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Quetiapine...?

Tears_before_bedtime

I'm bipolar and already on a mood stabiliser. The psychiatrist has just added quetiapine for mania. Starting low dose up to 200mg over time.

I know it's prescribed at low doses for insomnia and anxiety as well, but mine is specifically for bipolar. Although side effect of a good night's sleep would be welcome!

What I'd like to hear is if anyone has experience taking quetiapine. What effects/side-effects did you experience? Did you find it helpful?

  • in reply to Tears_before_bedtime

    I'm not even remotely religious or an alcoholic (it has been touch and go at times on that front) but the serenity prayer does seem to be rather pertinent. 

    grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." 

     

  • in reply to Hergé

    That's sh!t. Just waiting is bad in itself, when it's something you really need it's worse. As you say: day by day and there's a better chance of solutions if they know what the problem is. Not much consolation I know. 

  • in reply to Tears_before_bedtime

    No not really, they decided after 30+ years that my depression and anxiety were treatment resistant.

    It did ultimately lead to my autism diagnosis, so I'm now officially a depressed, anxious autistic person that doesn't really sleep. At least I know, that's something, isn't it?

    I'm now on yet another waiting list for some sort of autism support. 

    Day by day 

  • in reply to Hergé

    Thank you for the heads up on a side effect to look out for. I had the "life as a video game" thing years and years ago. It wasn't pleasant so you have my sympathy. Hope you found a different way to help your symptoms. 

  • I was given it to augment my depression medication and to help with my insomnia. It caused depersonalisation and derealization for me, I had to stop taking it after 3 weeks.

    It was like living a video game, life felt less real somehow.

    Obviously this is just my experience.

  • in reply to mrs.snooks

    Hope you're out of moderation soon! Fingers crossed

  • in reply to Bananatropics26

    I'm going to take it whatever. I can't keep bouncing up into full blown mania! The psychiatrist talked through a few options for an antipsychotic so if it doesn't suit me there are other options. Being zombefied would be annoying, but being tired would be useful. I don't know much about this drug so wondered about other's experiences. Thank you for sharing Slight smile

  • Yeh never tried this one but seems good dunno. Knew an autistic woman on it and she was like a zombie but dunno it helps a lot of people and you're doctor has decided it's good for you so I'd give it a shot.

  • in reply to mrs.snooks
    mrs.snooks said:
    Oh my posts are being moderated

    If you email the community manager you'll get out of moderation quicker.  This is because they won't necessarily notice you are in there (speaking from experience)

    CommunityManager@nas.org.uk 

  • Oh my posts are being moderated. You may get several posts from me!

  • Hi TbB,

    Just had my post post not go through. Will try and remember what I just said.

    Have you posted on: https://www.bipolaruk.org/ecommunity I've not been on there for ages, so not sure if you are posting there too.

    Are you asking particularly about side-effects on autism: see: https://www.autism.org.uk/shop/products/books-and-resources/stopping-the-overmedication-of-people

    I may be a bit limited on what I am allowed to say but will try what I can.

    I have not been on quetiapine, but am on aripiprazole - for some years. Tried olanzapine but that just made me want to eat everything. I am also on anti-psychotics for mania and relapse prevention.

    Best wishes, Mrs Snooks