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Need advice about seroquel

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Posted 1/12/2011 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
confused My psychiatrist put me on seroquel today on top of all the other crap I take... From what I hear, a lot of people gain weight... What advice can anyone offer about this medication? Or anyone who's been on it, what is/was your experience with it??? confused
Posted 1/12/2011 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
#1. Don't go off it cold-turkey. It will be the most miserable experience of your life and it can kill you.

Seroquel causes food cravings in some people. Be cautious and don't make big changes to your eating habits and you will be fine. :) I have not gained weight on Seroquel (OK an extra pound or 2 over the holidays!). My deit has not changed. If you get the food cravings, you will have to find a way to cope that does not involve eating!
Posted 1/12/2011 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice... I know (just from reading posts on here) that you can't abruptly stop taking seroquel... So if I do ever decide to stop taking it, I know to wean myself off it slowly... I'm just worried about blowing up like a balloon... I've put on a few pounds over the past 6 months or so (probably a good 10-15 pounds) but on my small 5'2 frame, that's a lot lol... And I think its just because I've come to terms with my illness and started therapy and medication and stopped partying all the time. I guess that was my way of self medicating when I was manic. I'm just hoping the seroquel in combination with the lamictal helps more then the lamictal alone (which hasn't made much of a difference other then chilling my temper out a little bit).
Posted 1/12/2011 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
It's my magic combo. :D

If you choose healthy habits, seroquel alone doesn't cause weight gain. I hear you about losing those last 15 pounds. (OK, 30 for me, but I'm 5'9" and hide it well.) It was the manic starvation diets and the depressive binges that brought on this weight. I haven't been stable for long periods at a time, so no reach chances to make good choices over a long enough period of time to see slow healthy weight loss.
Posted 1/12/2011 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
That makes me feel better, thanks :) I took my 1st dose a couple hours ago (and just finished a HUGE bowl of cereal lol)... But I'm starting a slim fast diet tomorrow... I need to lose 20 lbs before May so I look my best in my dress when I get married... That's why I'm so worried about the weight gain lol.
Posted 1/13/2011 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
I took Seroquel for a several months. I have gained wait during that time but I'm not sure if the Seroquel was the reason. I'm 5'2 as well, so putting back on the wait that I lost has gone to all the wrong places lol. I quit taking it because I couldn't breathe at night. I was so congested it was crazy. I was taking something like 600mg though. I stopped pretty abruptly but didn't seem the have the bad reactions that people talk about. I take 100mg now just for sleep and tolerate it pretty well with my other meds. Good luck with it......Congrats on the up coming wedding.
Posted 1/13/2011 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you... And I know how you feel being so short, our little bodies don't know where to put it lol...
I couldn't imagine being on 600mg... I only took 100mg last night n it kicked my ass!!! And my doc wants me on 300mg
Posted 1/13/2011 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I felt the same way when I started taking it, knowing how easily 1 could knock me out. There was no telling what more would do. But taking more didn't increase the knock out effect. It just increased the side effects. Today I still take 100 mg with little side effects to help me sleep because nothing else seems to work. Hope it helps.
Posted 1/13/2011 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Getting on to Seroquel is rough, but it does get better. :)
Posted 1/13/2011 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys!... One more thing. I wake up feeling like I'm drunk after taking it lol, walkin into stuff lol... Is that normal?
Posted 1/13/2011 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
The infamous "seroquel hangover"! If it doesn't get better in a week, talk to your Dr. Mine was so bad that he switched me to the XR problem right away! I've had a few seroquel hangovers since, but only if I've taken my meds way too late.
Posted 1/13/2011 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
That might be my problem... I do take them really late
Posted 1/21/2011 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
i'd worry more about what it does to your triglycerides and blood sugar and increased risk for diabetes--no joke--that stuff is evil
Posted 1/21/2011 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
REALLY???!!!!! Omg..... Nobody told me that. =/
Posted 1/22/2011 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, do a web search--there are lawsuits--I was on it for 6 mos (only 25 mg/day!) and became borderline diabetic...went off it and within 6 mos was back to normal.

Would never take that again...but that's just me.

Good luck, but ask your doc--he/she should tell you about this for sure.
Posted 1/22/2011 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
darn! That's crazy
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