Dee Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 My pdoc told me nothing can be done about the congestion Seroquel causes. I find it makes my breathing laboured as well, almost like I have athsma, which I don't. Does anyone else have this problem? I find Benadryl helps, but I'm not sure taking Benadryl every night on top of everything else is a great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Are you talking about sinus congestion or bronchial? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 17, 2006 Author Share Posted October 17, 2006 Both, I think but predominantly sinus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Ok.. I've been an allergy sufferer for years w/ chronic bronchitis so.. Benadryl helps mainly with the runny-nose type stuff and allergic reactions. If you want to go the pill route, something like tavist-D or Drixoral would probably work better without interfering with any of your meds. You just need to make sure the med has a decongestant in it to clear up your sinus airways. Sometimes these meds will make you dowsy, but that's really it. There's also alot of nasal sprays you could try, both over-the-counter and Rx. Those would work to address the particular problem w/o having to worry about yet another med. OTC, you could try Afrin for the congestion, or even just a vicks vapor inhaler (it's in a little tube like chapstick - you just open it in inhale). Rx, Nasonex helped me the most.. I would take care of the sinus situation first. That will make the most difference on the congestion. If, after that's cleared up, you still have problems; I know there's an OTC inhaler you could try (never used that).. or your doc could give you an albuterol inhaler to use. That will take care of any bronchial congestion you might have. Hope that helps.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Dee, you have my sympathy, I have the similar difficulties because I have asthma and allergies. Checking the PI sheets, I find no significant reported side effects for Seroquel, or gabapentin or Lithium. Lamictal has reports of double the rate of placebo for cough, rhinitis, pharyngitis. Despite that lithium doesn't cause congestion, I have found a correlation. That is that I need to work hard to stay hydrated. The PI sheet says you need to drink 2.5 - 3 quarts of water a day, which I have to force. Often I will take my med in the evening and not drink water water afterwards, and then find myself terribly congested. My suggestion is to try adjusting your scheduling, or splitting the doses, taking half morning/eve. Drink lots of water. LOTS. Both lithium and lamictal both have effects on the muscular system, so it's not unreasonable that they could affect breathing a bit, even though the PI sheet doesn't mention it. I too think that they seem to make my diaphragm more tense, which makes it slightly more labored. When I started lamictal I immediatly started having jaw clenching and stiffness. One other consideration, you may have allergies you don't recognize, such as dust mite allergy, which would be worst when laying down. Try washing all your bedclothes in hot water with lots of detergent. Get a new pillow, or put a plastic or dust mite cover on the pillow, and a plastic mattress cover. You may need to talk to your GP and try one of the allergy meds like claritin or allegra and a steroid nasal spray. good luck. a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 17, 2006 Author Share Posted October 17, 2006 The thing is, it's really obvious that it's not an allergy to anything else because it only occurs 30-60 minutes after taking Seroquel, and is gone by morning. I only experienced this when I started Seroquel, which rules out lithium or gaba. I started Seroquel before Lamictal, so again it has to be the Seroquel. My pdoc confirmed that it is a common side effect with antipsychotics. It's not on my PI sheet either though. I will try drinking even more water. I feel like I'm swishing already, LOL. Cetkat, I have tried saline nasal spray - nothing, Otravin - yeah baby! Too bad it's horribly addicting. My Vicks stick is right next to me, but not really very helpful. The steroid nasals sprays and inhalers are a possibility. I will ask my GP when I see her. I haven't seen an OTC inhaler, but it might be worth a look at the drugstore. Am I some kind of a freak with this side effect? Pdoc says it's common but I haven't noticed anyone complaining about it. *snort* Dee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 NO! stay away from the steroid sinus drugs. They'll wreak havoc with your moods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 17, 2006 Author Share Posted October 17, 2006 What? I used Flonaise for many years. They say it doesn't really get into your bloodstream to wreak any havoc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Dee, I misunderstood, in your first post you said that your pdoc denied seroquel could have that effect, and now you say he agrees. If so, then don't fret any further about whether it does or doesn't. The one other explanation for seroquel causing it, is the sedating effect of seroquel, which could cause your diaphram to not be as strong. Along with that is that the muscles in your pharynx and throat coud be collapsing a bit too, increasing resistance, and may even be causing some apnea or hypopnea after you are asleep. A while back I worked thru the numbers of how much steroid is absorbed and it is incredibly small compared to even a low dose of oral prednisone for allergies. There are cautions for