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Lilabella: reducing dose after only two weeks on quetiapine


Lilabella

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I was put on quetiapine three weeks ago, starting on 25mg for one night then up to 50mg for one night then 200mg ( I think that was the progression) for 12 nights. I felt very strange, night sweats, insatiable appetite, muscle weakness, emotionally numb, but improvement in symptoms of paranoia and anxiety.

 

But I decided after research that I do not want to continue taking this drug, it is the only psych drug I have e era taken and I want off and to treat myself as I know how to with alternative therapies and excercise. 

 

So I reduced to 100mg and have felt very bad in the mornings, for five mornings. I sleep well but I wake up very very anxious and heart racing and hot and cold and in a mess physically and mentally. But I am determined to stay at this dose and not increase it again as I fear I might never get off it. 

 

My question is can I taper faster as I have only been on this for three weeks? I feel the effects so strongly and I want to get off it as soon as I can. So I was going to hold this dose of 100mgs for a week and then drop to 50mgs. As I have only been on it under a month is that possible or am I dreaming! From reading this site I can see getting off these drugs is no easy task. I would never have taken them if I had known despite that I was in some distress.

Edited by manymoretodays
spacing for clarity

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Lilabella: Reducing dose after only two weeks on quetiapine

Hi, 

I was prescribed quetiapine at the beginning of August 2018 200mgs. After one dose of 25mgs and one of 100mgs I went to 200mgs for twelve nights. I did not like the change the drug had made to my body and mind so I decided to quit. 

A therapist / psychiatrist (retired) I see weekly advised me to halve the dose and not go cold turkey.so for eight days I have had 100mgs.in total 20 days of using this drug. 

I have been suffering from withdrawal since then- the mornings are terrible I wake up with severe anxiety and racing heart beats and muscle tightness and jaw clenching and extreme feelings of hopelessness particularly over this trap that I feel caught in on this drug. I had been having therapy and have found it very hard to contact any feelings since being on this drug. I became unusually angry at 200mgs.

I am planning to hold for a while on 100 and see if I can stabilise. 

From what I have read on this site I see that I may well have no choice but to be on this drug for nearly a year doing the 10% taper. Has anyone successfully reduced faster after such a short time on the drug?

Thank you very much for your help,  I feel so glad to have found this site,although heartbroken that I didn't find it on the day I took that first pill. I'm.sure many people here can relate to that.  

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Welcome, Lilabella.

 

Unfortunately, although you've been taking it only a short time, it sounds like your body has become accustomed to Seroquel. You have gotten withdrawal symptoms from reducing to 100mg.

 

When did you reduce to 100mg? How do you feel now?

 

Since you already got withdrawal symptoms, it does not seem that you can jump off Seroquel quickly. That 50% reduction was too much for you. You will have to taper more slowly, or your withdrawal symptoms will get worse.

 

You might be able to go off by 10% every 2 weeks or perhaps every week. Here is our topic explaining Tips for tapering off Seroquel (quetiapine)

 

Please don't taper more until your withdrawal symptoms go away.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Lilabella and welcome,

 

So sorry for the delay in getting to your post.

I can so relate to the awful effects of quetiapine at the higher dosages.  I used to take my bedtime dose and then as the tranquilizing effect hit.......wander out to the kitchen and eat anything.  I could have eaten cardboard.  And the side effect profile, I agree........is not great.  I think you may be able to mitigate some of the side effects with lower dosages.

I can commiserate with some of your experiences.

 

Could you Please put your withdrawal history in a signature

This is the portion that you see below others posts

Just try and get the dates........ that you started the quetiapine in there.  Then date, drug name, and dose changes

 

We generally recommend a 10% reduction on psychotropic medications, as we've found that this is the most harm reduction approach
Why taper by 10% of my dosage

this refers to a 10% reduction from each previous dose

 

The CNS(central nervous system) likes stability and often times abrupt changes to dosages, will result in W/D( withdrawal) syndrome.  It's hard to predict how long it takes for your body to become physiologically dependent and chemically altered, on these drugs.  Generally speaking for A/D's(antidepressants) it can happen in as little as one months time.  You are not on a drug in the antidepressant class........yet it may be the same as far as that goes. 

 

It may be best for you to HOLD at your present dosage for a bit longer.

 

The second set of symptoms that you describe in your introduction could certainly be W/D symptoms.

What is Withdrawal Syndrome

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Two supplements that may help with present symptoms are:

Omega 3's, fatty acids, fish oil

Magnesium

 

All for now.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment
4 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Welcome, Lilabella.

 

Unfortunately, although you've been taking it only a short time, it sounds like your body has become accustomed to Seroquel. You have gotten withdrawal symptoms from reducing to 100mg.

 

When did you reduce to 100mg? How do you feel now?

 

Since you already got withdrawal symptoms, it does not seem that you can jump off Seroquel quickly. That 50% reduction was too much for you. You will have to taper more slowly, or your withdrawal symptoms will get worse.

 

You might be able to go off by 10% every 2 weeks or perhaps every week. Here is our topic explaining Tips for tapering off Seroquel (quetiapine)

 

Please don't taper more until your withdrawal symptoms go away.

Hi Alto,

 Thank you so much for replying so fast.  I am feeling quite desperate as I'm sure you well understand. 

I reduced to 100mgs on 14/08/18. 9 days at 100 so far. I wake up every morning at around 6 with extremely fast heart beats and ringing in my ears and muscle tightness all over. My jaw is tight I can not get back to sleep even though I feel exhausted. I am in a state of extreme anxiety. 

I have digestive issues and my kidneys ache. 

Emotionally I feel dreadful- not myself, numb. My thoughts are slow and just, well, blank a lot of the time.

The first morning after reduction was the worst and I could say there has been some improvement. I am not any more suffering extremes of temperature.   I had a short but dramatic breakdown which led me to the psychiatrist who prescribed these terrible pills. I was sad and quite mad but at least I was feeling. I was told they would just help me sleep and put weight on! If only I had known the truth. I have a young son and a loving partner but this is testing us all to our limits. My partner has read around withdrawal and wants me to come off these meds but safely. I am feeling obssesed by the fact that I am trapped on them. 

