Mittenraised: Seroquel tapering from 250MG.

[Mittenraised]

Hello,

 

My story is most likely the same as many here. I am 53 years old; I was off-prescribed Seroquel for a sleeping disorder due to an opioid withdrawal I was having. I had two shoulder surgeries in 2020 and was taking oxycontin for pain, which became a habit, and I had a hell of a time getting off them. My doctor prescribed 300mg of quetiapine XR in April of 2021 to be taken at night. This drug worked great, but I noticed I had memory issues recently and a type of brain fog. The sleep effect was also starting to decrease. I have a job that requires critical thinking, and I felt my cognitive ability was in decline.

 

I went to my physician and asked him to reduce my dose so I could get off this drug. I did some light reading and found how dangerous this stuff is. He decreased my amount to 150mg and said I could jump off in a few weeks. I went a step further and broke the pills down to 75mg and then came off the drug. After almost nine days of no sleep and a myriad of breathing and allergy symptoms, I re-instated to 250mg daily, 125mg at night, and 125mg during the day. (XR type) I found the night dose barely adequate to give me a few hours of sleep. I am starting to level off and get some rest. I settled in at 100mg XR and 25mg IR taken twice, daily. I have severe asthma in the evening, which I have not experienced since childhood. I can only guess this has to do with histamine and the drug’s control over it—a withdrawal side effect due to the reduction in dosage. 

My doctor has no idea how this drug works or how to help me get off it. When I went to see him after the six days of insomnia, he tried to get me to take vraylar and trazodone to get over the quetiapine withdrawal. I read up on vraylar, it has a 500hr half-life, and that scared me. Also, I wouldn’t say I liked the idea of taking two drugs. I may need to find a psychiatrist that understands the drug and can assist me in the tapering process. Thank God I found this website. It comforts me that it is possible to get off these drugs. From what I have absorbed over Christmas break, reading the stories on the message board is that it won’t be easy, and I will have a fair amount of pain and suffering. I can’t fathom taking this poison for the rest of my life. I believe it has taken years off my life already.

 

I pray that my current dose of 250mg, split between 125mg nightly and 125 mg daily, will level me off in a few months so I can begin tapering this drug. I know sleep is paramount right now. I have been suffering and losing sleep which makes it tough to work. I have 11 more years to work, and I can’t afford to lose my job over this. It leaves you in a dark place. I have never experienced this type of depression and despair.

I appreciate your time and consideration. I would value your experience and stories on coming off this drug. How the medical profession can prescribe this for sleep issues is beyond me. Big pharma has its claws in every physician out there. They must line their pocketbooks with money to push this toxic medication.

 

Best regards,

Mitenraised

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Mitenraised.  You're very welcome here.  We're a site for going off psychiatric drugs and, when the time comes, we'll be happy to help you taper off Seroquel.

 

To start, in order for us to give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

For future reference, we recommend tarring by no more than 10% of your current dose every 4 weeks. 

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

This link is specifically about tapering Seroquel.

 

Tips for tapering off quetiapine (Seroquel)

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium (glycinate is a good form) and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.  I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation.  I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us.

[littlebird]

On 1/28/2023 at 6:40 AM, Mittenraised said:

I know sleep is paramount right now. I have been suffering and losing sleep which makes it tough to work. I have 11 more years to work, and I can’t afford to lose my job over this. It leaves you in a dark place. I have never experienced this type of depression and despair.

Welcome! Solidarity, friend. You're in a good place on this site, and you're not alone! Right there with you in the job/sleep/depression issues camp, but I've gotten so much help from the people here already, and hope you will too!

[Mittenraised]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I will work on my signature this weekend in detail.

 

Starting to feel better and kinda level off.  

[Mittenraised]

I have been sleeping decent for over 4 weeks now and feel pretty good overall. I have never suffered from depression before. It's mostly gone, and the anxiety is just a minor issue at this point. 

 

I decided to get started tapering the Seroquel. I dropped the suggested 10% to 225mg on 2/3/2023. I slept fine the first night. Last night was a bit tougher with broken sleep. I woke up several times during the night and found it difficult to get back to sleep. I know I slept because I had vivid dreams. No other symptoms or issues at this point. 

 

The next cut I think I will need a scale. Any suggestions for a decent one?

 

I do have one question about water titration. I read somewhere on this message board that Seroquel mixes with water to a concentration of 3.3mg per ml. What does this mean exactly? Can I mix 25mg of the drug to 25ml of water and achieve a 1mg per ml mixture? I did some searching first on this board and on the internet but couldn't come up with an answer.

