senseless: tapering off 25mg Seroquel/quetiapine after being on it for a month

[senseless]

17 hours ago, Shep said:

 

Not necessarily. Many drugs are not soluable in water, so you're making a suspension, not a solution. But as long as you're being consistent with how you're making your suspension and making small batches that you use quickly, you may do just fine. In fact, your improved sleep is a great sign of this. 

 

Good point i will continue with water taper, consistency is the key!

17 hours ago, Shep said:

No, not at all. If you'd kindled yourself, you wouldn't have seen such rapid improvements. 

 Ok yeah you're right i am improving, i need to be positive!

 

Thank you for all the advise shep, i appreciate it so much.

 

Apologies for being so taxing on you lately, just this whole thing is so frightening and just want make sure i'm doing the right thing. 

 

I will check in and again in about week

[senseless]

Hello Update time,

 

I have created a graph of my sleep time since reinstating on 14/02/2020

 

 

 

As you can see i have been averaging 6 hours the past week or so, I would of expected to see my sleep to return to at least 7 hours by now.

 

I'm not sure why i'm not seeing any more improvements. Is this a result of my CT? Or my inconsistent dosing?

 

I'm starting to feel very fatigued during the day and my cognitive abilities are deteriorating. 

 

Should i up dose? Or hold?

 

Can you please offer your thoughts @Altostrata @Shep

[Shep]

6 hours ago, senseless said:

As you can see i have been averaging 6 hours the past week or so, I would of expected to see my sleep to return to at least 7 hours by now.

 

Unfortunately, there's no reliable timeline to measure when your sleep will return to what it was prior to your nervous system being destabilized. 

 

6 hours ago, senseless said:

Should i up dose? Or hold?

 

You could try a small updose. There's no guarantee, so I wouldn't updose more than 10% of what you're currently taking. 

 

Or you could hold for a couple more weeks and see if your sleep gets more stable.

 

With all that's going on in the world, make sure you're eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, avoiding screens and the news in the evening, and working on some non-drug coping skills to get you through. Anything you can do to calm your nervous system will be helpful.

 

Are you taking any supplements? Gridley posted the links for magnesium and fish oil in his post here on your thread. 

 

Instead of updosing, you might add in a small amount of magnesium in the evenings, if you're not already doing so. 

 

Are you still taking melatonin? If so, what dose are you taking now? 

[senseless]

41 minutes ago, Shep said:

You could try a small updose. There's no guarantee, so I wouldn't updose more than 10% of what you're currently taking. 

 

Or you could hold for a couple more weeks and see if your sleep gets more stable.

 

Yeah i guess it is a roll of the dice

 

I can continue holding it is uncomfortable but manageable, maybe ill hold for two more weeks if no improvement updose?
 

45 minutes ago, Shep said:

Are you taking any supplements? Gridley posted the links for magnesium and fish oil in his post here on your thread. 

 

Instead of updosing, you might add in a small amount of magnesium in the evenings, if you're not already doing so. 

No supplements, i have these magnesium tables would they be ok? https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/71441/ethical-nutrients-megazorb-mega-magnesium-120-tablets 
 

 

48 minutes ago, Shep said:

Are you still taking melatonin? If so, what dose are you taking now? 

Still taking melotonin slowly tapering down to half a tablet. 

[Shep]

25 minutes ago, senseless said:

Still taking melotonin slowly tapering down to half a tablet. 

 

How much is half a tablet? Please list the dose size that you are taking. 

 

26 minutes ago, senseless said:

No supplements, i have these magnesium tables would they be ok? https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/71441/ethical-nutrients-megazorb-mega-magnesium-120-tablets 

 

That has additional vitamins in it (B6, Zinc, etc). We don't recommend adding in these types of multi-vitamin complexes. If you have a reaction, you won't know if it's from the B6, the Zinc, or any of the other additions. And the amount of magnesium in that particular form is 500 mg, which is far too high to start out with. I would find something that's just magnesium. In the first post in the magnesium link, Alto recommends starting at 25 mg and working your way up. You can get 100 mg pills and divide it up. Magnesium comes in either capsule form with powder or you can break up the pill form. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

 

It's much better to start slow and work your way up, letting your symptoms tell you the right dose for you. 