 

I hope that I will stabilise on 100 soon and then I can start the ten percent reduction. 

Am I looking for the symptoms to completely go away? 

 

I am so scared I will never feel like myself again. I know that is a common feeling.It is extremely stressful all in all. 

I'm so glad to have found this site , what an absolute lifeline, and I'm just trying to cling to any hope I can find that I can return to health soon. I was a happy, loving , intelligent person before this!

Thank you for your care and consideration. 

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
4 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Hi Lilabella and welcome,

 

So sorry for the delay in getting to your post.

I can so relate to the awful effects of quetiapine at the higher dosages.  I used to take my bedtime dose and then as the tranquilizing effect hit.......wander out to the kitchen and eat anything.  I could have eaten cardboard.  And the side effect profile, I agree........is not great.  I think you may be able to mitigate some of the side effects with lower dosages.

I can commiserate with some of your experiences.

 

Could you Please put your withdrawal history in a signature

This is the portion that you see below others posts

Just try and get the dates........ that you started the quetiapine in there.  Then date, drug name, and dose changes

 

We generally recommend a 10% reduction on psychotropic medications, as we've found that this is the most harm reduction approach
Why taper by 10% of my dosage

this refers to a 10% reduction from each previous dose

 

The CNS(central nervous system) likes stability and often times abrupt changes to dosages, will result in W/D( withdrawal) syndrome.  It's hard to predict how long it takes for your body to become physiologically dependent and chemically altered, on these drugs.  Generally speaking for A/D's(antidepressants) it can happen in as little as one months time.  You are not on a drug in the antidepressant class........yet it may be the same as far as that goes. 

 

It may be best for you to HOLD at your present dosage for a bit longer.

 

The second set of symptoms that you describe in your introduction could certainly be W/D symptoms.

What is Withdrawal Syndrome

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Two supplements that may help with present symptoms are:

Omega 3's, fatty acids, fish oil

Magnesium

 

All for now.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

 

 

 

 

Hi manymoretodays,

Thank you so much for replying. It has been a great comfort to be welcomed on here. I have edited my signature.

I am taking the good advice and holding at 100. I think I could be causing myself problems with inaccurate cutting as much as anything. Do I need to use a pill cutter? I would like to request 100mgs next script but I was not going to admit to coming off this drug in case they just want to change me on to something else. So I guess I need to buy a scale? This is a steep learning curve. It is all a matter of days which feels so bizarre. I am totally preoccupied by this problem. The change to my very being is so noticeable.

I'm so hopeful I can stabilise and reduce ten percent weekly from then on. This morning I feel the symptoms but less than before. I know I am a very sensitive person .I will get some magnesium to help with the mornings asap.

Thanks again for your support,

Love to all,

Lilabella.

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment

Hello again,

I'm confused as to how I'm going to calculate how much to cut off a tablet. I have 200mgs tablets. How is it best to approach the gp to get different size tablets?

Do you have to crush them and put in a gel capsule? I am not good with numbers and my brain feels very compromised. But my partner can help. 

Is there a guide on here to dealing with tablets? I'm quite confused about how I'm going to regulate my dose.

Sorry to be a nuisance I'm sure you have all answered these questions many many times over. 

Thank you 

 

Lilabella 

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
5 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Hi Lilabella and welcome,

 

So sorry for the delay in getting to your post.

I can so relate to the awful effects of quetiapine at the higher dosages.  I used to take my bedtime dose and then as the tranquilizing effect hit.......wander out to the kitchen and eat anything.  I could have eaten cardboard.  And the side effect profile, I agree........is not great.  I think you may be able to mitigate some of the side effects with lower dosages.

I can commiserate with some of your experiences.

 

Could you Please put your withdrawal history in a signature

This is the portion that you see below others posts

Just try and get the dates........ that you started the quetiapine in there.  Then date, drug name, and dose changes

 

We generally recommend a 10% reduction on psychotropic medications, as we've found that this is the most harm reduction approach
Why taper by 10% of my dosage

this refers to a 10% reduction from each previous dose

 

The CNS(central nervous system) likes stability and often times abrupt changes to dosages, will result in W/D( withdrawal) syndrome.  It's hard to predict how long it takes for your body to become physiologically dependent and chemically altered, on these drugs.  Generally speaking for A/D's(antidepressants) it can happen in as little as one months time.  You are not on a drug in the antidepressant class........yet it may be the same as far as that goes. 

 

It may be best for you to HOLD at your present dosage for a bit longer.

 

The second set of symptoms that you describe in your introduction could certainly be W/D symptoms.

What is Withdrawal Syndrome

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Two supplements that may help with present symptoms are:

Omega 3's, fatty acids, fish oil

Magnesium

 

All for now.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

 

 

 

 

Yes the side effects were terrible. The psychiatrist who prescribed me said 200 was a low dose!

Dealing with regret seems to be a really hard part of this journey. 

All strength to everyone. 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment

I have a question please,

 I am feeling pretty dreadful every day since I did the fast taper from 200 to 100.mgs of quetiapine. 

Should I go back up to 200? It would feel like a real defeat but I have to say if I felt better than now it would be worth it. I could then do a slow taper. 

My symptoms of withdrawal are many. And it's only been 9 days since I reduced. 

Thanks very much for your help. 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
7 hours ago, Lilabella said:

Do I need to use a pill cutter? I would like to request 100mgs next script but I was not going to admit to coming off this drug in case they just want to change me on to something else. So I guess I need to buy a scale? This is a steep learning curve. It is all a matter of days which feels so bizarre. I am totally preoccupied by this problem. The change to my very being is so noticeable.

 

7 hours ago, Lilabella said:

I'm confused as to how I'm going to calculate how much to cut off a tablet. I have 200mgs tablets. How is it best to approach the gp to get different size tablets?

