Seroquel - how long?

[KellyToronto]

I was told by my doctor in rehab, in April/May, not to stay on Seroquel too long, after I left rehab on May 25....at least, he advised that it would probably be a good idea to get off of it.

But now, I'm on it continually, thanks to an ongoing prescription from my family doctor.

Does anyone have any insight into why the rehab doctor would recommend getting off of it, "two weeks after you leave rehab"?

I am only on 50mg.

It helps somewhat, sometimes quite a bit, for getting to sleep.

Kelly

[debsam]

Hi Kelly,

I'm on Seroquel (took it while in rehad too). I've never been told to stop taking it and I hope I'm not told to stop. I take 25mg before bed. I sleep like a baby...and that is a Godsend for me. I've been taking it for a year.

[Impurrfect]

(((Kelly))) - I don't know about getting off of it. I was prescribed it after something happened and I ended up with PTSD. Most of the issues have disappeared, except I can not sleep. I was put on seroquel after trying everything else and have been on it for at least 2 years.

It isn't designed as a sleep aid, it does have anti-depressant effects (have gone into depression for a little bit back when my dr. was giving me samples as I couldn't afford it and ran out). It also lowers the metabolism and makes a lot of people (me!) feel like I'm starving after I've taken it.

There's a lot of controversy over using it as a sleep aid, but some people don't need it for long periods of time. Most doctors don't like to see someone who's an addict depend on a medication for anything, unless it's absolutely necessary. Many people have come off the seroquel, had a bit of sleep issues at first, then find they don't need it.

Hugs and prayers,

Amy

[dodecaphonic]

Hello Kelly,
I've taken Seroquel for ages to help with resistant depression- 50mg is nothing. Still, your family doc can help you step down bit by bit if you need/want to.

If you want to get your sleep back in order (seasonal affective disorder, anyone?) it's really important, really, really, really important, to get up from the TV or computer by 9pm. The artificial light from TV and esp. computer monitors is capable of making your body postpone your natural sleep cycle. Same thing if you have super-bright bathroom lights. It sounds weird but give your body every opportunity to get sleepy on its own - your body knows very well how to sleep, all you need is the right kind of encouragement... Best of luck to you.

[blackstrat6]

I take it. I was told by my doctors that it is non narcotic and not habit forming as far as the drug but we are not doctors so I would go by what he recommends because we can't give you medical advice here.

Hope you are having a great clean and sober day!

[mungrylionman]

I took seroquel for over a year and never had a physical dependence on it. it wasn't addictive at all for me and my doctor didn't seem to think it was a big deal that i was on it for a long time. my only problem with it was that it was expensive if you don't have good insurance.