Seroquel for sleep explained: unwanted actions, risk and alternatives

Seroquel (quetiapine) is commonly used at low dose (Seroquel 25 mg or seroquel 50 mg) to help sleep, but new evidence suggests that it's a problem with increased cardiovascular mortality over time. Seroquel side effects can be long term.
We compare mechanism of quetiapine/Seroquel with olanzapine/zyprexa, clonidine/catapress, promethazine, Doxylamine, tricyclics and mirtazepine/avanza.
Seroquel side effects: The way quetiapine helps sleep is by blocking the histamine (H1) receptor in the brain. Histamine in the brain promotes wakefulness, so an antihistamine interferes with the wakefulness drive. But Seroquel also also affects the Dopamine receptor (D2 receptor), potentially dampening positive emotion (undesirable). Seroquel affects the serotonin 5HT2a receptor, potentially resulting in less flexible thinking (opposite to the effect of psychedelics) and the 5HT1a receptor which probably reduces sensitivity (potentially desirable unless numbing emotional ensues).
People often report carb hunger and weight gain which may be a contributor to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk (may be a result of M3 receptor effect in insulin).
The metabolite of quetiapine (norquetiapine) is a potent Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor (NET), which may contribute to increased arousal (usually undesirable in sleep).
So it may act to simultaneously reduce wakefulness and increase arousal.
Also quetiapine seems to cause significantly higher cardiovascular mortality (death) with long term use (summary here: www.facebook.c....
So if you are taking it at low dose for sleep, it might be worth talking to your doctor about alternatives such as simple antihistamines. Lipophilic (fat soluble) antihistamines (eg promethazine or doxylamine) block CNS H1 receptors which reduces wakefulness without all the other receptor effects. But they may have other harmful long term effects.
But better then meds long term is a Skills Before Pills approach: www.thepsychco...
In particular we advocate the following to clear the thoughts out of your head before bed: • Solve Your Sleep Probl...
Here's a detailed blog: www.thepsychco...
Here’s a handout with the table:
www.thepsychco...
There is concern about long term use of anticholinergic medications such as antihistamines that was not explored in this video.
This video is not medical advice and is based on mechanism, research data and anecdotes. Seek advise from a treating medical professional, do not act on the basis of this information.
No doctor-patient relationship formed.
------
Not medical advice. The utility of any drugs for sleep in the long term need to be weighed up against the costs of long term use. Not all costs of long term use are well understood and different people have different risks/susceptibilities. Talk to your doctor about any treatments and any concerns about treatments.
----------------------
#seroquel #sleep #skillsbeforepills
www.thepsychcollective.com

[@LevelheadedMind]

Great video! The take away here is that no sleeping pill is good long-term. The best way to improve sleep is to practice a sleep hygiene routine and training your brain and body to fall asleep naturally. Skills before pills!!

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Thanks! we are big advocates of this approach to reduce the rumination that keep people awake: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqvKkJWsiq-ea80

[@josephquinney8209]

What if you work shift work like millions of peope? A normal sleep schedule is NEVER pissible and sleep medication helps swapping from nights for days or vice-versa.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Circadian rhythm disruption is a major issue. Wakefulness is common when transitioning into/out off shift work. Melatonin can be helpful. It’s useful to conceptualise the three sleep levers when thinking about causes of sleep problems. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2m6n3xrq7OSbLs

[@lyndayates7533]

@@josephquinney8209 yeah honestly life happens and a disrupted sleep is hard to come by. I think getting to sleep is the hardest part no matter what your life consists of because we have stress. No matter how great our faith it's very hard not to over think and or worry. When I was young no one called past business hours unless there was an emergency. Technology changed all of that. We have family and friends in different parts of the world. Many different things of this type that keep us more alert than we need to be while others may need to be ready when called. I think good quality sleep is one of the most important things for our health.

[@garysimone4977]

​@the PSYCH collective melatonin !!! Studies show basicly melatonin is useless

[@Jk20241]

22 years of seroquel and can happily say I'm completely off the medication after a 1.5 year taper🎉

[@shaheennayfeh17]

Does it increase weight?!

[@Jk20241]

@@shaheennayfeh17 That is listed as a main side effect

[@clintonstonge8605]

I'm down to 25mg which is the lowest dose. At what MG did you quit?

