Can Seroquel help me on my Klonopin withdrawal?

[ronndy]

I was in 0.5 mg Klonopin from September 2008 to March 2009 to cure my insomia. I stop taking KLONOPIN on March 20, 2009 and switched to new psychiatrist. My new psychiatrist switched me to Seroquel 100mg which I started taking on March 20, 2009. My question is can Seroquel help me on my Klonopin withdrawal? There were nights I can't sleep. I read an article that Antipsychotics should be avoided may aggravate benzodiazepine withdrawal. Please read:  http://www.bcnc.org.uk/drugs.html. I am scared, please help. -Ronndy

[SigmundFreud]

hi ronndy kabayan! how are you doing now? im also on 5mg valium and i want to taper it. i cant find a doc who supports a slow valium taper and they want to put me on seroquel 50mg instead. i didnt like it. it made me drowsy till the next day and my appetite was too much. i might try 25 mg next time or just continue tapering the valium slowly. the problem is i couldnt find a doctor who would prescrive valium to me.

[kwebb9892]

I went off of my seroquel xr 300 mg for two days , I think I went into withdrawal , flu like symptoms , cold then hot then so cold like bone chilling cold ..Is this possible?

[Q100]

Be careful of Seroquel as Parkinson's syndrome can manifest at barely noticeable levels and can be exaggerated at higher levels and often not diagnosed or understood.  The central nervous system is involved and when klonopin is added it can greatly exaggerate the symptoms to dangerous proportions.  Headache, stiff muscles, general muscle pain, shuffling gate, drooling, slurred speech, insomnia, seizures and the patient should be seen immediately by a qualified mental health expert.  ER's generally do not understand these drugs!!  Go to a mental health ER and be seen immediately.

Don't go off ANY psychotropic drug cold turkey.  NONE of them.  Titrate down slowly.  If you have to get off any of them quickly ONLY do so with an attending Psych doctor.  

[ronndy]

Thanks Ryan for your note. Unfortunately 0.5 tablet of Klonopin is not available in the Philippines. Today is my 47th day without Klonopin and I've been taking Seroquel 100 mg since I've been off in klonopin. In the past 5 days may sleep has been improved but still not happy because there were nights I still experiencing rebound insomia. Do you think Seroquel could overcome it? My doctor doesn't want to reinstate Klonopin. In my case, how long the withdrawal with klonopin will last? -Ronndy

[nursegirl6572]

"I would say that 100 mg Seroquel is a very high dosage to treat insomina"

Actually, this is a fairly common recommended dosage for insomnia.  I've seen a lot of people at this level....some actually higher.  Typical starting dose is 50-100 mg from my experience.

It's tricky b/c there are a lot of different meds you could try for insomnia...I have to also suggest that perhaps try something natural first...along with some relaxation techniques?  Several meds taken for insomnia may lead to problems down the road with tolerance, dependence, and even re-bound insomnia.  Many of the meds (ie ambien) come with some severe side effects for some people as well.

Again...maybe seek another opinion on this?  It couldn't hurt.

[nora006]

Dear Ronndy

I would say that 100 mg Seroquel is a very high dosage to treat insomina. Usually you would take only 10-25 mg in that respect. It seems that you could have some withdrawl problems as you stopped klonopin abruptly. As Paxiled pointed out it is a bit "heavy" to prescribe klonopin for insomnia when "lighter" medications are available, for instance zolpidem or zopiklone. Or anti-histamine(allergy-medication as atarax).
But of course insomina is not easy to "cure". It depends on what the true origin of the problem is. Insomina could be of primary or secondary nature and there is also a distinction when it comes to how your insomnia acts. Is your problem to fall asleep or to stay asleep?

I hope you can discuss your problems/symptoms with your doctor as soon as possible or find another doctor if you need to.

Nora

[Paxiled]

There's no way to know because you went right on Seroquel -- could be side effects of Seroquel, or withdrawal, or something else entirely.

[ronndy]

I have been off the Klonopin since 3/20/2009 and since 3/20 if have been taking Seroquel. I did not experience seizures since I stop Klonopin but after I stop Klonopin and switched to Seroquel there are nights I can't sleep... it's been like when I had a good sleep last night the next night I can't sleep. I am also experiencing muscle jerk and back pain. Do you think these are Klonopin withdrawals?

[Paxiled]

To my knowledge, neither klonopin nor seroquel would be first line treatments for insomnia.  Seroquel is certainly sedating, but that's a side effect, not its purpose.  It can also cause pretty severe weight gain and diabetes, so to take it just for insomnia seems like overkill.  As for your withdrawal, are you in withdrawal?  You don't state what your symptoms are.  Not everyone gets bad withdrawals, in fact most don't.  The real danger is stopping suddenly can cause seizures, so one never abruptly stops klonopin.  I don't like the sound of either of your psychiatrists.  Have you ever tried gentler forms of treatment before turning to serious drugs, like melatonin or valerian or such?  

[nursegirl6572]

How long were you on Klonopin, and were you tapered off of it, or was it abruptly d/ced?  Klonopin has to be slowly discontinued to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

How long have you been off the Klonopin?  Since 3/20?  If so, you should be on the upswing of the w/d symptoms.  Unfortunately, Klonopin has a long half life, which increases length of time for w/d symptoms.

Hopefully Ryan will be by and answer your post as well...he has a LOT of personal experience with Klonopin and is very knowledgeable about the proper way to take it, and to d/c it.  

If you are still feeling lousy, I would seek an opinion from another physician.