Seroquel XR for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews

• Srzta...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 12, 2015

"This medication completely changed my life. My diagnosis is mixed rapid-cycling bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Before my regimine, I would suffer a week of depression, followed by a day of dangerous mixed affective episode, followed by a few hours of euphoria before the process wouls begin all over again. I had ruminating, and intrusive thoughts; panic atacks; anxiety; extreme guilt; dissociation and suicidal ideation (and a few near-attempts.) But, within weeks of the therapeutic dose my mood stabilized; my anxiety dropped off; my obsessive and intrusive ruminations relinquished their hold; and, unexpectedly, I gained a spectrum of emotions I didn't even know I lacked (and that was the best thing of all.) Truly life-altering"

• Sofie
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 4, 2019

"I have Bipolar Disorder Type 2. I'm on Seroquel XR 150mg for 10 years now. Before I was on Seroquel 300mg for more than a year. I have tried different antipsychotic medicines combination for years but only Seroquel works for me. Changed my life for the better. I have chronic insomnia, tried all sleeping pills but only lasted for weeks then I couldn't sleep anymore. But Seroquel put me to sleep, deeper sleep and wake up feeling better. I just need to sleep every night on the same time. Also I gained weight, and the side effect when I feel groggy at night I feel hungry so I ended up eating at midnight. I know it sucks that I gained weight. Tried to stop taking it for few days then my depression attack me very sudden and my mood fluctuations. From then I never stop taking Seroquel and I feel better. I told to my psychiatrist that Seroquel is my best friend, without it I feel horrible. It is indeed a lifesaver."

• Beltane
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 27, 2017

"This drug is a wonder drug. After 15 years of brutal bipolar symptoms (undiagnosed/ untreated) which destroyed my whole life, I now take 300mg at night and now I can have a normal life free of anxiety, mood swings, bipolar symptoms etc, I hold down a responsible full-time job, healthy relationships and friendships, I have hobbies. I never had any of that before; my bipolar destroyed my whole life. Seroquel gave it back. I hear of people wanting to go off Seroquel.. I'm the opposite. I would go to any lengths to make sure I never have to go off it. I'll gladly spend the rest of my life on it, because it gives me a normal life, and I won't risk that for anything. I've been on it 3 years, no side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2013

"Works like a charm. It was prescribed for me for Bipolar I disorder (as part of my cocktail of meds), especially for symptoms involving lack of sleep. I have been struggling with sleep problems for so many years, and this works great for me at 50 mg. It even helps with depression and anxiety temporarily. I feel a lot calmer, which is definitely needed for me, especially at night. It helps with racing thoughts and voices as well. No more "noise" in my head at night for most part."

• Anonymous
• June 29, 2010

"I feel like this medication has saved my life. At the beginning of 2010, I had a mental breakdown. I was suffering from crying spells for no apparent reason and just did not want to live. I felt like I was watching someone go through the motions of my life and my true self was suffering and hurting. I made an emercency appointment with my psychiatrist. He started me at 50mg on day one, 100mg on day two, 150mg day three, 200mg day four and 300mg as maintenance. I used to have passive suicidal thoughts all the time and can now say that I don't. I've suffered from this condition for 12 years (Depersonalization Disorder). I've not known what it is like to not have depression until now. I feel like I owe my life to Seroquel XR."

• Brian...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2014

"I've only been on Seroquel for 2/3 weeks but I have had a largely positive experience. I have had a diagnosis of depression for about ten years and was using Cipralex (Lexapro). I came off Cipralex twice, and both times I became very depressed. Even on Cipralex my mood was constantly changing so I went to see a psychiatrist who thinks I may have Cyclothymia or bipolar 2 so started me on 50mg of Seroquel. Initially I was very groggy but have gotten over that. I've also gained a stone in weight. But my mood has really stabilised for the first time. I feel happy, confident and passionate. I no longer have a million thoughts in my head so can focus better. Hopefully this continues."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2009

"I have heard all kinds of bad things about Seroquel but to me this medicine has saved my life. I was diagnosed with cyclothymia with racing thoughts and extreme hypo-manic phases followed by intense depression. Not to mention I would get so paranoid sometimes that I couldn't leave the house. I had tried everything including lithium but then I went to a new doctor. She said I could try Seroquel XR but I probably wouldn't like feeling sedated. I said sedated? fine! The funny thing is that I have had more energy but it is calm positive energy. I made a huge turn around and life is back on track. I thought I had ADHD as well but now I have great concentration, no anxiety, and can sit still for hours. I highly recommend if your symptoms sound like mine."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2020

"Listen to me when I say never & I mean never experiment with this drug Seroquel or Seroquel XR. It will only make your anxiety worse & if you have OCD your in for a nightmare. Worst drug ever & it will not help with your symptoms what so ever & will only help you sleep at night. Do not & I repeat do not get on this medication. On top of that you will have some of the craziest thoughts you could ever imagine."