[@Jk20241]

@@clintonstonge8605 By the end of my taper I was taking 25mg every other night then 2 nights, then 3 until I got to a week without it. At that point I quit taking it altogether

[@garysimone4977]

​@JK 2u2 what was your toughest WD Symptom

[@fruitbunnii]

I’m SO SICK of people saying “go and talk to your doctor”. The doctor would literally hand you a script and make you leave without even checking if the script is safe to take with your other medications. It’s not an isolated incident, I’ve had 15+ doctors in 8 years, they’re all the same. Better to educate yourself with videos like this, doctors don’t care about patients. Can’t even remember a long-term patients name.

[@hithere7547]

well there are different medical systems around the planet i guess...

[@1x1HealthyEnergybyAndrew]

​@hithere7547 just defending without listening? I bet they're in America. Most other countries would follow America off a bridge when it comes to capitalism.

[@hithere7547]

@ least.. u not call it USA.. but america only.. : _ D

[@Des-Laine]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@hithere7547]

@@1x1HealthyEnergybyAndrew pstt. iam from germany : _D.. but dont tell anyone! : D.. iam on 75 milligram sero now its nice.. but i thinking to take 200 more lol : _ D.. it not plastered all that receptors now.. i wanna carpetbomb!!! : _ D

[@jaked6746]

Seroquel has been a miracle for my insomnia personally. I’ve been prescribed anti-histamines, Zdrugs, benzos, and SSRI/SNRI. 25mg of Seroquel at night and im out for 8hrs. However, I am fit and healthy and work out 5-6 times a week including cardio on top. I’ll personally take the risk over staying up for 70 hours at a time before I crash because that’s also awful for cardiovascular health

[@bdawg1337]

I share the same experience as you really. 25mg Seroquel, and I sleep 9-10 hours. I haven’t seen any weight gain, but I also do work out every day for a couple of hours. The only concern I have, is that I am 100% addicted to Seroquel now. I have forgotten to take it a couple of times, which resulted in me not getting a single minute of sleep those nights. And this had nothing to do with placebo, as I was completely unaware I hadn’t taken it, so I was just lying there all night waiting for it to kick in, which never happened. So in case I will have to get it off it, I expect it to be an absolute nightmare. According to this video, phenergan should be as good for sleep. Have you tried that? I believe I tried that before, and it didn’t work at all for me.

[@lv4313]

​@@bdawg1337oh gosh 😅😊😂☠️

[@gangoffour6690]

Seroquel is an ANTI- PSYCHOTIC ! There are other ways to find sleep.

[@lv4313]

@@gangoffour6690 which ways?

[@bdawg1337]

@@gangoffour6690 - It does not have an anti psychotic effect in the doses used for sleep. I don’t understand what is wrong with medicine being effective for multiple disorders. For me, yes there is another way to find sleep, but that is benzodiazepines. So it is about finding what works, with the least side effects, tolerance etc.

[@Prudenthermit]

🙏 had a terrible experience w seroquel, wild that its being handed out for sleep so readily. Thank you for this.

[@lyndayates7533]

I hope you're off?

[@mpras684]

I agree! I’m on it for sleep and when I was in a clinic they dished it out like lollies to placate patients (in my opinion). It’s a drug which is purported to be non-addictive however the side effects that patient’s experience can be equally as damaging as benzos and other ‘harder’ drugs! I believe I have developed akathisia from Seroquel and the symptoms are excruciating!! I hope that you’re doing much better than when you were on it. 🌺

[@babynaysc]

@@mpras684 I will never use quetiapine again. The doctor gave me 25mg for sleep and it was terrible, I had nightmares, sedation, dizziness, a limp body, even an anxiety attack when I woke up, I couldn't get out of bed I was so lazy NOTE: I don't want to use it as a stabilizer, I started using lamotrigine, quetiapine would be just for sleep because I'm in hypomania, I'd rather not sleep until the consultation than take it again

[@makaveli4205]

I take 400 MG of seroquil everyday. It used to make me really tired. But over time it went away.

[@scottcampbell5536]

Seroquel also causes Orthostatic Hypotension which I have been battling with for over a year now and it's basically turned me into a 95 year old man from a 55 year old man. Be aware! I awake in the middle of the night to go to the washroom and when I stand my blood pressure drops to 75/33.

[@petitecheriecocoenrose7256]

My Blood Pressure Drops ALOT😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮🌹🌹🌺🌺

[@elizalee1214]

Vit B1 can help with postural hypotention.

[@user-kg7lr2mf1g]

I want to feel happy again.

