I'm being weaned off 30mg of Aripriprizole that I've taken for 5 years for psychosis, to 300mg of Quetiapine XR , for my mood and psychosis. I'm only on 150mg of Quetiapine right now but I've had a fair few hours of feeling good today, meaning a normal mood. It's been amazing considering how severely depressed I've been. I've been on Quetiapine for a week now.
My new community psychiatrist thinks I need a mood stabiliser because of my manic episodes in the past. She says Quetiapine acts as a mood stabiliser. I'm being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, rather than schizophrenia at the moment.
Do any of you have any experiences of Quetiapine, good and/or bad?
Does this good feeling last?
Last edited by sandalwood : 14-10-2022 at 10:18 PM.
Reason: wrong typing
"...Summertime, and the livin's easy, Bradley's on the microphone with Ras MG, All the people in the dance will agree, That we're well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.." Doin' Time, Lana Del Rey
I know you know this, but everyone's experiences are different, so all this is is just my experience.
I'm on extended release quetiapine for psychosis - I started taking it in hospital earlier this year, and for the most part it's the best antipsychotic I've taken. Weirdly I tried it about 11 years ago as well, and it wasn't nearly as helpful. I guess bodies change. It does make me hungrier, and I've gained some weight, which I do struggle with sometimes, but it really doesn't matter in exchange for the stability I have now (which is something I never thought I would say about any psychotropic medication). My voices (etc) are more manageable and for the most part my mood is more level, although I have never had a manic episode.
I can sleep which is wonderful compared to before, although I do have a lot more nightmares. I struggle sometimes with the sedation, my heart is definitely beating faster and I get overheated very easily. I also have to be careful to eat enough fibre because it messes with my IBS.
I definitely don't want to be on the dose I'm on now forever, and ideally I'd like to work towards coming off it eventually, but for now it got me out of hospital and I'm no longer a danger to myself.
I will say that missing a dose takes quite a big toll on me - I've only done it once (it was an accident) and the withdrawal symptoms were unpleasant.
I really hope it keeps working well for you :)
'It's an impossible choice ... I'll just have to hope that when I flip the coin it somehow explodes and kills me.'
"You're not scared of climbing mountains. You're scared that you can't make them move."
I completely hear how helpful Quetiapine has been for your mood and voices and that you don't want to be on this dose forever. I too, don't want to be in hospital and this drug is giving me a lot of hope. I have IBS too. I'll keep what you say about fibre in mind. As for over-heating, I'm concerned as this happened to me when I was younger. I'll see if this side effect happens to me next summer.
As for being hungrier- I'm used to eating before I sleep to stop any hunger pangs. So far it's worked- I just need to remember to take Quetiapine on an empty stomach as they say.
Having a good sleep is really important in maintaining and managing mental health- and I'm no longer agitated in the night.
It's been a rocky road with overly-sedating effects at first but I'm much more awake now and I have hope.
"...Summertime, and the livin's easy, Bradley's on the microphone with Ras MG, All the people in the dance will agree, That we're well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.." Doin' Time, Lana Del Rey
I've decided I need to come off Quetiapine with the aid of a doctor. The side-effects I'm experiencing are not worth it. I developed restless leg syndrome about 5 days ago and I had the worst experience of agitation and involuntary movements a few hours ago as I tried to sleep. I understand this is because of low dopamine and I will need medication to increase dopamine in the brain. Does anyone have any experiences with this side effect?
Right now I feel an 'urge to move', which might be akathisia. My body isn't moving violently as it was in the early morning but twitching is how I'd describe it.
"...Summertime, and the livin's easy, Bradley's on the microphone with Ras MG, All the people in the dance will agree, That we're well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.." Doin' Time, Lana Del Rey
As I said above, quetiapine is working well for me so far, but before that I was on a medication that caused pretty severe akathisia/EPS. Unfortunately I wasn't listened to, and the situation became very unpleasant, but I know that there are definitely medications (I think Parkinsons medication is a popular treatment) and supplements out there that can help. Obviously I can't suggest anything that worked for me supplement wise as that would be medical advice, but I will say be persistent - don't let them fob you off or tell you it's anxiety, and be really really careful with tapering off - coming off medication too fast can make the situation worse.
I'm really sorry if I made things sound a bit scary, and I know that often stopping the offending medicine is all that it takes, but I would hate for anybody to go through what happened to me.
Also, again, I'm no medical professional, but it sounds like quetiapine was helping more at a lower dose - would it be worth exploring that with your doctor?
I hope that you are able to speak to someone quickly and get the support you need with this.
'It's an impossible choice ... I'll just have to hope that when I flip the coin it somehow explodes and kills me.'
"You're not scared of climbing mountains. You're scared that you can't make them move."
Thank you for sharing your experiences, and advice. I'm really sorry you had a terrible time with that medication.
The HTT came by and said as I'd been on it for a month I might as well persevere with taking it and see if the side effects wear off. She said to wait a week, and then my community psychiatrist will review the situation.
Yes, you are right, the lower dose right at the beginning was helping things but at the moment, I can't see the difference with my mood- I'm back to being really depressed (but managing). The good thing is, my psychotic symptoms have all gone - I was having delusions of persecution and feeling spiders on me.
I definitely won't be tapering off the medication fast. I've done that in the past with horrible effects.
Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot!
"...Summertime, and the livin's easy, Bradley's on the microphone with Ras MG, All the people in the dance will agree, That we're well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.." Doin' Time, Lana Del Rey
