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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Miller on March 16, 2003, at 21:22:37
I am on Effexor (300 mg) and Seroquel (35 mg). I have been having horrible night sweats. I have never been like this before. Is this a side effect oof either drug or is it because I am losing my grip?
-Miller
Posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 22:27:59
In reply to Night sweats, posted by Miller on March 16, 2003, at 21:22:37
Hi, wish I could help. I take 75mg Effexor and 100mg Seroquel at night and I have never had the sweats you talk about-but YMMV
All the best always!
did it help a little? just a lil?
take good care k!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> I am on Effexor (300 mg) and Seroquel (35 mg). I have been having horrible night sweats. I have never been like this before. Is this a side effect oof either drug or is it because I am losing my grip?
>
> -Miller
>
Posted by zeliva on March 17, 2003, at 1:57:30
In reply to Re: Night sweats » Miller, posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 22:27:59
I also get the night sweats. I take 25-50mg Seroquel. I never put the two together. It seems like it just started about a week ago. I have been taking the Seroquel for a little over a month.
Jill
Posted by Miller on March 17, 2003, at 8:35:03
In reply to Re: Night sweats, posted by zeliva on March 17, 2003, at 1:57:30
I have an appointment with my doctor next week. I am going to ask her. I'll let you know.
-Miller
Posted by lauran on March 17, 2003, at 10:48:40
In reply to Night sweats, posted by Miller on March 16, 2003, at 21:22:37
Hi Miller. I've been on Seroquel 25-50 mg at bedtime for 15 months. It works wonderfully for me. I've never had night sweats with it though. I would be curious to hear what your doc says. My first month on it caused me to feel pretty tired in the morning but a cup of coffee would help that. I don't have that anymore and feel very good throughout my day after a settled night's sleep.
Posted by xjs7 on March 17, 2003, at 12:25:52
In reply to Night sweats, posted by Miller on March 16, 2003, at 21:22:37
Hi,
So everyone in this thread is taking Seroquel for "sleep." I sincerely hope you know the serious side effects associated with this class of medications (the antipsychotics). You need to read up on tardive dyskinesia and check yourself for the signs of it. Don't expect your prescribing physician to recognize it--many people have shown signs of it but it wasn't detected, and go on to live the rest of their lives with disfiguring dyskinesias.
People who have schizophrenia have a lower incidence of dyskinesia from these drugs than all other people. But you must realize that people who have schizophrenia have always developed dyskinesias naturally--without the use of these powerful medications. So, some of the tardive dyskinesia found in schizophrenia patients is not actually tardive dyskinesia--it is instead part of the disease process itself. So, in my opinion, the rate of dyskinesias is much higher in people who don't have schizophrenia.
I know all this because I have schizophrenia. I realize that when I'm older I probably will have some dyskinesias. I take antipsychotics at high doses for long periods of time. These are dangerous drugs. I have seen too much of their side effects. Have you ever seen someone who has tardive dyskinesia?
xjs7
Posted by lauran on March 17, 2003, at 13:50:04
In reply to Seroquel for sleep..., posted by xjs7 on March 17, 2003, at 12:25:52
Hi xjs7. I can appreciate your viewpoint. In fact, I am amazed at the amount of people who take antipsychotics and have no idea of the risks involved. I had a recent bout of akathesia from Abilify that was horrific for me. I believe I had dystonia as well. No, I was not on Seroquel and Abilify at the same time!
I realize in trying to encourage people that I don't always give the entire history and diagnoses behind my reasoning. According to my statement of taking Seroquel for sleep it would be correct to ascertain that I use it only as a "sleep aid". I understand that because of my success with this med I cannot push it for others as their diagnosis may be quite different.
However, I do not take this merely for sleep. Your opening line made me realize that you needed more information from me at least. I've been seeing an excellent pdoc who prescribed this only after many visits and after finding the correct diagnoses.
I am not comfortable going in to my diagnoses, but they include thought disorder and dissociative disorder. There are times when my thoughts race on so uncontrollably that I cannot function and simply shut down. Even though I take a small dose of the Seroquel at night and on a prn basis, it brings me back to being able to function. It has been a lifesaver for me. My thoughts become more sequential and my anxiety level decreases so that I can function in this life. If I wanted something merely for sleep I'd take Ambien.
