Seroquel

Ok so I told my psychiatrist everything that came to my mind yesterday, so most of what's been troubling and how my episodes have been and how long they've been lasting and how severe they are or aren't. She said it sounded like I had rapid cycling, asked me how my low and high I was getting and just kept repeating that they get "severe". I thought I was getting better so surprise surprise for me!
Anyways, she prescribed me Seroquel along with my usual Lithium and Gabapentin. She told me to take one or two at or before bedtime. There are a lot of or's there for me! So I took one last night, it didn't make me sleepy at all today so I'm guessing according to what she said I should try taking two. I was wondering about the side effects and  all that from anyone who's taken it or still is taking it. I know I could look it up, and I did, but I find it always more useful to ask the people who've had to deal with them if there are any.

Thank you!

[SteveZissou]

side effects for me were restless leg syndrome, it got so bad that Dr. had to prescribe me klonopin to combat it. within 30 min. of taking about 100-200mg, my whole body experienced a creepy crawly sensation, like spiders all over me that I could not shake off. It felt terrible, and it made me feel angry/restless (like having to punch something to "shake the spiders" off). I really hated this side effect, because I could not do anything about it, until I passed out. which happens about an hour and half after the dose, I would pass out cold, my dreams were very vivid and I would/could sleep for 10+ hours straight. Some days I would rack up a total of 18 hours of sleep (naps included)

I gained alot of weight, because of carb cravings.

In the mornings, I was extremely groggy, people would tell me I was zombielike. Only around noon, I'd actually feel the seroquel effects wearing off and "awake"

To summarize, from awful/worst to not-so-bad side effects, 1. restless leg syndrome (I felt like punching things) 2. zombie mode 3. excessive sleeping 4. weight gain

what i did like about it was, the vivid dreams, and less anxiety/psychotic OCD symptoms, and I guessss, consequently, less depression since I was too busy sleeping, or in a zombie 'what's going on' mood.

Also my doc wanted me to take up to 300 mg, but, i found 50mg did the "job" it's all up to the individual. but I stopped taking it because the restless legs were unbearable.
Hope that helped some.

[Arsia]

I take it to sleep.
When it starts to affect me, I get really hungry and want to eat everything in site.
I take it around 8:00-9:00 and I get up at 5:30, but it's really hard. The sleepy feeling doesn't start to wear off until 9 am. So yes, grogginess.
Just don't ever abruptly stop taking it.

[rBoulet]

Both of those posts were very helpful, so far I haven't noticed any side effects at all, not even any about being sleepy.
What would the problem be with stoping it suddenly?