Anyone take Seroquel for depression or anxiety?

I've been prescribed Seroquel for depression. I was started on it when I was inpatient recently in a psych hospital. After discharge, I didn't continue taking it. Now I'm wondering if I should give this drug a shot because I've gotten very depressed again.

I'm very afraid of anything that could possibly cause akathisia. I've experienced akathisia a few times, and I believe it could make me suicidal. Seroquel is an anti-psychotic, so it comes with some risk of getting that horrible, restless sensation. Suposedly the risk is not as bad as with some other drugs.

I also was very doubtful that this drug would do anything to reduce my depression. Some things I've read today about Seroquel suggest it does help some people with depression and anxiety. I'm desperate to get out of a bad downward spiral, so I think maybe I should just take it . . . and see what happens.

So far, I haven't heard anything good about Seroquel from PC members. (That was in the medication forum.) I'ld like to hear from anyone who has been helped by it. Also, I'm interested in any feedback, good or bad, that anyone can offer about Seroquel.

I was on only that med for years. It was great for sleep but I got diabetes and I suspect that med had a lot to do with it. You might do well to keep taking this for a while as your appetite is likely suppressed with everything going on. I had occasional restless legs at 50 mg so I dont take more than 25. I would in desperation for sleep take 50 mg but I was in hospital once with 150 and couldn't sleep. From what I've heard from other members of PC is that higher dose works less well for sleep than low, and it's my experience with it too. I can't say it helps for depression, and that's just me knowing for myself. I also take 20 diazepam and I get some sleep now. I wish you the best in everything Rose.

Thanks very much for that feedback. I did read there was a connection between taking Seroquel and getting diabetes. That's scary that it could cause a permanent problem like that.

Lately I've been taking Seroquel 50 mg Tab 1 in the eve. It has greatly improved my sleeping. Being asleep gives ne a break from the sadness and anxiety. During the afternoon, I tell myself that I just got to make it until bedtime. Then I'll be out of my misery for a good 6 or 7 hours. Then I can even sleep more, if I want.

I'm surprised you have a provider willing to order you diazepam 20 mg. Benzos are hard to get these days. 20 mg is a hefty dose of diazepam (generic Valium.) I suppose you realize that, if you take that daily, you're likely to have withdrawal symptoms, if you ever stop it sudenly. I'll bet it does help you sleep and just feel better.

I wouldn't mind having access to a benzo myself. I used Ativan for awhile in June. It was very helpful. But I can't get more. If I could, I'ld probably get dependent on it in no time. I take a narcotic pain pill. Doctors are now slow to let anyone have both an opioid and a benzo. I used to take Vicodin and Restoril. One day my doctor said I could have one, but not both. He told me to take my pick. The pain pill was more essential to me. I didn't really miss the Restoril much.

I guess there's a price for everything.

I'm glad of the sleep. But I wake up to depression every morning. I feel like this is never going to end.

Oh I've had restoril a long long time ago. Did nothing for me. The valium isnt equal to lorazepam, seems hefty but I started using lorazepam young. Psychiatrists knows I'd be a basket case without it.

I'm very glad the seroquel is helping you sleep. You need that so much, don't worry about diabetes now.

I know how your worried you wont get out of your depression. I'm sorry.. I'm hopeful for you that it will get better. Covid doesn't help either for getting out easily.

And yes lorazepam or benzos are addictive and don't even seem to work after a while, your brain just seems to be dependent. All I get is a slight relief at bedtime so I think you shouldn't add more meds either. Best always to you

Thank you. Sorry things are so rough for you.

More drugs won't probably help me . . . nor you. We're in situations where we don't get what we need.

I take Seroquel, mostly for anxiety, but it also helps slightly with depression. I'm on a very high dose 800 mg / day. I've put a little bit of weight on, while on it, but not enough to freak me out. My main concern about it as far as side effects go, is I seem to be losing my hair.

Good luck with it.

splitimage

I have my own personal bias with Seroquel but that's a story for another day. 1 thing I will tell you is that a higher dose is usually used to treat depression. A lower dose is usually used for sleep. I don't know why that is but that's what I've learned. The other thing is there is a real metabolic risk other than diabetes. I was on it for a month years ago and gained 60 lbs but if it's working for you and you monitor your weight that's great!

