Anyone ever been on seroquel?

[Lhight]

MY doctor recently switched me from 80mg of Geodon to 100mg of Seroquel. All I have read about is that you gain a ton of weight on it...is this true and inevitable? Is it worth the extra pounds tot take it? My doctor swears it is but she is family doctor not a psychiatrist so im a bit concerned about her medication choice. She also increased my zoloft to 200mg and my xanax to 2 mg a day... I hope she knows what she is doing

[Lhight]

MY doctor recently switched me from 80mg of Geodon to 100mg of Seroquel. All I have read about is that you gain a ton of weight on it...is this true and inevitable? Is it worth the extra pounds tot take it? My doctor swears it is but she is family doctor not a psychiatrist so im a bit concerned about her medication choice. She also increased my zoloft to 200mg and my xanax to 2 mg a day... I hope she knows what she is doing

sorry I put my post in two places where I thought the most people taking this medication might read it. I really need to know what Is going to happen when I start taking it. I dont want to gain 10lbs and still have no relief from symptoms. Plus isnt 100mg a low dose??

[WinterRosie]

I'm going to lock this thread. Please post only one post per topic. That's because if there are replies across multiple threads it's just far too confusing. 

[WinterRosie]

I've moved this to the appropriate board. We have a whole meds section!

There are two ways to take this med. One is low-dose, where it acts like a fairly strong anti-anxietant (or a fairly decent sleeping agent), depending on when you take it and what you're going for. 

The other is at higher doses. Since you're not going for that one, that's why you're at a lower dose.

It's definitely not uncommon for folks with a trauma history to take this med. But maybe it's a sign that it's time to ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatrist?

[in_media_res]

I actually lost weight on Geodon, however it completely disrupted my sleep pattern, to the extent I had a breakdown. I was switched to a combination of Cymbalta and Seroquel (initially about 100 mg of Seroquel, although I don't remember the dosage of Cymbalta -- my Seroquel dosage was lowered over time). Between the two, I gained about 30 pounds. I quit both medications and have since found it difficult to lose the weight I gained. Seroquel was also extremely sedating for me -- which was part of the point of the prescription -- and was the primary reason my dosage was lowered. In the end, I saw no real benefit from the meds, which is typical for me, and I discontinued because I found the adverse effects intolerable.

I read an interesting article the other day about the metabolic effects of atypical antipsychotics. To quote the article, "The association between atypical antipsychotics and metabolic adverse effects is well established." Seroquel is considered to have an intermediate effect on weight gain, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. You can find the article, which discusses recommended metabolic monitoring for patients on AAP's, here: http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/?id=22161&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=215585&cHash=541154dc6be51d6d4c0fa9ccf9028c79 It's possible you'll have to register to get to the article. 

In my experience, psychiatrists don't bother with any of this monitoring. I'm not sure why you're on the medications you've been prescribed, but if you feel they're appropriate and necessary for your condition, I'd encourage you to ask your doctor to aggressively track your various metabolic markers so you can observe what impact, if any, they're having and make and informed judgement as to whether the potential adverse effects on your physical health are worth the benefits you gain.

As to whether you're better off with a psychiatrist or sticking with your GP, it's a toss up. I'm hesitant to offer advice on this point -- my own poor experiences with psychiatrists and therapists has colored my views. In theory, the psychiatrist should have a better understanding of the medications and could analyze your cocktail. But that's hardly a given. I'd think you're more likely to get the monitoring that's appropriate from your GP, but that's not really guaranteed either. 

I guess my bottom line advice is that I think it's important to be well informed about the potential effects of the medications you're taking, advocate for yourself (especially with respect to things like monitoring -- you can tell if you're gaining weight, but cholesterol and blood sugar levels require lab tests that doctors have to order), and assess whether they're helping. 

Good luck.

[melissaw72]

I did not gain weight on seroquel, getting up to 800 mg/day.

[jt07]

I merged two of your similar threads. We ask that people post only one thread per topic.

