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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 10:41:12
It feels like a sumo wrestler is sitting on my brain. Somnulence they say. That's putting it mildly.
Maybe if you were to take it every day you'd get used to it and it would be helpful. But I can't see it ever being helpful on an as needed basis.
Ugh. Ick. No more for me.
Posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 10:53:03
In reply to I HATE Seroquel, posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 10:41:12
Posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 12:15:11
In reply to I HATE Seroquel, posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 10:41:12
Dinah,
So what will you do now? The Risperdal is not really an option. When do you see your pdoc next?
It would be so nice if life were simple once in a while - not all the time, but once in a while.
You have too many complexities at one time. Can't you spread them out?
Posted by Caleb462 on August 16, 2003, at 13:05:57
In reply to I HATE Seroquel, posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 10:41:12
> It feels like a sumo wrestler is sitting on my brain. Somnulence they say. That's putting it mildly.
>
> Maybe if you were to take it every day you'd get used to it and it would be helpful. But I can't see it ever being helpful on an as needed basis.
>
> Ugh. Ick. No more for me.Are you taking as-needed for anxiety? Yeah, that doesn't sound like a good choice to me... xanax or ativan would be a much better option. The only dose I've found of seroquel that doesn't knock me out is 25 mg, but that dose does nothing for anxiety either.
Posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 13:46:46
In reply to Re: I HATE Seroquel, posted by Caleb462 on August 16, 2003, at 13:05:57
That *was* 25 mg. lol. I'm feeling better now, but I don't understand what my pdoc was thinking. The Risperdal (.25 mg) worked within 4 hours and didn't put me to sleep or make me wake up with a hangover.
I do take klonopin, 1 mg per day and extra as needed. But it doesn't work on extreme flare-ups.
The Seroquel will become part of my medication museum, which is getting to be quite a collection. I am *not* taking that stuff again.
Posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 13:50:20
In reply to Re: Other than that, you have no strong opinions (nm) » Dinah, posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 10:53:03
ROFL :)
My next pdoc appt isn't until mid October, but I'm going to start searching for one with more expertise in diabetes before then. It's a shame, because I like this guy. But he doesn't warn me about possible effects on diabetes. And while I can look it up on the internet, it doesn't fill me with confidence. Someone suggested that Geodon doesn't affect diabetes, so maybe I'll suggest that next.
Posted by Sabina on August 16, 2003, at 22:06:11
In reply to I HATE Seroquel, posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 10:41:12
dinah, dear,
i'm so sorry you've had such a bad time with this med! it's certainly not for everyone. me, i can't tolerate ssri's. they make me feel like i'm coming out of my skin.
however, i've been taking seroquel for six weeks with excellent results. i started at 25mg twice a day and have reached my target dose of 150mg a day.
yes, i'm a little dopey sometimes, but for the first time in my life I've caught glimpses of what it feels like to be okay...good, even.
the constant, torturous, racing thoughts of doom, fear, and panic have largely abated. it's not my only problem by far, but for that gift alone, i will endure sleepiness and more.
i'm not trying to negate your opinion in any way, and i hope you find something you can tolerate better. i just wanted to include my viewpoint in this thread because i would hate for someone to avoid trying it who might be helped like i have been.
bina
Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:28:04
In reply to Re: I (don't) HATE Seroquel, posted by Sabina on August 16, 2003, at 22:06:11
Oh, I hope I was being clear that it is just my personal reaction.
And you're probably taking it on a regular basis, which I'm not supposed to do even if it were the greatest drug in the world because I'm trying to keep my triglycerides and blood glucose levels down.
I think it might be a great drug as a sleep aid on an as needed basis. But for what I need, the way it works probably isn't going to help me on an as needed basis.
That's the great and horrible thing about these meds. Everyone's reaction is different. One man's miracle is another's disaster.
But isn't that fascinating in a way? Most drugs are so much more predictable. As far as I know, glucose lowering drugs lower glucose levels and don't raise them. Blood pressure pills bring lower, not higher blood pressure. But psych drugs can do anything and everything to any given individual.
I'm glad you've found something that works for you. That's my fervent wish for everyone.
Posted by galkeepinon on August 17, 2003, at 1:53:30
In reply to I HATE Seroquel, posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 10:41:12
(((((HUGS ))))) Dinah!!! I was on Seroquel for a while, and it did wonders for sleep but I gained 80 LBS!! I got up to 300mg once and I was soooooooo out of it that I thought I was going to die. 200 worked well for me for a long time. I'm so sorry you feel like this-I hope you find something that works better for you that you feel comfortable with :-)
Hang tough you nice person you!> It feels like a sumo wrestler is sitting on my brain. Somnulence they say. That's putting it mildly.