Do you have to crush them and put in a gel capsule? I am not good with numbers and my brain feels very compromised. But my partner can help. 

Is there a guide on here to dealing with tablets? I'm quite confused about how I'm going to regulate my dose.

 

Hi Lilabella,

 

Pill cutters are fairly cheap around here........so yes, that's a great idea for now.  To just cut 200 mg tabs in half.    Just be consistent in your method......that's important.   So that the doses don't vary too much.

Amazon.com is a good source for supplies as well.

You might also consider doing a homemade liquid when you start tapering down.  How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules.

The link that Alto gave you will give you some tips too to help you decide how you would like to go.......the tips for tapering Seroquel(quetiapine) one.

If you have a compounding pharmacy available, some choose to do that.......to get their new dosages done by a special pharmacy/dispensary.  That's something to investigate for later though, when you get to lower doses. 

So you've got lot's of time to plan now.

 

 

And then talking to your Doctor ideas:

Yes, be prepared.  You don't necessarily have to elaborate about tapering and withdrawal to get what you want.  You might consider telling your prescriber that you would like to be on the lowest effective dosage of quetiapine eventually.

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal symptoms

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Edited by manymoretodays

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

 

1 hour ago, Lilabella said:

I have a question please,

 I am feeling pretty dreadful every day since I did the fast taper from 200 to 100.mgs of quetiapine. 

Should I go back up to 200? It would feel like a real defeat but I have to say if I felt better than now it would be worth it. I could then do a slow taper. 

My symptoms of withdrawal are many. And it's only been 9 days since I reduced. 

Thanks very much for your help. 

 

Hi again,

What are your symptoms now?

When are you taking the quetiapine?  Is there a brand name for it?

And are the W/D symptoms improving at some point during the day?

We often ask members to do drug dosage and symptom logs.

Keep track on paper and then share here on your introduction.  Just note the time, drug and dosage, and symptoms throughout the day.  Include any supplements and sleep.

That can really help us know better how to advise you and see what kind of patterns you are having.

 

 

If I were you, I would only go up to less than the full 200 mg dose, IF you need to.  Perhaps 150 mg?

I expect that the symptoms you are having now may stabilize a bit, and feel more tolerable soon.  Your CNS likes stability.........so just holding at your present dosage may be best.  If you can........ give it another week or so to see if you stabilize in a W/D way.  And then a few more weeks before starting a slow taper.  Good job on your signature!

 

I don't know if you have found the Symptoms and Self Care Section yet........there are ton's of non-drug coping ideas that may help there.  Check out some of the pinned topics at the top.  Many have even more indexed topics in the first post.

 

Oh.......and I can so remember my couch potato days on Seroquel.  I felt like a zombie blob.  I had a doctor who was trying to convince that I needed 600mg/day........said to me........."hey, I'm on Seroquel too!".........like I should be impressed or something.  My gosh......600 mg would have wiped me out completely.  I did often have a morning "hangover effect" that last most of the day, and then dizziness when going to sitting to standing.  I took my dose at bedtime.   And I swear it caused a lot of irritability........maybe because I could not think straight.  .........and weird thoughts often occurred........obsessions and such.  Oh.......good times......NOT.  B)

 

Best,

mmt

Edited by manymoretodays
elaboration, experiences added

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment
  • Administrator
3 hours ago, Lilabella said:

I have a question please,

 I am feeling pretty dreadful every day since I did the fast taper from 200 to 100.mgs of quetiapine. 

Should I go back up to 200? It would feel like a real defeat but I have to say if I felt better than now it would be worth it. I could then do a slow taper. 

My symptoms of withdrawal are many. And it's only been 9 days since I reduced. 

Thanks very much for your help. 

 

I agree with manymoretodays, a small updose might help, perhaps to 125mg quetiapine. Tips for tapering off Seroquel (quetiapine) explains how to take a small dose. Do you have any 25mg tablets left?

 

Quetiapine might be available in a prescription liquid, which makes taking a small amount easier. Can your GP prescribe this for you? You might want to request that your dosage be reduced slightly, to 175mg per day, and your prescription be filled in 100mg tablets plus the liquid to make up the daily 175mg (then take only 100mg tablet plus 25mg liquid).

 

The liquid will enable further tapering.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Just want to highlight the dose that Alto is suggesting you take:

 

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

(then take only 100mg tablet plus 25mg liquid)

 

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

a small updose might help, perhaps to 125mg quetiapine.

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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55 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

Just want to highlight the dose that Alto is suggesting you take:

 

 

 

Hi and thanks to you all for replying,

I don't have any 25mgs left and I am cutting the 200mg pills to make 100mgs. I haven't got a scale yet and I know I'm not accurate.

I bought a pill cutter today and used it but it was worse than my knife. 

So I'm not able to updose accurately and am not going to try until get a new prescription, and I will push for liquid and pills as you have suggested. For tonight I'm sticking with the 100.

 

Brace yourselves for big long rant incoming:

 

I had not taken this into consideration as have been obsessed with the Quetiapine but I realized this evening that I had a two week prescription for zopiclone 11 July 2018 and a two week 2mg diazepam prescription 25 July 2018.

Prior to this prescription I had a period (only a couple of weeks at the most) of not sleeping and anxiety but I had been under stress as I was moving my whole family from Spain to the UK. 

My friend urged me to go to the doctor for some help with sleeping and I took the pills not realising their effects. How naive I really truly equated them with painkillers. 

From that first week I suffered extreme anxiety in the mornings, suicidal ideation and intrusive thoughts of hurting my son ( something that really really traumatized me and my partner) I was going over every single event in my life up to that point obsessively and thinking that I was truly bad was hated by everyone. It was totally unbearable, a living hell as I said to my friend at the time. The feeling in my body of needing to escape the anxiety was so so strong. I have never experienced anything like that before in my life. I have been depressed in my twenties but this is a whole other story. 

