Suggestions for Seroquel Alternatives

I have been taking 300 mg of Seroquel every night for a little over one year. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder around this time and suffered from frequent manic episodes and chronic insomnia. Honestly, Seroquel proved to work wonders for me, with the exception of one side effect that I can no longer live with: substantial weight gain. I gained 50 lbs. on this drug, and daily calorie intake monitoring, and 5 sixty minute sessions of cardio every week did nothing to reduce my weight. After 4 months of making a real effort, I've realized (as has my doctor) that Seroquel has adversely effected my metabolism. Since this is the only drug I've been on, that's the only logical conclusion we can come up with.

I've been trying other options for awhile, and this far nothing seems to be working. Geodon made me manic. Topamax made me extremely sick. I've been taking 100 mg or Tegretol at night before bed with 100 mg of Seroquel and I'm sleeping just fine, but I have NO energy during the day, I find myself crying frequently (at least daily), and I am feeling severely depressed. I am also a real pain to be around - I am very irritable and quick tempered.

I am wondering if I feel this way because I am reducing my Seroquel intake or because none of these medications are having positive reactions in my body? My doctor says that she is mainly concerned about the insomnia at this time, and that since I'm sleeping my body will adjust. I am perplexed because next week I will be coming completely off of the Seroquel (at my next appointment) and don't think this small dose of Tegretol is going to work long-term.

Can any of you tell me if Tegretol has made you have these side effects or is it the reduction in Seroquel intake? And, have any of you had success in replacing Seroqel with another medicine to treat mania and insomnia that did not result in weight gain? I'm not trying to get doctor'a advice, but to hear from some folks who may have dealt with this before.

I don't want to be grossly overweight but I want a little peace of mind. If you can help, I'd love to hear from you.

Hi Jones B. Welcome to this forum. I know how you feel. I too was on Seroquel and also picked up a lot of weight and felt tired the next day and found it difficult to function properly. I, like "Happy Turtle" am also currently using Lamictal and Risperidone with good results plus I use Zopiclone to sleep. I have lost the extra weight. Hope you find the right combination too. All of the best to you.

Hello Jones,

Welcome to the forum !

I know many people have issues with weight gain when using some meds. Please know that this can be managed with proper diet and exercise. You can talk with your doctor and they will provide you with diet sheet and exercises to do daily.

I hope the med change will work for you.

UA