Seroquel XR for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Bipol...
• July 31, 2017

"I have to say I've this medicine a 7 out of 10 because it has brought me out of both some wicked manias and depressive episodes. The sedation is a love-hate relationship with me- It's nice for my anxiety, but is also a nuisance. I MUST take this medicine 12 hours before I need to wake up, or I have trouble waking up. I feel it does interfere with my creative and intellectual abilities a tad bit. Overall, however, it's good med."

• baby...
• June 29, 2009

"I think this is one of the best medication's out there at this time. It has really changed me 100%. I have bipolar and I can't tell you how happy I am. I have also been on regular Seroquel and there is no comparison XR for me works far better than the regular. "

• SuniS...
• January 3, 2009

"I like this medicine. Even the side effects are manageable. I get loopy on them, but that is better than the screaming drama queen I once was. I take 600 mg and have a psychiatrist and a councellor, who that helps me through situations that I used to rage through. Also, I'm a rapid-cycling BiPolar II so I think it's wonderful just to be able to be somewhat normal."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2009

"Great medication for agitation and sleep when taken in the evening. There is a bit of a hangover period for a couple of hours but that is acceptable to me for a full nights sleep. Much better than regular Seroquel which you better be near a bed soon after taking it. Seroquel XR is much smoother and gives me a chance to adjust to the sedation as I get ready for bed."

• MarkyBy
• June 21, 2015

"I went from talking 120mgs of Cymbalta to taking 150 mgs of Seroquel XR just over one year ago. I fortunately did not suffer from any if the initial side effects that I've now researched & have learned are really common when starting this medication. However, 1 month ago, I'm not sure why but I ended up missing 2 nightly doses. What I experienced was nothing short of being in hell, literally. I physically was incapable of movement, getting up to simply get to the restroom was near impossible, every muscle in my body was weak & near useless. I couldn't do anything but remain in a fetal position curled up on my side for the duration of over 12 hours. My head was cloudy, confused & unable to process any thought. After this experience, I want off"

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2017

"I take this medication for bipolar, but it also does wonders for generalized anxiety disorder. I have suffered for DECADES with anxiety and panic attacks and SSRIs have stopped working for me. When I started taking seroquel it was like I finally saw color in the black and white world I was living in. My moods are completely under control and my anxiety is controlled for the most part. This medication definitely has side effects. Its a tranquilizer. It makes you very tired. It also made me gain a significant amount of weight...but I would rather deal with the side effects then deal with the horrible anxiety I was living with everyday. I take it before bed...make sure you're able to get at least 8 hours of sleep so you're not groggy the next day"

• Ann
• October 8, 2015

"I have been taking seroquel for a little over a year and a half now and it has been the best thing for me. I started off at 350mg when my mania was insanely uncontrollable. But after 2 months I was able to go down to 250 and ever since its been perfect because I don't fight the drowsiness in the mornings and get a great nights rest. I did gain weight, only 20 pounds, but I have always been extremely athletic (2 sport collegiate athlete) and it didn't really affect me at all. Just as long as it keeps the manic/depressive episodes on lock down I think I can handle a curvier body. I seriously reccommend this if you can handle a little weight gain!"

• mrsnowe
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2016

"I was on citolopram (celexa), lithium 1250 mg daily and olanzapine 20 mg and a lot of benzos. A state run mental health clinic opened in a local town so I stopped seeing the private psychiatrist and started to attend the public clinic. The psychiatrist was revolutionary. She immediately stopped the anti-depressant because it was elevating mood into mania. She dropped lithium to one dose at night to aid kidney wear and tear. She stopped olanzapine because I was still having mild persistent psychosis and put me on 800mg of quetiapine (seroquel). The first week was tough I was very nauseous and sleepy but once my body adjusted it was much better. The mix of quetiapine and lithium is really working for me."

• Ori
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2013

"I was one of the unlucky ones who's prolactin levels skyrocketed. I was only on 100mg, with a plan to ramp my way up to 500 over the course of 10 weeks, which was obviously vetoed when my chest started swelling quite noticeably. Lactation isn't worth what's essentially only a sleeping pill at <500mg doses."

