Dang! It is SUPPOSED to help and I just feel worse!

So, I went to the pdoc last week for the first time. He told me to take Seroquel (only 150MG) at night for one week only, to help me sleep. He said that Seroquel can cause weight gain and I am already overweight.
Anyways, I took it for two days and both days I wake up VERY irritable and sooooo tired. In fact the first day was a work day and it took about 4 hours for me to wake up enough to focus.
Last night I took it pretty early, about 9pm, as I go to bed about midnight and was just making sure I had plenty of time to fall asleep and have it wear off. I am so glad I didn't have to work today because I got up at 10am and was back in bed asleep at 11am. Then I slept til 1:30 and made myself get up.
I thought this stuff was supposed to make me feel better and get better rest. It only makes me more irritable/angry and I HAVE to way too long to feel better.
WTF?! I am really confuzzled.......
I guess I'll just keep taking it for the week and see him in about 2 1/2 weeks.
Does anyone else have any experience like that? Maybe I should be posting in the drugs section. I will post there, too.
Thanks

Hey.

I have taken Seroquel for years along with other meds. I gained a TON of weight. Seroquel is part of a class-action lawsuit regarding weight gain, increased glucose levels, and medication.

That being said, I love it. It takes time to get used to it and it can have a huge hang-over effect. But as you get used to it, the hang-over effect will disappear. Also, you need to try taking it at different times at night, so that you don't have as much hang-over in the morning. I usually eat a late dinner and take mine between 8-9 PM.

Supposedly there is some belief that Seroquel increases sugar cravings, so people eat more sweets. So becareful about that, as well.

Remember, if you don't feel better in a couple of weeks, there are other meds. Not every med is good for every person.

Good luck.

Thanks Riptide.
I sorta find it odd that he has me on it for just one week. I am glad I won't be taking it longer due to the weight gain issue, but I am going to have to ask him what benefit taking it for just one week is.
Hmmm, things to think about.

I took it for sleep a long time ago before I was even diagnosed bipolar. However, I took it at a lower dose and slep fine. Maybe 150mg is just too much for you. Maybe a smaller dose would help you sleep without the grogginess the next day. You could call your pdoc and tell him how you've felt in the morning and see if he would reccomend splitting your pills in half or something.

Hmmm, maybe you are right....lower dose?! I will call him tomorrow when he is back in the office and ask.
Thanks

I take 400mg at night... yeah, it's hard to get up in the morning....REAL hard, as you have found. I have gained 20-25 lbs. since I started taking it. Blood sugar is OK.

Most important, it has made my life tolerable again, overall I'm really happy with it. But, you have to realize that nothing works for everyone, and sometimes you have to trade a positive result for a negative side efffect. There are always more meds to try, but at some point you have to realize that none of this is perfect.

Good luck, and good health!

DJ

I'm so glad it worked for you, DJ. I have decided to stop taking it on my own. I was only going to be on it for a week anyway.
What happened was I got EXTREMELY agitated and angry, after just two days. I was so angry that I was about to ship my BF back to California, I was hitting myself and even was attempting SU. Thankfully my BF was there with me and he was able to stop me.
I cannot express how desperate and angry I was.
I hope this doesn't hinder anyone else trying it if they are given it, it just wasn't for me.