dasandman79Tapering off Seroquel (Anyone done this?)

[dasandman79]

Hello,

 

Ive been on effexor xr 150 mg and 50 mg seroquel.  Im trying to taper off all meds with all the research ilve done and what my pdoc tells me of the ill effects of long term use of these meds.  Im tapering off seroquel with aid of doctor right now as the first med.  For about 3 weeks ive been taking 50mg then next day then 25mg then 50mg and so forth.  I literally starting expirerince bad insomnia the day after i went to see him for follow up.  The last two days ive gotten like 2-3 hours sleep each night.  Has anyone taken serqoeuel for a long time and how did you taper off of it with expreiencing sever w/d symtomps like insominia?

[bubble]

Hello Dasandman and welcome to SA,

 

I am glad you have found us and especially so early in your taper which is not going well. Not surprising since alternating doses is a very bad idea and no wonder you feel bad.

 

I would advise you to stop tapering for a while. Just go taking your regular dose of the drug and wait to stabilise. Use that time to educate on how to do this properly before things get even worse.

 

It is commendable of your doctor to warn you of the dangers of these drugs but unfortunately unlike most of them he has no clue on how to do it. If it was and different, all of us would not be here. We came after we have been badly and repeatedly hurt by doctor s advice who mostly do not recognise the need to taper but in rare cases when they do they advise way too fast tapers or alternating doses. When withdrawal symptoms such as those that you are experiencing return they say the illness is back and advise other meds, higher dose and do on.

 

Start by checking the information here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/300-important-topics-in-the-tapering-forum-and-faq/

 

It will help us a lot if you put details of your drug history in your signature as explained here.http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

You will find a lot of friendly support here.

 

Bubble

[Petunia]

Welcome Dasandman,

 

How long have you been on these medications?  I agree with Bubble that your method of tapering is causing your problems. We suggest reducing by no more than 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks, this reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms arising.  When you have stabilized on your full dose again, and feel better, then you could begin a safe taper.  Here is our link for tapering off seroquel:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1707-tips-for-tapering-off-seroquel-quetiapine/

 

Many people find  fish oil and magnesium helpful, see King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker

 

Please stay in touch and let us know what you decide.

 

Petu.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, dasandman.

Are you by any chance taking Seroquel to counter Effexor side effects? If so, you may wish to go back to your regular dosage of Seroquel and taper Effexor instead. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-taper-the-antidepressant-first/

If you are taking Seroquel because Effexor was too activating, when you reduce Seroquel, you'll have to deal with those Effexor side effects. If you reduce Effexor while taking Seroquel, there's a good chance at least your sleep will be preserved while you're going off Effexor.

 

Sleeplessness is a common withdrawal symptom.

 

Given Seroquel's undesirable effects on general health, you may wish to reduce Effexor part way, then reduce Seroquel, then reduce Effexor, etc. Side effects are dosage-related.

 

See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/