Seroquel withdrawal and my hypersensitivity hell

[OrionRipley]

I am grateful for this drug, don't get me wrong. It pretty much saved my life. It zapped me out of the most terrifying experience I have ever had in my life. But getting off of it, given that I am extremely hypersensitive, is proving to be hell.

I was put on this drug 1.5 years ago. I was on 175 mg and have managed to taper to the final 25 mg. I had many ups and downs, waves of withdrawal, but over time these waves would get better.

I am currently in the worst wave yet. I began having paradoxical reactions to the 25 mg. When it kicked in I would have a panic attack - I suppose my system found it too sedating, or at least that is what I was told. So I tapered by 12.5 mg which was essentially halving my dose - this was very very stupid of me.

So here I am, 7 weeks after making this mistake, still suffering the reprocussions of this change. Im ok for the most part, but I have no appetite and my anxiety has been amped up to the sky.

It frustrates me because I am hypersensitive - some people can get off Seroquel with minimal effects. For someone like me it takes years to get off because I can only taper 10% every four weeks.

I feel stuck. Im 2 years postpartum and until Im finished experencing these mental crisis related to the medication I feel like I can't properly move on and just carry on with life. When withdrawal comes it makes me so ill. I know it wont last forever, but any stories of withdrawal from others regarding their psych meds would be much appreciated.

Im on the last stretch of my meds, so not more to go now, I know the end is so close! I guess I am just looking for support as everyone around me really doesn't understand the hell it is to go through withdrawal and I am expected to keep up with every day life, regardless of how bad I feel. It is very challenging.

[lillyofthevalley37]

If you type quieta pine / seroquel withdrawal forum into your search engine you should come up with lots of other peoples experiences

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi OrionRipley, sorry to hear you are having such an awful time with medication reductions. I didn’t take the drugs you mention but I remember being desperate to be off my meds and impatient that they seemed (to me at least) a constant reminder of the awful illness experience I’d been through when all I wanted to do was be well and get on with my life!

I had PP in 2009 and took meds for 3 years overall. At the time I hated it, even if I was grateful for them too, as you mention, but I know now that they were literally lifesaving for me too. I wanted to be off them sooner if I’m honest and the reductions seemed really slow but with hindsight I can see it was helpful to do this gradually. I feel fortunate that I didn’t react in the hypersensitive way you describe - I wonder if there’s anything that the professionals supporting you can suggest with helping on this?

I realise it’s really easy to say but you will get there and time is a wonderful healing thing when you can look back. In my experience it was important to have slow and steady reductions too - not running before I could walk I guess. It sounds like you have come a long way already and it must be tough being hypersensitive to the drugs - I’m afraid I don’t have the experience of that.

I did find it helpful to look back and celebrate the small things, noticing the difference from a week/ month/ however long previously, if that’s helpful to think of? And also try and not put too much pressure on myself - again, easier said than done sometimes and hindsight again!

But you will get there - if there’s anything you can pass to others (even temporarily) in terms of every day life and the challenges this can bring, until you are feeling stronger perhaps, so you can concentrate on getting this tricky time? I know it was helpful for me that my husband did some of the childcare pickups and things around the house, I also had a good professional and informal (friends) support network.

I’m sure others will have tips and experience to share - we are all thinking of you and wishing you well. All the best, xx