Quetiapine and Restless Leg Syndrome: What Users Say

• Sir...
• November 5, 2014

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Got diagnosed with bipolar disorder three months ago, and started on Seroquel 50 mg at night. It has helped me a lot, and I feel like a totally different person (in a good way - I've suffered for 10 years!). At first, I just thought I was in a 'normal' phase (not manic or depressive) - but the depressions usually sneak up on me after a few weeks when I've felt normal before. Not had any side effects, other than restless legs syndrome, but I've had that before, so it wasn't a biggie. This side effect has also almost disappeared after a few months. Was so scared of weight gain, but I watched what I eat, and work out a lot, instead I've gotten skinnier and healthier. Thumbs up! I got my life back!"

• Kay...
• May 9, 2018

For Depression "Who ever said the “Seroquel saved my life reviews are fake” is so wrong - I can assure you I am a real person, and Seroquel changed my life. After suffering from depression and obsessive thoughts for the past 4 years, I finally can make it through my day and feel great about the day. I wasn’t sleeping due to the anxiety, laying awake for hours thinking and thinking. Now I take 25mg, fall asleep, and wake up wanting to enjoy the day! Not staring in the mirror for 3 hours picking out every flaw I have and obsessing over it, crying, thinking of suicide! I’d say it saved my life. You are one person, with one person's experience. Don’t knock or assume others are not true or real. I’ve had no side effects, no weight gain, RLS, bad taste, etc. For some, this could be a lifeline. But what works for some may be pointless or dangerous for you, so talk to your doctor."

• And...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 2, 2020

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have affective bipolar disorder and took Seroquel for 12 years. I started at 100mg, and for the last 8 years, I was on 300mg at night. I had psychotic suicidal depression. Yes, it made me sleep well, except towards the end there were restless legs. However, it never stopped the depressions from recurring, and I couldn't sleep with it during the bouts. A year ago, a psychiatrist abruptly stopped it, either cold turkey or over 5 days. Immediately, I developed tardive dyskinesia (TD), a debilitating progressive neurological condition. It was very uncomfortable, painful, and no, I would not recommend it. I am 63 years old, starting a new life, homebound, super self-conscious of my face, and avoid meeting people."

• TCa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 19, 2020

For Insomnia "I feel like taking Seroquel must be like getting roofied. I took the 100 mg, and it literally knocked me out for 12 hours straight. Then, after waking up, you're groggy for at least another 6 hours and are grumpy to the people around you. I also got restless leg syndrome or some kind of very weird involuntary leg movements. I would also always wake up in some kind of pain, and it might be due to the fact that you're so knocked out you're contorting your body in unusual positions while you sleep. I then got reduced halfway to the 50 mg, which did the same thing but with half of the same effects! Seroquel seems like a dangerous drug to me, and I've been on a few."

• Hac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 7, 2014

For Insomnia "I'm 31. I've been diagnosed with depression several times. Gradually, as I got older, I was having more and more trouble falling asleep. Eventually, I would be awake all night and then fall asleep sometime in the afternoon or maybe the next evening. It was a very bad situation for me. Eventually, I got on 50 mg of Seroquel and now I sleep well every night for about nine months or so. I have very few side effects from Seroquel; I get restless legs and it makes me a little irritable about half an hour before I get drowsy. I lost like 25 pounds once I started sleeping again."

• Jul...
• September 20, 2019

For Insomnia "I've been taking Seroquel since 2015. Before that, about 2 years, I started having trouble sleeping after a string of deaths in my family, including my husband. I mean, I would be up for days. It was torture. And like with any medication over time, your body gets used to it. Now I'm on 300 mg and will see my doctor to up the dose. It was a lifesaver for me, and I've had no problem gaining weight like I've heard others say. Every great now and then, I get restless leg syndrome, but not often. Let me say again, this medicine was a lifesaver."

• Mat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2020

For Insomnia "I was prescribed Seroquel as an emergency sleep aid earlier this year when I was having the worst insomnia of my life. I had some awful endocrine dysfunction (high cortisol, adrenaline attacks in the middle of the night, physical anxiety) that at its worst had me sleeping 1-3 hours a night and literally shaking with hypertension, serotonin syndrome, anxiety attacks, and God only knows what else. Seroquel is supposed to be like a mental whiteout, a chemical lobotomy, some sort of emergency shutdown switch that turns your crazy misfiring brain off for a few hours to give you a chance to escape. I couldn't find the dose to get there, though, and didn't want to go any higher for fear of the side effects. (It probably would have been at least 100 mg.) I kept waking up, and the Seroquel ended up giving me some sort of mild serotonin syndrome, with crazy restless legs and pins and needles down both legs."

• Bor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2020

For Insomnia "I have depression coupled with panic disorder. I have been on 20 mg of paroxetine coupled with Xanax, then as of late Clonopin for the past 30 years. I started feeling very depressed and drugged out lately, so I cut down very, very slowly on my benzodiazepines, and I switched to Seroquel for my chronic, and I mean chronic, insomnia. It’s very strange, during the day, I feel as if a white hot glow light is on deep in my brain making me more aware, but it is not attached to my nervous system, meaning it does not make my heart beat faster. I have only been on it for three nights, but I have slept all the way through those three nights. What is funny is for about an hour it gives me restless leg syndrome!"