 

Please let us know how you do. 

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

13 hours ago, senseless said:

I would of expected to see my sleep to return to at least 7 hours by now.

 

Why would you expect that? When we say slow recovery, we mean SLOW. Your graph is great, let's see what it looks like in 6 months.

 

13 hours ago, senseless said:

I'm starting to feel very fatigued during the day and my cognitive abilities are deteriorating. 

 

When did this symptom start? What times of day do you take quetiapine, what times of day do you get this symptom?

 

Quetiapine commonly causes fatigue and foggy brain. What may be happening is that your nervous system is settling down, it's not as activated by withdrawal as before, and it is being affected in a very typical way by quetiapine. Or, your nervous system is settling down and it's getting tired in a normal way.

 

Let's discuss this before you make any dosage changes.

[senseless]

19 hours ago, Shep said:

 

How much is half a tablet? Please list the dose size that you are taking. 

 

 

Sorry im tapering 2mg of circadin. I'll keep it in my sig going foward. 

 

19 hours ago, Shep said:

That has additional vitamins in it (B6, Zinc, etc). We don't recommend adding in these types of multi-vitamin complexes. If you have a reaction, you won't know if it's from the B6, the Zinc, or any of the other additions. And the amount of magnesium in that particular form is 500 mg, which is far too high to start out with. I would find something that's just magnesium. In the first post in the magnesium link, Alto recommends starting at 25 mg and working your way up. You can get 100 mg pills and divide it up. Magnesium comes in either capsule form with powder or you can break up the pill form. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

 

It's much better to start slow and work your way up, letting your symptoms tell you the right dose for you. 

 

Please let us know how you do. 

 

 

 

 

Ok thanks shep, i have gone to my local chemist and purchased the smallest available dose: https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/59772/swisse-ultiboost-magnesium-60-tablets?rcid=1416

 

I will take half initially, do you think that is ok?

[senseless]

14 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

Why would you expect that? When we say slow recovery, we mean SLOW. Your graph is great, let's see what it looks like in 6 months.

 

I suppose i'm basing it off the following facts:

 

1. Was only on Quetiapine for a month

 

2. I saw my sleep return to 7 hours a few times initially

 

3. Other peoples stabilisation timelines

 

Are you suggesting i may need to hold for an additional 6 months?

 

14 hours ago, Altostrata said:

When did this symptom start? What times of day do you take quetiapine, what times of day do you get this symptom?

 

Quetiapine commonly causes fatigue and foggy brain. What may be happening is that your nervous system is settling down, it's not as activated by withdrawal as before, and it is being affected in a very typical way by quetiapine. Or, your nervous system is settling down and it's getting tired in a normal way.

 

Let's discuss this before you make any dosage changes.

 

Since the 22nd. I take Quetiapine at around 11:30pm and then tend to feel fatigued from 12pm-5pm the following day.

 

It tends to be amplified depending on sleep quality from previous night

[Erell]

9 minutes ago, senseless said:

 

I suppose i'm basing it off the following facts:

 

1. Was only on Quetiapine for a month

 

2. I saw my sleep return to 7 hours a few times initially

 

3. Other peoples stabilisation timelines

 

Are you suggesting i may need to hold for an additional 6 months?

 

hello, 

 

- unfortunately, there is no such pattern in WD : you can't predict your symptoms evolution based on others journey. Every journey is individual, there's no "universal rule".

 

- Altostrata didn't mean that you will have to hold 6 months, she meant that you will have to hold until your CNS stabilise : this can take a long time, and nobody can predict a timeframe.

Improvments are often very slow and very gradual.

 

It seems that you already see great improvments, you will be fine

 

Take care ❤️

 

[Shep]

1 hour ago, senseless said:

Ok thanks shep, i have gone to my local chemist and purchased the smallest available dose: https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/59772/swisse-ultiboost-magnesium-60-tablets?rcid=1416

 

I will take half initially, do you think that is ok?

 

Yes, that one looks better. 

