Itchy Seroquel withdrawal

[frog]

A few days ago, after a slow taper-down, I came off of Seroquel. Since then, I've had this INTENSE itching, like everywhere. I'm always scratching. I did a Google search for "seroquel withdrawal symptoms itchiness" and found that indeed this is something experienced by a lot of people (or so it seems, from the amount of anecdotal evidence that came up). It seems it has to do with Seroquel being an anti-histamine. I figure my histamine system is on some kind of rebound right now. (It can't be seasonal - that is, due to grass or whatnot - or food-related, as I have no allergies.) Question: Has anyone else had the coming-off-Seroquel itchies, and how long did it last?

Thanks,

frog

Edited May 3, 2009 by frog

[Guest bipolarwomyn]

OMG - I just tapered off seroquel and I'm itchy as hell. I just did google search, and it appears to be somewhat common. I can't stand the itch!

A few days ago, after a slow taper-down, I came off of Seroquel. Since then, I've had this INTENSE itching, like everywhere. I'm always scratching. I did a Google search for "seroquel withdrawal symptoms itchiness" and found that indeed this is something experienced by a lot of people (or so it seems, from the amount of anecdotal evidence that came up). It seems it has to do with Seroquel being an anti-histamine. I figure my histamine system is on some kind of rebound right now. (It can't be seasonal - that is, due to grass or whatnot - or food-related, as I have no allergies.) Question: Has anyone else had the coming-off-Seroquel itchies, and how long did it last?

Thanks,

frog

[Guest Dave]

I realize this thread is a little older, but... I went off Seroquel four days ago (tapered from 250mg to 75mg over a few weeks, but then stopped cold turkey due to increasing muscle twitching and concerns over TD), and I've got some pretty bad itching, as well. It started on my scalp overnight (and my scalp continues to be the worst), but it's definitely an all-over thing for me too. Glad to know I'm not the only one who has experienced this.

Did this withdrawal side effect ever stop for either of you, and if so, how quickly? Did you take anything for the itching in the meantime? I've taken hydroxyzine before, but that's an anti-histamine too, so... I feel like I'm better off just letting my body re-adjust rather than clobbering it with other histamine agents. I just hope it doesn't take too long for the itching to go away....

I'm also experiencing insomnia, nausea, and headaches. The insomnia is pretty bad, but I'm starting to focus on behavioral therapy approaches and meditation in lieu of medication, and hope to see some results there. The nausea tends to subside after early morning (I exercise in the mornings too, which I think helps), and the headaches (which can be fairly strong) come and go intermittently but aren't totally unbearable.

As for mood changes... if anything, I feel a lot better! I was starting to feel like so much of a zombie on the Seroquel and so stupid... I already feel a lot more like myself again since I've stopped. I was on it for almost two years... between 100-400mg, and hope to never take it (or any other neuroleptic/anti-psychotic) ever again!!! It's freaking poison.

[Guest jane79]

A few days ago, after a slow taper-down, I came off of Seroquel. Since then, I've had this INTENSE itching, like everywhere. I'm always scratching. I did a Google search for "seroquel withdrawal symptoms itchiness" and found that indeed this is something experienced by a lot of people (or so it seems, from the amount of anecdotal evidence that came up). It seems it has to do with Seroquel being an anti-histamine. I figure my histamine system is on some kind of rebound right now. (It can't be seasonal - that is, due to grass or whatnot - or food-related, as I have no allergies.) Question: Has anyone else had the coming-off-Seroquel itchies, and how long did it last?