• h1g...
• October 24, 2015

For Insomnia "I started taking this for bipolar type 1 disorder and for insomnia. I take 50 mg nightly, which sedated me and helps with mood stabilization and psychotic episodes. PROS: I sleep nightly, my general quality of life has improved, and as long as I take it, the odd occasions where I experience psychosis aren't as bad. CONS: When I first started it, I had a case of restless leg syndrome (that went away within a month or two), sometimes I feel like my facial expression is mask-like, I feel like my breathing is heavier the morning after taking it, and I have very vivid, life-like dreams/nightmares. Do keep an eye on what you eat, I find it can give you the munchies and makes it harder to lose weight. This medication has honestly saved my life."

• Dir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2013

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I had great success at doses of 200-400 mg. Anything above that and I black out an hour after taking it. I found out later I had been writing belligerent texts, yelling at my children, and verbally abusing my wife. I'm going to ask for 300 mg since it helped my insomnia and made me content and happy the next day. All without the horrible side effects listed above. I have tried Geodon, it gave me severe tachycardia and yet made me too tired to function. A horrible inescapable feeling as the tachycardia made sleep impossible. Zyprexa just made me fat and gave me restless legs so bad I couldn't sleep. Seroquel is best by far, but have your loved ones monitor you."

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2017

For Insomnia "I've been suffering from major depression disorder, PTSD, and anxiety for a while now. I take 225 mg of Effexor, which is supposed to help with anxiety, in my case, it doesn't. It does help with the depression. My anxiety is terrible and leaves me up for almost 3 days at a time. I'm on 0.5 mg of Klonopin 3 times a day (does not make me tired), so my doctor recently prescribed me quetiapine 100 mg at night to sleep, and that was way too much. I'd sleep for like 12-13 hours a night, now, I take 25 mg, and it works okay. The only side effect is that if I don't fall asleep fast enough after taking it, it causes restless leg syndrome, which is another nightmare in itself. Nothing else seems to work, so I'll stick with it for now."

• Ste...
• August 28, 2013

For Insomnia "I have been taking 100 mg in the mornings, 3 x 25 mg in the day, and 200 mg before bed for bipolar disorder. I have tried numbers of different sleep aids and medicines, however, this has proved effective for me. I have a good 8 hours of sleep and wake up fine. It does make me crave sweets, cookies, Coca-Cola, but I try to fight the hunger and run on my cross trainer on the side effect. I have had restless legs syndrome, very annoying, but it does pass. At first, I felt sluggish, my body felt heavy to carry, so I dropped my dose to 100 mg in the day, and this works much better for me. I suffered with anxiety and panic and couldn't leave my home, but now, with the help of quetiapine, I'm so much more relaxed. I don't feel anxious, if I do, I take 25 mg, and within an hour, I'm relaxed."

• den...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 20, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Back in 2013, I was prescribed quetiapine. I was coming off, 'cold turkey' benzo withdrawal. I had been on benzos in one form or another since the late 60s. So my psychiatrist, at that time, prescribed it as a low dose of quetiapine. I've been on it ever since. The drug was very effective for helping me sleep. I take 200 mg at bedtime. I also take 50 mg during the day. Occasionally, I will have restless leg syndrome as a side effect. The other side effect is drowsiness, which I only get from the 200 mg bedtime dose. There are possible side effects like an increase in sugar levels and movement disorders, i.e., tardive dyskinesia, but I have my sugar levels monitored, and tardive dyskinesia is a rare side effect. All in all, it works for me."

• Nuk...
• December 2, 2015

For Insomnia "I'm a vet with many mental health issues, which causes insomnia. I've been on quetiapine for 5 years. I take 600 to 800 mg each night around the same time, and I wake up the next morning refreshed. My doctor also has trazodone paired with it. The only side effects I've had are raiding the fridge in the middle of the night and dry mouth. Sometimes I get restless legs, but I take Lyrica for that and my back."

• Kae...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 12, 2018

Quetiapine "Let me just say, I hate Seroquel! I was prescribed it for sleep 8 years ago. For the first couple of years, I was on about 300-400 mg a day, and I would feel like I was literally dying when it kicked in. My heart would race, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, and then I’d just black out. It made me feel so sluggish the next day. Also, I gained so much weight on this! It makes you have an insatiable hunger, and it’s terrible. I would walk down the halls and knock into them like I was drunk, my vision was so blurry, and I couldn’t think. It was the worst sensation ever! I’m now down to 50 mg of the XR and trying to wean off, but I’m scared. Last time the doctor tried, I blacked out and my blood pressure dropped, and the hospital said I couldn’t wean off it. Now, a year later, I’m trying again, and it’s terrible. I can’t sleep, restless legs, can’t get comfortable, and feel tired all day. I don't recommend this to anybody!!!"

