Experiences with Seroquel, please. Much appreciated.

My pdoc just called Seroquel into the pharmacy for me. He thinks it would be the best drug to take at this point, considering my bipolar symptoms and all the other drugs I have been on-- So far, I do not like what I have read about it.

I get the impression that: Seroquel + my new job = mess. However, me being sick + new job = a big struggle.
I am not sure which one is worse.

It really depends on when you are taking the Seroquel. My Pdoc tried to put me on 100 mg during the day, and I slept immediately for 4-5 hours. However, taking 200 mg at night gave me a restful sleep

He told me to take it about an hour before bedtime. We are starting SMALL and going VERY SLOW at only 25mg to start, with the goal of getting up to around 200 to 300.

I have read and heard some disturbing things about Seroquel. There was a TV ad on a law suit again Seroquel. Some things I've read say it can cause diabetes so blood sugar has to checked periodically.

Not am I taking in Seroquel but two types. 200 mg of regular seroquel and 200 mg of the seroquel xr. I take both before bedtime.

My pdoc and I tried several different strengths of both types. It was very frustrating at times. Seroquel made me dopey if I took is in the am so switched to bedtime.

I had been through dozens of meds. Nothing was working so I figured it why not.

Good luck

Well, sounds like you are using it as a sleep aid. I think it works really well then!

It made me super drowsy and I started dissociating much more often than usual. I felt very "out of the loop". 25 mg wasn't so bad, but when it's 100 mg or so, it's really bad. I sleep on it for about 14, 16 hours and stay awake for only about 8 hours. My daily dose (before I changed to Risperdal) was 250mg, and it wasn't even near the dose I was supposed to take (600 mg or so).

It's worth a try, since meds work differently in different people. I guess the drowsiness isn't as bad as it was for me, since a lot of people are taking it.

Pink - that is exactly what we did, started at 25 mg and worked our way up. And let me tell you, the side effects were worse at 25 - 100 mg, than when I arrived at my current dose 300mg. Doesn't make sense, but I've discovered that's the way it is. The side effects do get better within a couple of weeks, don't let them put you off.

Seroquel has really allowed me to function in high anxiety situations. I was so scared when doc took away the xanax, which allowed me to cope, but not really function if you can understand the difference.

It's also allowed me to sleep better, although I have to take mine about 7 to get to sleep by 11.

It's been a miracle drug in the anxiety/sleep department. There have been some side effects I don't like. It makes you hungry, but relaxes you so much that if you try to eat after taking it, your throat is so relaxed its difficult to swallow. My tryglycerides and glucose levels have significantly increased and I'm now on meds for them. Metformin to prevent diabetis. There was also a hefty weight gain. But all in all, I'm pleased with the overall performance of the drug.