[@davidwhalland7401]

Me too

[@FBAV]

Me too, but taking Seroquel won't help that for sure... If you want to be happy; AVOID SEROQUEL.

[@samjarrett5905]

Everyone's a f****** bulshit artist and they need help

[@missionimpossible143]

😢😢😭

[@jaketrat3725]

Eat raw meat and organs only from farm or wild caught and inject testosterone and don’t use social media drop vices I can go on

[@PickMellowDays]

Oh wow, I'm glad I found you guys. I've been on Seroquel and all of the stuff you two said makes so much sense. I'm going to ask my Dr about switching to Doxylamine. I really only need it to sleep to nerve pain.

[@dodgdurango6128]

Seroquel should only be used in patients with high cortisol levels. if you have low dopamine, or high serotonin, and are experiencing hallucinations. I take it and have been taking it for years. it works and it’s fine for treating chronic stress, and skitzoaffective disorder.

[@Prometheushighaf]

So far all the respectable doctors on KZbin talking about this don't have anything good to say.

[@mustaphabakhti]

Seroquel is a life saver I've been taking it for 6 years ,and I've never had deep sleep in my life like im having with Seroquel no side effects, also if you combine it with an SSRI it works wonders for depression and anxiety and OCD.i didn't gain any weight i don't feel drowsy in the morning, it doesn't affect my sexual functioning.

[@frankiewalnuts]

get your cholesterol checked

[@mustaphabakhti]

@@frankiewalnuts i always do , and it's fine

[@saintessa]

low dose?

[@mustaphabakhti]

@@saintessa yes i take 50mg

[@squirlmy]

@@frankiewalnuts perhaps you meant blood sugar? IDK maybe it effects cholesterol too, but I'm pretty sure an long term increase risk of diabetes is the effect of greater concern

[@mrwater2033]

I'm not a medical doctor or psychiatrist but I'm speaking from own experience dealing with depression, bipolar, sleeping issues, gut issues, autoimmune disease, eczema (both eczema and autoimmune are connected) and yes all of these have improved tremendously, a bit of acne at adult age which is not normal. I feel like I'll need my bipolar meds (Lithium/Lithionit) in the long term. Maybe for life even but it's ok they're not bothering me. But whatever you do, do not take anti depressants or sleeping pills. I've tried so many for over 10 years and I wish I discovered this sooner. Sleeping pills are meant to help you in the short term. For example melatonin 1 week to max 2 weeks(preferrably less than 2 weeks) if you still have problems then it might be for another cause. Your body could be malnourished and damaged from the current diet you have. And we also need to exercise (No running is needed). My depression is much much lower now, first night I slept 7-8 hours in 10+ years without SLEEPING PILLS and anti depressants. Psychatrists and medical people who are against depression pills and long term sleeping pills really know what they're doing. The world is much more corrupt (especially marketing, media, people who decide teachers at schools what to teach) than we think and it's normalized (it doesn't mean u should be permanently paranoid but you should try to be more aware). if anyone has questions let me know. I type fast so it won't bother me! Good luck to anyone fighting depression, anxiety, stress and sleeping deprevation. There is light in the future... take care of yourselves!

[@Freyas666]

Unfortunately, if you can't sleep from intrusive thoughts for 60hrs with small breaks, yours mind is going crazy from sleep deprivation for months and nothing is helping, you will take anything to put you in sleep... And I mean anything

[@mrwater2033]

@@Freyas666 Yes, that's very true. I was in the same situation for 10 years and trust me all the medicines are garbage. Melantonin could help you a few days but not long term. I'm following an animal based diet without plants. (DO NOT remove all plants immediately in ur life) you only remove 20% plants and eat the rest of the plants like u normally do but just 20% less. for a week. next week you remove 20% more for a week and u repeat until all of seed oils (use tallow, butter or ghee instead), plants are gone (except for fruits that u can handle). it'll take up to 3 months. make sure you include 2 bananas daily for the potassium and magnesium (minerals). im not a doctor or nutritionist but ive done my research for weeks before i decided to do anything. if possible do organic all of it. if not possible u do what you can do. grassfed meat, hamburgers (salt only). I'd recommend getting freeze dried organ pills because theyre easier. else u can get it from foods. (no more than 80grams of liver per week), hearts, stomachs, kidneys, bonemarrow. I'm going to get my freeze dried organs from heart&soil in the future. it took a month for me to sleep. could be different for others. if you wanna dive more into it: search for oxolates, plant toxins. you wanna go slow with the increase of fats and fatty meats because your body needs to adjust. and slow with the decrease of plants. you'll get loose stools in the beginning due to ur body detoxing. your last meal should be around 4:30 PM or 5:00-06:00PM and the last meal should always be lighter before bed time cuz it needs time to digest everything. good luck with whatever you decide to do. (not medical advice)

