Quetiapine reduction

[Bluelady-sing]

At the moment I am on a high amount, I wondered how do psychiatrists wean?

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Pumpkins,

I wasn't on a particularly high dose of quetiapine - 300mg after PP and 150mg after my second baby as a hopeful preventative measure.

I took quetiapine for 12 months after PP before reducing off. My psychiatrist recommended dropping the dose each month so I reduced off over 3 months (month at 200mg, month at 100mg, month at 50mg).

The second time (no PP) I took quetiapine for 6 months. I wasn't under a psychiatrist and my GP advised me to reduce off over a month (couple of weeks at 100mg, couple of weeks at 50mg). I let my GP know when I reduced the dose.

Fortunately I didn't have any significant issues either time.

I think ideally your psychiatrist should agree a plan with you and reduce you off slowly. I was quite impatient about coming off the medication, but I'm glad I didn't rush.

Obviously this is just my personal experience but I hope it helps a bit.

J x

[Hidden]

Dear Pumpkins,

I do not know when you have had PPP, but I just can tell you briefly about the antidepressants I had to take. I also have to emphasis that the drugs were the only way to battle my Psychosis and I believe it is the only way for everybody who suffers with PPP.

Once you have weened off you have plenty of choices on how to walk the path of recovery. I contracted PPP in 2010 at the beginning of August and after two weeks I was submitted to a mixed psychiatric gender unit...only after 4 weeks, since given birth to my son, the most suitable traditional anti-depressant was found to give me finally some sleep.

I started off with Halloperadine, then Lorazepam always combined with Risperadone (spelling not accurate) I was injected and then started to take it orally, strictly supervised by professionals and then by my partner at home the end of September.

My medication was monitored via care plan and everybody involved. I was under close observation by a Spanish Psychiatrist. She was transparent and wonderful and we had to see her on a weekly basis after being discharged from hospital. I weened off gradually from Lorazepam the end of November and then Risperidone in the Summer 2011.

I never have gone back to anti depressants and now use other coping strategies to overcome my anxieties and menstrual psychosis.

Wishing you well-make sure you have a support system and professionals involved in order to help you with the appropriate medication.

Sabine

[JaneHW Volunteer]

Hi Pumpkins! Good luck as you reduce your quetiapine dosage. As a previous writer has said, your psychiatrist should come up with a plan for gradually reducing the dose over a number of months ideally. Remember if it takes longer than you hope that there is no rush; it is not particularly harmful and many people take it long term. The only thing I would say is that when I came down from it the first time, rather too quickly, I had this sensation of having lost a lot of weight. It was as if I'd been carrying around heavy bags and they'd suddenly disappeared. A very nice sensation that left me feeling rather elated--I wasn't complaining!--but us bi-polar people do need to remain aware and alert in case of triggers.

All the best with it! Take care,

JHW