Seroquel and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Mrm...
• August 29, 2019

For Schizophrenia "This drug has really helped me with the voices and the paranoia. I have been on it for nearly 3 years. I have been on pretty much every antipsychotic there is and have been dealing with this illness for a long, long time. The downside is that you will gain weight. I have lost some of it by reducing calories and taking metformin. Walking seems to help too. If you do take this one, stay as active as you can to avoid diabetes because as my psychiatrist told me 'It will happen eventually'. Also, I adopted a vegetarian diet to help lower other risks with this one. The other downside is that it can make you very tired. I take 400mg at night and 75mg in the morning and another 75mg in the afternoon. I still hear voices and don't want to be around other people but it is much more manageable and I can at least have some kind of life. To be honest, I probably would have killed myself if it were not for this drug. I am surprised I even wrote this as I am a very paranoid person."

• Max...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar mania with stages of depression. It has been like this since I was very young. It comes along with episodes of mood swings. I am on 25 mg of Seroquel now and have been on both 50 mg and 100 mg. 25 mg does great things for me. No more sleepless nights. No more intense spending sprees. No more major anxiety most of the time. A lot less depression and a lot less irritability I experienced as well. I get tired and a little unmotivated in the morning, but I have coffee and breakfast and I'm good. Weight gain is the other concern but I have controlled it with walking good amounts each day. Well worth a try and definitely something to consider for a bipolar patient."

• Anonymous
• April 23, 2010

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Seroquel has completely changed my life for the better. I was recently diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. It didn't really matter what label the psychiatrist gave me as I already knew and understood my problem to be unbearable pain - regardless of any formal title. I experienced racing and obsessive thoughts, acute paranoia, immeasurable anxiety, and the terrible lows, gripped by depression. Unstable, rapid emotions and was tired, having had to live with this unrecognized illness. I reached a point where not only did I want to die, but I seriously considered taking the life of my child also and had reached a definite crisis. I've been taking it for only three months and I'm unrecognizable to the person I once was. I value life and feel amazing about myself and endless possibilities for the future."

• Win...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started 100 mg of Seroquel after Abilify failed at managing my symptoms. On Abilify, I was waking with constant anxiety and restless leg syndrome. Once I started taking Seroquel, anxiety and restless leg syndrome disappeared and I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in a long time. The first week I was tired, but after that passed, it’s been nothing but a sense of inner peace and calmness. So happy I tried this medicine again. I think the dose of 100 mg is a perfect dose for me."

• Anonymous
• November 26, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After trying nearly every SSRI on the market, I was placed on Pristiq, which improved my condition somewhat, but still left me dependent on Xanax to alleviate my daily anxiety. After a particularly bad stretch, I was also placed on Seroquel XR. It has helped more than I could have ever hoped for. I finally don't have to reach for Xanax as soon as I wake up. It was very sedating for the first week after I started and after increasing my dosage, but this has lessened with time. I do make sure to take it before bed, as it does make me tired as it kicks in, but I welcome this due to my problems with insomnia."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

"I have never been diagnosed with any conditions for which the drug is prescribed, instead, I have depression. What I found out accidentally when searching for a sleep medication was that after one or two doses, my brain felt calmer, and I felt behaviorally more balanced and less anxious. Although I felt a bit lethargic, dizzy, and unsettled at the initial dosage and when awakening the next day, these symptoms do not occur after 3 weeks of 100 mg at bedtime. I have never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia."

• Sel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine literally saved my life. I wish I’d known about it sooner in my adult life. I’ve struggled with PTSD, anxiety, PMDD, mood swings, and bad depression for 8 years. I tried every medication out there, and none of them helped. I’ve been on this for almost a year now, and I recommend it to everyone. I cried my eyes out when it hit me just how much this medication has helped. I feel normal now, and everyone tells me this is what it’s like to be and feel normal, and to be happy, to be content with life. I wish I wish I wish I would have known about this years ago. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache. But hey, everything happens for a reason. The ONLY downside is being tired. I have to make sure I have extra time to sleep. And if I forget to take it, or don’t refill my script, I’m not sleeping that night, lol. TRY IT. DO IT. It will change your life. It changed mine."

• Koa...
• October 10, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "When I first took Seroquel, I had the side effects of a type of motion sickness, as my head would whirl about, and I never knew if I was whirling or if the surroundings were. I didn't want to stay on it, but was advised to give it longer and to change from XR to regular. I did, and after about 6 weeks (from memory), I adjusted to it. Yes, I was so tired. I went from cutting a 300 mg into halves, then to 200 mg, and now to 300 mg again. Seroquel works for me, I've been on it for approximately 18 months or so. I sleep, my mind doesn't race or think or roam. I get a deep sleep. I was advised to get up early and that it will wear off-yes, that happens. But it's not easy."