[@kevk741]

Akathisia, akathisia, akathisia. Acute akathisia, interdose akathisia, withdrawal akathisia, and tardive akathisia. Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Opiates, Stimulants, benzodiazepines, Z drugs like Ambien all cause akathisia. It’s actually rather common to see tardive akathisia after years of cumulative use from any of the meds listed above and no one is telling the patients.

[@BlockIce84]

I started taking this medication 4 weeks now, and it does worried me the heart failures, but I think it is working, I had memory issues and I feel like I remember things easier.

[@mpras684]

I’m happy that you believe it assists your sleep however please be do your research. I’ve been on it for nearly 2 years ( along with an antidepressant) and I am desperate to taper off and finally stop taking it. I believe I should from akathisia because I take Seroquel. I’m on 125mg at the moment however have been on larger doses. The symptoms I experience that I believe are from akathisia are horrific and something I wouldn’t wish upon my worse enemy! My psychiatrist doesn’t believe it is due to the Seroquel however I’ve done my research and noted what I’m feeling and it’s link to my dosing. May I ask what dose you’re currently on. All the best 🌺

[@VSM8999]

@@mpras684 i just started talking it for sleep, and right when the dose kicks in I start to feel this restless feeling in my legs and feet. It is a very strange feeling, like the need to move my legs and a tingly feeling in my feet, all while in bed. Eventually it stops and i finally fall asleep. Does this sound familiar and do you think I should stop while I am ahead? Also your comment was 8 days ago, have you gotten any alternative for sleep since then?? My doctor is useless when it comes to these concerns,. He says the restless feeling is from something else LOL, even rhough it only happens after I take serequil.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

@Kirkroy - it sure sounds like akathisia which is a nightmare if it becomes chronic. If you wanted to try something non medication, this approach can be very helpful: Address the thoughts that keep you awake to resolve the insomnia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqvKkJWsiq-ea80

[@Quitcool]

Wow, Not only me who remember things easier, actually i remember it photographic as well, and in the video said that it kills creativity but in my case i relate a very different things with each other instantily and very clearly, but i also feel like i have 0% dopamine and i find that a sort of gift actually because i’m immune of behavioral addiction or medical too but the most important part is that i have happy morning most of days.

[@XenoTravis]

It is always funny when the videos say talk to your doctor when we all know most doctors wouldn't be prescribing this medication if they were keep up to date on research.

[@lizard0372]

Glad to have discovered this channel while researching ADHD medication! Damn, I love my seroquel for sleep and anxiety. I’m on 75mg, and just this week officially diagnosed w ADHD (aged 50!)… Psychiatrist is sending her recommendations to my GP, need ECG etc first before starting she said short acting stimulants. I have had signs of ADHD since a child, but makes me wonder if the Seroquel has had an effect on my ADHD symptoms? Because I’ve never been SO out of control disorganised, impulsive, confused, miserable and messy in every aspect of my life! Hmmmm… might start dropping back on it. I take herbal stuff and melatonin too, and 900mg gabapentin at night for nerve pain also (Back injuries, severe osteoarthritis- medically retired RN/midwife- I’ve always blamed my chronic insomnia on 25 years of shift work!) Gee; I wish you were my psychiatrist! The lady I saw this week was ok, but hard to understand (Romanian) and I have no plans to continue seeing her, and have just read soooo many terrible reviews on psychiatrists in Brisbane 😳 And at $550 a pop, I don’t really want to go Doctor shopping until I find a good one

[@lyndayates7533]

ADHD is a common diagnosis. I'd rethink that if I were you. At the very least see another Dr w/o mentioning it. They will for sure diagnose you but what will it be this time?? Also you might want to check the gabapentin out. Side effects and so on. You're on these meds and wonder why your life is such a mess? I'm sorry you had to pay that much to only find dysfunction. It's common. Pray you get it sorted.

