Monday, February 23, 2009
I just read the news about Seroquel XR being approved for bipolar disorder and I am thrilled. This medication made a huge diffenrence in my life. I took several months before I actually noticed that it was helping. Although really unpleasant, it was worth going through all the side-effects (which have now tamed down).
My goal is not to sell this medication or to encourage people to try it, that's between you and your doctor. It works for me (in combination with other meds), it won't necessarily work for you, but it could. I'm just happy to hear the news and I had to share my joy.
Thank you Seroquel 
i'm interested in thie med as i've been told i'm bipolar . what were the side affects ? and were you taking xr or just regular seroquel ? and how many mg. to start ? i tried lamitical but couldn't take it . silverfox46
I've been taking Lamictal for many years now, to boost my antidepressant, but I started taking Seroquel during a hospitalisation last spring. At that time, they added 100mg of Seroquel XR. At first, at 50 mg, I was on regular Seroquel, in no time, they put me on XR, which I prefer a whole lot. On the regular (I still have 50mg as a prn), I feel totally drugged, like I'm floating on a cloud, tippy, and forget about talking, thinking, or staying awake. All of the following day, I feel like a zombie. XR is definately better for me.
Since I started being treated as possibly being bipolar, they upped my Seroquel to 300mg. It was last October, I think, that they started increasing it, but it wasn't until a good 3 months after reaching the current dose that I saw the improvement. The most disabling side-effects for me were having trouble talking and thinking. I had the same side-effects as the regular 50mg Seroquel: I would function in slow motion, not be receptive, I would have difficulty forming words, or even syllables. My brain was mucky and I was really tired. 4 hours after taking the med, I wasn't able to function.
Now side-effects are much better although I do still have trouble talking once in a while, but it doesn't last long (maybe 1 evening). I also get really sleepy on occasion (but who doesn't?). If I forget to take a dose however, I don't sleep, don't even feel the need to, and I usually don't realise I've forgotten to take it until the middle of the night. There is also a rash that we have to determine if it is related to medications or not.
Hope this helps, good luck!