Hi, I've taken Seroquel at a low dose (100 mg) but needed olanzapine eventually as from MDD I developed psychotic features. Now I'm on aripriprozole as I gain too much weight on olanzapine.

50 mg is a low dose, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor, but perhaps consider taking the medication at 50 mg as prescribed.

As I learned, depression is not something to sneeze at, and it can get worse. Ask your doctor to educate you, more than reading on the internet which can freak someone out.

Hope you have a good doctor!

Best wishes

That's a lot of Seroquel. You must have concluded that your life is better on it than not on it. The difference must be great, or I wouldn't think you'ld risk your hair over it. Such a shame that you have to pay that price. Thanks for telling me your experience.

I've been losing weight for 3 months, ever since my s.o. died. I've read about the low dose being used for sleep. I take 50 mg. It kicks in fairly quick.

I have had increasing anxiety on top of the depression. Tiday I got a lot more deoressed. Funny thing is that deepening depression seems to reduce the anxiety. It's like I don't care enough to worry.

Sounds like you got off the Seroquel. So either your problem eased up, or you didn't find this med made your life better.

I don't have a doctor managing my psych meds. I left the hospital twice, each time with a bunch of psych meds ordered at my pharmacy by the providers at the psych hospital. Each time I was referred to nurse practitioners in different towns than where I live. They were supposed to treat me based on phone calls with me. I was told at the hospital, each time, I would also get a counselor. There's been no counselor provided to me.

Seroquel seemed to be the main med they were recommending. It helps me sleep, so I've stuck with it. There's a bunch more stuff just sitting there: Vistaril, Trazedone, Buspar, Depakote and more.

I need an actual psychiatrist who has met me in person. I have one at the clinic where I go for primary care, but he's got zero real interest in me. He said my grief was totally normal. I feel like I'm way too much on my own dealing with everything . . . or not dealing with stuff. I'm doing poorly and getting worse.

Have any of you been on Depakote and found it helpful?

Thanks all of you for the feedback. It's much appreciated. One main lesson I'm taking is that Seroquel does dramatic things to the body, and some of those things are to be worried about.

I didn't realize 50 mg was so small a dose, compared to how Seroquel is often ordered. That makes me a bit less anxious that it's going to do something awful to me.

I'll be glad of hearing from anyone else who's used this med.

I am currently taking 100mg at night and 25mg (not very often) if I need it during the day when my anxiety gets too high. I used to take 200mg at night years ago. It does affect my blood sugar levels which does not help me as I am a diabetic. I have tried to wean myself of this medication. No Seroquel at night means no sleep.

Thanks so much for that. I'm having terrible bouts of anxiety. Perhaps I might benefit from using a bit more Seroquel. I just take the 50 mg before bed, and it kicks in quick. I just had an hour of escalating anxiety. The Vistaril they gave me for anxiety does nothing but make my mouth dry. I might see if 25 mg of Seroquel helps ease a bout of anxiety.

I know I should be working with a prescriber to adjust these meds . . . but those nurse practitioners are just experimenting, trying this and that. I don't think thete's much harm in me just seeing what works, myself.

I took Seroquel for years at 175 mg for sleep and it worked like a champ. Suddenly I was getting restless leg syndrome BAD every night after I took my Seroquel. I took off a few nights, and no RLS, but also no sleep. It just came out of nowhere.

Getting RLS is my biggest fear, even though it might be temporary. That's way too high a price to pay.

I took it for sleep but it helped my anxiety too.

Hi, I took this for depression as an add-on with Bupropion. It worked in some areas so it's one of the few that actually helped some before I finally found the right type of meds.

What I found is the IR was absolutely useless for my depression. Only the extended release, Seroquel XR, was effective and it had to be at around 200mg and no more than 250mg or so. That's my experience with it. As far as side-effects? No different for me than any of the other AP meds (I gain weight on all AP's....etc...). I think the only thing that was tough was getting use to the sedation, I think it took me 2 or 3 weeks to get use to the sedation. And FWIW, the XR seemed WAY MORE stronger than the IR because of the extended release mechanism it has, that made all the difference for me. It was one of the more positive meds for me with Abilify being the most effective out of all of them...as far as AP's are concerned. Also, I am sure XR is more expensive so hopefully that's not a problem for you!