>
> Maybe if you were to take it every day you'd get used to it and it would be helpful. But I can't see it ever being helpful on an as needed basis.
>
> Ugh. Ick. No more for me.
Posted by jay on August 17, 2003, at 10:11:29
In reply to Re: I (don't) HATE Seroquel. But I do. :) » Sabina, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:28:04
Hi Dinah:
I had the same reaction as you, and would like to know how much and if you are taking it (Seroquel) regularly? (i.e. every day?) I found the side effects wore off over time, and also, combined with an antidepressant, it worked somewhat well for me. But, if you just don't like the effects of the drug, you have every right to not take it. My only problem was it seemed to act very short in time, and the 2x a day dosing made it an 'up and down' thing for me. Risperdal is the only one thatb 'works' for me...but if you read below, I have metabolic issues with it as well.
My question, and something I am considering, is regarding the 'typical' antipsychotics in much lower doses than normal. I've read a number of research accounts (mostly pre-atypical days...likely due to money and funding) that Loxapine has some atypical-like properties, and have read about it being both weight-neutral as well as even causing some weight loss. I didn't see any problems with diabetes or with major sedation. I've read in a few places it has a low TD-risk, but I can't verify what that is being judged by.
I am being drawn further into the typical vs. atypical argument, and am seeing most of the current research is on atypicals, which are likely because of their profit-making ability. If you goto Pub Med, check out as much research about the typicals as much as you can. I hope the best for you.
Sincerely,
Jay
Posted by Sabina on August 17, 2003, at 13:34:26
In reply to Re: I (don't) HATE Seroquel. But I do. :) » Sabina, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:28:04
you were perfectly clear that you were speaking of your own experience and that you weren't taking it regularly. it's just that i've just *never* had success with any psych med (besides knocking myself out with xanax) and so i wanted to sing its praises. sorry if i sounded overly eager!
it *is* amazing how differently these drugs affect different people. i believe that i would have definitely done myself or someone else harm if i'd kept taking paxil when it was given to me a few years ago. i started chain smoking within two days on it...and i'm normally an adamant non-smoker!
i hope and pray we all find our perfect match or combination soon. right this minute, i'm sleepy but still functional. i'm calm...and that's as close to happy as i've been in such a long time.
Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 15:58:41
In reply to Re: you were clear, sweetie. i'm just a dork :) » Dinah, posted by Sabina on August 17, 2003, at 13:34:26
Posted by jlo820 on August 17, 2003, at 18:12:11
In reply to I HATE Seroquel, posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 10:41:12
Why does your doc want you taking it on a PRN basis? For anxiety? Why does s/he think it is better than benzodiazepines for this purpose.
I know that to be effective as an anti-psychotic, the blood levels need to be built up.
Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 18:26:09
In reply to Re: I HATE Seroquel » Dinah, posted by jlo820 on August 17, 2003, at 18:12:11
For extreme agitation (intense anxiety, but more upset I guess), I found Risperdal to be very effective, more effective than benzos by far. But after a tongue thrusting incident, my doctor switched me to Seroquel.
I agree that in principal, it's swatting a fly with a hammer. But in practice, it gets me up and productive in a few hours. While otherwise I might be largely unproductive for days. The Risperdal I mean, not the Seroquel. Putting me to sleep doesn't do anything for my productivity.
Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 18:26:57
In reply to Re: I HATE Seroquel » Dinah, posted by galkeepinon on August 17, 2003, at 1:53:30
Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 18:35:25
In reply to Re: I (don't) HATE Seroquel. But I do. :) » Dinah, posted by jay on August 17, 2003, at 10:11:29
Thanks Jay. I took Thorazine for a year as a kid, at bedtime, for what were described as night terrors. (They told me it was valium). There was only a minimal dip in my grades, so it must not have slowed me down too much. So I'm not personally all that terrified of the typical antipsychotics. I think I'd have a heck of a lot of trouble getting it prescribed though. Atypicals are getting to be pretty standard treatments for non-psychotic conditions, but prescribing a typical antipsychotic might bring liability issues up for a prescribing doctor.
I can understand the problems with weight gain as a Type II diabetic. Were you more hungry on Risperdal? I actually found I lost all appetite on Risperdal so I lost weight. And it was mildly energizing to me. It didn't bring me to hypomania, but it may have tilted me slightly to that direction. I haven't found a medication I liked so much since Klonopin. Darned tongue thrusting incident and diabetes!!!
Posted by jlo820 on August 17, 2003, at 18:43:51
In reply to Re: I HATE Seroquel » jlo820, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 18:26:09
That's what Seroquel foes for me too...put me to sleep. I think it will keep doing that until you get acclamated to it, but on a PRN basis, I don't think that will happen.
I take Haldol PRN and it helps me.
This is the end of the thread.
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