[@squirlmy]

I don't believe seroquel has much of any effect on ADHD, it might even be helpful just from getting better sleep. I don't know exactly what gets prescribed for ADHD in Australia, I think Adderall is less safe and more problematic than methylphenidate (Ritalin). Bupropion is sometimes used, although it hasn't officially been approved for that use in the US. There's lots of options, and considering you've gotten this far in life without stimulants, maybe it's better to consider the sources of stress that might be causing you're absent-mindedness. Mostly I just wanted to contradict the earlier responder, While some medications might not be the most effective, I think it would be pretty clear to you and your doctor if it/they was making things worse. That's kind of what makes the high price of headshrinkers worthwhile, instead of random people on the internet. Not that some aren't also incompetent.

[@leoniebagnell3284]

That was so interesting. I have been wanting to go off my 25mg but did not know how to but I can see that the anti histomine could definitely be the answer. Thank you

[@Laura_Selig]

Did you end up tapering off 25 mg or just stopping taking it. I’m in the same boat

[@terywetherlow7970]

Some take Benadryl for sleep.

[@PowerofPrayingMoms]

Lost our 29 year old son to cardiac death. Found him gone on the floor. He was prescribed high doses of Seroquil via VA medical Center after deployment to IRAQ ( don’t even get me started on the US involvement/invasion of foreign land and their oil….disgusting)

[@elizardw4900]

Did he get the Covid19 mRNA injection?

[@PowerofPrayingMoms]

@@elizardw4900 he did not. But I do wonder if the virus alone was designed for just this

[@missionimpossible143]

🥺😢😭

[@MAzurburg]

Just came off them, i used them for sleep and felt like they made me sick gradually, no energy and no motivation. Always looked exhausted. Im on day 9 now. Mainly I feel anxious and depressed but Im starting to sleep better since last night which is a big consolation and good sign of whats to come.

[@dodgdurango6128]

it happens because dopamine and serotonin are being re-regulated. Your body needs at least 3 weeks of treatment on seroquel. if you have high cortisol levels, it’s really good for that because the drug Carries magnesium

[@oliverjones2426]

how are you now? are you still off them? thanks

[@MAzurburg]

@@oliverjones2426 Hey Oliver, I am, yes 🎉😁 I switched them out for Diazepam. A high dose initially (15 mg) and tapered all the way back to 2 mg a night. I'm going for the finish line which is 0, so nothing. Which I assume will take me at least another 2 months. But it was a great decision so far. I took Seroquel off label for sleep on a very low dose (something like 2 mg). It made me always tired, look way older than I was, unfocussed and cloudy in my head, and there was always hell to pay if I forgot my dose or took too little (had to become really handy with a pill cutter to get the right dose).

[@Jemmy14615]

​@@dodgdurango6128hey please me ..I tool seroquel..now I need help for my withdrawal

[@Troyance]

How do u feel now

[@yeahyouknowit176]

Having had BPD for roughly 18 years I can tell you now, I would rather retire as an alcoholic and go back on Quetiapine. I had no side effects, it stopped my racing thoughts and sleep was amazing.

[@saintjabroni]

Quetiapine or Seroquel? I can’t quite tell by your comment.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

@saintjabroni medicines usually have a generic name as well as one or more brand names. Seroquel is a brand name for quetiapine.

[@saintjabroni]

@@thePSYCHcollective Oh of course. It was an early morning message from me. Thank you.

[@Cookie-hg4xb]

I've been taking Seroquel every night to aid sleep for over 9 years now. Started off on 100mg then 200mg and now 300mg , which I have done for a few years now. It's definitely helped my sleep and I have come across little side effects except for a little weight gain as it does give you the munchies. I also take Venlavaxine and right now my mental health is good and it's the happiest I've been for quite some time.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

That’s great that’s it’s been helpful! Did the munchies get worse as the dose went up? Or did they get better as you got tolerant to the lower doses?

[@Cookie-hg4xb]

@@thePSYCHcollective I think it got worse as the dose went up , you just have to learn to control it.

[@lyndayates7533]

@@thePSYCHcollective you can't control the weight gain. I've been slender all my life and I gained 123 lbs on this drug. I'm on mid 3 months off and I feel like my brain was gorilla glued on this stuff. God awful drug. Idk how they could do this to ppl.