 I would wake up with a start in the morning, not doze at all ( previous to July I was a champion dozer, one of my great pleasures in life:) )  since July I just wake straight away into a state of extreme anxiety racing heart and a very strong feeling of wanting to escape my body.

My other symptoms are a feeling of a band around my brain, extreme neck and shoulder tightness, feeling like all my muscles are being pulled from inside. 

Jaw clenching. This is so bad in the morning and right throught the day. 

I have no access to my usual emotions of love joy sadness etc. I have been a very emotionally literate person and this is extremely difficult for me to live with. I cannot cry. On the high dose of quetiapine I got irrationally angry. 

I experience depersonalisation /derealization daily. I look at the world and I don't  feel like I'm really  in it if that makes sense?? And I'm not responding to the beauty bof nature which has been my comfort throughout my whole life. 

What I'm realising is that it is not just a simple three week on quetiapine situation- which is surely why I have had such a dramatic reaction to the big 50% drop I undertook before I had found your site.

I'm also making sense of what has been a completely hellish two months for me, my family ( my darling 5 year old son especially) partner and friends. I have done and said some terrible things. Completely out of character. I feel like a brain damaged person. I kept feeling like I was getting dementia, back when I was on the zopiclone. I am only 41! Now I know the truth. I am going through a massive upheaval moving from one country to another and I kept pinning my collapse onto that. 

I'm not sure how to heal from this or heal my family. We are all scarred . Now I'm obsessed about the effects of these fmdrugs and am boring everyone with my story not least my partner so I must stop talking about it. 

I will update my signature with those other drugs. 

Just needed to vent really as it's been a process of realization that this nervous breakdown I thought I was having was a massive drug withdrawal ) reaction. 

I have not been able to get my life together one tiny bit since this started. I have reduced down to bare minimum - clothes changing, washing etc. I could go on asto how deeply this has affected me- I was a happy pretty fun intelligenct and bright  person and I'm none of those things at the moment.

I see how much strength it takes to get well from this and most day I have not had that strength but I intend to find it. 

I am going to fight this with all I have. My son's life depends on it. 

All love 

Lilabella

 

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Please could you add your zopiclone and diazepam use to your signature with dates and doses - this will help us get a clearer picture of your situation.

 

If you are not able to get the liquid you could make your own liquid (as suggested above), or use a scale to cut and weigh doses.  Some people crush pills and put powder in capsules.  I just cut my pills into smaller pieces using a kitchen knife and then weigh the pieces.  You need a scale that weighs down to 0.001g (usually called a jeweller's scale, jewelry scale, milligram scale or pocket scale).  You can get these fairly cheaply on ebay.  See: Using a digital scale to measure doses

 

 

2001–2002 paroxetine

2003  citalopram

2004-2008  paroxetine (various failed tapers) 
2008  paroxetine slow taper down to

2016  Aug off paroxetine
2016  citalopram May 20mg  Oct 15mg … slow taper down
2018  citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg  18 Nov 3.8mg
2019  15 Mar 3.6mg  21 May 3.4mg  26 Dec 3.2mg 

2020  19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg

2021   29 Aug 2.4mg   15 Nov 2.3mg

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1 hour ago, Songbird said:

Please could you add your zopiclone and diazepam use to your signature with dates and doses - this will help us get a clearer picture of your situation.

 

If you are not able to get the liquid you could make your own liquid (as suggested above), or use a scale to cut and weigh doses.  Some people crush pills and put powder in capsules.  I just cut my pills into smaller pieces using a kitchen knife and then weigh the pieces.  You need a scale that weighs down to 0.001g (usually called a jeweller's scale, jewelry scale, milligram scale or pocket scale).  You can get these fairly cheaply on ebay.  See: Using a digital scale to measure doses

 

 

Hi songbird, 

Thanks for replying, I have added the dates to my signature. 

I guess I am an unfortunate one with a sensitive nervous system.  Before 11 Jully 2018 I had never taken a sleeping tablet or anything like that in my whole life. 

I took the 100  quetiapine again last night but I just cut it and am sure it wasnt accurate. 

I will buy a scale. And attempt to make a liquid. 

I am only on the second two week prescription it is so tempting to just stop. 

I'm awake after 3 hours sleep with racing heart and tinnitus raging. I am so tired but I can't doze or have the normal feeling of sleepiness I have enjoyed my whole life.

It has been a desperate time. It still is. 

I'm sorry I know many many people here experience this but it is all so new and devastating at the moment. I don't have anywhere to express this as my circle of family and friends just think I'm crazy with all this talk of drug withdrawal. They just think its in my head as I did but now I'm realizing the truth. I'm sure this is a familiar story.  I know it is not helpful to anyone to be so negative but this really is like living in hell. I want my self and my life back both are unrecognisable to me. 

I don't even know what I expect from posting this j just need to write it out and I'm sitting here exhausted but unable to sleep.

 

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

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  • Administrator
3 hours ago, Lilabella said:

I had not taken this into consideration as have been obsessed with the Quetiapine but I realized this evening that I had a two week prescription for zopiclone 11 July 2018 and a two week 2mg diazepam prescription 25 July 2018.

 

Yes, please give us approximate dates when you took these drugs.

 

You can make a liquid with a 100mg tablet or a 200mg tablet without weighing anything, just dissolve the whole tablet in 100mL or 200mL, respectively. You'd need an oral syringe to measure out 25mL (25mg) but most pharmacies will give you one.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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11 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

 

 

Hi again,

What are your symptoms now?

When are you taking the quetiapine?  Is there a brand name for it?

And are the W/D symptoms improving at some point during the day?

We often ask members to do drug dosage and symptom logs.

Keep track on paper and then share here on your introduction.  Just note the time, drug and dosage, and symptoms throughout the day.  Include any supplements and sleep.

That can really help us know better how to advise you and see what kind of patterns you are having.

 

 

If I were you, I would only go up to less than the full 200 mg dose, IF you need to.  Perhaps 150 mg?