• sue...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2016

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Made me feel like a zombie. I slept too much, gained 20 lbs, had restless leg syndrome and congestion at night, increased depression, I had a breakdown of laughing and crying at the same time. I lost sense of reality."

• dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I decided to stop taking it because of the massive weight gain, but at 100 mg, it did help my Borderline Personality Disorder - you end up feeling NOTHING rather than everything. I guess it depends on the person. I lost my actual personality but gained a more normal reaction type, and my mood was generally 'better' - I was more neutral rather than the extreme highs and lows. I also had a few side effects: extreme drowsiness, weight gain (I'd say approx. 2 st in 2 months), a complete lack of motivation, and also *weirdly* awful restless legs for about 2 hours after taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 28, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking quetiapine long term for about 7 years. I was prescribed it for anxiety and insomnia. I began on a high dose but now only take 25 - 50 mg at night. Once I started taking this drug, there was no need for the doctors to try any more antidepressants or other pills. It helps me sleep at night, calms my anxiety, and therefore I am able to tackle my day. I find it quite sedating, so the smaller the dose I can manage, the better. I have tried going off it once, but ended up with horrible side effects such as no sleep for days and itching, crawling skin, intense nausea, and feeling very mentally fragile. Overall, this drug has helped me a lot over the years, and I am able to function quite well on it with minimal side effects - sometimes can feel quite drowsy the next day. I have had restless legs and muscle aches as side effects too, but I have been taking it long term. I would recommend a low dose to someone also struggling with anxiety and sleep."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I had originally taken 150 mg Seroquel as a mood stabilizer for bipolar II about two years ago. Adjusting to the medication was terrible, as I had gained about 10 pounds, was groggy for hours after I had woken up, and got restless legs. I had stopped taking it due to these effects. Days ago, I was prescribed a low dose of 25 mg just for sleep and anxiety. The first two nights taking it, I got extremely tired within 30 minutes, woke up multiple times throughout the night, had sleep paralysis, and woke up groggy once again. The third night is when I decided not to take it, and even after only two nights of it, I was still not able to fall asleep for the life of me! I do not recommend this medication as one may become extremely dependent on it and need it for the rest of their lives!"

• K19...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2018

Quetiapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "I was on a number of medications. For hallucinations (both tactile and visual, as well as auditory), I’m dealing with more of the schizophrenia part. I’ve been diagnosed for a year now. I’ve been on Abilify, Risperdal, Zyprexa. And nothing until Seroquel. I am completely calmed down and feel much better. Really sleepy and very hungry. Restless legs and arms, but all around a good medication."

• ove...
• February 11, 2010

Quetiapine for Insomnia "I too take it at night for insomnia and do get RLS sometimes. However, if I go to bed within 1 hour after taking it, I don't get the RLS, I'm sleepy by then anyway. What I really like about this medication is when I do wake up during the night, I fall back to sleep within a few minutes. The only downside I've found is it's kind of hard to wake up in the morning sometimes. It also helps keep my moods steady during the day, and I don't have as many anxiety episodes."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2011

Quetiapine for Depression "I am 49 and have Bipolar II. Been on Seroquel 400 mg for one year. Initially very drowsy, restless legs, dry mouth, and blocked nose, most side effects lifted after 3 months. This medicine controlled my racing thoughts, helped me concentrate (I thought I had ADD). Ironically, despite the drowsiness, it lifted my extreme exhaustion (I used to have weekly Vitamin B injections because I was so tired). I no longer feel drowsy, managed not to gain weight with the help of a dietitian and an exercise program. I do get very hungry but refuse to give in to the hunger. I also take Wellbutrin and Zoloft to help with the depression, tearfulness, and agitation. I would recommend Seroquel to bipolar patients."

• Too...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2018

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "Of all the meds I’ve taken for my bipolar, Seroquel is the best with the least side effects. I’ve been on Abilify, Depakote, and another one can’t remember the name. Horrible side effects: severe blurred vision, rash, panic attacks, restless legs, insomnia, gastritis, blood in stools, and more. Seroquel is working for me, and for that, I’m very grateful."

• joy...
• September 11, 2021

For Insomnia "I did not fall asleep on 25 mg until 4:30 am. The next night I took 50 mg at 9:30 pm as Dr. suggested. I didn't fall asleep. I then took another 25 mg without any sleep onset yet. In total, I took 125 mg and fell asleep from 4:30 to 7:30 am. I woke sluggish and tired. I was irritable also. Restless legs was a side effect."

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2010

Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar type II and have been taking Seroquel for the past two years. It has helped a great deal by stabilizing my moods and providing me with a good night's sleep every night, no matter what. Each morning, I wake up feeling refreshed and in control of my day. Used to take 300 mg a day, but now I only need 100 mg, or 150-200 mg on bad days. This was the only medicine that did not cause tremors or restless legs. I've been on Lamictal and Geodon, which all caused tremors. It got rid of the angry hypomanic episodes. The 300 mg caused only minimal weight gain (I gained more weight when I was on lithium) and extra drowsiness in the mornings."