Quetiapine withdrawal and no sleep

[morriso]

I have just weaned off quetiapine slowly under medical supervision due to physical decline in health.  I have been off it now completely for 2 days and have not slept at all since. I also have nausea and vomiting. But my question is how long until I will be able to get to sleep again? I am Bipolar 2 and am worried about getting unwell without sleep. All I have read says it could be 1-2 weeks. How does one manage this with a mood disorder and with trying to work etc??

[Anonymouse88]

Call up your doctor, and ask what you can do.  Possible stopgaps include going back to 25-50 mg of Seroquel to get some sleep, using benedryl (which acts on the same receptors that Seroquel does when it makes you sleepy), using melatonin, or even getting a script for short term Ambien, because you're right, sleep disturbance is bad for everyone and much, much worse for those with bipolar.  A script for 25-50 mg trazadone for sleep might be good for long term (it's an antidepressant, but is mainly used at very low doses for sleep).  You also need to check that the nausea and vomiting aren't from something else.

Standard disclaimer about asking your doctor and/or a pharmacist to check for med interactions.

[adel_ezz]

it will only take some time then you will sleep like a log or at least like you are used to. EXCEPT you have to fix your mood. As CRS said melatonin helps. Also few gymnastics before going to bed helps too alo monotonic music helps too and of course get away from stress triggers

[CRSeaside]

Dear Morriso. I'm into week 6 off Seroquel.
I'm sleeping at about 2 hour intervals.
  I drink 1 or at most 1 1/2 cups of coffee. Nothing past 8 am.
  No sugar. No liquor.  I heard melatonin works. Haven't had any yet.
    Sometimes I leave the music or a DVD playing while I'm sleeping.
      I did not have a worsening of any bipolar symptoms. I don't feel too much better either. Maybe a little better.   With your taper you may feel better sooner. I just wanted to post, so you know you have a friend in the same situation.   Does you Pdoc want you to continue on any other meds for your mood?   My Dr thinks I'm doing amazing. He's happy & confident I'm doing the right thing for myself at this time.   Please be patient.  You'll feel better. Pamela