[xRavenx]

Change is a trigger for me: the change of seasons, for instance. I don't have Seasonal Affective Disorder, it's more just change in general. My first manic episode ever years back started as euphoric mania in the summer, and turned into terrible mixed, dysphoric mania that started in October and cycled from mixed mania to depression throughout Fall and Winter. It was a really dark period for me, and it still concerns me to this day. Since proper meds, the episodes are usually shorter, but still intense. I cycle more often.

I've been on all kinds of doses of Seroquel from high to about 300 mg as a low, along with other mood stabilizers. I was on 300 mg this summer to try to reduce side effects and deal with the symptoms and mood swings without raising it. Plus, I wasn't at high risk then. I reserve being on high doses when I'm especially bad, like during this past winter. 600 mg and more helped quiet my mind enough to pull me out of a manic mixed episode, but it took some of the life out of me, made my hands shake, my appetite went way up.

I recently saw my pdoc and she pretty much left it up to me whether to raise the Seroquel or not. I told her I had 400 mg pills left just in case, and she didn't express any concens.

I guess this means I have the permission to raise it from 300-400 mg if I need to. I don't know if I should wait to see if things get even worse before going to 400 on my own. Currently how I'm feeling: crying more often, very negative thoughts about myself and the future, anxiety, trouble sleeping, mind races during certain parts of the day, depression, more impulsive, some mixed features coming out.

Do you think a medication increase is worth a try? I've been trying to cope without raising it for a while now, and I usually wait until I'm in crisis, which isn't the best thing.

[liveforsummer]

Hugs xRavenx
Just wanted to send hugs your way. I'm afraid I cant weigh in on your question as I've yet to start my own meds as waiting for psych appointment and have very little experience with them. I'm sure one of our many other friends will have a better idea what to tell you. Take care.

[Teddy Bear]

Did you feel better on the higher dose?

[wildflowerchild25]

I guess it depends if the side effects at 400 were tolerable or not. In my personal experience, if I let things get really bad it's much harder to stabilize. I often have to be hospitalized or return to PHP. I like to catch things now before they get out of control, if I can.

If the side effects are tolerable and an increased dose has helped in the past, i would raise the dose. It seems like you're already starting to have some symptoms and its better to try and treat these things earlier rather than later.

[Victoria'smom]

I would increase it if you can.

[still_crazy]

as much as i understand wanting to keep the tranquilizer dose as low as possible, id personally say ((as someone who does not know you and is not trying to tell you what to do, just sharing my opinion)) see about increasing it a bit, if you think that will help.

seroquel is very effective against a broad range of symptoms for a lot of people, and the TD risk is supposed to be low, even compared to other drugs in the atypical class. if you're concerned about adverse effects, maybe see about getting some blood work done and/or getting an AIMS Test?

Hope this helps.

[Shazerac]

My pdoc lets me fluctuate with my seroquel depending on my mood and how I'm sleeping. If you are feeling really bad maybe you could try upping the dose for a few days and see how you feel. If nothing changes you always go back down.

[bioChE]

If I were you I'd go back up on the dose. Personally I hate Seroquel, but if it works for you then I'd do it.

[xRavenx]

Thanks everyone,

I think I will give the 400 mg a shot. It has a little more side effects compared to the 300 mg (mild occasional twitching), more sedation, a slight increase in appetite.....but these would only happen on occasion, unlike when I was on 600 mg, where the side effects were a lot more intense. My blood pressure would drop in the AM, unless I took it easy getting out of bed, and that was scary (rarely on 400 mg though).

I was getting scared of long-term effects, like tardive dyskinisia and the extrapyramidal symptoms. I should put more faith in my pdoc though, that 400 mg does not really put me at risk for long-term problems.

What I will do is try it for a week or two, and see if it is still tolerable. I can get by with mild side effects, but if it's too much to a point it's making things worse, I'll scale back and talk to my pdoc.

[*Laurie*]

Good luck with the med increase. I hope it's helpful.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Good luck with the med increase. I hope it's helpful.

Thank you.