[tryp]

I gained a LOT of weight on Seroquel (about 40 pounds).  It was not really clearly explained to me when I agreed to try it that I could gain that much weight, and my doctor was not monitoring my weight while I was on the medication.

At the same time, I was incredibly ill, and Seroquel was the only thing that was holding my brain together enough for me to function.  It was an amazing medication and if not for the weight gain and the sedation, I'd probably still be taking it.  I still technically can take 25 mg as needed, which I very rarely do because of the sedation, but it's a lifesaver for me when I really get into trouble.

If I could go back and make the choice again, I'd probably agree to take it.  When I stopped it a couple years ago, most of the weight just fell off without my having to even try to get rid of it (I was about 15 pounds smaller than my "normal" weight when I started it, and I went back to my normal after I stopped), like my body re-discovered its normal set point (though this is not true for many other people I have spoken to, so I'm really thankful that the weight was easy to shift in my case).

The thing to do, I think, is to have your doctor monitor your weight - weigh you before you start it, and then every week or every month, and possibly also do some food tracking, just to see what's happening.  You might be one of those people who doesn't gain weight, and then you're fine.  And if you do, you'll know early enough to decide what you want to do, and you'll also have some information about how the medication works for you to help you decide if it's worth it.

100 mg is a good dose for depression/anxiety/sleep.  I was up to 600 mg at one point, but only because i stupidly got misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder by some "specialist" who didn't know anything about trauma (long story).  Really, I sat at about 150-300 mg for years and did quite nicely apart from the weight thing.

[MiaB]

If you're struggling to figure out where to post something, you are welcome to contact me or one of the other mods for assistance.

I've been on Seroquel at various doses for about 12 years now. I switched to the XR from IR in 2012  (600mg) and it's the main stalwart of my meds cocktail.  I don't think I could hold it go together (insamuch as I can) without it.  Weight gain is not inevitable, and tryp had some excellent thoughts above about having your doctor track your weight regularly in order to monitor whether you are being affected by it in that way.

[Gearhead]

I've taken both Geodon and Seroquel. I hated Geodon; it's the worst med I've ever taken, and that is really saying something. I gained about 25 pounds taking Geodon and the sedation was unreal, and I never got over it. When I quit taking it I lost all the weight with no effort.

I took 150 mgs of Seroquel XR for about 3 years, and it was a terrific med-but again, I gained about 25 pounds. I stopped taking it in June and have lost 6 pounds so far. If things fall apart again I will definitely take Seroquel XR again, but nothing would induce me to take Geodon. 

I've also been taking 50-100 mgs of Seroquel IR since about 2002, and never found it to have any effect at all on my weight. It's good for insomnia, which I have, badly, and anxiety, and for mild hypomanic symptoms at that dose.

[dilemma]

I was on both Geodon and Seroquel.  Seroquel was one of the first meds I took to help with hallucinations.  My pdoc had to keep replacing it because the hallucinations kept breaking through.  Eventually when I got up to 700mg, he decided to switch me to Geodon rather than increase the Seroquel..  I did gain weight on Seroquel, and it really made me sleepy.

Geodon worked really well. I didn't gain any weight on it and it didn't make me sleepy, but it did make it easier for me to sleep.

With Seroquel, I had to take most of it at night and only a little bit in the morning, and with Geodon I was able to take half in the AM and half at night.

After about 8 years, I started having sleep problems, so my pdoc prescribed me 150mg of Seroquel to take at night to help me sleep.

[Zoey]

I gained 80+lb in a year on seroquel. Hated it. 

[IcePrincess88]

I've been on Seroquel for about 8 years. I can't really blame it for my up and down weight, but it does give you a crazy hunger that I personally think is worse than the "munchies" you get from smoking marijuana. I've been on the XR version for a couple months now, and I like it a whole lot better than the regular Seroquel. I don't have those crazy food cravings anymore. When I was on Seroquel IR, I would eat things at night and completely forget. I even fell asleep while eating a couple times and woke up with food in my mouth, which is SO very dangerous, and I'm an idiot for trying to eat while laying down. Maybe it'll be different for you, but alot of people do gain weight while on it. Other than the weight thing, it's a great medicine. 

