[BNLsMOM]

I am taking samples of Seroquel XR until prior authorization goes through for my regular seroquel.

I am wondering if anyone had insomnia while taking it, and also having brief periods of feeling like all thought stops and feeling a bit confused about what to do next? Like just staring into space for a moment and not being able to think of the steps involved in say, making breakfast, or something else that I do every day...

[Tsunamisurfer]

Just the standard dose does that to me. I don't know about insomnia though. It is more powerful for me than any sleeping pill I have ever taken.

[StarryNight]

It knocks me out. If I don't take it I have insomnia, because I'm so used to the drugged sleep. I'm very groggy when I wake up in the morning, and a little tired throughout the morning. In the evening I feel good.

I had to switch from the regular Seroquel to the XR because the regular stuff gave me an extremely rapid pulse about an hour after I took it. I wonder how that can be, because it makes me so sleepy and inebriated. I'm thinking maybe it slowed me down in my sleep so much that I stopped breathing, then woke up and the rapid pulse was my body trying to get oxygen (sleep apnea, I guess it would be) . I'm only thinking that because the rapid pulse was always upon awakening in the middle of the night. I haven't had that problem on the XR-it knocks me out all night.

I'm on 200 mg. I was on 300 but reduced it because I was sick of being so tired all the time and sleeping through every weekend. The fatigue with the 200s is more manageable, and my mood is still pretty stable.

I don't have a problem with loss of concentration or being spaced out on Seroquel. I had that problem on Abilify.

[larakeziah]

Originally Posted by BNLsMOM

I am taking samples of Seroquel XR until prior authorization goes through for my regular seroquel.

I am wondering if anyone had insomnia while taking it, and also having brief periods of feeling like all thought stops and feeling a bit confused about what to do next? Like just staring into space for a moment and not being able to think of the steps involved in say, making breakfast, or something else that I do every day...

Thats pretty much how i'm feeling at the moment. I was on the ordinary one first, but only on a low dose. i've just changed to 200mg of the XR and i'm feeling similar to you, added with the costant aggitation and irritation and the increasing anger!! I also feel very numb!

[StarryNight]

Originally Posted by larakeziah

Thats pretty much how i'm feeling at the moment. I was on the ordinary one first, but only on a low dose. i've just changed to 200mg of the XR and i'm feeling similar to you, added with the costant aggitation and irritation and the increasing anger!! I also feel very numb!

I had the constant irritability and anger at first on the 200, which is why I went up to 300 for a couple of months. Since I've gone back down to the 200, I've had a little irritability come back, but not much. I think I just needed to give it time to build up in my system. I can handle this level of irritability; it's preferable to the severe fatigue.

[IndigoRose]

I didn't take it for very long because of what you've described, among other side effects that were intolerable.

[sadface]

I take Seroquel 150 mg. It makes me sleepy so I take it right before bedtime. At first I was so manic I still had problems with insomnia. Eventually it all worked out. In the meantime google up all the things you can do to naturally help with insomnia. I can still have problems if I am under pressure or stressed so I take 200 mg. I really feel for you as I have suffered from insomnia for years. I think part of my problem was hormonal because as we grow older our progesterone level decreases leaving us with estrogen which revs up our systems making it harder to wind down. Good luck with your situation.

[JustAPixie]

My GP told me that a lower dose seroquel makes you very drowsy and the higher doses can keep you awake... It was true for me in any case, The lower dosage made me so tired that I would fall asleep wherever I am, but as soon as he upped the dose I couldn't ever sleep restful.... I've been off it for a long time for those reasons.

[Skully]

It usually made me sleepy that is why I took it at night. I had to stop taking it because it made me doppy the next day.

[ladyjrnlist]

In my experience, the regular Seroquel knocks you out faster, but does not linger into the morning like the XR does. I like the standard better.

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by Skully

It usually made me sleepy that is why I took it at night. I had to stop taking it because it made me doppy the next day.

LOL. For me, no recollection of dreams or waking, yet dark rings under my eyes. Seriously hungover the next day. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep.

[sadface]

I am taking the regular Seroquel too and my experience has been as ladyjrnlist. I go to sleep at night but dont experience the morning drowsiness.

[Ryask]

I have has similar experiences with quetiapine or seroquel, makes me completely zone out the next day. I brought up those concerns and was switched to something else, maybe you could ask your doctor about switching to something else. I've heard good things about aripiprazole or Abilify. Well what i was told is it does the same thing only you don't feel that groggy, zoned out numb feeling.I suppose i can't vouch for it too much since i haven't actually started to take it...just have it sitting there.Well i do know if you bring up negative side effects normally something can be changed to better suit your need.