[@babynaysc]

@@thePSYCHcollective I will never use quetiapine again. The doctor gave me 25mg for sleep and it was terrible, I had nightmares, sedation, dizziness, a limp body, even an anxiety attack when I woke up, I couldn't get out of bed I was so lazy NOTE: I don't want to use it as a stabilizer, I started using lamotrigine, quetiapine would be just for sleep because I'm in hypomania, I'd rather not sleep until the consultation than take it again

[@archanamakhija3408]

@@Cookie-hg4xb hii r u still using this medicine

[@zaheercarrim1035]

Thank you for the effort you both put into this. ❤

[@livwilkins2415]

I have very bad brain fog and feel disconnected from my body. Has anyone experienced this with seroquel?

[@petitecheriecocoenrose7256]

Yes😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@terywetherlow7970]

Yep....

[@lucifersmyth7754]

I’m prescribed it by my anxiety, mild to medium sleep insomnia, bi polar and ptsd

[@jeaniewilliams7438]

I, after 30 yrs of having 5 diagnoses, have resigned to taking 50mg to sleep or stop psychosis. It works really well for me. The only bummer is that as I'm supposed to be falling asleep, I get the worst restless leg syndrome and sometimes all over body RLS. I sometimes miss my sleep window due to having to get up and walk around super drowsy for 30 minutes. It makes me sleep eat. It also makes me incredibly hungry. I find seroquel make me happier and feel safe and normal. I do respect this drug I used to take 500mg a day and Holy cow it was strong. At this high dose I had packed on 40 extra lbs. When the hight dose was dropped to 50mg for sleep the weight fell off quickly. Thank you for your post

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Is the restlessness better or worse if you ever miss a dose?

[@brandonwilson7918]

I've been bipolar as long as I can remember and refused to take the meds until I was at the end of my rope. I've been on Seroquel for 8 years now and it has kept me from having a severe manic phase. They used to last months and once led to psychosis. It did cause weight gain and lethargy so I'm trying to get down to 50mg. I'm currently taking 100 down from 200 and I'm still not getting severely manic so I'm hoping 50 will be the magic number.

[@babynaysc]

​@@brandonwilson7918 Today I was extremely doped with 50mg, , more than 25. The solution will be to cut the 25 pill in half. Totaling 12.5mg. Who knows, maybe I will tolerate the sedation better

[@brandonwilson7918]

@@babynaysc They took me off of it over a week ago. My sleep has been erratic but it's getting better. They switched me to Abilfy and I feel so much better and my personality is back to normal. My body also feels much more alive and I've already lost a few pounds.

[@smartttt1000]

ask psychiatrist to consider prescribing propranolol 40 mg , slow start, monitor BP as it can reduce RlS. can even take benzhexol 5 mg here and there to help. Take diabex XR for weight gain.

[@terywetherlow7970]

Noise everywhere all night long has recently robbed me of my ease in sleep. I am not functioning so well anymore. I was on Seroquel 12 ish years ago. Knocked me out...very hard to wake up again. Tried hydroxyzine 6 years ago,ended up with water on the brain. Durn near lost my mind. Gave up,neither did a thing for my reactivity / ptsd / low mood. Now i sleep for a few hours and can be jolted awake by 24 hour society. Stay up for a few hours, go back to sleep, Thank God i am retired....and almost 70....won't be much longer now....yayyy!

[@Jakey4000]

It's quite terrifying how commonly quetiapine is prescribed for sleeping in New Zealand, I don't know how often it happens overseas but it's far surpassed zopiclone in how often I dispense it with indications 1t (25mg) prn nocte f sleep, with many others getting up to 4t (4x25mg) for people that don't appear to have medical conditions thst require antipsychotics based on other medications prescribed. Though there is one guy that is definitely has some form of psychosis on 1.2grams (1200mg) of quetiapine a day

[@mikey7146]

a

[@yannickvermaelen2077]

Better taka a low dose off valium., but oh dangerous addiction bla bla ... BS

[@Jakey4000]

@@yannickvermaelen2077 can definitely cause dependence for diazepam to get sleep as long as you're not taking enough to reach a recreational dose. Over time you will need more to get the same effect, also I personally wouldn't go for diazepam as it's a longer acting benzo which likely leads to a hangover effect in the morning. I'm not perfect, I take promethazine for sleep.

[@matthewireland4483]

Great talk team. Thanks Dr Al for your work on this.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Thanks!

[@lyndayates7533]

Thank you so much for this video. For speaking the truth.

