Quetiapine? Any good ?

[Carcar89]

Hi was just wondering if anyone has taken quetiapine for anxiety? And if so what was it like ? I get so scared to take anything new big baby I am 😩haha

[ErikViking]

I remember taking it many years ago and it really made me feel like a zombie. I took it at night and slept for 10 hrs , and felt like i had a hangover the next day, yuck. But you'd probably get used to it over time.....

[Carcar89 in reply to ErikViking]

Do you remember what mg it was ? That’s why I’m scared to take it because it’s supposed to be quite sedating but I just feel really on edge all the time at the moment and don’t want to go back to how I used to be so am debating what to do and try ☹️ Hate my little head sometimes

[ZenGiraffe]

I was on the lowest dose, maybe a year ago, I begged my pdoc to take me off it after I gained 20# in about a month. It made me constantly ravenous, and the weight gain made my depression worse. I don’t remember any other side effects.. but I know everyone responds differently, good luck!

[Carcar89 in reply to ZenGiraffe]

Ravenous ? Haha I love that word thanks for making me smile for a second . Well I’m not really feeling swapping anxiety for obesity so maybe I’ll give that one a miss then !! Did you take it for anxiety in specific ? Or depression ? Is there anything else you’ve taken that’s worked just so fed up of this agitated nervous feeling it’s doing my head in 😩

[ZenGiraffe in reply to Carcar89]

I was on it as a mood stabilizer to help my antidepressant. I just actually asked my pdoc for an anxiolytics again (I have brain surgery in 3 weeks and my anxiety is through the roof!), I’ve been on lots of different ones over the years, and clonazepam is the one that works for me. It’s just a little scary cuz it can be addictive, and can cause withdrawals, etc... they don’t like putting people on it long term..

[Carcar89 in reply to ZenGiraffe]

Brain surgery ! Can I ask what for ? No wonder your anxiety is through the roof you poor thing ! Clonazepam ? Is that available in the uk do you know ? My doctor gave me a short supply of diazepam they helped but been told I’m not allowed any more so feel hopeless at the moment

[ZenGiraffe in reply to Carcar89]

Clonazepam (klonopin is a common brand in the US) might cause the same situation, it’s in the same class as diazepam. It’s a benzodiazepine. I just googled if it’s available in the UK, I didn’t see it listed on the drug shortage list, but i guess the short answer is I don’t know... I’m having experimental deep brain stimulation in an effort to resolve my depression. I’ve had lots of ECT, and it isn’t working long term, so this is kind of my last hope. I’ve been on lots of meds and tried lots of therapies, so I’m very excited.

[Carcar89 in reply to ZenGiraffe]

Well hey you have nothing to loose if things have been that bad so I wish you the best luck with that ! I’ve never heard of anything like it are you paying for it or is it free ? Wow I’m intrigued

[Krazie]

i keep a small supply of zanax, (alprazolam) on hand for the times I just feel like i' m going over the edge. I don't like to take it consistently, as it is addictive. It doesn't make me feel sleepy, or tired, just relaxed. I can deal with life again.

[Carcar89 in reply to Krazie]

Is that like a diazepam? Valium ? Same family I’m guessing . Yeah I’m a fan of diazepam I feel like it’s the only time I feel a bit chilled out but the doctor won’t give me any more because it’s addictive which is frustrating ☹️

[Krazie in reply to Carcar89]

Yes, xanax and valium are in the same family - benzodiazepines. Xanax is not as sedating as valium, and has a shorter half life, but causes worse withdrawals than valium. Xanax enhances the actions of a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA. I am guessing that if I asked my doctor for regular refills, I would be cut off, too.

I never realized how tense I am ALL THE TIME, until I took xanax. I feel so calm and serene. People have commented on how intense I am. Must feel the anxiety I feel to a degree. Still ,I don't want to be addicted to anything, so I use xanax with caution. As Gaba can be purchased over the counter, I plan to try it out and see if I can get similar results Have you tried GABA?.

[Carcar89 in reply to Krazie]

No I’ve literally never heard of it I will have to look it up ! Are you from the uk ? Do you know if they do it over here

[Krazie in reply to Carcar89]

I am in the U.S.