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2010

"All I can say it that it is a miracle medicine. I finally have my life back. There are side effects but it is worth it. I am in college and doing well. My doctors said that would never happen for me. They said that I would be in and out of the psych ward. I have not need to be in hospital in over five years. I can finally hold a job. Like I said I have my life back, something I was told would never happen. Seroquel XR is that reason for that. Regular Seroquel is great too it just made me sleep for 18 hours a day. Seroquel XR makes me sleepy but I no longer over sleep. Again I say I got my life back."

• Curly...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 20, 2021

"I have been taking 800 mg Seroquel XR since 2012. I use to hold down two jobs . I always have worked since high school. I have no children , but was very close to my big family and involved in all events. Back in 2012 I had a hard time getting to sleep . Doctor put me on seroquel, said I was bipolar. I have never got mad at anyone and get along with everyone. I’m not an angry person. After taking this drug for awhile , it changed my life and ruined my relationship with family and friends. I became a zombie, I never answered my door and all I did was sleep. Missed out on many family events. Now my family are in my life and ask me what is wrong with me, I can’t stop moving my head from left to right., my doctor hasn’t done any blood work on me for several years. But he still has me taking these pills. I can’t function any more. The list goes on. I love life and always lived it. Until this drug came into my life"

• Slim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2020

"Finally was able to get back on Quetiapine after adding fiber pills to my diet and I am loving sleep. Spent my whole life not sleeping well or at all lately (was up for almost a week a straight last year). Quetiapine IR was a sure fire way of knocking me out within an hour and staying asleep to well into the morning. Pretty groggy though and had to keep increasing my dose. My Pdoc recently sent the XR version into pharmacy instead and it is rather different. I don’t get knocked out right away which means I can create a better sleep hygiene routine. If I am more relaxed I don’t need to be put to sleep but gradually work my way into it. It does take a minute to fully wake up but I have to say I feel my overall mood remains pretty stable for most of the rest of the day."

• KTS
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2018

"Within 2 months, at a dose of 300mg, it completely changed my life. I have been on many meds and combinations for 20 years, but this (along with much soul- searching, personal responsibility and facing truth, therapy, and DBT skills) has stabilized my Bipolar I and almost cured by borderline personality disorder. I had resigned myself to a difficult and tragic life before this happened. I was inspired to move to a single med, because I was a long time user of Lithium, SSRI, Lamictal combo and wanted to try for a baby. This ended up giving me new life- my own."

• royal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 21, 2014

"Seroquel XR has changed my life! I tried regular Seroquel and it's like having your head in a bucket. The XL version feels like a completely different medicine. I take 100 mg at night. I wake up refreshed, happy, eager to start my day, I also take Lamictal 300 mg in the morning. No side effects from either medicine. I have been on both for about 7 years. I have been depressed once in that time and it was situational."

• Hayle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2016

"This medication has been a real life-saver. I had struggled with heavy depressions interspersed with hypomania for a few years before I was eventually diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder, for which I was prescribed this. The initial 50mg did nothing except be an overrated sleep pill, but the boost to 300mg for bipolar depression helped begin to mellow me out, and a few weeks later I was starting to experience a life free of devastating mood swings. I've read horror stories online, but I experienced nothing of the sort (actually *lost* weight in the past few months). It's a shame there's risks with long-term use, I would happily take this forever otherwise - these past few months have been nice and happy and productive for me thanks to this."

• Anonymous
• May 3, 2010

"At 41, I simply couldn't take the depression, the mania, the ADD or the severe anxiety attacks anymore. I finally went to the doctor and she put me on Seroquel XR starting at 50mg for 4 days, then 100mg for 4 days and now the maintenance dosage of 150mgs. It has honestly changed my life and saved my marriage. My brain seems to function normally now. My nearly constant suicide thoughts are gone and I can concentrate on tasks for more than 15 seconds at a time. I would rather have a healthy appetite than feeling nauseous so that side effect only boosts my moods. The only thing I don't like is my dreams are VIVID but not in a nightmare sort of way. I've begun dreaming in color which is also new. I can certainly live with that..."

• lynnpl
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2012

"I've been in and out of mental health clinics for a long time..just trying to find something to slow my racing thoughts and make me feel like life is bearable. I've taken benzodiazepines..only to become drug seeking and take too many and need early refils, thereby being forced by prescriber to wean off. Done SSRI's with no effect whatsoever. Remeron made me gain 40 pounds in like 2 months time and didn't help me sleep. Marijuana made me paranoid. I just started some new therapy and was diagnosed with bipolar 2 and post traumatic stress disorder. She gave me Seroquel XR and my mind is calm and I sleep good on it. I'm still on a pretty low dose..going up to 100mg tonight and then 150mg on 2 days. Just hope I don't gain weight but so far I feel productive and my mind is quiet."