 

It's 150 mg, so you could divide it into 4 pieces for 37.5 mg each. You may want to do that first to make sure you don't have an adverse reaction to it. You can then increase. 

 

59 minutes ago, Erell said:

Improvments are often very slow and very gradual.

 

I'm going to "ditto" what Erell wisely wrote. 

 

It's a gradual journey, but you will get there, senseless.

 

Let us know how you do with the magnesium. 

[Shep]

2 hours ago, senseless said:

Sorry im tapering 2mg of circadin. I'll keep it in my sig going foward. 

 

No worries. Where are you at now in your melatonin taper? 

[Altostrata]

9 hours ago, senseless said:

Are you suggesting i may need to hold for an additional 6 months?

 

Could be. Your sleep should very gradually improve, if you don't do anything to get in its way. You seem to be doing pretty well in terms of withdrawal syndrome. See

 

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

 

Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration

 

Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

What is the sleep cycle?

 

Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

 

We won't know how long it takes until you get there.

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Are We There Yet? How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take?

 

"Is it always going to be like this?"

 

The importance of recognizing you're feeling good

 

Progress! What withdrawal symptoms have gone away for you?

 

9 hours ago, senseless said:

Since the 22nd. I take Quetiapine at around 11:30pm and then tend to feel fatigued from 12pm-5pm the following day.

 

It tends to be amplified depending on sleep quality from previous night

 

Do you mean you feel more tired the next day when you don't sleep as well the prior night? That sounds normal to me.

 

How bad is this fatigue? Do you do anything or ingest anything regularly in the morning?

[senseless]

On 3/26/2020 at 4:31 PM, Erell said:

 

hello, 

 

- unfortunately, there is no such pattern in WD : you can't predict your symptoms evolution based on others journey. Every journey is individual, there's no "universal rule".

 

- Altostrata didn't mean that you will have to hold 6 months, she meant that you will have to hold until your CNS stabilise : this can take a long time, and nobody can predict a timeframe.

Improvments are often very slow and very gradual.

 

It seems that you already see great improvments, you will be fine

 

Take care ❤️

 

 

Thankyou for the support and kind words ❤️

On 3/26/2020 at 6:09 PM, Shep said:

 

No worries. Where are you at now in your melatonin taper? 

 

I am at about half now, so 1mg. 

[senseless]

On 3/27/2020 at 2:10 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Could be. Your sleep should very gradually improve, if you don't do anything to get in its way. You seem to be doing pretty well in terms of withdrawal syndrome. See

 

I hope it does improve im starting to lose hope that it will. Why do you think im doing well?

 

I'm trying not to catastrophize, but i feel my situation is pretty bleak i have began suicidal ideation.

 

On 3/27/2020 at 2:10 AM, Altostrata said:

Do you mean you feel more tired the next day when you don't sleep as well the prior night? That sounds normal to me.

 

Yeah there is a direct correlation between my sleep and fatigue. 

 

On 3/27/2020 at 2:10 AM, Altostrata said:

How bad is this fatigue? Do you do anything or ingest anything regularly in the morning?

 

Bad i find it very hard/impossible to do anything that requires concentration. I'm basically a zombie during 12pm-5pm. 

 

I dont eat breakfast and stay in bed until 11am. 

[Shep]

5 hours ago, senseless said:

Bad i find it very hard/impossible to do anything that requires concentration. I'm basically a zombie during 12pm-5pm. 

 

I dont eat breakfast and stay in bed until 11am. 

 

You may want to get up and eat breakfast. Something healthy with plenty of protein and low in sugar. 

 

Low blood sugar from not eating can mimic withdrawal, including fatigue, suicidal ideation, anxiety, etc. 

 

During withdrawal, it's especially important to fuel your brain / body. 

 

5 hours ago, senseless said:

I am at about half now, so 1mg. 

 

Please update your signature. A direct link is here:

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

5 hours ago, senseless said:

I'm trying not to catastrophize, but i feel my situation is pretty bleak i have began suicidal ideation.

