my blood sugars were very high, even though I am not overweight. I believe these are side effects from the Seroquel. I do not recommend Seroquel unless absolutely necessary for sleep because there are too many metabolic side effects."

• PMA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2016

"I am a 42 yr. old woman with ADHD, along with bipolar depression, also coming off 8 yrs. of taking pain medications every day (Norcos as well as Percocets). I was getting between both 300 a month. I've been off the pain meds for 4 mth now, so far so good. But after the fog cleared from the pain meds, all my other diagnoses came out full blast. So I was taking a 2 mg Xanax, 350 mg soma, along with 300 mg trazodone at night and still couldn't sleep. Thanks to my new doctor, I'm on 1 mg Xanax along with 100 mg Seroquel at night, and within an hour I'm asleep, and I mean good sleep (no dreams, getting up through the night, etc.), so fingers crossed it stays that way!!!"

• J M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2016

"Pleased with this medication. I was diagnosed with bipolar II two years ago at age 48. Started on lamotrigine (300 mg) and bupropion XL (150 mg) taken in the morning, which worked well, but didn't calm the incessant negative and depressing thoughts I was still battling. Seroquel was added recently. I take 300 mg at bedtime. Great sleep medication! This is the best, most effective medicine I've ever used if I need to get to sleep early in order to wake up early in the morning for work. I exercise on my elliptical on average 5 days a week, and haven't experienced any weight gain since taking Seroquel, gratefully. I think weight gain would be less of an issue if more bipolar people committed to exercising on a regular basis."

• jel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 23, 2021

"This was a miracle drug. I was on lithium initially, and it made me sick and incapacitated each day for lengthy periods. Being on Seroquel enabled me to discontinue other medications that one of my psychiatrists had put me on. As far as weight gain goes, I may have an edge on people since I have a lot of GI issues and don't feel well if I eat too much. I won't say that I had it easy curbing my appetite, though. I have had to monitor my weight and use restraint. My blood work does have my cholesterol and glucose inching up. My body is able to compensate so far to keep them close to the near normal range then."