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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lydia on April 1, 2005, at 13:47:26
I was just prescribed Seroquel "for your anxiety. And to help with your insomnia." is what my psychiatrist said. Ihavent been able to find any literature at all about seroquel being used for this purpose. Anybody have any experience with the drug, can tell me anything?
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2005, at 18:01:22
In reply to SERoquel for anxiety?, posted by Lydia on April 1, 2005, at 13:47:26
I'm sure a lot of others will respond to your post with positive experiences. i tried it once in the hospital and all it did was make me feel drunk, so the pdoc discontinued it. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by qbsbrown on April 1, 2005, at 21:27:03
In reply to Re: SERoquel for anxiety? » Lydia, posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2005, at 18:01:22
Yes, seroquel is beginnig to be used more and more for anxiety, and a great sleeping tool. I read somewhere that it was the most expensive sleeping pill around, a joke of course.
At first, it will make you very tired, and you will sleep 20 hours if given the chance. This is completely normal. But that usually subsides.
So i'd for sure give it a whirl.Brian
Posted by Maxime on April 1, 2005, at 21:33:11
In reply to SERoquel for anxiety?, posted by Lydia on April 1, 2005, at 13:47:26
> I was just prescribed Seroquel "for your anxiety. And to help with your insomnia." is what my psychiatrist said. Ihavent been able to find any literature at all about seroquel being used for this purpose. Anybody have any experience with the drug, can tell me anything?
Hi. I have used Seroquel. It is an atypical antipsychotic. It seems to be prescribed more and more these days for anxiety and/or insomnia. It will help you sleep alright. What dosage are you starting at?
Maxime
Posted by Spriggy on April 1, 2005, at 21:51:05
In reply to Re: SERoquel for anxiety? » Lydia, posted by Maxime on April 1, 2005, at 21:33:11
I have the starter pack my dr. gave me for sleep and insomnia but have been too much of a scared weanie to take it.
I have a good friend whose dr. prescribed simply for sleep and she told me it "feels like your brain is having a nice warm bath."
She said she is much calmer and nicer to her kids now so it must help with anxiety.
I doubt it would help me be nicer to my kids'. You would have to know my kids'. LOL
BUT anyway, YES, I am hearing about it being given out more and more for anxiety and my dr. gave it to me for that main issue as well.
He wants me to start out on 50mg's and see how I do from there.
I have yet to take it. I'm too afraid I'll die from some rare, freakish side effect.
You KNOW you have anxiety when you have anxiety over taking meds for your anxiety. ha!
Posted by D minor on April 1, 2005, at 23:31:26
In reply to Re: SERoquel for anxiety?, posted by Spriggy on April 1, 2005, at 21:51:05
Hi,
I take Seroquel as an anit-psychotic. But it helps incredibly with my anxiety, as a matter of fact, it gets rid of the anxiety caused by Abilify (another anti-pychotic that I take). And yes, it is the only thing that consistantly gets me to sleep at night.Good luck!
dm
Posted by PM80 on April 2, 2005, at 9:48:02
In reply to SERoquel for anxiety?, posted by Lydia on April 1, 2005, at 13:47:26
Yes, Seroquel is definitely used to treat anxiety and insomnia. In fact, according to my doctor (not specifically a pdoc), anxiety is one of the most predominate reasons she prescribes seroquel. It has not been FDA approved to treat anxiety - that is why you will not find it on any more official drug, medical, or seroquel website. I would guess that no studies have been finished or finalized with the FDA because of the HUGE cost to the drug companies. Doctors are already prescribing it for anxiety, so why spend all that money? I know Seroquel really worked for my anxiety. I used to go through phases where I would have fairly severe panic attacks every other day. I have not had one since I've been on my current dose (appox. 5 months). Although, jsut to give you all the facts, I have also been diagnosed as bipolar (towards the cyclothymic end of the spectrum).
I do NOT think that you have to worry that 1. your doctor isn't telling something (ie he/she thinks you're crazy or severely manic) or 2. that your doctor is overreacting by using such a "strong"(it's an antipsychotic!!) drug , like using a cannon to kill a fly. One thing that I would say is important is dosage. Some people need 25mg/day; some need 400mg/day. If after a few weeks on seroquel you feel excessively drowsy, talk to you doctor about lowering the dose. If your symptoms remain, talk to your doctor about raising the dose. Everyone is different.
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 11:37:02
In reply to Re: SERoquel for anxiety?, posted by PM80 on April 2, 2005, at 9:48:02
For those of you on Seroquel and it's working for your anxiety, could you tell me how much you take and what time of day you take it?
My dr. suggested I take 25 mg's in the morning and again at night, but my friend says it will knock me out cold.
If not for these two kids' and husband I have around during the day, being knocked out cold wouldn't be much of a problem. ROFL
Posted by qbsbrown on April 2, 2005, at 12:49:21
In reply to everyone's dosages for Seroquel?, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 11:37:02
I take 12.5 twice a day, and then 25 at night. If you're wondering about the 12.5, I boutght a pill splitter, a nifty lil device.