I expect that the symptoms you are having now may stabilize a bit, and feel more tolerable soon.  Your CNS likes stability.........so just holding at your present dosage may be best.  If you can........ give it another week or so to see if you stabilize in a W/D way.  And then a few more weeks before starting a slow taper.  Good job on your signature!

 

I don't know if you have found the Symptoms and Self Care Section yet........there are ton's of non-drug coping ideas that may help there.  Check out some of the pinned topics at the top.  Many have even more indexed topics in the first post.

 

Oh.......and I can so remember my couch potato days on Seroquel.  I felt like a zombie blob.  I had a doctor who was trying to convince that I needed 600mg/day........said to me........."hey, I'm on Seroquel too!".........like I should be impressed or something.  My gosh......600 mg would have wiped me out completely.  I did often have a morning "hangover effect" that last most of the day, and then dizziness when going to sitting to standing.  I took my dose at bedtime.   And I swear it caused a lot of irritability........maybe because I could not think straight.  .........and weird thoughts often occurred........obsessions and such.  Oh.......good times......NOT.  B)

 

Best,

mmt

Hi mmt,

I just realized I haven't answered everything you asked.

My symptoms are very strong from the morning until I get some relief in a rapid cycling of waves and windows from about 3 pm. 5 pm can be good. The evening is steadily better until intake my dose at around 10 and can barely walk to the bed once it kicks in at 11.30 . Usually I have been waking at 6 am but tonight it's 2.30. I don't feel like I can go to sleep normally anymore. 

My quetiapine is generic no brand name. 

 

Yes I was also so irritable.. and horrible to my son. That was a big incentive to get off asap. I felt like I had been taken over or possessed by something. It really has caused me to behave very strangely ...

Where are you at with your withdrawal. What a horrible horrible drug.  Although to be honest the zopiclone really kicked me in the backside too. I was in a terrible place with that. The sense of wanting to escape my body started then. 

Sorry this is all becoming a stream of consciousness rant. 

Thanks to you for your time and all love to you. 

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
26 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

Yes, please give us approximate dates when you took these drugs.

 

You can make a liquid with a 100mg tablet or a 200mg tablet without weighing anything, just dissolve the whole tablet in 100mL or 200mL, respectively. You'd need an oral syringe to measure out 25mL (25mg) but most pharmacies will give you one.

Hi altostrata,

I took those drugs on the nights following those dates if you see what I mean. I missed one or two nights early on with the zopiclone. 

Ok that is really easy thanks. It's all so new and. can't think straight at all. I hope that will help. 

How the hell do people cope with this it is a waking nightmare. I just want to sleep and I can't. 

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment

I've updated my signature I think. I'm on a phone so can't see it now but I'm sure it was saved. 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
44 minutes ago, Lilabella said:

I've updated my signature I think. I'm on a phone so can't see it now but I'm sure it was saved. 

 

I can see it.

2001–2002 paroxetine

2003  citalopram

2004-2008  paroxetine (various failed tapers) 
2008  paroxetine slow taper down to

2016  Aug off paroxetine
2016  citalopram May 20mg  Oct 15mg … slow taper down
2018  citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg  18 Nov 3.8mg
2019  15 Mar 3.6mg  21 May 3.4mg  26 Dec 3.2mg 

2020  19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg

2021   29 Aug 2.4mg   15 Nov 2.3mg

Link to comment

Great. 

I know it is a short time but I am in a really acute withdrawal I think. It is not easy at all. 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment

Thanks all for your kind and swift help. I really really appreciate it. 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

This is the link to SA's topic:  tips-for-tapering-off-seroquel-quetiapine

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Hello, I am just needing to connect with anyone really,

So it seems that I'm in acute withdrawal from Quetiapine.

I haven't managed to stabilise. I know for sure after much research on this amazing site that the reason I was put on these pills is because of my withdrawal symptoms from the zopiclone and valium. I was not psychotic and am not schizophreniic and I just needed to rest and regroup. I saw a locum psychiatrist by chance as I was seeing a mental.gealth social worker as the benzo experience has caused me to act strangely. I was so so anxious and wanting to get out of my skin. 

There was a night on zopiclone that I took two tablets. ( The doctor said I was on a half dose do I didn't think it mattered and was awake unable to sleep and in a total.panic) i missed a night and then was given valium. so I'm sure the anxiety and si and  strangeness I felt then led me to this place I find myself in. 

I'm trying to get to a place of acceptance but it is so so hard. Two months ago I was happy and healthy and my life was wonderful and about to take a lovely turn as we were moving home after being abroad. It is unrecognisable now.

I have a son and I have just moved country with my partner and now I cannot drive or care for my son. It is a really impossible time. 

 

I'm sorry to lay this out there but I'm finding every moment nearly impossible. I have slept for three hours and nothing more. I feel completely like I have lost he ability to fall asleep. I cannot think at all and the slightest task totally overwhelms me. My body is skeletal and I don't recognize it at all. ..it just wants to move all the time and I want to crawl out of my skin. I'm in a total panic and can't get beyond the regret that I took any pharmaceutical drugs after years of being an alternative person.

 

I am  getting the scale today so I can start to be precise with my dose. I know that impresicion has caused this wd. I just couldn't get the scale before now. 

I was going to go CT before I split the pills in half I'm clinging to the thought that at least that might have been worse. I had no idea about this drug and I will have to.live with my ignorance for ever.  Now I have researched this terrible drug I feel terrified that I'm in this forever. 

I'm very scared of being committed to hospital as my family can't cope. 

 

Tonight I will updose to 125 as recommended. I have been taking 100 or so I guess but I know they haven't been evenly sized. . I bought a pill cutter but it was hopeless.  I hope I can stabilise but I know I'm very sick and may never be the same again. I guess I'm very sensitive, I always have been. It is a short time but I think Quetiapine gets working very very fast. 

I'm sorry to be a very bleak poster tonight. It's very very hard this experience.

