question on new med....

[shannonf_bc]

The doctor gave me a script for something called quetiapine?

It's suppose to help not with my depression per say but with panic attacks and anxiety.  He wants me to take it for a couple of weeks (he is calling an as needed thing) but I am to take it every day for now..... I have appt monday to discuss my issues further.

I can't make out the dosage on the script....... Will find out at pharmacy tommorrow..... when I looked the drug up it says it is an anti-pyscotic sp?  That does seem to make sense to me... sounds kinda harsh actually....

Has anyone ever taken this for anxiety and panic or even for depression.  Man I should have asked more questions when I was there.... but I didn't have an appt so it was a rush job.

Would just like to know if anyone has taken this at all?  For anything I actually suffer from ie. Depression, anxiety and panic attacks?

[Bear13]

I've been diagnosed as bi-polar and take Seroquel (200mg/night).  It has the mood stabilization that I need, and have found that I do very well just on this one medication.  I really hate layering medications and it's taken a while for my doctor to let ME be the judge of how the medication is workiing.  The main benefit for me on this drug is that it puts me to sleep, which is why I take about an hour before bed time...  I've noticed that it does help reduce anxiety levels, but have never heard of a pdoc just prescribing it for someone on an "as needed" basis...  Like any drug, it takes a few weeks to really get into your system.  Paxil has been prescribed for anxiety related issues, and Klonopin or Xanax can be used as the "as needed" drugs during severe anxiety attacks...  What did the doctor finally end up giving you?

[shannonf_bc]

Update I am not taking those pills I got a more suitable prescription from him today.  

[dippy1]

You're welcome. I have to agree with you though, it doesn't soud a sthough you need tranqu.s  they were given to me at a time when I'd tried other things for several months and was getting desparate for a reduction in my reality.  all the best, hope it all works out, x

[shannonf_bc]

Thank you for the honest evaluation... It helps to hear from someone who is taking it for depression and anxiety (panic).

[dippy1]

Hi, I'm on quetiapine for major depression. It was added in by my p.doc ontop of first antidepressant (citalopram) which was at 60mgs daily and diazepam/temazepam. I was overwhelmed by panic and paralised by the whole depression thing. The first couple of days on (I think) 25mgs twice daily, I was completely zonked (but very calm!) after two days the tranquilised feeling left, but my sleep was restored for the first time in months and the days were better too. I am now on another antidepressant as well  and am slowly coming off the diazepam. I still take the quetiapine every day and think it has been very good for me. Hope this helps.
By the way I was not psychotic in any way, the diagnosis was major depression.
Side effects, whch improve with time; dry mouth++, trouble peeing, constipation++ Cheers

[shannonf_bc]

okay I did a broader search in here and noticed I a not the only patient with depression/anxiety issues to be prescribed this I also looked at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetiapine   and it says there it is sometimes prescribed off book for anxiety.

So there probably was a method to the madness afterall.... still seems like a strong drug to take though..... I'm not actually feeling completely overwhelmed by anxiety I didn't even have a full blown panic attack haven't had one in along time... If anything I let depression get too me for a couple weeks which was triggered by a pefectly normal thing being seperated from my family for a couple weeks.  I have had anxiety over it yes but still????  

While I don't think my doctor was losing his mind when he prescribed it now I think I will hold off taking it until after we speak.  I don't want to take anything with a sedative effect that's for sure...... I mean hello I just spent the last two-and half weeks on a coach sleeping and lazing around I don't think a sedative will help.  

[shannonf_bc]

Thanks, it's not just me who thinks this ones weird then...... I think I will hold onto the prescription until monday and ask him what he was thinking or if I am misreading his very sloppy writing.

I am glad I didn't just start taking it, but who knows maybe he has some secret wisdom that tells him that this will control my depression and anxiety... though he did say it was to help with the anxiety (arguing out scenarios of what will go wrong in my head and just plan scaring the sh*t out of myself over things that aren't likely to happen) he did not mention it being for depression.

He just wrote it and said now before you argue with me about not taking it.... this is just an as needed thing not you going on any meds long term... this will help with your anxiety and I only want you to take it just for a few weeks to help you over the hurdle.  I would like you to come in on Monday to see me so make an appt on your way out.

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes this is the antipsychotic Seroquel. This is used for schizophrenia and sometimes as an adjunct for mood stabilization but I've never heard of it being used as an anti-anxiety agent. All currently available anti-psychotics have the ability to cause diabetes and tardive dyskinesia (except for Clozaril which has its own set of severe side effects) and are always used for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and have mood stabilization effects. There are other medications for anxiety disorders and panic attacks. I respect provider's decisions but I still do not understand why he would choose an anti-psychotic for these purposes as there are other medications that can work as or more effectively as anti anxiety agents. Perhaps you could speak to your psychiatrist and ask them why they chose an anti-psychotic for this purpose and if something else could be used instead. And I understand what you were saying but don't be afraid to ask questions. An informed consumer is likely to get the best treatment.