Yes, 25 in the morning would knock me out.Brian
Posted by TomG on April 2, 2005, at 13:41:39
In reply to Re: everyone's dosages for Seroquel?, posted by qbsbrown on April 2, 2005, at 12:49:21
I take 50mgs in one dose every night. It has been cosistent getting me to sleep for the entire month I've been on it. The only problems so far is that it has not worked for my other symptoms of not wanting to be around people and communication and getting me out of the house and being aggressive with life. Next week I will go to my doctor and I suspect he will raise to 100 or 150mgs. The other problem is that I can go to bed around 11:00 or 11:30 and sleep soundly unitll 12:00 P.M. the next day. I don't want to get up
Posted by Lydia on April 2, 2005, at 13:51:06
In reply to Re: SERoquel for anxiety?, posted by PM80 on April 2, 2005, at 9:48:02
Thanks for reading my mind. "Antipsychotic" is a real turn-off. Oh well. I took a 25 mg tablet last night and fell asleep beautifully.
I am also diagnosed as bipolar, more in the direction of cyclothymia, or ..rapid cycling.
What a treat!
Hey, I'm wondering, are you on a mood stabalizer?How severe are your mood swings?
Asof late, I'm in despair . Having unprovoked panic attacks every day or so, and oscillating from low-grade sadness to agitated depression without warning. I wonder if I shouldn't try an antidepressant again,(this means waiting at least two weeks to get in to see my psychiatrist) and I wonder if I shouldn't start taking the samples of Lamictal that are sitting on my dresser.
Means of coping are exhausted and I'm at my wit's end.
But I digress.Seroquel..yeah. Quality drug .
Posted by Lydia on April 2, 2005, at 13:54:15
In reply to Re: SERoquel for anxiety?, posted by Spriggy on April 1, 2005, at 21:51:05
Posted by Lydia on April 2, 2005, at 13:57:22
In reply to Re: SERoquel for anxiety?, posted by D minor on April 1, 2005, at 23:31:26
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 16:47:11
In reply to thanks! (nm) » D minor, posted by Lydia on April 2, 2005, at 13:57:22
Lydia,
we sound very similar. I also have panic attacks, serious anxiety and agitated depression. It's fun stuff isn't it? I always wish I could have that typical bipolar where you get manic and feel euphoric and on top of the world. But I can't even get the fun type of bipolar! go figure.
I'm on Lamictal but it hasn't helped me yet (I'm going on my 15th day) but I am on a small dose. I see my doctor again on Tuesday so we shall see.
It sounds like Seroquel might be what I need right now. It's just there's all this "physical" stuff going on as well; thyroid and blood sugar so I wonder how much all these psych drugs will help me if the main problems are physical in nature. Ya know?
Oh well, when I'm knocked out cold and sleeping, I likely won't care much. LOLI'll try 25 mg's tonight and see how it goes. If you don't hear from me tomorrow, call for help. LOL
Posted by PM80 on April 4, 2005, at 7:26:33
In reply to Okay, I think I'll try it, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 16:47:11
In response the the antipsychotic label, my doctor said, "I would never say don't read the info [stapled to the prescription], but don't read the info!" She was, of course half joking because I'm not schizophrenic, nor am I close to being psychotically manic (I never have been).
My dose of seroquel is 300mg/day, of which I used to take 50mg in the morning, 50mg in the afternoon, and 200mg before bed. Recently I've started taking Depakote(500mg/day), and I've found that I don't need the seroquel during the day if I drink less caffeine. So I take 300mg at bedtime because sometimes the 200mg wasn't enought. In fact, I still don't sleep all that well. I usually wake up at least a couple of times during the night. But I can fall asleep with the seroquel. It's kinda weird actually that when I take the seroquel during the day (50mg at work) I definitely notice the drowsiness, especially if I have meetings or have to work with others. I have very difficult time focusing for about a half-hour to an hour. But at night, it often just relaxes me. The Depakote seems to have an up-lifting effect on me. Which is good, since I was feeling depressed a lot on only the Seroquel. Anyway, I've babbled on enough, for now. Good luck all with the Seroquel.
Posted by anodyne on April 4, 2005, at 20:08:09
In reply to Re: Okay, I think I'll try it (to Lydia, Spriggy), posted by PM80 on April 4, 2005, at 7:26:33
Wondered if anyone had tried Abilify for anxiety and could compare it to Seroquel. I took Abilify for a week and about lost it. I am an anxious person and that stuff made me think I was going insane.
When my pdoc decided to give the atypicals a try he mentioned Seroquel and Abilify and we settled on Abilify because it seem to have less side effects. After my Abilify experience, I had pretty much written off the Atypicals but now I wonder if Seroquel might be worth a shot. Are there methods of action that different?
Thanks,
Dan
Posted by Lydia on April 4, 2005, at 20:36:11
In reply to Okay, I think I'll try it, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 16:47:11
I wonder if I should call for help ??
Hows it going? Are you still sleeping?
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2005, at 20:40:04
In reply to SPRIGGY! » Spriggy, posted by Lydia on April 4, 2005, at 20:36:11
She's okay. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on April 4, 2005, at 22:44:41
In reply to Re: SPRIGGY! » Lydia, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2005, at 20:40:04
I have the pills sitting on the counter but am still too weaniefied to take one.
I am soooo pathetic and paranoid. It's almost humurous.
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2005, at 23:23:31
In reply to I weaned out, posted by Spriggy on April 4, 2005, at 22:44:41
Wait til after your doc appointment tomorrow. He may not want you to take them once he sees you. Fondly, Phillipa
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