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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roslynn on September 30, 2008, at 15:42:03
Please help anyone! Every time I try to get off Seroquel I have terrifying anxiety. I am only taking 25 and trying to do a slow taper. I went 25 one month, 12 the next (pill splitter), then crumbs, then the horrible anxiety came back! Seems I can go only about a week without Seroquel in my system and then everything hits me again! Tried taking extra ativan, it doesn't work on this feeling of terror.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me please? This drug is making me gain weight and I'm losing my mental sharpness.
My other meds are EMSAM 6mg, lithium 600mg (can't tolerate a higher dose), ativan as needed up to 3mg per day. Diagnosis is treatment-resistant depression.
My pdoc mentioned Invega, I believe it is another antipsychotic??? Has anyone taken this? I'm scared...I never heard of it. Should I replace one antipsychotic with another? Won't I get hooked on the replacement?
Seroquel was originally given to me to calm me down when I was experiencing horrible anxiety. Now, if I don't take it, I have the same anxiety again. Don't know if it's my "condition" that's being masked by the Seroquel or if it's the withdrawal from the Seroquel causing the anxiety!!
Thank you all for any help possible!
Roslynn
Posted by Jeroen on September 30, 2008, at 16:14:20
In reply to Seroquel, please help!!!, posted by Roslynn on September 30, 2008, at 15:42:03
hi, seroquel withdrawal, been several times trough it,
it lasts about a week and then you should return to normal, but if you have a condition like psychosis you must take one, i know its a painbut your anxiety should be treated with ativan because when i take 2 mg my anxiety goes down a lot
seroquel 25 mg is a very low dosage, the minimum dosage for anxiety is 100 mg twice a day, when i took lower i got anxiety too, terrible
Posted by bleauberry on September 30, 2008, at 16:58:48
In reply to Seroquel, please help!!!, posted by Roslynn on September 30, 2008, at 15:42:03
It is probably a combination of the pre-existing condition as well as withdrawals adjustments.
When I got off zyprexa after 8 years on it, I had the same terrifying anxiety you talked about. I had to keep going back on it, usually in just crumbs or tiny amounts, and give it more time. Eventually after a couple months I could finally go without it. But even then, there was some anxiety that persisted for probably another 3 months. It takes a long time to recover from what an antipsychotic does. Or it did with me anyway. Even after I had been off it for a couple weeks I still took a few crumbs one day and again a week later or so. I just needed some relief to give me some rest so I could go on. I knew if I didn't start taking it every day again then I wouldn't become re-dependent on it. I used it only when I absolutely needed it.
Xanax or klonopin might be better for you than ativan.
Since ensam is working mostly on norepinephrine and dopamine, that is probably contributing too. You might be feeling initial start-up side effects that were originally masked by seroquel, but now you are feeling them fresh for the first time even though you didn't just start it.
Posted by Nadezda on September 30, 2008, at 17:17:02
In reply to Seroquel, please help!!!, posted by Roslynn on September 30, 2008, at 15:42:03
Is there any particular need to get off it?
If you took it for terrible anxiety, the likelihood is that it will return, if you stop the seroquel.
Seroquel is a pretty safe antipsychotic, so unless you're having some problem with it, I don't see any reason to force yourself off it.
Nadezda
Posted by Phillipa on September 30, 2008, at 18:39:51
In reply to Re: Seroquel, please help!!! » Roslynn, posted by Nadezda on September 30, 2008, at 17:17:02
That's very true and a lower dose may reduce the amt of weight you've experienced? Emasam is a stimulating med from what others have said . Could you cut the patches and add klonopin supposed to be a good combo. Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on October 1, 2008, at 12:46:13
In reply to Re: Seroquel, please help!!! » Nadezda, posted by Phillipa on September 30, 2008, at 18:39:51
hey. Seroquel withdrawal can suck; I imagine having stimulating meds on board (the EMSAM) complicates the tapering process a bit. The thing is, though, at 25mgs/day, Seroquel is really an extremely over-priced anti-histamine. It seems to me that you could get comparable results by switching to hydroxyzine (vistaril, atarax--you'll need an rx; its an old, cheap medication) or even by taking some Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Once you're not having seroquel withdrawal probs anymore, you can start dropping the antihistamine.
Posted by obsidian on October 1, 2008, at 21:15:42
In reply to Seroquel, please help!!!, posted by Roslynn on September 30, 2008, at 15:42:03
God, I so know what you mean!
I get dumber on seroquel and fatter, but I go off the crap and I am topsy turvy...not a good sceneIf there's an alternative, I'd like to know about it
Posted by Roslynn on October 2, 2008, at 18:40:55
In reply to hey. whats up?, posted by med_empowered on October 1, 2008, at 12:46:13
Hi med empowered,
Thank you for your response.
Atarax is a good idea but my doc likely has never heard of it. He sticks to standard things rather than thinking outside the box.
With Benedryl I get "second day depression"...
Do you think Valium or Klonopin or Xanax might work better for the panic and terror during withdrawal than Ativan, my current med?
Thanks
Roslynn
Posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2008, at 19:36:47
In reply to Re: hey. whats up? ))med empowered, posted by Roslynn on October 2, 2008, at 18:40:55
I'm not med but I'd bet the valium or klonopin would work well. My opinion only. Phillipa
Posted by Roslynn on October 3, 2008, at 17:56:38
In reply to Seroquel, please help!!!, posted by Roslynn on September 30, 2008, at 15:42:03
Thanks everyone for your help. I got a script for Xanax. I'm going to see if it helps more with the anxiety.
Roslynn
This is the end of the thread.
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