steroid eye drops, but I don't recall any for nasal sprays. We have a couple members who have had depression from eye drops but none from nasal sprays, that I recall. There is a wide selection of nasal sprays with various steroids of different actions and strengths. a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 17, 2006 Author Share Posted October 17, 2006 No, a.m. my pdoc said it was a common side effect, but there was nothing that could be done about it, treatment wise. I figure there must be something out there to relieve it though. The diaphram and pharynx explanation makes sense in explaning the laboured breathing. Do you think that should be of concern? It sounds scary. I snore like a bear, so I think I do have apnea, but only when I take Seroquel. I used steriod eye drops for months when I had a corneal ulcer and it didn't affect my mood and I think I am fine the steroid nasal sprays. It's worth trying anyways. It's better than nasal crack, I mean Otravin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 When you say labored breathing, is it bothersome only when you are awake? Apnea is a possiblity. Do you wake up refreshed? Or more exhausted than when you went to bed? Do you wake up with a headache? Do you wake up with sore arm and leg muscles or cramping? Do you have trouble staying awake during the day? Do you fall asleep during meetings, classes, when you sit quietly or while driving? Those are some symptoms of obstructed breathing, none of which causes nasal congestion. However, nasal and pharyngeal congestion worsens sleep apnea. I have to work hard every night to be sure my nose is as clear as possible. a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 17, 2006 Author Share Posted October 17, 2006 The laboured breathing is only bothersome after the Seroquel kicks in, when I am still awake. My quality of sleep seems great. I wake up refreshed and well rested. I don't have any of the side effects you mention, so it's probably not apnea then. I don't think my breathing is obstructed. It just feels more like an effort. If I focus and try deep breathing exercises, I can still do them. It's feels like I have a brick on my chest making it more difficult, if that makes any sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 How long have you been on the Seroquel? I got that 'brick on chest' feeling when my serotonin levels got too high too quickly. It went away in a few days though once I got used to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Libby Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Dee, does this mean your pdoc answered your email? What did he say about Lith? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemonflavor Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Dee sinus congestion happened to me on Seroquel. Trazodone does the same thing (and Viagra sshhhh). My breathing wasn't labored. Just made me stuffed up and made me sound like I had a cold when I talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 17, 2006 Author Share Posted October 17, 2006 CetKat, it's been around a month and a half I think on Seroquel. Lemon, you know what I'm talking about then. You always get the freaky weird side effects too. Maybe I'm just so plugged up that my breathing "feels" laboured but it's just congestion? I'm going to discuss it with my pdoc. No Lib, haven't heard back from him yet. We discussed the nasal congestion last appointment but not the breathing part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 I stand corrected. Sorry, I just have an automatic scream function whenever I see the word "steroid". Dee, are you still going to see your GP this week? Maybe she can at least help with the congestion until you see Dr Frankenstein. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 18, 2006 Author Share Posted October 18, 2006 I haven't made an appointment yet, because I have all the appts I can deal with. Probably next week. She'll give me flonaise and maybe a puffer to try. I had one once when I had bronchitis and it really clears the passages. Of course I *should* just quit smoking and maybe I wouldn't have these problems. Easier said than done though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 "just" quit smoking. ha. You have way too much on your plate without taking that on board right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilie Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 I never had allergies or bronchial problems but I did have laboured breathing on Seroquel. Definitely. I'd be trying to walk up the hills in S.F. to get to my friends house and would have to take a break at every corner. I used to fly up those hills. I'm not a smoker and didn't have sinus problems. My doc said it was a side effect too. Every time I go off I get my breath back. It's weird. lilie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Libby Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 I just have an automatic scream function whenever I see the word "steroid". