gone from lithium to seroquel...

[dianachinery]

I've just changed docs and now he has put me on seroquel, i was on lithium. I was wondering is seroquel better than lithium? I was only diagnosed 18mths ago and already been on three different meds???

[Lizz67]

Seroquel has recently been FDA approved for the treatment of mania and depression, but like others here I've never heard of it being used alone yet.  Learning more about your disorder will probably help you feel less out of control with your doctor and med changes as well as your own symptoms.

You've not been diagnosed for very long, so it's natural things may be hard to understand and follow.  This site is probably a good place to learn about BP.  People here describe their symptoms and know a lot about meds - even though no one here is a doctor. You can alo get a lot of support.I
As for your question, I take Li and Seroquel and have for several years. I'm lucky, I guess as I haven't had many problems with either.  Although Seroguel is sedating. I like it because it helps me sleep so well, and recently I'm taking a lower dose to eliminate grogginess.  Good Luck to you.

[PenelopeAnn]

Well...at first I was like, ??, because Lithium and Seroquel are two different meds, then I read that you started Lamictal. I was told that Lamictal is good for the kind of mania that causes anger, irritability, and volatile outbursts, and that it helps with lingering depression. I was on Lamictal for awhile and hated it. When I started having the volatile- and embarrassing- outbursts, basically temper tantrums that I had no control over, it was suggested to me to start on Lamictal again because it is good for that. I went ahead and tried it again, a low dose, but it made me so sleepy and dizzy. I'm going to figure out a different way to deal with the irritability episodes. For awhile, I was on Lithobid as well as Lamictal and Seroquel. I have BP1.

[monkeyc]

It always intrigues me because my pdoc wont prescribe it to BP1's as its not effective for quick treatment of severe mania..

But then Im often intrgirued by the prescribing differences between australia and the US - i see a lot of hesitation to use some drugs over others whereas my doc here would prefer to avoid the same drugs for side effect or cost reasons - maybe thats because we have a heavily subsidised medication system and thus cost per dose is less important or some other reason I dont know - I do know that my pdoc and the 4 I have seen all use lithium as a first treatment in type 2s and non manic type 1's in preference to other drugs - as my pdoc says its cheap, effective and well understood so if side effects develop they can then move to another drug but it works up front.

I admit to not understanding the US medical system in any way - it seems like a total mess where money = treatment quality or even access to treatment.

[LeftCoastChick]

From what I am told, it depends on what type of BP you have, my pdoc said Lithium has little affect on those w/BP2.  I am on serequal and it sure helps with they hypomania, I am on Lamactil as well, but just started that.  I get mixed states where I can be hypomanic and cranky all at the same time (fun fun). Find out which BP you were diagnosed with, I personally had a bad experience with Lithium years ago, much luck to you.

[bernie40]

Yes monkeyc, seroquel is usually given alongside a mood stabilizer such as lithium/depakote etc.  Seroquel is an anti-psychotic and apparently very good for anger - I was put on seroquel alongside depakote, although I am not on either of those now, I am yet to find the combination that suits me.

May be worth discussing with your doc dianachinery.

[monkeyc]

hang on he took you off lithium and put you on seroquel?  I thought it was supposed to be used as a conjuction therapy with a drug like Lithium not as a sole therapy?  At least thats what I have been told and found from reading about it.

[monkeyc]

Did he give you a reason for the change?

Some pdocs dont like some drugs and lithium is seen as old fashioned by many despite the fact that it works - its also not pushed by drug reps as there's no money in it.

Was it working for you?  It isnt uncommon to change meds as they work things out - im likely going to be changing myself as im suffering a lot of anger in the early mornings and im told Seroquel can be good for that but I find Lithium excellent myself.