I don't know if it is available in the U.K. But it can be purchased on-line, tho' I don't know of any particular sites.

[Stilltrying_]

I'm on 200 mg ; I think i'm supposed to take one in the morning and one in the evening (100mg each time). But I am very naughty and take both in the evening. I only take them because they are sedating and I want to go to sleep to be out of the nightmare of my life all the time. I also take 1mg lorazepam every night and 7.5 mg zopiclone. I feel that I need to get a grip and reduce these meds but I take them because I feel that life is so awful it's only ok when i'm asleep. Vicious cycle.

You may be on the 25g or 50g dose.

They say that lower doses are more sedating ironically; so the higher doses you are less affected by feelng sleepy

[Carcar89 in reply to Stilltrying_]

Oh wow that sounds like a lot of medication you must sleep like a log because zopliclone alone knocks me out ! They have given me 25mg but as I said I’m to scared to take them so just thought I would get other people’s opinions. Would you recommend them for an emergency? Like for instance if I was having a really bad panic attack and I took one would it help ? Because diazepam do but I’m not allowed any more of them which is very frustrating ☹️

[Stilltrying_ in reply to Carcar89]

Yes I know; they don't like people taking diazepam or sleeping tablets nowadays . But they were so good! But they don't work when taken regularly . I am living proof that they mess up your brain when taken reguarly!

[Krazie in reply to Stilltrying_]

What did diazapam do to your brain?

[Stilltrying_ in reply to Krazie]

I think it just "mashes you up" and makes you unable to concentrate and have a constant panic, but this is only when taken over a long period of time. They are a very good drug in the shorterm; say about 3 days or for occasional use when in a crisis.

[Krazie in reply to Stilltrying_]

I knew there was a reason I didn't want to take that stuff, now, I know why.

[Blue333]

Taken about 8 years ago and it turned me into a zombie combined with severe anxiety and insomnia. Catatonic, gained 60 pounds in 2 months and after coming off of it lost the weight but have never been the same and developed anorexia soon after discontinuing. Horrible Drug!

[Carcar89 in reply to Blue333]

Oh wow ok I’ll defo avoid that one then ! Is there anything that has helped you ?

[Blue333 in reply to Carcar89]

I was on Xanax and Klonopin for approximately 14 years for anxiety and Doxepin for approximately 25 years for depression. They seem to do wonders for anxiety but Xanax and Klonopin were at pretty high doses for way too long which was a big mistake. Doctors never told me what would happen years down the road. I stopped both of them cold turkey about 2 years ago and didn't know much about them. I thought I would just have horrible withdrawals and it would be over within a couple weeks or so and I thought I could handle that, it sounded pretty simple. Well, that happened but it continues and Fades in and out and now 2 years later feeling totally insane and the worst anxiety and depression I've experienced in my life, 50 times worse than what I was originally prescribed the medications for. I don't know if you've ever heard of Protracted Withdrawals, (maybe Google it) that's my horrible problem and it doesn't feel like it will ever go away and basically everyday I wish I was dead. I just want it to stop and it won't and it's not so much that I really want to die it's the fact I just want it to stop and I don't have any type of support at all . I'm not seeing any doctors and I haven't been able to leave my house at allfor 2 years. They say when you're taken off benzodiazepines as fast as I was after being on that high dose for so long it makes the protracted withdrawals even worse and they can continue five and even 10 years beyond the time after their stopped. That's basically why I joined this even although this is about the first time I've done anything with posts. It's so hard for me even to do this without shaking and getting so completely frustrated and if I try to get on my computer my hands won't even do what they're supposed to do like my brain is like it's not connected to controlling what the rest of me is supposed to be doing. Anyway I wish I knew more people that are going through protracted withdrawals from benzodiazepines as I am because I think that could be helpful. Anyway sorry to go on so much about me but my suggestion, at least the best I can give would be to definitely watch out for medications you take and research them and not only ask your doctor every question you think of but even ask other doctors and different types of doctors also. The doctor that did this to me also had me on a combination of nine other Psychotherapy drugs at the same time and I just assumed he knew what he was doing. I don't know if I'll ever be the same. There's about 10 to 12 years of my life I cannot remember, the memories I had are destroyed and basically every other part is a fog even today and it's really scary!