[Wooster]

Were it not for slurroquel when I needed it, I very much doubt I would still be alive today.

Yes, I gained about 40#. However, I'm nearly done losing the weight I gained on it. I did not continue to gain weight when my dose went down from 600-700mg every day to 50-100mg per day. And I didn't gain any weight when using 25mg as needed for sleep.

My cholesterol was high for a while after I stopped, but healthier eating with whole grains, in particular oatmeal, has brought it back to normal.

There are some good studies to back up that weight gain on slurroquel can be managed by either tracking food intake for greater self-awareness, or food tracking plus metformin.

Edited August 9, 2015 by Wooster

[wnek2]

I've been on Seroquel for 15 years, and never gained an ounce. (I take 400 mg every night). I have the liver and cholesterol tests twice a year and have never had any problems there either.

 

The only side effect I really have is that I'm a little groggy for about an hour after I get out of bed. I've learned to work around that.

 

Of course everyone's experiences are unique and different. But one thing I think most people here will echo is that you really need to find a psychiatrist to work with you on your meds. I'm not knocking your family doctor, but you need someone who's a specialist and knows all the ins and outs.

[Dusk]

It caused me awful sedation and weight gain. But it did work when I was in a major crisis. I'm glad I took it.

[melissaw72]

 

Of course everyone's experiences are unique and different. But one thing I think most people here will echo is that you really need to find a psychiatrist to work with you on your meds. I'm not knocking your family doctor, but you need someone who's a specialist and knows all the ins and outs.

^^In bold.

[Cinnamon]

Somehow, this post turned into a book, so just read the bold if you're only interested in Seroquel and not other atypical antipsychotics.

There are huge variations in how people respond to atypicals, particularly with regard to weight. I originally tried the more weight neutral ones - I was at one of the worst points in my anorexia and would not touch anything with a risk of weight gain - and had bad responses unrelated to weight. Abilify induced a manic episode and Geodon induced a psychotic episode. Fun.

As for the very new atypicals, Fanapt made my breath smell so bad that my boyfriend could hardly stand it, and Latuda made me too tired to function. Saphris was actually somewhat helpful. It didn't cause weight gain, per se, but it made me so hungry that it probably would have in someone who didn't not monitor weight closely. My pdoc and I ultimately decided that this side effect, because of my personal psychology, was doing more harm than good. (It made me so hungry that I starting bingeing and purging.)

As for the stereotypical "weight gainers," Risperdal made me gain 10 pounds in a week with no change in food take. (That really seems to defy the laws of physics, but that's what happened anyway.) And, no, it was not water weight, as it did not go away when I stopped taking it after a week. Somehow, my pdoc talked me into trying Invega, a cousin of Risperdal, because he said - not sure if this is true or not - that its weight gain profile was not as bad. Well, that may be true for some, but not for me. It too induced rapid weight gain, and I took myself of it in a week. I have several "treatment friends" who consider Zyprexa a godsend (even if they've gained a lot of weight on it) but I have always been too chickenshit to try it because of its likelihood of causing weight gain. That probably sounds vain and stupid but my psychological effect to rapid weight gain is so extreme because of my eating disorder (depression to the point of suicidality) that I was not willing to risk it.

I'm not exactly sure how I got off on that tangent, as you only asked about Seroquel. (I guess I was trying to show how side effects that other people on this forum have mentioned did not happen to me and vice versa.) I take a pretty hefty dose of Seroquel. Well, actually, I take 800 mg - I believe this is the highest dose - of Seroquel XR, plus Seroquel (IR) as needed (up to 200 mg per day). No weight gain. No appetite increase. No side effects at all, really, except for drowsiness if I take 200 mg Seroquel (IR) at once, but this is intentional because I use this amount when I can't sleep. For me, Seroquel XR rescued me from an exhausting cycle of inpatient admissions for psychotic mania and suicidal ideation. (The regular Seroquel PRN is a new addition - I'm using it as a sleep aid and am keeping my fingers crossed that it will lower my anxiety, as well - but I've taken it in the past with no side effects.) Thanks in large part to Seroquel, I am more functional now than I have been in years. And my weight is the same as when I started it 3 (?) years ago.