 

Again, I am very happy to have found this message board. What a life saver. Thanks to the people that take the time to answer and the folks behind the scenes running it.

 

 

[Mittenraised]

3 day's in on my first 10% taper. A bit of sleep troubles. Not too bad. I'm sure it takes time for things to happen and issues to show up.

 

 

[hayduke]

Hi.  Grats on your first cut.  Hold steady for now.  I usually found it felt good till day 3-4, then I would feel a bit more anxiety etc.  By staying put, you learn the pattern your nervous system usually takes in reacting to a cut.  This prepares you to do it over and over again.

If you are feeling really out of sorts after a couple of weeks, keep holding if you can and see if it abates over the next week or two.

By then, you will know if your cut was too big (10% is a good place to start but is too much for many of us).  After waiting to stabilise and learning how your body reacts when that process is happening, you might consider a 5% cut instead.  Same pattern of observing how you react to it.  If it's a lot easier, you have a good baseline of 5%.  If that goes well for a few rounds, maybe consider 6-7.5%.  Etc, etc.

Lots of help here along the way.  Cheers.

P.S. opiates are addictive, but I would rather have tapered them than this class of stuff.  On the bright side, you are far from alone.

[Mittenraised]

2 hours ago, hayduke said:

Hi.  Grats on your first cut.  Hold steady for now.  I usually found it felt good till day 3-4, then I would feel a bit more anxiety etc.  By staying put, you learn the pattern your nervous system usually takes in reacting to a cut.  This prepares you to do it over and over again.

If you are feeling really out of sorts after a couple of weeks, keep holding if you can and see if it abates over the next week or two.

By then, you will know if your cut was too big (10% is a good place to start but is too much for many of us).  After waiting to stabilise and learning how your body reacts when that process is happening, you might consider a 5% cut instead.  Same pattern of observing how you react to it.  If it's a lot easier, you have a good baseline of 5%.  If that goes well for a few rounds, maybe consider 6-7.5%.  Etc, etc.

Lots of help here along the way.  Cheers.

P.S. opiates are addictive, but I would rather have tapered them than this class of stuff.  On the bright side, you are far from alone.

Thank you. I appreciate any suggestions and information. 

 

I wish I would have known what I was getting into with this drug vs the opiates. 

[FireflyFyte]

On 2/4/2023 at 8:52 AM, Mittenraised said:

The next cut I think I will need a scale. Any suggestions for a decent one?

 

A lot of people use and recommend the Gemini-20 scale which can be found on Amazon.

 

On 2/4/2023 at 8:52 AM, Mittenraised said:

I do have one question about water titration. I read somewhere on this message board that Seroquel mixes with water to a concentration of 3.3mg per ml. What does this mean exactly? Can I mix 25mg of the drug to 25ml of water and achieve a 1mg per ml mixture? I did some searching first on this board and on the internet but couldn't come up with an answer.

 

I am using the water titration method to taper off of Zyprexa/Olanzapine and am putting my 2.5mg into 25ml of water so 10ml = 1mg but don't see why you couldn't do 25mg in 25ml of water but you might need to increase the amount of water so you can more accurately measure the cuts. There is a thread here on tapering Seroquel and think it touches upon a water titration method and think some of the moderators are more savvy than myself in making these calculations.

 

Tapering antipsychotics can be especially difficult but glad you found this site as the community and advice provided are invaluable during a tapering journey. 

[Mittenraised]

Last night was the first night I struggled to fall asleep. I felt alert and unable to doze off. I got maybe 5 hrs sleep total. Overall mentally I feel OK. 

 

I plan to add fish oil and vitamin E to my list of supplements to see if it helps.

 

 

[littlebird]

On 2/7/2023 at 8:30 AM, FireflyFyte said:

On 2/4/2023 at 5:52 AM, Mittenraised said:

The next cut I think I will need a scale. Any suggestions for a decent one?

 

A lot of people use and recommend the Gemini-20 scale which can be found on Amazon.

 

Came here to suggest this! I love my lil Gemini-20, it's great. 

[hayduke]

On 2/8/2023 at 3:30 AM, FireflyFyte said:

I am using the water titration method to taper off of Zyprexa/Olanzapine and am putting my 2.5mg into 25ml of water so 10ml = 1mg but don't see why you couldn't do 25mg in 25ml of water but you might need to increase the amount of water so you can more accurately measure the cuts. There is a thread here on tapering Seroquel and think it touches upon a water titration method and think some of the moderators are more savvy than myself in making these calculations.

 
I noticed some mild effects roughly equivalent to adjusting to a cut when changing the base amount of water to titrate with.