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehygon Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I used to take seroquel for sleep, and I think I know what you mean about the nasal thing. It didn't feel like congestion to me so much as my nose almost being closed off. It bothered me greatly, so I tried to blow my nose a lot, but tehre was just nothing there. It was almost like the holes were swollen shut. I don't have any tricks though, to make it better, sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 19, 2006 Author Share Posted October 19, 2006 I used to take seroquel for sleep, and I think I know what you mean about the nasal thing. It didn't feel like congestion to me so much as my nose almost being closed off. It bothered me greatly, so I tried to blow my nose a lot, but tehre was just nothing there. It was almost like the holes were swollen shut. I don't have any tricks though, to make it better, sorry Yep, that's how it is. I tried last night a saline spray to stir things up and then blew and blew until my ears almost exploded. Ah, but to no avail, 40 mins after taking Seroquel I'm plugged like a drain full of hairballs. I really like crack Otravin. It works like a charm. Too bad it's addictive, *sigh*. Question to any of you who are prone to this side effect. Have you tried Risperdal, and if so did the congestion occur with it as well? I was given a choice between Risp and Seroquel and I think my pdoc would probably let me switch if I asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemonflavor Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Question to any of you who are prone to this side effect. Have you tried Risperdal, and if so did the congestion occur with it as well? I was given a choice between Risp and Seroquel and I think my pdoc would probably let me switch if I asked. No, didn't get that with Risperdal. I never went above 1mg but I don't think that's a side effect with that drug. But it also may not be as sedating as Seroquel. Wasn't sedating at all for me. ehygon's description of it was very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 19, 2006 Author Share Posted October 19, 2006 Question to any of you who are prone to this side effect. Have you tried Risperdal, and if so did the congestion occur with it as well? I was given a choice between Risp and Seroquel and I think my pdoc would probably let me switch if I asked. No, didn't get that with Risperdal. I never went above 1mg but I don't think that's a side effect with that drug. But it also may not be as sedating as Seroquel. Wasn't sedating at all for me. ehygon's description of it was very good. Rats, I wouldn't sleep on it then either. I guess I'll just be a crack Otravin whore then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc1701 Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Heya Dee, I get what feels like allergies in the morning if I miss my Seroquel dose at bedtime. Like, tomorrow. I *think* it's b/c I'm withdrawing from its antihistamine effects? Also, if Otrivin works, whatever, you have bigger fish to fry. (Sorry. I just got some fresh-caught salmon from a patient and thus I *also* have big fish to fry.) My eyes are itchy already. --ncc-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpmaster Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 From fairly extensive experience, I get flu like symptoms whenever I start seroquel or change dose. It lasts up to 4 weeks. My p-doc explained it as the hystamine effect of the drug. The good news is, for most people at least, after a few weeks the symptoms go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted October 21, 2006 Author Share Posted October 21, 2006 Well, that sounds promising. Maybe it will pass or at least lessen in time. Thanks chimp! Until then, pass the Otravin please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehygon Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 I take risperdal, 2mg, and I don't get the nose problem. I found it just as good for anxiety as seroquel, but not nearly as sedating. Then again, my anxiety is mostly in my head worry things, rather than physical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest koikoi Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 hi! i'm so glad to have found these posts. i take seroquel too, and i have the *exact* same side effects that some of you are talking about. about 30-60 minutes after taking it, my entire sinus cavity swells shut and i am forced to breath out of my mouth. essentially no air can pass in or out of my nose. it's horrible! it makes it very hard to fall asleep, and to be honest it's a little anxiety provoking because it feels like i can't breath. at first i thought it might be allergies, so i went to the allergist and was tested for over 40 different allergies, and not a single one of them came up positive. i agree that it's definitely due to the seroquel because it's so time-locked to when i take the medication. for the last 5 months i've been taking an oral anti-histamine, fexofenadine (allegra) about an hour before i take the seroquel, which seems to help a lot. but i don't like adding yet another medication to my regimen, and it doesn't clear up the congestion completely. i've also tried astelin, which is an anti-histamine nasal spray. this seemed to help a little bit. then i switched to the extended release, which definitely helped reduce the congestion, but had some other nasty side-effects (insatiable appetite), so i had to go back to regular seroquel. has anyone else found something that clears it up completely? it is so frustrating because this medication is the best i've found to reduce psych symptoms, but the sinus swelling/congestion is really a problem. there are some nights when it's not as bad as others, and i still haven't been able to figure out what that might be related to (stress? water consumption? interaction with prozac?). if there are other solutions out there, i would love to hear them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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