I guess the irritating and frustrating moral to the story, as you can see from the variety of answers to this post, is that the only way to figure out how your body will react to a drug is to try it. It sucks, I know...

[Keaton]

I gained no weight on seroquel. Zyprexa, though.... Yikes.

[San]

I gained weight on Seroquel, but I was drinking a lot of beer, eating mostly McDonald's, so lifestyle. I've usually stayed within 5-10lbs of my normal weight on seroquel, I've come on it and off it a lot. Last time I was on seroquel, I gained about 8lbs, but I was also underweight and really needed to gain it.

If the weight gain becomes a problem, ask about Seroquel XR (which I prefer to regular seroquel, aka seroquel IR) I found it didn't affect my appetite so much, and its "smoother". Seroquel IR kinda comes on and kicks you in the ass, seroquel XR is long lasting. It helped me sleep (the XR, not as much as the IR) and I had less grogginess all around on XR.

Its one of the best drugs I've taken, right now I'm trying latuda (so far so good). But if the latuda were not to work, I'd go back on seroquel. It's the only AAP (well, maybe latuda too, time will tell) that I can tolerate that still works. It is VERY effective. I'm talking mood stabilizer, insomnia, and psychosis. It just kicks ass in all 3.

[Katzendame]

It was one of the best drugs I'd ever taken. It's very sedating (I was on 800mgs) which was good because it made my mind quiet and slowed down. It was good for psychosis too, that was the XR. Had to stop it because I gained 30kgs. Tried 300mgs of IR sometime after and it did bugger all. I hope it works for you!

[rowan77]

I love Seroquel, but I did gain a lot of weight on it, about 40lbs. I definitely think I gained more on the IR version than the XR, which I currently take.

One thing I have noticed is that if I take Seroquel a few hours before sleeping I will be absolutely starving and my stomach rumbles and I want to go down to the kitchen and get something to eat (and have often done it!). However if I take it just befire I put the light off I don't have that problem

[mjs190]

As others have said, XR tends to be more forgiving than IR in terms of weight gain and sedation.

FWIW, I've been on and off Seroquel XR since 2009, both IR and XR, between 25-300 mg, and I haven't once noticed any weight gain from it. Sedation is another story...

Edited September 14, 2015 by mjs190

[in_media_res]

As others have said, XR tends to be more forgiving than IR in terms of weight gain and sedation.

FWIW, I've been on and off Seroquel XR since 2009, both IR and XR, between 25-300 mg, and I haven't once noticed any weight gain from it. Sedation is another story...

Interesting...I think I mentioned the weight gain I experienced upthread. I took one small dose of XR, about 100 mg I think, and was completely unfunctional for 24 hours. Could barely stay awake. Regular wasn't much better, but I could walk and drive and carry on a conversation. Second worst medication ever, in my humble opinion.

[dazed and confused]

The first anti psychotic I was put on was Zyprexa. When I was on that I was stable and had no hospitalizations but I begged to be taken off it as I put on a shitload of weight and would often want to eat the entire contents of the fridge. The ironic thing is that I was then put on Seroquel which is another drug that is notorious for weight gain. At first it was great but thethe positive effects of it quickly wore out. I put on a lot of weight and I felt like a zombie who wanted to sleep for a week. I'm now on RIsperidone, it's better than Seroquel but not as good as Zyprexa which I now regret coming off but I'm sure if I went back on it I'd probably regret that too. It's a catch 22 situation. Also, what works for some won't necessarily work for others. I know that Seroquel has been a Godsend for some but for others like me it's a God awful drug. 

[Keaton]

I gained no weight on Seroquel. I'm actually losing it. Zyprexa, though....