Again, I do value your post and agree that taking an antipsychotic simply for sleep may not be appropriate. I work with elderly who were given strong antipsychotics in the past and are suffering from EPS/TD to this day. It is quite sad to see. Thankfully advances are being made at minimizing these horrible long term risks.
Best Wishes.
Posted by chiron on March 17, 2003, at 20:31:09
In reply to Night sweats, posted by Miller on March 16, 2003, at 21:22:37
I would say it could be either drug. A friend of mine had night sweats on Wellbutrin. I had them cyclically while on Effexor. Our bodies all respond differently to each med.
Posted by Krissy P on March 17, 2003, at 22:14:06
In reply to Seroquel for sleep..., posted by xjs7 on March 17, 2003, at 12:25:52
Hi xjs7, after reading this, it makes me want to go off my Seroquel!! I know that tardive dyskinesia can happen down the road-I am frustrated about this. I hate taking Seroquel, but I guess only I can learn how to do things before I go to bed and can sleep-WITHOUT the med-I feel like my health is being jeopardized by the usage of Seroquel so what can I do????
Can you please tell me what a person looks like who has tardive dyskinesia???
Appreciate it:-)
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hi,
>
> So everyone in this thread is taking Seroquel for "sleep." I sincerely hope you know the serious side effects associated with this class of medications (the antipsychotics). You need to read up on tardive dyskinesia and check yourself for the signs of it. Don't expect your prescribing physician to recognize it--many people have shown signs of it but it wasn't detected, and go on to live the rest of their lives with disfiguring dyskinesias.
>
> People who have schizophrenia have a lower incidence of dyskinesia from these drugs than all other people. But you must realize that people who have schizophrenia have always developed dyskinesias naturally--without the use of these powerful medications. So, some of the tardive dyskinesia found in schizophrenia patients is not actually tardive dyskinesia--it is instead part of the disease process itself. So, in my opinion, the rate of dyskinesias is much higher in people who don't have schizophrenia.
>
> I know all this because I have schizophrenia. I realize that when I'm older I probably will have some dyskinesias. I take antipsychotics at high doses for long periods of time. These are dangerous drugs. I have seen too much of their side effects. Have you ever seen someone who has tardive dyskinesia?
>
> xjs7
Posted by Krissy P on March 17, 2003, at 22:19:30
In reply to Re: Seroquel for sleep... » xjs7, posted by lauran on March 17, 2003, at 13:50:04
Hi, this prompts me to make another point:
I take 100mg Seroquel for sleep ONLY. It doesn't really, honestly, do anything else for me though. What else can I do to help my insomnia??-Ambien is only used for short-term fromn what I know???
please reply, these thoughts on taking Seroquel if one isn't schizophrenic-(which i'm not)-tells me something isn't right and I, and many pdocs have suggested to wean OFF of it. It is a scary med.
Hope to hear from someone on this.
Thanks,
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Hi xjs7. I can appreciate your viewpoint. In fact, I am amazed at the amount of people who take antipsychotics and have no idea of the risks involved. I had a recent bout of akathesia from Abilify that was horrific for me. I believe I had dystonia as well. No, I was not on Seroquel and Abilify at the same time!
>
> I realize in trying to encourage people that I don't always give the entire history and diagnoses behind my reasoning. According to my statement of taking Seroquel for sleep it would be correct to ascertain that I use it only as a "sleep aid". I understand that because of my success with this med I cannot push it for others as their diagnosis may be quite different.
>
> However, I do not take this merely for sleep. Your opening line made me realize that you needed more information from me at least. I've been seeing an excellent pdoc who prescribed this only after many visits and after finding the correct diagnoses.
>
> I am not comfortable going in to my diagnoses, but they include thought disorder and dissociative disorder. There are times when my thoughts race on so uncontrollably that I cannot function and simply shut down. Even though I take a small dose of the Seroquel at night and on a prn basis, it brings me back to being able to function. It has been a lifesaver for me. My thoughts become more sequential and my anxiety level decreases so that I can function in this life. If I wanted something merely for sleep I'd take Ambien.