I'm aware this post doesn't help anyone except me. I just needed to write it down.

 

Sending love out there, I hope I will find strength to bear this soon. 

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

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The worst side effects t is the dp/Dr and complete lack of feeling apart from panic and fear and anger. Does emotion recover? I need to hear that it does. It's too much. 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment

Hi Lilabella, 

 

I’m so sorry you are suffering. You have been through a lot. 

 

Please do not feel bad about anything that happened, it is not your fault. 

 

I hope you stabilise soon. It takes awhile especially when other major stresses, even good ones, happen in a short period of time. Our nervous systems seem to be very sensitive to stress from the drugs. It does heal though with time, and a lot of TLC. Calming, soothing, loving, gentle activities speed up the process.

 

Yes, the dp/dr can be awful. Emotions do recover with time. Most of the ones from withdrawal are called Neuro Emotions on this site, which is a very helpful term. I know it must be hard to realise that right now when in the thick of it, I sympathise. It can be overwhelming at times, I know. It is hard to process everything all at once.

I’ve found taking it one minute/hour/day at a time helps. 

 

All the symptoms you describe are normal however, considering what you going through, so please don’t be alarmed. It does get better.

 

Perhaps try to do self care activities and distract yourself with things you enjoy in the meantime? or just anything healthy that makes you feel better that you can do now. Be gentle with yourself.

 

Sending Healing, Love and Light to you, Lilabella <3

 

Take good care of yourself <3

 

 

 

Dec 2016: Prazosin 2.5mg x2 at noon and night, Nifidipine 30mg x1 morn, Diltiazem 200mg x1 morn. for hypertension.  Cinnerizine 24mg as needed only. Metformin and Sitagliptin for hyperglycaemia. Vitamin C.

My meds: May 4th 2017 Abilify 10mg. May 10th dropped to 2.5 mg due to side effects. Tapered during several months in 2017. Currently drug free. 2019: I am doing well now, even if not updating this thread as much unless needed, sorry. Focusing more on supporting others' threads. Also friendly warning: Please do not read this thread if not up to it as it can be a somewhat triggering/stressful read, thank you. Love, peace and Blessings to you all <3

 
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9 hours ago, Benzhelp said:

Hi Lilabella, 

 

I’m so sorry you are suffering. You have been through a lot. 

 

Please do not feel bad about anything that happened, it is not your fault. 

 

I hope you stabilise soon. It takes awhile especially when other major stresses, even good ones, happen in a short period of time. Our nervous systems seem to be very sensitive to stress from the drugs. It does heal though with time, and a lot of TLC. Calming, soothing, loving, gentle activities speed up the process.

 

Yes, the dp/dr can be awful. Emotions do recover with time. Most of the ones from withdrawal are called Neuro Emotions on this site, which is a very helpful term. I know it must be hard to realise that right now when in the thick of it, I sympathise. It can be overwhelming at times, I know. It is hard to process everything all at once.

I’ve found taking it one minute/hour/day at a time helps. 

 

All the symptoms you describe are normal however, considering what you going through, so please don’t be alarmed. It does get better.

 

Perhaps try to do self care activities and distract yourself with things you enjoy in the meantime? or just anything healthy that makes you feel better that you can do now. Be gentle with yourself.

 

Sending Healing, Love and Light to you, Lilabella ❤️

 

Take good care of yourself ❤️

 

 

 

Hi Benzhelp,

 Thank you for your caring words, they really are a great comfort to me. 

I have had a good day apart from a terrible sleep (3 hours) and anxiety and restlessness until about ten. 

I finally have magnesium supplements which may explain the calmer day. I have connected with my son and partner and felt much less Dr/dp. I'm aware this is by no means over but in these moments I suppose we find peace and grace and carry it through when things get rough. This is such a strange test. 

 I like what brass monkey (I think) said about treating every symptom with interest. 

 I have been very obsessed by this and reading on this site which seems to be a common theme and I choose to step away from other stories that trigger me into panic. There is this need to search and search for a happy ending I found. Someone who cheated the system. I daresay most people here can relate. 

Obsessive thoughts and the need to convince my friends and family that the drugs are the problem. They all think it's just anxiety..natural anxiety. So that's been hard but I'm letting go and loving in spite of that. 

I really appreciate your reminder to seek out loving calm things. I think I will get a warm coat for night walks when I can't sleep. 

I pray to have the glory of a natural sleep again. Always my favourite time of the day that. Well at least I have my life and my son and relative health. There is much to be thankful for. 

 

Much love and peace to you too, 

Lilabella ,🙏

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Libebella, 

 

 I hope you stabilise on your updose soon. I wasn’t on seroquel for long either before I started to taper but it’s taken me many, many years to get down from 300mg to 7.5mg. Now that the doses are smaller the tapering is smaller too so it might take me another ten years. I can’t do ten percent tapering, I do around five percent or so. 

 

Im going to start microtapering soon, which is teeny tiny cuts on a weekly basis n then holding for a week or two inbetween. 

 

I’m sorry you sound so afraid but please don’t rush the process as the withdrawals will get worse. I have withdrawals even when I taper in tiny amounts, but if I tried to taper in large amounts it would be much worse. 

 

On this withdrawal journey all we can do is take each moment as it comes. Withdrawals aren’t linear, they’re all over the place. After every taper you eventually stabilise again. When withdrawals are severe they are called waves, when they’ve subsided a bit they’re called windows. Even in windows one has symptoms but they are very much lessened. 

 

Windows and waves are all over the place. It’s your brain trying to heal n we have no choice but to go through this process. Some days we can have windows n waves in the same day. Other times waves can last a long time but windows eventually come. During some tapers waves are shorter or not so severe. 

 

The important thing to remember is windows always come n eventually each n every one of us will heal. It may take a long time but we will get there in the end. 

 

In the meantime we need to find coping strategies that will help get us through the day. Panicking just makes the symptoms worse. If we stress about the symptoms it can rev them up even more. If we push ourselves n do too much it can also rev up the symptoms. 

