I started over a week ago, but instead of regulating my moods, I find myself having more angry outbursts, crying or wanting to cry all the time, decreased patience and I seem to be unable to think clearly for much of the following day. I was only started on 25 mg and have just increased to 100 and felt even worse. I have a four month old and do not like being so sedated in case she wakes up and my husband is having to do all of the work so I can take my meds early enough to try to have them out of my system. It seems either I do not get to help take care of my children after work, or I will not be able to work the next day b/c I have taken my medication too late and can't wake up. I have been researching online but there seems to be SO much out there. Without meds I tend to be more tired in the day, insomnia at night, raging mood swings and extreme anxiety. Any suggestions I should ask my doctor? I am not even sure what to ask.
2007-03-05 02:41:26 · 13 answers · asked by Melissa F 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Please let your doc know that the sedation of seroquel is unacceptable to you and is interfering with your ability to perform normal activities of daily living as well as having minimal impact on symptom control. There is a trend these days to use the atypical antipsychotics like Seroquel and zyprexa for mood stabilization when there are other better alternatives. Lithium has been virtually abandoned despite it's incredible efficacy in diminishing mood swings because of the steady weight gain associated with it and the need for blood level monitoring, however it is highly effective and not everyone experiences the weight gain if you are attentive to diet and exercise.
Another alternative is depakote, also not used as often because of the weight gain and blood monitoring, but the same applies to it as to lithium. Lastly, there are several anticonvulsants in addition to depakote that don't require blood levels: lamictal, topamax, neurontin (gabapentin) and tegretol. Neurontin has weak efficacy, but few side effects and is good if there is chronic pain and tegretol has some nasty side effects. Topamax promotes weight loss versus weight gain but can make you feel foggy, but has added benefit of helping to lessen migraine occurence if you suffer from that.
As you can see there are multiple choices available, all with different efficacy and side effect profiles, so please go to your doc armed with some info in order to discuss the choices. And if you have never tried lithium and weight gain is not an overriding concern at this time, remind your doc of it as an option.
Good luck!
2007-03-05 03:00:06 · answer #1 · answered by Opester 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was on 25 mgs. of seroquel 3 times a day and 100 at night. That stuff is great for sleep, but over a period of time, I (nor my dr.) saw any "change" in mood improvement (Bipolar-wise). I personally wouldn't take it if I had a small child to take care of. Bottom line? Back on lithium (200 mgs a day) - My mood has leveled out, I don't "knock out", but I do have to watch my weight. Lithium works well - and, too - if an additional med. is needed for anxiety, etc., lithium is well-tolerated.
Ask your doctor. I liked seroquel as far as sleep is/was concerned, but I know exactly what you're going through. Good luck. gs
2007-03-05 03:57:25 · answer #2 · answered by luckistrike 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're bipolar, I hope that you are seeing a psychiatrist and not a family doctor. They will know the meds better.
I think usually lithium, depakote and lamictal are the first line treatments for bipolar disorder. Dr. Phelps and bipolarworld.net is really helpful, he has a lot of information on standard treatments and he doesn't blow off the side effect problems.
I get a lot of weird behavioral problems from certain meds, and seroquel was one of them. I think what happens is the drugs disinhibit my behavior, in other words, I can't control myself, and the drugs make me angier besides. The benzos (like ativan) seroquel, risperdal, thorazine did that, and benadryl and sudafed also do that. So maybe you are one of those.
So you need to call your doc and tell the doc what your side effects are, and hopefully find a pschiatrist if that's a family doc you're seeing.
2007-03-05 02:54:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just ask your doctor. You shouldn't have to come to your doctor with some advertisement you saw in a magazine or on the internet. Your doctor should be experienced and educated enough about medications. If he's taking your prescription requests, I'd get a second opinion on the whole diagnoses really if you haven't already. I don't know why that kind of crap isn't illegal. Good luck and yes, there are other meds out there.
2007-03-05 02:45:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can really relate to you! I am Bipolar myself.
I take 100mg of Zoloft,1200 mg of Lithium per day and 100mg of seroquel at night.
I also have depressin and anxiety..
I know what you mean by the seadated part.You should really be taking the seroquel at night and something else during the day like depokote,lithium,zoloft or something...Tell your doctor this aint working and to put you on a bipolar medicine for the daytime not something to keep you knocked out.Good luck if I can help contact me at carlette_reeves@yahoo.com
2007-03-05 02:49:12 · answer #5 · answered by carlette_reeves 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I you are taking Seroquel, it means that you got a prescription from a physician. It would be unwise, for any professional to write another recommendation, without having examined you and your record. You should definitely talk today to your doctor, and tell him exactly what you just wrote. Is a patient feels worst with the medication, it should be considerate. This is the cause for early termination of therapy.Ask him to prescribe medications that provide you 8 hours of quality time with your family.
2007-03-05 03:03:02 · answer #6 · answered by Night Hawk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a professional evaluation to answer such a question.
Off the top of my head, I would say that if you are truly diagnosed as bipolar, ordinarily you would be treated with lithium or one of several anticonvulsants as mood regulators.
2007-03-05 03:18:14 · answer #7 · answered by XOUT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out Bipolar Disorder 2. You sound A LOT like my wife and her doc thought she was bipoler but she never had the truely manic episodes. IF you are classically bipolar Welbutrin has done wonders for my nephew who also suffers from it.
2007-03-05 02:55:33 · answer #8 · answered by a_talis_man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to discuss your problems with your doctor. There are several good medications available. Only your doctor can tell you which are best and you should follow his directions exactly. Good luck.
2007-03-05 02:47:19 · answer #9 · answered by missingora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are alot of meds for bipolar. I am on lamictal, geodon, gabitril and Wellbutrin. talk to your doctor. There are plenty of other ones out there.
2007-03-05 06:19:40 · answer #10 · answered by slw_402000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