I started with it quite dilute and leaned towards less water for a stronger suspension later on.

It is not a bad idea to keep the maths as simple as possible by just moving a decimal place.  The alternatives aren't always hard, but when it's late and you're tired, simple is great.

[Mittenraised]

1 hour ago, littlebird said:

 

Came here to suggest this! I love my lil Gemini-20, it's great. 

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it. 

[Jeppe]

Hi, 

 

I must recommend the writings of FeralCatman, 

cause he knows so much about this drug, and, he has succeeded in tapering Seroquel to 0. 

I am glad I found this site, as there is valuable information to help us tapering. 

I think your bad night is a sign of withdrawal symptoms. I have them too, and, now I am staying at my current level of ketiapone, waiting these symptoms to turn into milder, before I taper again. I presume this could take some weeks.

 

[Mittenraised]

Update: I leveled off with my first decrease. Sleep is back to 7 hrs. I hope my next cut goes as smooth. March 2nd I'll drop to 202.5MG.

[FeralCatman]

Good to hear this is going alright. Just remember. Slower is faster. Taking your time with this to minimize symptoms will serve you better in the long run. 😉✌️😺😺😺

[Mittenraised]

I dropped to 200mg. It seems to be going fine. Sleep is a bit lighter. Next cut will require some form of liquid titration or scale measurement. Also a switch from XR to IR for one dose.

[Mittenraised]

On 2/28/2023 at 8:46 AM, FeralCatman said:

Good to hear this is going alright. Just remember. Slower is faster. Taking your time with this to minimize symptoms will serve you better in the long run. 😉✌️😺😺😺

Thanks for the reminder/tip. I follow your thread daily. I don't have much to contribute at this point, but I do find this site very helpful and inspiring. 

[Mittenraised]

I dropped to 150 mg a few days ago. Sleep is somewhat broken. I don't feel too bad. I think the harder road will be when I get to the "lower doses". I noticed I wake up often since I made the last cut.

[Mittenraised]

Sleep was hard to get last night. I felt "electric". I hope it passes in a few days.

[Mittenraised]

Almost 4 weeks in on this cut and I am experiencing insomnia and some really bad seasonal allergies or a histamine reaction. Not sure which one, but I'm pretty miserable. I'm going to hang around at this dose and hopefully level off.

[FeralCatman]

13 hours ago, Mittenraised said:

Almost 4 weeks in on this cut and I am experiencing insomnia and some really bad seasonal allergies or a histamine reaction. Not sure which one, but I'm pretty miserable. I'm going to hang around at this dose and hopefully level off.

It's a good choice to hold for a while as sometimes longer holds are needed. 😉✌️😺😺

[Mittenraised]

On 6/20/2023 at 8:09 AM, FeralCatman said:

It's a good choice to hold for a while as sometimes longer holds are needed. 😉✌️😺😺

Thanks for the support! I come here every night to find new information or to get comfort in knowing I'm not alone. 

[Mittenraised]

I'm down to 125 MG. 100 XR and 25 IR. Taper is going slow. I only dropped 6% last month. I really struggle for the first 5 or 6 days with insomnia. The histamine issues have subsided for the most part. I follow feralcatman daily, as his story is very similar to mine. I find his story inspiring. The webpage is wonderful. Without it I would be flying solo with no helpful info. Thanks to the folks behind the scene.

[Mittenraised]

Anyone out there tapering quentipine like I am?

[Mittenraised]

Time to cut again but struggling with sleep. I'm getting a bit nervous about my next cut. Do the smaller doses of quentipine got tougher as I go? Any help would be appreciated. 

[FireflyFyte]

On 10/9/2023 at 3:52 AM, Mittenraised said:

Time to cut again but struggling with sleep. I'm getting a bit nervous about my next cut.

 

If you are not sleeping well, I would hold off on tapering for now until that symptom eases.

 

On 10/9/2023 at 3:52 AM, Mittenraised said:

Do the smaller doses of quentipine got tougher as I go?

 

Often times, people find tapering more difficult at smaller doses.

[Mittenraised]

7 hours ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

If you are not sleeping well, I would hold off on tapering for now until that symptom eases.

 

 

Often times, people find tapering more difficult at smaller doses.

Thank you! 

[Mittenraised]

I'm over 5 weeks since my last taper. Night time is becoming something I almost dread. I am hoping this last cut levels off so I can get back to reducing my dose. I never viewed sleep as a sacred thing, but I sure miss the 8 hour rests I used to get before taking this poison. 