 

When did this start? Right now, most of the world is in an anxiety-filled state due to the corona virus and the collateral damage, such as unemployment and the need to socially isolate. If this is a new symptom for you or it's gotten worse in the past couple of weeks, please try to gage how much of this is situational and how much is strictly from your taper.

 

This can be hard to tell. Just knowing you're not alone in the world with bleak thoughts may be helpful. 

 

Your sleep has improved lately. This is good, even if some of the other symptoms are stronger now. 

 

Hang in there, senseless. 

 

And first thing in the morning, eat something nutritious and see if that doesn't set you up for a better day. 

[Altostrata]

Suicidal ideation is not a virus that jumps on you and makes you sick. It's a thought passing through your mind. You can hold onto it or you can shrug and let it go.

 

When people are miserable, it's normal for them to think of all kinds of solutions to their problems. Doing away with oneself is only one possible, though drastic, solution. If you don't care to think about it, just wave it away.

[senseless]

On 3/28/2020 at 8:15 PM, Shep said:

When did this start? Right now, most of the world is in an anxiety-filled state due to the corona virus and the collateral damage, such as unemployment and the need to socially isolate. If this is a new symptom for you or it's gotten worse in the past couple of weeks, please try to gage how much of this is situational and how much is strictly from your taper.

 

This can be hard to tell. Just knowing you're not alone in the world with bleak thoughts may be helpful. 

 

Your sleep has improved lately. This is good, even if some of the other symptoms are stronger now. 

 

Hang in there, senseless. 

 

And first thing in the morning, eat something nutritious and see if that doesn't set you up for a better day. 

 

It started two weeks ago and is becoming progressively worse. 

 

To endure what could potentially be years of suffering, whilst watching my relationships/career/potential/brain all slowly deteriorate. For only the possibility of recovering.

 

I don't think i have the strength for that.I'm already getting tired of fighting this battle. I just want peace.

 

How did you find the strength to keep fighting?

[senseless]

 

On 3/30/2020 at 5:33 AM, Altostrata said:

Suicidal ideation is not a virus that jumps on you and makes you sick. It's a thought passing through your mind. You can hold onto it or you can shrug and let it go.

 

When people are miserable, it's normal for them to think of all kinds of solutions to their problems. Doing away with oneself is only one possible, though drastic, solution. If you don't care to think about it, just wave it away.

 

What if that solution seems more and more to be your best option. How do you convince yourself otherwise.

 

Can you please tell me what kept you going when you were in protracted withdrawal for all those years?

[Shep]

33 minutes ago, senseless said:

I don't think i have the strength for that.I'm already getting tired of fighting this battle. I just want peace.

 

26 minutes ago, senseless said:

What if that solution seems more and more to be your best option. How do you convince yourself otherwise.

 

As an online forum, we don't have the resources to help people who are in crisis states. If you're feeling unsafe, please reach out for in-person support. You can do this by phone, by Skype, etc. during this time of social distancing. 

 

For those who are feeling desperate or suicidal

 

Petnunia lists several that are in Australia in her post here:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7619-for-those-who-are-feeling-desperate-or-suicidal/?tab=comments#comment-112455

 

These feelings pass, senseless. That's how I dealt with them. Finding distractions through movies, video games, going for walks, etc. Anything to take my mind off my thoughts for awhile. If you can see suicidal ideation as nothing more than intrusive thoughts that you need to ignore, you can simply ignore them and find a distraction to get you through it.

 

Also, make sure you're eating nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water because low blood sugar and dehydration can make these kinds of thoughts much worse. 

[Altostrata]

7 hours ago, senseless said:

 

 

What if that solution seems more and more to be your best option. How do you convince yourself otherwise.

 

Can you please tell me what kept you going when you were in protracted withdrawal for all those years?

 

If you want to convince yourself otherwise, you've already decided it's not your best option. Wave it away.

 

If you feel you cannot control your thoughts, please do find person-to-person support, as Shep advised.

 

I did a lot of meditative breathing to get through PAWS, plus change the channel and helping others.

[senseless]

16 hours ago, Shep said:

 

 

As an online forum, we don't have the resources to help people who are in crisis states. If you're feeling unsafe, please reach out for in-person support. You can do this by phone, by Skype, etc. during this time of social distancing. 

