[rdwebb]

I just weaned off Seroquel, with my psychiatrist assistance, of course. I took 3 months to come from 300 mg to none. I did it because I was starting to get those jerky movements in my hands and legs. Also, even thou I'm not a diabetic, my blood sugar started to act like one. And let's not even talk about the 40 lbs I gained in a year.
I am still on 400 mg Lamictal for mood stabilization (ha!) and Xanex for anxiety.
It's been two weeks without Seroquel and I still have hot/cold flashes, night sweats, and when I manage to fall asleep, I can't stay asleep for more than an hour. I'm starting to feel the depression and self loathing creeping in. My question is, does the withdrawal get better? Or have I gotten so dependent over the last year that I may have these symptoms forever?

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by rdwebb

My question is, does the withdrawal get better? Or have I gotten so dependent over the last year that I may have these symptoms forever?

It will get better, but perhaps speak to your pdoc about it because you may need a prescription to help you sleep until your body gets used to falling asleep on its own.

[ladyjrnlist]

OMG. I went through the same thing for two weeks when I went off it. It was so rough. But I now feel so much better without the drug slowing me down. It will get better soon. Hang in there! I was on it for a year and a half before doc took me off it. So, I can tell you it will definitely improve and soon.

[rdwebb]

Good to know that it got better for someone, thanks! I have an appointment with my doc on Tuesday, 2/1, so I will ask him about the sleeping issue. I know I will always have to take meds for my condition, but it is nice to not have the total zombie slow down that 300 mg of Seroquel created.

[thinker22]

I had those night sweats too when I came off of it. It will get better. I was on Lamictal as well while taking it and right after I quit Seroquel I went into a manic/mixed episode. I was high as a kite for 9 weeks...then I crashed into a depression. I have to say I preferred the manic episode to sleeping 14 hours a day and feeling like a blob. Things will get better, but I'm with blue on this one. You may need a temporary sleep aid. It will help your mood to stabilize more than anything. Sorry you are suffering.

[mgran]

I hope you're feeling better soon. I'm on 300 mg seroquel at night, and the few times I have missed a dose I immediately started to feel anxious and paranoid, so I imagine you've got that times ten at the moment. I hear from others that though withdrawal is difficult it can be achieved. When I was on prozac, years ago (when they thought it was unipolar depression) I found withdrawal very difficult. But I did eventually get over it. Your body will adjust.

Ohhhh...I'm torn between jealous and relieved. i've tried to come off of Seroquel 2x in the last 3 years and I always go back to it - I went down from 300 mg to 100 mg at night (sometimes I take 200 if I really can't sleep but I feel it the next day) but nothing controls my bipolar the same way. I hate the weight gain and the sluggishness...but I love the sleep and the general mood stabilization it brings.

I hope you start feeling better soon...Good luck!

[Petunia111]

I so hope I don't get any bad side-effects from Seroquel. I take 200 mg at night before bed and it puts me right to sleep, pretty much.

I have diabetes in my family and I need to keep my eye on it, too.