Whats up with seroquel?!

[Elinah]

I finally got given some medication for my illness im on seroquel ive been on it for 3 days and the side effects are killing me already, but my moods keep changing, one minute im frustrated and irritated then im all laughs with everyone and in a good mood. Is this meant to happen or am i going through rapid cycling? I thought i was only ment to have side effects but it looks like it affecting my moods too...

[looloo141]

Hi Elinah, I am on Seroquel and have been for nearly 2 years now, I also take Depakote which is a mood stabiliser.
My doctor prescribed me the Seroquel as I am a very "agitated" person, whether I am high or low or in between there is always a lot of irritability.
I would say that the Seroquel works quite quickly to resolve manic symptoms and psychosis but it only has Anti depressant "qualities"
My doctor will not prescribe Anti Depressants to anyone with BP so this kind of anti psychotic is the best I can get.
It is heavily sedating in the first few months but for me being a hyperactive person it was exactly what I needed! Perhaps this is the reason it has been prescribed to you?
I have never been on a anti psychotic for this amount of time as all the others I tried were horrible, some made me extremely paranoid, increased agitation whereas others made my weight balloon and I was a zombie!
These medications that we are prescribed for BP are all very strong, powerful chemicals, everybody has different sensitivities with drugs and it can take ages to find the right ones. I am sure many would agree that they have to compromise with their meds, I have never heard anyone say that their meds are perfect and they don't get side effects.
It is far too soon for the Seroquel to have made an impact on your moods, you may find some of your symptoms getting a little better or at least not getting any worse.
It does sound that you need a medication to stabilise your moods too.
I am taking Seroquel XR which is a modified release tablet, these reduce side effects especially weight gain and drowsiness so you could ask about that, I am told it is more expensive though.
Good Luck!

[Elinah]

No im just on seroquel at the moment, and i dont know what its meant to be acting on, whether if its the oncoming depression whenever it comes or the mania that i am in now, but i have to double the dosage next monday

[Elinah]

No im just on seroquel at the moment, and i dont know what its meant to be acting on, whether if its the oncoming depression whenever it comes or the mania that i am in now, but i have to double the dosage next monday

[SilentPathway]

Are you on any type of mood stabilizer? Seroquel is an anti-psychotic and really is not used as a primary mood stabilizer. I have found that Seroquel helped control my mania; however, my mood stabilizer is what helped to keep me on a more even keel. The side effects from the Seroquel should wear off once your body adjusts to the medication.

[ILADVOCATE]

  The Seroquel probably has not built up to an effective dose or blood level and isn't working yet as it should but you could discuss this with your psychiatrist. As the dose is adjusted and titrated by your psychiatrist to a working level which might take some time you should see some improvements and then things should stabilize. Keep track of how it works over time and update your psychiatrist so they can have a better idea of what might be a working dose for you.