Thanks,

frog

[Guest Patrick Duffy]

At first I thought Seroquel was some kind of miracle drug, but as time went on, it became apparent to me that it is a demon drug instead! This drug is incredibly damaging to the human body and mind! In reality it is no different than taking any other kind of illegal drug that makes you feel good for a while, but then come the effects. I now have uncontrolled twitching that is most likely permanent. I have not slept normally in many years because my brain does not know how without this drug. To top it off, my vision (which was once 20/15), is much worse, and I have early signs of cataracts, in my 40's. I even developed signs of diabetes and had high blood sugar without knowing it until I complained of symptoms to my doctor. I was NEVER TOLD of ANY of these long-term damaging effects of seroquel. The withdrawal symptoms were very terrible, but in the end it was totally worth ditching this evil drug. Drugs are NOT the answer. God is the answer. Don't let anybody convince you that you are 'mentally ill' or label you with a mental disease. It is the unseen spirit world that is causing these problems, and if you pray and obey God, the symptoms will disappear.

Patrick Duffy

[Anna]

Dear, I am not going to delete or hide your reply even though I think it's a crock of shit in many ways.

But, I will respond.

I agree with you, seroquel, which is a very heavy duty drug (AAPs do get handed out like candy somewhat these days, which I don't agree with) can have major side effects, some of which it sounds like you got.

It is a shame you were not informed of the possiblity of some of these side effects, but since you were able to find this site, I do imagine you have the capacity to read, comprehend information, and do research.

Every patient, at the beginning of treatment, HAS the responsibility to ask doc questions, do their research BEFORE swallowing a pill (at the very least if you want to complain about it afterwards) and make an informed decision. It would be a lovely and wonderful world if all doctors were perfect and performed their job functions adequately which in my opinion includes informed consent which would include a review of side effects, but they simply don't, always. I wasn't there, and yours might have, and you are just bitter at how it turned out, I don't know.

Every time you filled your prescription, you recieved an information fact sheet on the drug from the pharmacist. Most likely, at some point, you also got a full Prescriber's information sheet, it often happens at some point (I ALWAYS ask for one, and I ALWAYS read it ahead of time, so I have some basic understanding of the drug, and possible side effects. It's my body it is my responsibility to know what I am putting into it.)

Seroquel can and does do some of the effects mentioned, although it's so incredibly rare to have all the side effects you mentioned all at once, that I am pretty amazed, to be frank. And rather sorry for you, to an extent. It sounds like seroquel was NOT the drug for you, although at first it was a "miracle" so hey. Make up your mind.

You can treat your side effets now still, so I again would recommend reading and researching any possible treatment options. Eh? Don't want to make the same mistake twice.

I have been on quel, steadily, since 99 and am finally trying to get off it completely, due to choleserol issues mainly. That is my major side effect, and it's not too cool.

I agree with you about seroquel withdrawal actually, although you aren't going to find many doctors who will admit to a discontinuation syndrome, althoug I do believe it exists for some. I myself have PERSONALLY experienced it when I accidentally forgot my quel on a camping trip and I was not a happy camper, let me put it that way.

I am intending to taper slowly and do not expect to find it an enjoyable experience. That said, seroquel has saved my life on multiple occasions, and for that, I will always be grateful. Prior to having to stop, it is probably the med I would first grab if there were a fire in my house.

Please don't spout off about the god healing stuff here. At least on this part of the board. If you want to rant about your spirital healing, do so on the spirituality board. I am torn about moving this, since it is equally about seroquel and God, but pushing spiritual healing upon others is frowned upon here, generally.

For one, it's just plain rude (you're not a Jehovah's witness or other cultish type who hands out pamphlets are you?) and not your buisiness to tell others how to get well. This board is to share your experience. If others are intrigued that God healed you, I am quite sure they will ask you about it. K?

Also, on a purely personal basis as a Sufi I believe in the "unseen spirit world" but I am forced into the logical conclusion that if God created illness, God also created medications. Since he is the Creator, right?

Also, telling others "If you obey God your symptoms will disappear" is really fucking creepy in my opinion. It sounds like either the Santa Claus version of God, or the Hitler version of God, neither of which are particularly appealing to me.

So, consider yourself warned, please. No more with the Godspeak, unless you frame it appropriately and put it where it belongs, on the spirituality board.

