Seroquel XR and Brain Fog: What Users Say

• Iss...
• November 10, 2015

For Depression "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 8 months ago (I'm 19), but I do not have that. Instead, I have BPD and depression. I was taking olanzapine, which took away my entire life - I could barely do anything. But for the past 2 days with Seroquel, it has almost the opposite effect. Together with Prozac, I have felt more motivated and less suicidal. Also, I'm able to control my anxiety, and I have more control over my behavior. I also have trouble focusing, but this has helped me focus on therapy a lot more. Sleep is not great, but I'm only on 25mg; I only sleep for about 6-7 hours and then wake up and keep going back to sleep. This is the first drug that's given me hope."

• Arr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2015

For Depression "My experience on Seroquel nearly cost me my job as it turned me into a zombie! Since going off the drug, I am fully functional. My head is clear and I have energy to do things. I cannot believe my doctor prescribed me an antipsychotic drug such as Seroquel. Colleagues observing me thought I had undergone a major personality disorder. I have been off it for a month now and not missing it one bit."

• sho...
• April 9, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Seroquel XR for bipolar depression. My doctor started me on 50 mg, and I am gradually increasing the dosage. It's been about 4 weeks, and I am currently taking 200 mg. I will agree that it has helped the hopelessness feelings and suicidal thoughts, which is a plus, but the zombie-like feeling and dry mouth are tough. I have a job that requires constant activity, it's hard to keep up. I have to definitely slow down. My doctor advised me that these side effects are all normal and eventually I will get used to it. Can't wait for this to happen."

• Sun...
• January 3, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "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 counselor, who 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."

• Res...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I lost touch with reality for quite a while. I mainly use this as a sleep aid, but I am a paranoid schizophrenic. As far as symptoms of my schizophrenia, it helps. However, whenever it's about time to take my dose, I notice my condition worsening a lot. If I take it late, I am loopy and a bit delusional, but I hold a steady job that requires us to work late some days. Also, if I am just having an overall bad day, it seems to not help my symptoms at all. I am pretty sure I would be a lot worse without this medication. My insurance doesn't cover it, but I got a card from the doctor making my prescription only cost around 17 bucks. If I didn't have that card, it would be about 80 bucks with my work insurance, 400 or something with none."

• Anonymous
• May 17, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Excellent for sleep onset - up to a point. If things get really bad, I've had to augment it with temazepam and Valium. I also have depression. I was on and off it for about 3 months, and it causes brain fog and word retrieval problems. There is also a significant increase in appetite, but it's not as bad as Remeron."

• Wha...
• May 15, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started taking this when I was 12 years old, and the entire time I was on it, I gained probably like 40-60 pounds. But I was somewhat overweight at the time, so probably thought not much about it. I would miss school because my mom had a death wish if she woke me up. It made me tired and foggy for days. Last October, my mom woke me up just a few hours after taking it. And I couldn't even comprehend what she was saying. So along with the schizophrenia, I also have sleep apnea, I stop breathing in my sleep. Thank god I can figure it out pretty fast and wake up. On Seroquel, it's impossible and also makes it worse. Even after more than ten years, I really hate this medication. I haven't taken it for a year or more. But they still prescribe it. They started me on Abilify, which I recommend for anyone with schizophrenia or B.L.P. or B.P. because Abilify does work, and it works fast, and also it doesn't cause any sleeping problems or drowsiness. And even comes in a once-a-month dose."

• Skr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2014

For Schizophrenia "When I was 14, I was put on 450 mg/day before bedtime, and within 6 months, I gained 25-30 pounds. It worked super well to get rid of my hallucinations (including the tactile ones), but it made me extremely zombie-like. My grades slipped at school, and I slept as soon as I got home till the next morning. The first day, I slept 22 hours. This medicine made me so hungry all the time, and no matter how much I ate, I was never full."

• CRC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I've 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, it's 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 100 mg to 200 mg 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 25 mg per day, and my sleeping has improved a lot. I'm no more anxious than before. I realize 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."

• No ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2021

For Depression "On this for depression & bipolar. Terrible word blockage. Would experience electrical-like zaps in my brain. Felt like a zombie, unable to focus, no energy to do anything. Slept for 16+ hours every single time I took it."

• Cck...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 18, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "While on Seroquel XR, my habits, escape mechanisms related to BPD were improved. These related to gambling, alcoholism, and reckless behavior. The side effects in my case were severe and included increased appetite, weight gain, tachycardia, and feeling like a zombie. I found myself questioning why I needed this drug?"

• Sar...
• August 11, 2015

"I was on Seroquel XR 350 mg for 3 years to treat clinical depression and anxiety. The only problems were the weight gain (about 80 pounds in 3 years), a general 'zombie' feeling that made concentrating a little difficult, and some short-term memory problems, but all of that was worth it since my moods were finally stable. Come to find out I was misdiagnosed, and now I'm being treated with Topamax for Bipolar II, but if that doesn't work, it's back to Seroquel. I suggest trying it to anyone who hasn't had luck with other medications. Once you get past 150 mg, it might knock you out pretty quick, so take it at night and give yourself enough time for a solid 8 hours because you might not wake up before that."