• Natty...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 8, 2013

"I was diagnosed with bipolar II about 5 yrs ago and I've tried everything on the market nothing worked for me except Seroquel. Right now I take 300 mg twice per day and I'm so stable. I'm loving it problem though with Seroquel is that its a major weight gainer. I would stop taking it on and off when I felt better but then would use other meds to bandage my symptoms...get back on then off again...until one day I decided to stop with the denial and allow someone to help me for real. I've been on it now faithfully for 9 months...but I've put on 60lbs! It makes me eat after hours in the middle of the night. I'm depressed because of the weight gain. So I workout at home at times trying to be more consistent. You have to work this medicine."

• Joj
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2017

"No dude it doesn't work. I've been on it for few months. No it doesn't work for anxiety. It helps the shaking part. That's it. Doesn't work for depression either. When I was on it I hurt myself and was thinking about suicide. It didn't stop my racing thought. My OCD is the same. Man just no. I gained 40 pounds in 2 months just with 250mg. It's the worst medication of its category. I was on Zyprexa before but besides the horrible weight gain at least I was doing much better. I hate this medication. Do not take it people. It makes you fat doesn't help at all. No man just NOOO. I'm going back to Paxil 30mg and Zyprexa 7.5 mg which work so much better. Bye SEROQUEL."

• cano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2021

"I’ve been on it for about a month to treat my Bipolar Disorder at a very low dose. It’s worked WONDERS. I genuinely feel for the first time in my life “well adjusted”. I’m much less anxious and when I am anxious it’s just for a short time, not the entire day or days at a time. I also sleep much more soundly, am less susceptible to becoming overwhelmed by small tasks, my thoughts are generally more pleasant (there still are rough moments and intrusive thoughts, just less often now), and have had more “good” days in the past month than in the whole past 3 years. My only side effect has been dry mouth."

• Music...
• August 17, 2017

"I have been taking this drug for a year and a half and it has changed my life. I've tried various drugs and lifestyle treatments over 5 years of great instability and desperation, going between breakdown after breakdown. Finding the right dose and preparation (slow release) has not only lifted me from crisis, but improved my wellbeing to an all time level. (It took a little while to adjust.) In particular it guarantees me a good night sleep and I can up the dose slightly if things slip. It has done wonders for my anxiety and given me the stability to really be what I want to be. I feel it is important to note that the drug is one part of the picture, and mindfulness, exercise, social/professional support etc. are important where possible"

• pjsy
• October 31, 2011

"The Seroquel makes me feel like I'm dreaming. I kind of feel like I'm losing my sense of reality. The dreams/nightmares I have seem lucid like I can't tell the difference between what I dreamt and what really happened. It is just completely changing my personality. I don't feel like myself anymore."

• The...
• March 15, 2014

"Aching or discomfort in the lower legs or sensation of crawling in the legs, unusual tiredness or weakness, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, muscle pain or cramps."

• DETER...
• April 26, 2010

"I was diagnosed Bipolar 1 with psychotic features 3 years ago, but always dealt with grandiose thinking, mild delusions, a good deal of depression. After self medicating for two years I had a mental melt down 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, benzo's, sleeping pills, many I was allergic to like Depakote and Trileptal. Anyway at first I tried the regular Seroquel but gained 40lbs in one month and slept 14 hours a day. Switched to Seroquel XR, not as tired, lost 20bs, appetite/ mental noise decreased, panic relief, strong sleep aide, life manageable, they are expensive. HIGHLY recommend."

• maybe...
• May 9, 2013

"I take this medication for Bipolar II and it has been amazing at stabilizing my moods. I no longer feel filled with rage and irritability and no longer have issues with impulsive thoughts. The big problem that I am having with this medication is horrendous weight gain. I exercise at least three times a week and eat well, yet I have gained 20kg (44.09 pounds) in the 8 months that I have been on this medicine. Another issue I have is vivid dreams. But I think this is just a sign of getting deep and sound sleep - something I could never achieve prior to taking this medicine. It is amazing but a nightmare all rolled into one."

• Britt...
• April 5, 2017

"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 cant even watch a show. I'm literally struggling to stay awake all day cause I feel like I just wanna 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 wanna eat all the time! I have gained at least 20-30 pounds in the past month or two! I am definitely gonna tell my doctor I want off of it ASAP! I cant take it anymore "