[*Laurie*]

I saw my pdoc today. I like her a lot; she's very focused and thorough, and kind. I told her that Lamictal (started 7 weeks ago and I'm at 150mg/day now) is helping me very much. The mania is way under control. The only slight issue I'm having is, every morning I feel mildly depressed and anxious/agitated. It's getting so I kind of dread mornings, which is not a good feeling.

I take 50mg. of Seroquel at night for sleep. My pdoc suggested that I take an additional 12/5 - 25mg. of Seroquel in the morning to calm the anxiety. Has/does anyone do this? Any thoughts? Thanks

I have a couple of ideas.

Most of my anxiety decreased along with depression within a few weeks of starting lithium. As afraid of lithium as I was, I now love it. I have also read lithium is effective in preventing suicide.

Nonetheless, I still have anxiety. Gabapentin works great on bipolar anxiety. Just google the words gabapentin bipolar anxiety. I don’t even require the full dose.

I can take 100mg for morning anxiety (less so I can still work). I take 300 mg in the afternoon and 600mg evening. This stuff is relaxing!! It kicks in harder than Vicodin, seriously. It is not addictive, but can be abused for the buzz. Some people here say it doesn’t work for them. I say it is strong and effective.

Give them 2 hours to reach full effectiveness.

I quit taking the low dose Seroquel for sleep (25 mg). I’m relaxed now at night and sleep just fine with the gabapentin.

[*Laurie*]

Thank you, key tones. Gabapentin is a med I have not been on. It's really good to know it's out there, just in case I should need it.

[AspiringAuthor]

Gabapentin is unique in that it does not interact with other meds and does not get metabolized by the body, and, it actually improves the quality of sleep.

Also, what I started to do for that morning dread is think of or even write at least one success or one thing or person I am grateful for in the evening and then recall that feeling of gratitude or having succeeded in something in the morning when I wake up. This helps me connect my mornings, which are currently on the lower side, with my evenings, which currently are on the higher side.

Ah, well, you are welcome....

But I see that I didn’t read your message carefully—because you’re hoping to see if anyone takes Seroquel for anxiety.

I haven’t taken Seroquel in the morning; just at night. Even dividing the 25mg pill into quarters and taking 1/4 helped me to sleep.

I hope you get responses.

[Wonderfalls]

Some people think Seroquel helps anxiety and it's worth a try. Is it an impending doom feeling or just "Oh no. Another day to get through". Impending doom makes me crawl completely under the covers and wait until I realize it's not going away till I get up. How long does your anxiety/depression last in the mornings?

Seroquel helped with my anxiety at first, but when the dose got too high, I developed severe depression and came up with a suicide plan. And that was only at 250mg of the XR. It also ruined my cholesterol at that dose and made me sleep forever. Vile drug for me, but you may have a different experience.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Wonderfalls

Some people think Seroquel helps anxiety and it's worth a try. Is it an impending doom feeling or just "Oh no. Another day to get through". Impending doom makes me crawl completely under the covers and wait until I realize it's not going away till I get up. How long does your anxiety/depression last in the mornings?

The anxiety/depression lasts about 4 hours every morning. It's started as general anxiety/mild sadness, but I know that will escalate to "impending doom" quite quickly.

Thank you, Wonderfalls.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Seroquel helped with my anxiety at first, but when the dose got too high, I developed severe depression and came up with a suicide plan. And that was only at 250mg of the XR. It also ruined my cholesterol at that dose and made me sleep forever. Vile drug for me, but you may have a different experience.

Hi blue, I was on a high dose of Seroquel a few years ago. It didn't do anything positive except make me very sleepy. Mostly, it caused me to gain weight.

Now I use 50mg to help sleep. That amount seems okay. It really does help me to sleep and I don't notice any bad effects.

I'm curious to find out if the tiny Seroquel dose will really help relieve my morning anxiety.

By the way- I was on Seroquel XR and found it made me feel really odd. Didn't help my sleep at all. The regular Seroquel is much better. Of course, your reaction could be quite different, but just thought I'd put that out there.

I love your avatar!

[Gabyunbound]

I can tell you that higher (150-200mg) doses of Seroquel did help my anxiety. It was such a relief, but I was also so groggy during the day that I was falling asleep at work, so I could only take that for so long and eventually lowered the dose, which didn't help with anxiety any more. Frankly, Seroquel at higher doses has been far more effective for anxiety for me than the 1mg klonopin I take every morning.

I know the dreading mornings, especially on week/work days because of intense anxiety. I hope you find a solution to this.

[Nepal1999]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

I saw my pdoc today. I like her a lot; she's very focused and thorough, and kind. I told her that Lamictal (started 7 weeks ago and I'm at 150mg/day now) is helping me very much. The mania is way under control. The only slight issue I'm having is, every morning I feel mildly depressed and anxious/agitated. It's getting so I kind of dread mornings, which is not a good feeling.