• normal
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 9, 2022

"Five years ago, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder, anxiety, PTSD, breakthrough depression, and ADHD. I never realized I was depressed I thought it was just my life. I did not think I had any of these things, but by the grace of God, I saw a psychiatrist at my recovery clinic, and he sat, he talked with me, and here I am. Seroquel XR has literally saved my life. My mood has never been better. For many years of my life, I was mad at the world or could barely get out of bed. Since taking this medicine, I feel normal for the first time in my entire life. My mental health was a big part of why I self-medicated, and did not realize this until that appointment. I would suggest that if the doctor offers this, it would be wise to try it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2017

"Great med, weight gain yes 50 lbs over 8 months started working out at the gym and watching what I eat and feeling good and hopeful for the future down 30 lbs does feel little of loss motivation at 500mg trying to lower dose to 300mg update later"

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2010

"I had a doctor who took me off Zoloft, which did not work at all, and finally put me on Seroquel XR. After 1 week, I think that I notice a slow down in my racing mind, and a little bit of an ability to deal with it. I still get extremely angry in situations, so I asked him and he put me on 300mg. The anger still exists unfortunately, but I think that my mind is more manageable. I slur my speech quite a bit. I have never had any luck with SSRI's. At least with Seroquel there is some indication that something is changing and it does feel positive. I hope that it works. I was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and depression/anxiety after 29 years of living with it."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2010

"I only took this 1 evening, it put me to sleep. This was one of the strongest medicines I've taken. I was put on 50 mg. I felt horrible the next day, couldn't concentrate to read, felt more depressed, had to go back to bed in the morning and felt horrible the whole day. Luckily my Doctor said I could quit it."

• CRCMM
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2022

"Ive been taking this medicine for 11 years. I was diagnosed with bipolar 26 years ago. Then 3 years ago another doctor said I don't have bipolar, its mood dysregulation from complex trauma and PTSD. Anyway, regardless, I do need medication as it does help. I was originally given seroquel for anxiety and to help me sleep. Doses have been from 100mg-200mg per day. I've always noticed that when I take it, my sinuses get extremely blocked to the point it affects my breathing. Then I got Covid and developed asthma, so I could no longer tolerate being on it anymore. So the doctor helped me reduce it. I'm now down to 25mg per day and my sleeping has improved a lot. I'm no more anxious than before. I realise now that this medication was making me so sleepy and zombie like, I had no motivation, just getting by each day. It seems I didn't need that much Seroquel after all. I am grateful for this medication but I think maybe people are being given higher doses than are necessary"

• VC8
• December 22, 2017

"Seroquel XR saves my life! No more mania and no more suicidal thoughts in the past year of taking this med!it completely squashed my mania and stopped my racing thoughts better than any other medication! I still had some depression for a while, but not nearly as bad! My doctor recently added Lamictal for additional help on the depressive side, and I’ve never felt so stable in my life! Not to mention that Seroquel helps me sleep well for the first time in my life!:)"

• CoJo
• June 9, 2009

"Seroquel did not work for me; I went up to 400 mg and felt like a zombie. Now, I've taken Seroquel XR 300 for 1 1/2 years. I've seen my anxiety level go to 'normal'. But, it is necessary for me to plan the time I take the medication to avoid slurred speech in the morning; it needs to be in my system at least 11 hours it seems. Constipation is severe enough to take laxatives everyday. My husband has to keep reminding me the positives outweigh the side effects by far. Then I stop and think and know that is true."

• Chica
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 29, 2018

"I take 400mg Seroquel XR once at night and 100mg of Lamictal 2x a day and Ativan 1mg 2x PRN. I have found that Seroquel XR has been a life saver. The immediate release made me sleep walk and sleep eat and would wear off halfway through the night. The XR stays in my system longer and helps me fall asleep and stay asleep. Only downfall is if I don't set an alarm on the weekends I could easily sleep 12+ hours."