 

For those who are feeling desperate or suicidal

 

Petnunia lists several that are in Australia in her post here:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7619-for-those-who-are-feeling-desperate-or-suicidal/?tab=comments#comment-112455

 

These feelings pass, senseless. That's how I dealt with them. Finding distractions through movies, video games, going for walks, etc. Anything to take my mind off my thoughts for awhile. If you can see suicidal ideation as nothing more than intrusive thoughts that you need to ignore, you can simply ignore them and find a distraction to get you through it.

 

Also, make sure you're eating nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water because low blood sugar and dehydration can make these kinds of thoughts much worse. 

 

Thankyou for the links i think i will look into contacting them.

 

Also thankyou once again for your care, compassion and allowing me to feel im not alone. 

 

It really is helping me so much to keep pressing on. 

 

[senseless]

9 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

If you want to convince yourself otherwise, you've already decided it's not your best option. Wave it away.

 

If you feel you cannot control your thoughts, please do find person-to-person support, as Shep advised.

 

I did a lot of meditative breathing to get through PAWS, plus change the channel and helping others.

 

 

Ok ill wave them away and be strong. Thankyou alto. 

[senseless]

Update.

 

The last three nights i have had terrible sleep as you can see below (3-4hours).

 

 

I have no idea why this is happening. Quetiapine also no longer makes me drowsy.

 

I have couple theories as to why:

 

1. I have been keeping the quetiapine tablets in the fridge since 13/03/2020.  Could this be affecting the potency?

 

2. Im experiencing poop out

 

3. This is just a wave. 

 

Can you please offer your thoughts

 

@Altostrata @Shep

 

 

 

[Shep]

7 hours ago, senseless said:

1. I have been keeping the quetiapine tablets in the fridge since 13/03/2020.  Could this be affecting the potency?

 

This is what you posted back on March 13th: 

 

On 3/13/2020 at 3:17 AM, senseless said:

I also just realised according to the above thread, Seroquel is "most likely stable mixed with water for 24 hours". 

 

When you started doing this, you experienced better sleep for awhile. So if you haven't changed the way you're making a batch, what you're dealing with could be a wave.

 

You don't need to post any specifics if you don't want to, senseless, but are you affected by any self-isolating measures due to the corona virus pandemic? Are you no longer going to work now? You mention working as a bartender, and a lot of bars and restaurants are now closed, so if you aren't able to work now, please know you're not alone, as millions of people are now dealing with this. 

[Altostrata]

15 hours ago, senseless said:

1. I have been keeping the quetiapine tablets in the fridge since 13/03/2020.  Could this be affecting the potency?

 

2. Im experiencing poop out

 

3. This is just a wave. 

 

How old are your tablets? If they're very old, they may lose potency. Please confer with your pharmacist about your batch of tablets.

 

Most likely, you are experiencing a wave. Surf the waves.

 

It might be better for you not to focus so intensely on the amount of sleep you're getting. Variations seems to make you anxious. Getting around 5 hours of sleep a night is pretty good for stabilizing after cold turkey.

 

You can disrupt your sleep cycle if, perhaps, you have been binging Netflix until 3 a.m., or if you're not getting enough exercise because you're sheltering in place. A heat wave can cause sleeplessness. Can you recall anything that might have disrupted your sleep recently? Are you keeping regular sleep-wake hours?

 

You can strengthen your sleep with various small habit changes, see

 

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

 

Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration

 

Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

What is the sleep cycle?

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

 

 

[senseless]

On 4/2/2020 at 7:39 PM, Shep said:

 

This is what you posted back on March 13th: 

 

 

When you started doing this, you experienced better sleep for awhile. So if you haven't changed the way you're making a batch, what you're dealing with could be a wave.

 

You don't need to post any specifics if you don't want to, senseless, but are you affected by any self-isolating measures due to the corona virus pandemic? Are you no longer going to work now? You mention working as a bartender, and a lot of bars and restaurants are now closed, so if you aren't able to work now, please know you're not alone, as millions of people are now dealing with this. 