I take 50mg. of Seroquel at night for sleep. My pdoc suggested that I take an additional 12/5 - 25mg. of Seroquel in the morning to calm the anxiety. Has/does anyone do this? Any thoughts? Thanks

Hi! I have been using temazepam (Resteril), sometimes 15mg, sometimes 30... and have been an insomniac all my life. It works wonders, calming and I can function. I'm never groggy in the AM and almost always calm. Since it's a Benz, I do try 2 weeks on, then 2 weeks off, and use melatonin and Benadryl intermittently. I have to be super functional in my career so proper sleep is so important.
You should also know that I was diagnosed with Bipolar II/III just two days ago. I have never sought help for it, although I pretty much knew I had it. The Psych doc who is wonderful, prescribed Lamotrigine as well, and propranolol for mood stabilization. I am 44, so this is a long time coming! I'm happy to know an answer and am also a bit anxious about how the meds will work for me. I've been on Duloxetene (worthless) for a year for depression, and am not sure how to taper off or just stop taking it.
Hope the temazepam can be something use full for you!
All the best

[bizi]

I used to take seroquel for sleep 50, then 100, then 200mg. Did not help my sleep. So went back to .5mg of klonipin and 3mg of prolonged released melatonin. Now I sleep pretty good. I woke up this morning at 3am with restless legs. I took an extra 1mg and went back to sleep.
I really need to take half my nite meds with dinner, then the rest before bed. I am so used to taking meds 2xday....
I know that the goedon needs to be taken with food. I forget most nights and take it at bed time.
Wrong I know.
bizi

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Gabyunbound

I can tell you that higher (150-200mg) doses of Seroquel did help my anxiety. It was such a relief, but I was also so groggy during the day that I was falling asleep at work, so I could only take that for so long and eventually lowered the dose, which didn't help with anxiety any more. Frankly, Seroquel at higher doses has been far more effective for anxiety for me than the 1mg klonopin I take every morning.

I know the dreading mornings, especially on week/work days because of intense anxiety. I hope you find a solution to this.

Thanks so much for your experience and encouragement.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Nepal1999

Hi! I have been using temazepam (Resteril), sometimes 15mg, sometimes 30... and have been an insomniac all my life. It works wonders, calming and I can function. I'm never groggy in the AM and almost always calm. Since it's a Benz, I do try 2 weeks on, then 2 weeks off, and use melatonin and Benadryl intermittently. I have to be super functional in my career so proper sleep is so important.
You should also know that I was diagnosed with Bipolar II/III just two days ago. I have never sought help for it, although I pretty much knew I had it. The Psych doc who is wonderful, prescribed Lamotrigine as well, and propranolol for mood stabilization. I am 44, so this is a long time coming! I'm happy to know an answer and am also a bit anxious about how the meds will work for me. I've been on Duloxetene (worthless) for a year for depression, and am not sure how to taper off or just stop taking it.
Hope the temazepam can be something use full for you!
All the best

I'm glad you got a diagnosis. I was around 30 (years ago) when I was diagnosed and, to me, it felt good. The diagnosis gave me a focus.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by bizi

I used to take seroquel for sleep 50, then 100, then 200mg. Did not help my sleep. So went back to .5mg of klonipin and 3mg of prolonged released melatonin. Now I sleep pretty good. I woke up this morning at 3am with restless legs. I took an extra 1mg and went back to sleep.
I really need to take half my nite meds with dinner, then the rest before bed. I am so used to taking meds 2xday....
I know that the goedon needs to be taken with food. I forget most nights and take it at bed time.
Wrong I know.
bizi

Thanks, bizi. Yes, take that Geodon with food so it metabolizes properly

[Nammu]

I take laudta for my AP and propranolol for anxiety so I don't know how the sequel will work for anxiety. I'd start with the smallest amount first for a few days.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Nepal1999

Hi! I have been using temazepam (Resteril), sometimes 15mg, sometimes 30... and have been an insomniac all my life. It works wonders, calming and I can function. I'm never groggy in the AM and almost always calm. Since it's a Benz, I do try 2 weeks on, then 2 weeks off, and use melatonin and Benadryl intermittently. I have to be super functional in my career so proper sleep is so important.
You should also know that I was diagnosed with Bipolar II/III just two days ago. I have never sought help for it, although I pretty much knew I had it. The Psych doc who is wonderful, prescribed Lamotrigine as well, and propranolol for mood stabilization. I am 44, so this is a long time coming! I'm happy to know an answer and am also a bit anxious about how the meds will work for me. I've been on Duloxetene (worthless) for a year for depression, and am not sure how to taper off or just stop taking it.
Hope the temazepam can be something use full for you!
All the best

Welcome to the BP Forum!
I also use temazepam at night for sleep.
So many meds have not helped. Temazepam has helped.


WC

[*Laurie*]

Thank you, nammu

I thought Latuda was one of the best meds I've taken. I was on it for about 1 year. Unfortunately, I developed a severe hand tremor so my pdoc stopped the Latuda.

Thank you for your suggestion.