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2010

For Schizophrenia "Seroquel was a Godsend for me. I've been on it for 7 years, and it's the best medication I've been on for hallucinations and the voices I heard on a daily basis. It does, however, make me extremely tired, so I take it half an hour before I go to bed. I did get a little weight gain, but I would rather have weight gain than hearing voices and seeing things any day. Amazing medication."

• Koa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "When I first went on this medication, 300 mg, I did not like it at all. I had side effects of a type of floating - my head wasn't attached to my body - I'd be disoriented, only for a short time, but frequently at first. I don't really remember any other side effects. I wanted to stop taking this. I was on 300 SR, then went to normal Seroquel. Being on standard Seroquel helped. I asked to change off Seroquel and was told it's a good medicine and just give it time - 6 weeks. Wow, I didn't like that idea. I did give it time, I was tired during the day, so I went back to 150 mg. Over time, I've been on 200 mg as well and now 300 mg. I am so grateful to myself for hanging in there. I choose to be on Seroquel, I sleep a deep sleep. For me, I am happy. Very happy."

• DMa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently diagnosed with type 2 BP in July of 2016. I was on Lamictal at first, and it was a nightmare. It kept me from being sad, but I would still get very angry. Seroquel was next, and I was too scared to take it at first, but once I started having a LOT of heated arguments and stress, I finally decided to take it. So far, so good, I only take 25 mg because it chills me out and eases my anxiety. I don't get sad, and I don't get overly mad or excited. The first few days I am tired on the meds, but after a few days, I am able to manage my life. I wish I would have gone to a doctor years ago to get treated because since I was 13, my moods have been up and down. Now I'm as chill as a cucumber."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I suffer from mainly depression and anxiety. I have had a few bouts of hypomania. This was recommended to me to help with anxiety and mood swings. Within an hour of taking this medicine, I was always somewhat buzzed and not in a good way. It felt like you had to lie down and sleep, or you would become extremely irritable. The sleep was great on it, however, you wake up in a fog for hours, usually until dinner time for me. It really flattens you out, so you don't feel much, just emotionless and tired. I took anywhere from 50 to 200 mg, and the result was the same. I am off now and trying safer meds. Seroquel wasn't for me, but I'm glad it helps millions, though!"

• Mik...
• October 15, 2015

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."

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

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

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."

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

"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."

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

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

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."

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2012

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."

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

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)."

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

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."

• Doe...
• November 25, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder 10 years ago (recently found out it is actually PTSD/c-PTSD), and I was started on 1200 mg of Seroquel. I was a zombie! I didn't want to do anything but sleep. I was so tired all day. One day after taking my medication and then sleeping 10 hours, I got in my car and was driving somewhere and fell asleep at the wheel. I totaled my car, but luckily I wasn't hurt and no one else was involved. I lost my job. The 'best' part, though, was the 110-pound weight gain I had in less than a year of taking this poison. I've been off of the crap for about 3 years now but still can't drop the weight it caused me to gain. Please be careful if considering taking this drug, it almost ruined my life."

• vos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Definitely calmed me down during the first-time onset of schizophrenia. However, it makes me very sleepy, sometimes I sleep 14 hours a day, and when I wake up, I feel like I want to sleep even more. Also resulted in a lot of weight gain. Eventually, had to stop taking it because of how tired I always was."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication brought me out of a long manic episode very quickly (which was a huge relief), but I couldn't bear the tiredness and lack of tolerance I had because I was so tired. I felt quite grumpy most days. The sugar cravings were wild, and I lost all restraint with cakes and sweets. I guess I'm just one of the very few people it doesn't agree with."

• Sur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "One of the worst meds I've ever taken was only on 25-50 milligrams a day, made me extremely tired and my eyes black. I'd wake up feeling like I was being choked. If I was trying to work out, doing push-ups for instance, I'd get a sharp pain in my head and either my arm or leg, or both, would give out, and I'd fall to the floor, almost hurting myself. I thought it was bad for me, or I must be allergic to it, so I had to refuse to take it anymore after a couple of months. I can't believe they are still giving this to people without knowing how destructive it can be to people's lives. It's an older antipsychotic medicine, they claim, so how could they not know the brutal side effects it causes."