>
> Again, I do value your post and agree that taking an antipsychotic simply for sleep may not be appropriate. I work with elderly who were given strong antipsychotics in the past and are suffering from EPS/TD to this day. It is quite sad to see. Thankfully advances are being made at minimizing these horrible long term risks.
>
> Best Wishes.
Posted by lauran on March 18, 2003, at 10:51:21
In reply to Re: Seroquel for sleep... » lauran, posted by Krissy P on March 17, 2003, at 22:19:30
Hi Krissy. Whenever my pdoc starts a new med with me he discusses the class of med it is, the diagnostic reason, the hopeful outcome and side effects to watch for. He discusses risks and whether or not they warrant taking the new med.
He always returns my call if I have a pressing question that cannot wait until our next session.I think you need to list all of your meds and discuss them with your doctor. Ask him what class they are, why you are taking them and what improvement you should expect to see with them.
I know you've worked on all of this for years. It is important that you talk specifically about the Seroquel with your doc. It may be he is giving it just for sleep. I hope not. On the other hand he may have a broader clinical picture in mind with the use of Seroquel. Just be very sure and informed about why you take any meds.
Good Luck.
Posted by Krissy P on March 18, 2003, at 11:57:57
In reply to Re: Seroquel for sleep... » Krissy P, posted by lauran on March 18, 2003, at 10:51:21
Hi, I have discussed the Seroquel with 2 docs, one being my current one, and they both agreed that I may be better off without it, but for right now, it helps with sleep. I'm wondering, though, I took 100mg yeasterday to calm down and it helped. It's funny because I don't think any doc really discussed the class of med it is, the diagnostic reason, and side effects to watch for-guess I may have got the short end of the stick? lol
So far, my med combo is starting to work for me though, and when I see my pdoc next, I will bring it up, but I may just keep taking the Seroquel or ask her about decreasing it to maybe 50mg a night and SLOWLY weaning myself off-with her supervision of course:-)
Thanks for the reply, keep well, Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He > Hi Krissy. Whenever my pdoc starts a new med with me he discusses the class of med it is, the diagnostic reason, the hopeful outcome and side effects to watch for. He discusses risks and whether or not they warrant taking the new med.
> He always returns my call if I have a pressing question that cannot wait until our next session.
>
> I think you need to list all of your meds and discuss them with your doctor. Ask him what class they are, why you are taking them and what improvement you should expect to see with them.
>
> I know you've worked on all of this for years. It is important that you talk specifically about the Seroquel with your doc. It may be he is giving it just for sleep. I hope not. On the other hand he may have a broader clinical picture in mind with the use of Seroquel. Just be very sure and informed about why you take any meds.
>
> Good Luck.
Posted by Creaky_Neurons on March 18, 2003, at 13:45:49
In reply to Re: Seroquel for sleep... » lauran, posted by Krissy P on March 18, 2003, at 11:57:57
i would just like to point out that for many people (esp bipolars, but also depression) getting regular sleep is *essential* to mental health.
by relegating sleep dysfunction to something less than a serious condition, i think we are ignoring one of the final pathways of mental pathology.
the right amount of sleep is important.
Posted by Ritch on March 18, 2003, at 23:19:21
In reply to Sleep is important!, posted by Creaky_Neurons on March 18, 2003, at 13:45:49
> i would just like to point out that for many people (esp bipolars, but also depression) getting regular sleep is *essential* to mental health.
>
> by relegating sleep dysfunction to something less than a serious condition, i think we are ignoring one of the final pathways of mental pathology.
>
> the right amount of sleep is important.
I agree 100%. I have been having trouble recently with getting up earlier than I intend to. There is more LIGHT coming in and it wakes me up. The first time I had a full-blown panic attack was when I had to work on a 3rd shift to fill in for someone on a vacation at a factory. I think if I could completely control the light, humidity, temperature, and SOUND while I am sleeping it would be very helpful for stabilizing mood. This circadian asynchronicity is a real hassle. I notice the times I feel sleepy changes predictably with the seasons as well. I get "advanced" and "retarded" changing with my sleep architecture with the time of year.
This is the end of the thread.
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