Hope you the best and good luck!

[Carcar89 in reply to Blue333]

Oh wow that sounds like a nightmare so sorry that your going through this ! Can I ask how much benzodiazepines you were taking in that 14 year period ? That’s such a long time to be on them so scary . I’ve only been taking like 5mg every couple of days for like a month do you think this will mess me up even more ? I’m scared now

[Krazie in reply to Carcar89]

Maybe you could try reducing the amount and increase the number of days in between? Just a thought.

[Blue333 in reply to Carcar89]

When I stopped Benzos it was Klonopin 1-2mg 5-6 x day. Xanax 1-2mg 6-8 x day. I would tell anyone to never start taking these things, but they can help some people if taken in the right amounts (as small a dose that helps) and for as short a period as possible. I wish I would have known this, and no one told me this. The anxiety & problems I had, the reasons that they gave me the meds for in the first place were nothing compared to what they are now! Don't be scared, Just Be Careful!!!

[Krazie in reply to Blue333]

Your doctor is really a doctor? What you have been through sounds as bad as being strapped down and given ECT, like they used to do with people. I can't image being on so many psych drugs. The things scare me, because they mess with the brain, and they're not even sure how.

What do you do now to deal with everything?

[Blue333 in reply to Krazie]

Was really a psychiatrist and still is part time/part retired and has a 2 books on Amazon. Total Quack! I don't think i'll ever get my mind back to even close to what it used to be. Before I saw him I had depression and anxiety. Now I don't know and cant even describe how horrible it is and what I have now. What hurts the most is that he experimented on me. He'd also give me a bunch of samples and I would ask how I was to use those and he would say just experiment and see if any work. All that on top of what I was already taking. I cant go on the way I am but I don't know what to do, what to try, so isolated. I saw about the PNP Center on the Dr Phil Show (who I don't really like) but I think the only thing that could help me in any way at this point is if I could get to a place like that and have all the different tests done and find out what damage has been done and if anything can help me now. I heard there's a similar place in Denver CO. I don't think any of them accept any type of insurance. They can test brain functions, neurologically, chemically, biologically, hormones - just about about everything and maybe I wont have to die this way. I don't just want to be stuck back on a bunch of meds but would need some miracle drug just to be able to get out of my house and get somewhere, I can barely stand being alone by myself it gets do bad! Freaking out, crying, exploding anger, I never know whats next and I Never Used To Have Any Of This! I don't think hardly anyone understands what this is like.

[Krazie in reply to Blue333]

Blue. i am so very sorry for what you are going through. It sounds like a living nightmare. I think that experimentation is being done in the mental health clinics that are funded by the government in the U.S. It is supposed to be illegal without signed informed consent. But I believe it happens anyway.

I don't care for Dr. Phil, either. The way he has spoken to some people is very unprofessional. I think it was done for the sake of drama.

What is the place in Denver? Have you checked into it?

I am sending hugs of comfort to you, dear. Keep writing. We are listening and we care for what you are going through.

[Herababy]

I am currently taking it right now. Iland I feel great.

[Stilltrying_]

People who have had problems are on a much higher dose than you have been given. I would suggest it is safe but do be careful and don't get like me , gradually relying on more and more meds. They do work if used for emergencies but if you get addicted like me no good. The quietapine will work just as well as what you were taking before for the emergencies. G.

[Charlene129]

hi am on 5oml in the morning and 50ml at lunch time and 150ml at nite and believe it or not thats along with 3 a day 4oml of betablockers. and 3 a day antideptesant tablets at 60ml .and its all started with postnail depression3 years ago ..now i have saviour anxiety.and on borderline bypoiar :(.i am constantly on a high and takeing all they tablets youd expect me 2 be sleeping for a week but a dnt a barly sleep atol about 3/4 hours a nite.and a guess am just used to been this way that a feel actually get thro my days fine as ling as its all planned every ten min i no what am doing next 😂 on so little sleep .my brain dosnt stop atol a need 2 be constanly on thr go. doc says a run on addrenaline xc