[manymoretodays]

2 hours ago, Mittenraised said:

I'm over 5 weeks since my last taper. Night time is becoming something I almost dread. I am hoping this last cut levels off so I can get back to reducing my dose. I never viewed sleep as a sacred thing, but I sure miss the 8 hour rests I used to get before taking this poison. 

 

Hi Mittenraised!

You are likely at that change over from the Seroquel hitting the dopamine receptors, to it now just affecting the histamine.  Some will taper by less than 10% here.

 

How are you taking your Seroquel?

Is it all at once?  Or split doses with the IR and XR?

Tell us the time, drug name-type-dose

Then again time, drug name-type-dose

 

Why are you dreading night time?  What has changed?

 

Sending sleep-restorative sleep.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

[Mittenraised]

23 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

 

Hi Mittenraised!

You are likely at that change over from the Seroquel hitting the dopamine receptors, to it now just affecting the histamine.  Some will taper by less than 10% here.

 

How are you taking your Seroquel?

Is it all at once?  Or split doses with the IR and XR?

Tell us the time, drug name-type-dose

Then again time, drug name-type-dose

 

Why are you dreading night time?  What has changed?

 

Sending sleep-restorative sleep.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

Hi, I take 100 MG XR at around 7:30 to 8:00 PM. Right before bed, 10ish, I take 25 MG IR along with 420 MG of Magnesium Glycinate. 

 

I have started to dread night time since my sleep patterns changed. This last cut has made falling asleep tough. Some nights I sleep OK, waking in the morning pretty tired and drugged feeling. Other nights sleep is just hard to come by. I am going to hold here until things level off.

 

I went through a spell a while back with some crazy breathing and allergy type issues. I figured it had to do with the taper and the histamine side affect. 

 

Thanks for the info and taking the time to leave a message, I appreciate it. This message board was a life saver when I stumbled upon it. Lots of great information and people.

[manymoretodays]

16 hours ago, Mittenraised said:

I am going to hold here until things level off.

Sounds like a good idea.  And I hope they do level off soon.  Have you been through all the sleep tips?:

Tips to help sleep: so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

I think for me Seroquel didn't mess as much with my sleep when I came off it as Zyprexa did.  Oh man, that was awful.  I give thanks that "some nights sleep is okay" for you.  Try and figure out all the factors that help on those nights so you can repeat them, if possible.  Sleep is so important during this process.

 

Don't be a stranger.  Hard to do this all alone........and so hard to find like minded, or those who "get it", in our own locales sometimes.

 

You're doing really well I think with following a good plan to the finish line.  It's okay to re-adapt your plan as needed.  Good listening to your body!

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Mittenraised]

6 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Sounds like a good idea.  And I hope they do level off soon.  Have you been through all the sleep tips?:

Tips to help sleep: so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

No, I haven't read that. I will tonight. Appreciate the tips.

 

6 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Don't be a stranger.  Hard to do this all alone........and so hard to find like minded, or those who "get it", in our own locales sometimes.

I certainly won't be a stranger. I have been following Feralcatman for a while, I find his story inspiring, but haven't posted much. I am at the point where I need some help and feel blessed I found this site. Thank you!

[Mittenraised]

Well, things leveled off this week so I tapered 10% last night. I hope it's not too soon but I want to be off this damn drug. Praying this one is smooth.

[Mittenraised]

Going well, so far. The insomnia usually pops up a few days after a taper. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[littlebird]

On 1/28/2023 at 6:40 AM, Mittenraised said:

I know sleep is paramount right now. I have been suffering and losing sleep which makes it tough to work. I have 11 more years to work, and I can’t afford to lose my job over this.

On 9/19/2023 at 3:09 PM, Mittenraised said:

Anyone out there tapering quentipine like I am?

Hey friend!!! I'm currently tapering it, it's a helluva drug. Also got the prescription for sleep issues. Currently close to half what I was taking and while sometimes I have sleep issues, I feel better in the mornings on lower doses. Has the insomnia been popping back up for you pretty often?

 

I was put on a new generic for this and the insomnia/nightmares came in hard again. Switched to brand name (3x the price, hard to source with my insurance) and started sleeping like a log. Couldn't source it this month, so about to switch back! Fingers crossed it's all right.

 

On 10/9/2023 at 12:52 AM, Mittenraised said:

Do the smaller doses of quentipine got tougher as I go? Any help would be appreciated.

I think I might have to do some lower cuts, thinking I'll do less than 10% for the next one and then hold for a good while and work on some of the other drugs I'm on. Every time I cut Seroquel the side effects of the other meds I'm on get more intense, it's a complicated puzzle.

 

Hope this latest cut treats you all right! Good sign that you're sleeping well so far, hopefully that keeps up.