 

I know this is really hard but you can do this. We all can, one day at a time, one moment at a time. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, everyone on this site is in the same boat which is very sad. 

 

Wishing you all all the best in your recovery 💚

 

 

 

Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0.  2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25.  2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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Hi carmie

I see the pattern of windows and waves so clearly now .

The earlier post was me in a window. It was the longest one I have had in days. So I did a lot as I have a lot  in my life to do but I see that is all going to change. It's hard to bear this. 

Now I am in a wave. It is very very strong. 

I am so traumatized by this I can't explain. 

I know what you mean about panic. I am not managing to avoid it.

The fact that this started way back in July with the zopiclone is really hard to bear. I didn't recognize myself then  but thought I was having a  breakdown. Now I know I was being broken down  from the inside. Since then i have taken so much..valium and these q things. All different amounts and doses and I realise this has made this wd so much worse. 

How do you take them when you hate them? I'm not dealing well with that.

I

14 minutes ago, Carmie said:

Hi Libebella, 

 

 I hope you stabilise on your updose soon. I wasn’t on seroquel for long either before I started to taper but it’s taken me many, many years to get down from 300mg to 7.5mg. Now that the doses are smaller the tapering is smaller too so it might take me another ten years. I can’t do ten percent tapering, I do around five percent or so. 

 

Im going to start microtapering soon, which is teeny tiny cuts on a weekly basis n then holding for a week or two inbetween. 

 

I’m sorry you sound so afraid but please don’t rush the process as the withdrawals will get worse. I have withdrawals even when I taper in tiny amounts, but if I tried to taper in large amounts it would be much worse. 

 

On this withdrawal journey all we can do is take each moment as it comes. Withdrawals aren’t linear, they’re all over the place. After every taper you eventually stabilise again. When withdrawals are severe they are called waves, when they’ve subsided a bit they’re called windows. Even in windows one has symptoms but they are very much lessened. 

 

Windows and waves are all over the place. It’s your brain trying to heal n we have no choice but to go through this process. Some days we can have windows n waves in the same day. Other times waves can last a long time but windows eventually come. During some tapers waves are shorter or not so severe. 

 

The important thing to remember is windows always come n eventually each n every one of us will heal. It may take a long time but we will get there in the end. 

 

In the meantime we need to find coping strategies that will help get us through the day. Panicking just makes the symptoms worse. If we stress about the symptoms it can rev them up even more. If we push ourselves n do too much it can also rev up the symptoms. 

 

I know this is really hard but you can do this. We all can, one day at a time, one moment at a time. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, everyone on this site is in the same boat which is very sad. 

 

Wishing you all all the best in your recovery 💚

 

 

 

Hi Carmie,

Thanks for being there for me.i understand about windows and waves. 

Now is a bad wave. 

Yesterday was a window. I did too much. Trying to be functional in my life like I know it. It's not a place I know anymore. 

It is very very hard this. I don't know how to cope with it to be honest with you. 

I guess I'll get there but I don't know how to at the moment. 

A doctor my friend spoke to said seroquel was good for short term use and people came off it no problem . I'm sure you've heard that too. 

That is what I'm up against now to fight and I don't have the energy. Everyone thinks I'm mad it's Kafkaesque. I feel like I have PTSD and my young son definitely does and my partner. That is unbelievably difficult to cope with.

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
22 minutes ago, Carmie said:

Hi Libebella, 

 

 I hope you stabilise on your updose soon. I wasn’t on seroquel for long either before I started to taper but it’s taken me many, many years to get down from 300mg to 7.5mg. Now that the doses are smaller the tapering is smaller too so it might take me another ten years. I can’t do ten percent tapering, I do around five percent or so. 

 

Im going to start microtapering soon, which is teeny tiny cuts on a weekly basis n then holding for a week or two inbetween. 

 

I’m sorry you sound so afraid but please don’t rush the process as the withdrawals will get worse. I have withdrawals even when I taper in tiny amounts, but if I tried to taper in large amounts it would be much worse. 

 

On this withdrawal journey all we can do is take each moment as it comes. Withdrawals aren’t linear, they’re all over the place. After every taper you eventually stabilise again. When withdrawals are severe they are called waves, when they’ve subsided a bit they’re called windows. Even in windows one has symptoms but they are very much lessened. 

 

Windows and waves are all over the place. It’s your brain trying to heal n we have no choice but to go through this process. Some days we can have windows n waves in the same day. Other times waves can last a long time but windows eventually come. During some tapers waves are shorter or not so severe. 

 

The important thing to remember is windows always come n eventually each n every one of us will heal. It may take a long time but we will get there in the end. 

 

In the meantime we need to find coping strategies that will help get us through the day. Panicking just makes the symptoms worse. If we stress about the symptoms it can rev them up even more. If we push ourselves n do too much it can also rev up the symptoms. 

 

I know this is really hard but you can do this. We all can, one day at a time, one moment at a time. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, everyone on this site is in the same boat which is very sad. 

 

Wishing you all all the best in your recovery 💚

 

 

 

Sorry I know this isn't helping.

But i appreciate your support very much X 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
1 minute ago, Lilabella said:

Hi carmie

I see the pattern of windows and waves so clearly now .

The earlier post was me in a window. It was the longest one I have had in days. So I did a lot as I have a lot  in my life to do but I see that is all going to change. It's hard to bear this. 

Now I am in a wave. It is very very strong. 

I am so traumatized by this I can't explain. 

I know what you mean about panic. I am not managing to avoid it.

The fact that this started way back in July with the zopiclone is really hard to bear. I didn't recognize myself then  but thought I was having a  breakdown. Now I know I was being broken down  from the inside. Since then i have taken so much..valium and these q things. All different amounts and doses and I realise this has made this wd so much worse. 

How do you take them when you hate them? I'm not dealing well with that.

I

Hi Carmie,

Thanks for being there for me.i understand about windows and waves. 