 

Hi Shep, i haven't changed the method of creating my batch since the 13th.

 

I am concerned that storing all of my pills in the fridge has compromised the potency, according to this website quetiapine needs be stored between 15-30 degrees celsius https://www.healthline.com/health/quetiapine-oral-tablet#importantconsiderations.

 

Though on my specific medication it only states 'keep under 30 degrees celsius', so i dont know medication management is so stressful :(.

 

No corona virus hasnt had any affect on my mental health honestly , im only working one day a week now which i prefer i couldnt handle anymore.

 

I hope you are doing ok over there, the US corona numbers are quite frightening. 

[Shep]

You can store tablets in a cabinet. No need to refrigerate. 

 

Please don't stress out over medication management. 

 

Not having a regular routine can also affect sleep. Are you able to get out for a walk every day?

[RusTW]

Good day to you my friend. I am responding to your p.m. question. I would hold at your dose and stop monkeying around with liquid and tablets. I see that your sleep has improved already .so you are headed towards stabilizing. Keep in mind there's a reason why you started taking the tablets. In the meantime work on yourself and don't Focus so much on sleeping.

Accepting the situation and learning to live in it in a positive light will make it a lot easier for you and will improve your sleep and better your life.

Seroquel is a potent drug.Be careful.hold and move slow on your taper.

I'm here if you need help

Russ

 

[senseless]

 

On 4/3/2020 at 3:04 AM, Altostrata said:

 

How old are your tablets? If they're very old, they may lose potency. Please confer with your pharmacist about your batch of tablets.

 

Most likely, you are experiencing a wave. Surf the waves.

 

It might be better for you not to focus so intensely on the amount of sleep you're getting. Variations seems to make you anxious. Getting around 5 hours of sleep a night is pretty good for stabilizing after cold turkey.

 

You can disrupt your sleep cycle if, perhaps, you have been binging Netflix until 3 a.m., or if you're not getting enough exercise because you're sheltering in place. A heat wave can cause sleeplessness. Can you recall anything that might have disrupted your sleep recently? Are you keeping regular sleep-wake hours?

 

You can strengthen your sleep with various small habit changes, see

 

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

 

Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration

 

Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

What is the sleep cycle?

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

 

 

 

Hi Alto,

 

My tablets were quite new less than a month.

 

I managed to get my hands on a new batch and my sleep is back up to 5-6 hours, do you think this means my old tablets were compromised?

 

I realise itsbad to hyper focus on my sleep, but i feel its the best indicator of my progress and all my other symptoms align with it. 

 

I go to sleep the same time every night and run everyday. I do watch movies till an hour or two before bed but surely that shouldnt be too impactful?

[Shep]

37 minutes ago, senseless said:

I do watch movies till an hour or two before bed but surely that shouldnt be too impactful?

 

What kind of movies? If they are stimulating like action or horror movies, they may be rattling your nervous system before bed. 

 

38 minutes ago, senseless said:

I managed to get my hands on a new batch and my sleep is back up to 5-6 hours, do you think this means my old tablets were compromised?

 

It sounds like you may have been storing them improperly, so this could very well be. 

 

Glad your sleep is better. 

[senseless]

11 minutes ago, Shep said:

 

What kind of movies? If they are stimulating like action or horror movies, they may be rattling your nervous system before bed. 

 

 

It sounds like you may have been storing them improperly, so this could very well be. 

 

Glad your sleep is better. 

Yes lots of actions movies, ill try to stay off them then.

 

Yeah i thought that was the case, im so kindled now then.

 

This is the second time now where i have gone up and down in doses unintentionally  Im screwed, There is no hope for me

 

My sleep isn't better its worse. I sleep about the same amount but it is very fractured and my depression is at an all time high.

 

Everyday i'm fighting ideas of suicide and i'm losing hope of things every getting better

[Shep]

Please work on self care, senseless. You're watching action movies, which rev up the nervous system, and then complaining that you're not sleeping well.