Another mod may come along and move this there, which I have no problem with.

Anna

[Guest mick]

yes, I have the same thing when i went off seroquel, now that I know its histamine related I have been taking a low dose anti-histamine tablet from the chemist every couple of days and it seems to help. The anti-histamine effect of seroquel became obvious to me because when I started taking it I went off my asthma spray and slept really well, just like if I took a high-dose chemist-shop antihisamine.

[purple hug bunny]

I know this post is really old but I just came across it now and I have some questions about my seroquel withdrawl

I actually stopped a while ago . I don't remember why I stopped, but I think I stopped w/out my drs knowledge.  after I stopped I started getting this terrible body itching, it started on my stomach, then it started itching all over, I did not know what was causing the itching, I searched online and one of the links it was mentioned that Seroquel has an anti histamine in it and since I stopped it my body didn't have that.

I told it to my dr and he said it makes sense, he started me again on it but I was having trouble swallling the pills so he switched me to Zyprexa which disintigrates on the tongue. a while ago I stopped that too because it wasn't' working well with my Lamictal and the itching came back, the dr prescribed Benadryl which I've been taking for a while and it helps, however if I forget to take it even one night I get the terrible itching all over my body, starting from my scalp down to my toes, every minute it itches s/where else and it's driving me crazy. What I want to know is, am I going to have to be on Benadryl for a lifetime? Is there any possibility the itching would go away at some point if I don't take the Benadryl, I think my body is already addicted to it but I would like to not have to depend on it forever.

Has anyone had the itching stop w/out benadryl?

before I started the benadryl I had the itching for at least six weeks and it did not subside.

[Marcell]

I was on Seroquel for about three years at a dose of 100 mg.

No withdrawl until a couple of days of stopping it ..vivid dreams..then started with a migrane that was constant for about a week ..couldn't sleep through it and it made me vomit.

Then another couple of days reprive, followed by the itchy rash from hell ! lt lasted 3 and a half weeks. Thought l had measles at the start.It was irritated further if l got hot and bed time was just horrendous...no sleep again.

Drs wanted to give me steroids and anti histamines...l was unsure after reading previous posts that adding anything histmamine or anti hist back into my body was a bad thing. 

Waited it out and glad l did.Feel better than ever without that drug in my system. 

 

.

 

[notloki]

1 hour ago, Marcell said:

I was on Seroquel for about three years at a dose of 100 mg.

No withdrawl until a couple of days of stopping it ..vivid dreams..then started with a migrane that was constant for about a week ..couldn't sleep through it and it made me vomit.

Then another couple of days reprive, followed by the itchy rash from hell ! lt lasted 3 and a half weeks. Thought l had measles at the start.It was irritated further if l got hot and bed time was just horrendous...no sleep again.

Drs wanted to give me steroids and anti histamines...l was unsure after reading previous posts that adding anything histmamine or anti hist back into my body was a bad thing. 

Waited it out and glad l did.Feel better than ever without that drug in my system. 

 

.

 

Steroids and antihistamines would the way to go if you wanted it to stop quickly. It seems to me the way to get off seroquel is to titrate down to the point you start having problems, add an antihistamine and taper the Seroquel to zero. Then taper down your antihistamine.

[Mammylizard]

Hello.Yes.Everytime I stop Seroquel or miss my dose at bedtime for a night or two I start with the itching.There is no rash.Just itching.I thought it has something to do with the Central Nervous system.Not sure.But I sure do not like it.If I take my regular dose tonight,the itching will subside.I hate having to take anything to help me fall asleep.I have been on a low dose for many years.I usually take 12 to 25 mg.That is a very small dose but if I miss it...as I said...the itching comes.

[Leslie]

Thanks for the info. Stopped seroquel 3 weeks ago and itching has been terribile. Will try the claritin tomorrow.

[oivalian]

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Edited October 9, 2021 by oivalian