Now is a bad wave. 

Yesterday was a window. I did too much. Trying to be functional in my life like I know it. It's not a place I know anymore. 

It is very very hard this. I don't know how to cope with it to be honest with you. 

I guess I'll get there but I don't know how to at the moment. 

A doctor my friend spoke to said seroquel was good for short term use and people came off it no problem . I'm sure you've heard that too. 

That is what I'm up against now to fight and I don't have the energy. Everyone thinks I'm mad it's Kafkaesque. I feel like I have PTSD and my young son definitely does and my partner. That is unbelievably difficult to cope with.

 

Hi again, 

 

I’m glad you can see the windows n waves pattern. It helps us to see when going through horrific waves there will always be windows at the end of them, we just don’t know when. 

 

The doctors n pharmaceutical companies certainly have a lot to answer for. If you look at my signature you will see I’ve also gone through such hell, put in n off meds, cold turkeyed etc. It all started with me being in chronic pain n it went downhill from there.

 

Getting upset about what has happened to us or that we hate being on these meds doesn’t change a thing though, it just makes us more upset. What we need to do is look forward n see what we can actually do from this moment on, though I can totally understand being upset about what has happened to us. 

 

I dont believe anything doctors say. Being on any of these meds even for a short time can already dysregulate the brain where we have to taper slowly. These meds are more dangerous than a lot of people realise. 

 

Yes, it’s hard to deal with withdrawals n people don’t understand what we go through, it’s one of the worst things we will ever go through in our lives. It’s hard to explain to anyone what withdrawals are like unless they’ve gone through them themselves. 

 

The trauma n the panic you feel is very real, but you can help yourself over time to calm yourself down. Check out Claire Weekes. Also, find distractions to help you get through the waves, I love arts, crafts, photography, crosswords etc etc. Even when I’m too numb to enjoy them I still do them to help me get through the day when in waves. I also watch Netflix n DVDs. I’m not a tv watcher.

 

This site will help you too. Try n connect with different ones on here. They are all going through withdrawals. If you’re able to read a little of other people’s journeys too n comment on their sites. It will help you not feel so alone on this journey, because no one understands this journey unless they’ve gone through it or are going through it. 

 

Just take a moment at a time, 

 

Wishing you all the best n sending u lots of hugs🤗

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0.  2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25.  2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
14 minutes ago, Lilabella said:

Sorry I know this isn't helping.

But i appreciate your support very much X 

 

You will get there Lillabella, 

 

Try n breathe n please check out Claire Weekes. There are lots of YouTube videos n there’s also a thread about her on this site. It’s all about not fighting the symptoms but floating through them. The more we fight the symptoms, the worse they get.

 

It’s a scary process but there are many recovery stories n we will be one of those one day too💚💚

Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0.  2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25.  2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

Link to comment
6 minutes ago, Carmie said:

 

Hi again, 

 

I’m glad you can see the windows n waves pattern. It helps us to see when going through horrific waves there will always be windows at the end of them, we just don’t know when. 

 

The doctors n pharmaceutical companies certainly have a lot to answer for. If you look at my signature you will see I’ve also gone through such hell, put in n off meds, cold turkeyed etc. It all started with me being in chronic pain n it went downhill from there.

 

Getting upset about what has happened to us or that we hate being on these meds doesn’t change a thing though, it just makes us more upset. What we need to do is look forward n see what we can actually do from this moment on, though I can totally understand being upset about what has happened to us. 

 

I dont believe anything doctors say. Being on any of these meds even for a short time can already dysregulate the brain where we have to taper slowly. These meds are more dangerous than a lot of people realise. 

 

Yes, it’s hard to deal with withdrawals n people don’t understand what we go through, it’s one of the worst things we will ever go through in our lives. It’s hard to explain to anyone what withdrawals are like unless they’ve gone through them themselves. 

 

The trauma n the panic you feel is very real, but you can help yourself over time to calm yourself down. Check out Claire Weekes. Also, find distractions to help you get through the waves, I love arts, crafts, photography, crosswords etc etc. Even when I’m too numb to enjoy them I still do them to help me get through the day when in waves. I also watch Netflix n DVDs. I’m not a tv watcher.

 

This site will help you too. Try n connect with different ones on here. They are all going through withdrawals. If you’re able to read a little of other people’s journeys too n comment on their sites. It will help you not feel so alone on this journey, because no one understands this journey unless they’ve gone through it or are going through it. 

 

Just take a moment at a time, 

 

Wishing you all the best n sending u lots of hugs🤗

 

Quote

Hi Carmie,

Thank you so much for being so sweet and thoughtful. You are right I know. I will find a way through this. 

It's causing me to really lose my mind at the moment though. 

I am greiving I suppose.

All love to you thanks for reaching out to me. I guess I will get to know a few people on here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
Just now, Lilabella said:

 

 

I have akatheseia very badly it is horrible. 

11 July 2018 3.75mg zopiclone 14 days missed one dose at least doubled one dose 

22 July 2018 2 mg Valium one week ish

30/july/18 quetiapine 25

31/july/2018 quetiapine 100

1/August/2018 quetiapine 200

14/August/2018 quetiapine 100

14/ September /2018 Quetiapine 87.5mg

Not doing so well on this drop. 

many changes up and down as doctors didn't believe me when I said I needed to go slowly down. Withdrawal became impossible to function and I was hospitalised. 

Feb 2021- now  10 mg olanzapine 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
7 minutes ago, Lilabella said:

I have akatheseia very badly it is horrible. 

 

Im so sorry Lillabella, 

 

It’s the worst symptom ever n I really feel for you. I wish I could take away your pain. I get it too in severe waves, I don’t have it at the moment though. 

 

And yes, one can definitely feel like they’re losing their mind with akathisia. I hope it settles soon. 

 

Okay, my brain has left the building now so I’ll say bye, but will chat again soon💚

 

 

 

 

Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0.  2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25.  2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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