Quetiapine

[Shaheda_at_APP]

Hello everyone, just wondering if anyone else took or is taking Quetiapine? It’s been 16 months since I was discharged from MBU after suffering from PP. I have just reduced my dose down again alternating between 100g and 150mg a day. I am non-symptomatic but understand it is still a long/gradual process to come off the medication. If anyone else can share how long they continued taking the medication for, I’d be really grateful. Thank you.

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Umars-mummy

I took quetiapine when I had PP 8 years ago. I then took a low dose after my second son was born in 2016 (no PP).

When I had PP I was on 300mg (modified release) for a year. If I remember correctly this was then reduced down over 3 months - 150mg for a month, 100mg for a month, 50mg for a month then off. So 15 months in total. This was done under supervision. I was desperate to come off medication but my psychiatrist advised I stayed on them for a year and he wanted to check I was settled back at work ok etc. I saw him after every reduction to review how things were going. I remember the first drop in dose being the worst for side effects, headaches and dizziness for a week or so, after that it wasn’t so bad.

I know adjusting doses and the side effects are different for everyone so it’s a very individual thing in how long it takes to come off medication safely. My experience was ok but others will have found it took longer.

I hope that helps a bit.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[KA1234 Volunteer]

Hello Umars-Mummy,

I had PP 14 years ago, I took Quietiapine for a year and a half, tapered off it slowly under the guidance on the CMHT at the time, and remained on escitalopram (antidepressant) for 2 years, again tapered off it slowly under guidance.

I found that most of the weight I had put on whilst taking Quetiapine came off gradually when I stopped taking it (I had put on a stone and a half). I remember that weight gain was one of the side effects that I didn't like.

I remember my Mum saying to me at the time that she thought I was very 'flat' whilst on all the medication, in that I was neither up nor down with the way I spoke/acted, which looking back I agree with, although I suppose I sort of felt 'numb' for quite a long time during my recovery, but I think that may have been one of the side effects of the medication for me.

Hope that helps xxx

[Believeinpeople]

Hi,

I am currently taking quetiapine and now down to 6.25Mg per day (I know this a ridiculously small dosage). I started taking 87.5Mg 13 months ago when diagnosed with PPP, along with lorazapam. After 4 months I dropped to 75, then about a month later to 50, waited 2 months then dropped to 25, then after to 12.5 a couple of months later and to current dosage about a month ago. I find I feel really unwell every time I drop down and sleep is affected (for a couple of weeks), i use lorazepam more during this period, then I'm ok.

Hope that helps.

[Shaheda_at_APP APP]

Thank you everyone for your replies. They’ve been really really helpful.

[Bumblebeeee]

I’m still taking it now 2 years later. I want to come off it soon as Iv piled on weight but I think it’s keeping me stable at the same time so not really sure what to do ☹️