[Moose72]

I was having trouble getting to sleep last night because of anxiety and worry. So I took some Seroquel prn. That calmed my mind down so I could relax and watch tv. I also have Haldol I could use, but the Seroquel made me dozey/calmed me. Haldol is for psychosis, mainly which I haven't been having. If you had to choose which would you have taken? What do you take now PRN and for which symptoms?

Hi Moose. I don't have much experience with Haldol. The only time(s) I received it was in the form of an intramuscular injection when I was psychotic inpatient. I believe it calmed that. I don't recall it putting me to sleep.

I do have a great deal of experience with both Seroquel iR and Seroquel XR. Seroquel XR has been part of my evening mix for several years now. I also have a supply of Seroquel iR for "prn" use. Prior to 8 years ago, I had taken larger doses (up to 800 mg) of the iR, at times. Also as a "prn", I have Ativan 1 mg pills.

What I notice as a difference between Seroquel iR (aka "regular") and Seroquel XR (extended release) is pretty understandable. Both can help me sleep, but I'd say that the "iR" is definitely quicker action. It seems to reach a higher peak of sedation quicker and then fall quicker. The sedation "peak" of Seroquel XR seems a little lower, but it stays there for longer. My evening dose of Seroquel XR is 600 mg. I only have 50 mg pills of the iR for "prn". The problem with 50 mg iR, is that it doesn't make me that sleepy anymore (or much sleepier). I can easily take 50 mg iR during the daytime, and though it does calm agitation and other mild manic symptoms a bit, it doesn't make me sleepy. It has helped a little at 50 mg at night (added to my 600 mg XR), but frankly, the 1 mg of Ativan helps me get to sleep even better, when my usual mix falls short. I don't know exactly why. Like the 50 mg Seroquel iR, Ativan 1 mg doesn't make me sleepy during the daytime. I have had larger dose Ativan injections (don't know dosage) during the daytime, when manic in the hospital. That has knocked me out quickly and intensely, but no one really wants to depend on Ativan for sleep.

I guess the only way you'll know which is better for sleep (Seroquel or Haldol) is to compare them. Did your psychiatrist specify a dose or range of doses to take for "prn" use? Mine has.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi Moose!

I have two choices for help with sleep. Temazepam or Seroquel . Doctors would rather I not take temazepam due to some potential interactions with my pain meds.
This leaves me with Seroquel. 25mg at bedtime

I hope you can sleep deeply tonight!

[Moose72]

Its just night time I'm needing it. I think I'll see if I can just use haldol if I need to tonight.

[rwwff]

I have trazodone 100mg that is prescribed as prn, but my pdoc gives me enough of them to take regularly each night. I sleep better with them, and my mood is improved throughout the next day, so honestly, I take it each night along with the rest of my night time meds.

[Wander]

I take 12.5 - 50 mg of Seroquel for sleep. I don’t use it all the time time but hAve phases of insomnia like right now. During these times I can’t sleep without help. This is not episode related though. When in an episode I need much higher doses. I find Haldol is less effective in inducing sleep, and for me has more side effects.

[~Christina]

If it’s anxiety and you can’t sleep I’d take Seroquel

If your paranoid or having to push yourself to go out then I’d do Haldol.

I think your Pdoc has given you 2 good meds to use. You being proactive instead of reactive. If your doing bad but have to wait a week to see Pdoc well you could be a downright mess by then.

[Gabyunbound]

Hi there!

I take 1mg of Klonopin every night. It's a miracle worker for sleep, though takes some time to take effect. When I take it, I can be sure that I'll be dead asleep within an hour, so I take it accordingly and that way can plan my sleep patterns (depending on when I have to get up in the morning, etc.). I also like the way it just lulls me to sleep; there's a period of about 15 mins before I fall completely asleep when it relaxes me a great deal. Both the relaxation and the sleep help enormously with my anxiety as well. Having regular sleep patterns also helps to prevent Bipolar episodes (except when they don't...).

I used to take it in the morning as well, for anxiety, but it made me, as you can imagine, way too sleepy.

I get the impression that a lot of pdocs don't like prescribing benzo's, but I've been taking Klonopin for many years and it's been a life-saver. Over all those years, the dose was only increased once, from .5 to 1mg, and the larger dose helps more than the lower one ever did.

So I highly recommend it, though I can understand if your pdoc might be reluctant to prescribe it...