 

Try listening to some podcasts in the evenings. Some relaxations and guided meditations. Read a calming book or collection of short stories or poetry. Watch videos of silly pets. Anything that's gentle on the nervous system. 

 

It's important that you put some work into this. You went on this drug for insomnia, so it's important that you not conflate the original problem with withdrawal,  think that simply coming off the drug will fix the problem you had before you went on the drug, or worse, convince yourself you're kindled and doomed for life. 

 

Sorry to sound so mean, senseless, but I'm concerned that you're waiting for time and tapering to fix something instead of being more proactive in your recovery. 

 

You have a lot of time on your hands during a difficult lockdown situation, so please make your time count. 

 

I'll get you started with something positive and calming to read. This is from a benzo withdrawal website, but it's true for any kind of psych  drug. Just replace the word "benzo" with the word "quetiapine." 

 

Benzo Lies That Have Been Busted

 

 

[senseless]

I agree i need to avoid doing those things, but they are only the small bits of joy i get out of life at the moment. I always make sure to read for an hour before bed.

 

I appreciate so much what you are saying and you have been the most supportive person to me throughout this process thus far. Both on SA and real life..'i will put them into practise. 

 

But do you really believe i can heal. After witnessing everything you have seen on this site?

 

I know you are probably so sick of this question, but i am really desperate shep please just be honest.

 

To my own detriment I have spent alot of time reading peoples stories on this site and i do believe people heal, most people honestly but only in specific circumstances.

 

Cting and kindling is something i have not seen someone recover from yet. 

 

I'm begging you please if you have an example of someone with similar circumstances that healed. It would give me the strength to keep fighting. 

 

Please.

 

 

[Shep]

Okay, senseless, you're asking for honesty. 

 

You're on a low dose of Seroquel, never taking anything more than 25 mg. Seroquel at this low a dose is not functioning as an antipsychotic. It's functioning as an anti-histamine. At this low a dose, it's similar to taking Benadryl.

 

You really think you're screwed for life for taking something comparable to Benadryl for a few months?

 

If you check out the success stories, you'll see people who've come off large cocktails of drugs taken for years and have gone onto heal. 

 

Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, get some exercise every day, develop some non-drug coping skills - and make them habits - and you'll be fine. 

 

You may want to look into doing a mindfulness course. This one is an 8-week course for free and it's available online:

 

Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

 

It's broken down into steps for each week. Might be worth checking out while you've got so much time on your hands. The information includes the research about how mindfulness meditation actually rewires the brain. 

 

That's great for kindling. 

[Altostrata]

10 hours ago, senseless said:

I managed to get my hands on a new batch and my sleep is back up to 5-6 hours, do you think this means my old tablets were compromised?

 

I think it's more likely you had a wave, probably from watching Netflx too late at night.

 

What is your usual sleep schedule?

[senseless]

On 4/7/2020 at 7:41 PM, Shep said:

Okay, senseless, you're asking for honesty. 

 

You're on a low dose of Seroquel, never taking anything more than 25 mg. Seroquel at this low a dose is not functioning as an antipsychotic. It's functioning as an anti-histamine. At this low a dose, it's similar to taking Benadryl.

 

You really think you're screwed for life for taking something comparable to Benadryl for a few months?

 

If you check out the success stories, you'll see people who've come off large cocktails of drugs taken for years and have gone onto heal. 

 

Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, get some exercise every day, develop some non-drug coping skills - and make them habits - and you'll be fine. 

 

You may want to look into doing a mindfulness course. This one is an 8-week course for free and it's available online:

 

Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

 

It's broken down into steps for each week. Might be worth checking out while you've got so much time on your hands. The information includes the research about how mindfulness meditation actually rewires the brain. 

 

That's great for kindling. 

 

Thankyou for you honest opinion Shep, it makes me feel a little bit better about my situation.

 

You are right Seroquel at the dose and timeframe i was on it i should be ok. But what about the fact that i ct'd? Honestly it seems most people here who have problems here are those who ct'd.

 

I'm also seeing no improvements, If anything i feel worse than i did 2 months ago when i initially reinstated.

 

I really want to stay hopeful that things will get better, but they way things are going its really hard to be.