• Kim...
• November 16, 2010

"Just started Seroquel XR and it gave me a great good nights sleep. Woke up feeling a little groggy but went back to bed after an hour awake. So far the depression and anxiety are gone. That's good because yesterday my anxiety was really bad. Tried Geodon and hated it. Really made me sleepy 24-7. So far so good as far as the first day goes. I'm praying that this is the medication that works for me."

• pears...
• December 8, 2009

"I have taken Seroquel XR for two years. I take 800mg at night for BiPolar. At first it seemed like I would never come out of the haze but it wore off over a weeks time. Honestly, really I have had NO major bipolar problems since I have taken Seroquel XR. It is wonderful. But be sure to have insurance! Without my prescription it would be like $500/mo. It works very well for me because I take Adderall in the day and this helps me go to sleep at night. Great medicine."

• mgold...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2017

"Recently able to get the XR in generic form. This has been a complete life changing medication for me. It has improved all areas of my condition to a point I am fully capable to manage life without any other assistance."

• SusanS
• April 30, 2009

"I just started taking Seroquel XR a week ago after a bad experience with Geodon. So far, so good. I feel more "laid back" on Seroquel and it helps me sleep which is good for me because I have bad insomnia. I'm only taking 150mg now, but notice no ill effects. Time will tell if I need to take more."

• Bipol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2017

"I was on immediate release version of Seroquel 200mg and the side effects were horrible! Everlasting hungover and craving for foods like if it's a drug or I would be going withdraw aka blood sugar crashes. So my Dr switched to seroquel 200mg extended release and it was a GODSEND form of drug! Barely any of sedating effects and even lack of any hungover.... And the best part was that I forgot to eat breakfast by accident several times in a week.... If for immediate release I would be going crazy for missing breakfast. Imagine that!"

• Mimzy
• March 26, 2019

"I have Bipolar. Been on 175 mg Quetiapine for many years. Tried other antipsychotics they didn't work at all. Was sectioned 2016, was changed to 700 mg Quetiapine XR. Yes a very high dosage. My weight was 49 kg gained weight very fast to 67 kg, not happy at all, I have put myself on a diet (carbs are the problem with this medication) I have all the side effects that are on the leaflet that you get with the medication. I guess many of you know the side effects. Shortness of breath, Fatigue, Memory loss, Dizziness, Lightheaded, Vertigo, Tinnitus, Agitation, Itchy skin, Weak muscles, Aches & pains, Blurred vision, poor Judgement, Awful constipation, Restlessness, Hand & leg tremors, Evil Weight gain... On the plus side I am stable. Along with the Quetiapine XR, I am on a cocktail of medication. Lamotrigine, Promethazine, Valium, Procyclidine, Cyclizine. I have many side effects & other health issues. "

• DDT
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2021

"I have mixed feelings about this medication. Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril, Trazadone and so many other medications prescribed for sleep do not work for me. I can go days without sleep even with those medications. Of course Tylenol PM, Melatonin and all of the over the counter brands are totally useless in my particular case. I wish so much that over the counter medications would work for me but unfortunately they don’t. I have Bipolar 1 with rapid cycling a lot so I am on a cocktail now that finally worked out for me after and I am finally more stable than I have ever been. Seroquel XR is working for me as far as the ups, downs and sideways that I have experienced over the years. To me that is great and a relief but to me the best result and the greatest benefit is the sleep that I get every night and I don’t feel groggy like I did when I first started taking it. I am taking 800 mg at night. Get about 7-8 hours of sleep. Just got a lot of weight gain is the con of it. Working for me."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2009

"I've only been on Seroquel XR for 5 days, so it's hard to tell long term side effects. It definitely makes me calmer and allows me to handle difficult or stressful situations more appropriately (not crying at the drop of a hat or feeling extreme anxiety). I am only on 50 mg at bedtime, but I'm not completely 100% so hoping to increase that dose a bit when I see my doc next. I do get headaches and have lost my appetite (still haven't lost any weight though). I am hoping for the best!"