[@noone-dd9yn]

very brief and informative. loved it

[@simonsmith2642]

Im bipolar and just take 25-50mg a night. It absolutely knocks me out but its not sleep. Its like being black out drunk and you just black out cold. I dont feel like I slept. I feel like I blinked and it was morning. I was told I could take it as needed. Because I HATE it so much. So I wait and try everything I can without it but if I am on a massive up, mania, and its been all week, I take it. The antihistamine makes so much sense. When I take an SNRI all I do is sleep… SSRI and I go manic. SNRI works on the same kind of receptor which is why I sleep sleep sleep… Its not a good sleeping pill.

[@makaveli4205]

I take 400mg everyday. It used to make me really tired. But over time it went away.

[@W8320T]

Im almost 5 months sober and have been taking seroquel for sleep for almost 3 years. It works great for sleep with me, but i am going to talk to my doctor about weening off slowly. Excited but scared to take this leap and dont want it to mess with my sobriety, but ive quit nicotine and started fasting 5 days a week so i know i can do this. But one small step at a time. Im currently taking 75mg a night. Im going to drop down to 50mg for a month or more and so on

[@scarab9762]

I was taking it for benzo withdrawal at 6.25 mg for insomnia. I couldn't believe that such a small dose could do anything. It was the only thing that put me to sleep. After 3-4 months i decided to taper.. now tapering from 6.25 was kinda funny. It was like taking a grain of salt at the end. Luckily i got off it with no issues.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

It’s surprising how much effect a small dose can have. You might be surprised to know that it also comes as a 300mg tablet!

[@scarab9762]

@@thePSYCHcollective I now know what a slippery slope pharmaceutical's are. I learned my lesson.. never again!. Thanks for the great content

[@janmarcha3332]

Seroquel was prescribed to me by a Psychiatrist for my primary anxiety disorder and panic attacks that caused my insomnia in 2018. He said it's an off label drug and a better option because it is not addictive. I used it sporadically for a year and my experience with the drug was generally ok. I had to cut the lowest dosage of 25mg in half as the drug was too strong for me. The whole tablet could knock me off for 24 hours. Grogginess and extremely dry mouth were my side effects.

[@alpetterson9452]

Coming off Quetiapine was horrendous.

[@JasonGeoffrey]

Enjoyed watching this, thanks for your work.

[@mstringer90]

I wish I was never prescribed Seroquel for sleep/anxety, I'm tapering myself off now

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Do talk to your prescriber so you have a plan if there’s problems

[@lindsay9139]

Yea taper very slowly and get micro doses from doc if you can to go as low as possible. I am coming up on one year off it in December. What helped was tapering and staying at that level for 3 weeks before going lower at a time. Adding magnesium and 5htp once I was at the lowest dose and then upping those when I quit. Also a low dose melatonin when I quit to help me fall asleep. I still struggle with good sleep but I’m grateful to be off and will never go back

[@lyndayates7533]

Wonderful to hear! Stay strong. I am so proud that you know better.

[@Jemmy14615]

@@lindsay9139 how are u now? Ur sleep?

[@fardhan_dheema]

I have been using seroquel for 6 years and just got pain in my chest..i went to the doctor and he diagnosed me with pericarditis which is starting l...i cried and explained lto my cardiologist that it is caused by seroquel..i forced my psychiatrist to take me off seroquel l..i am on snother drug but i sleep for a few hours....everything he is saying is true

[@oliverjones2426]

did you get the vaccine for covid? a lot of people have got pericarditis from it. xoxoxx

[@jackiegutmann]

This medication has saved my life from a lot , I can’t hate it on it. Just don’t abuse it😔

[@svetlanacebanu7311]

For how long do you take this medication?

[@chantellekaro4344]

Wow, I've taken Seroquel 100mg everynight for over 10years now, I'm addicted to it, can't get sleep without it

[@sandhyakbeautytips]

Taken this tablet gain ur weight

[@j-uk2189]

Any side effect??

[@lyndayates7533]

I ate anything. Began vomiting. Had pancreas attack. Given for sleep. Day 24 coming off and I can't sleep at all. My mouth and tongue and face are screaming in pain. It's getting worse not better. A chemical lobotomy.

[@lyndayates7533]

Watch out. You don't know it's killing you.

[@nicholasr39]

I take it for what it's licenced for.... schizophrenia. I'm on 750mg per day split into two doses, it's causing damage to my body, I'm always tired, I get rapid heartbeat soon after taking it and I get a lot of aches and pains. You should be using Zopiclone or Zolpidem for sleep. Even long term use of Zopiclone is better than using Seroquel for sleep alone.

[@2Siders]

That diagram with the pluses ++++ is very useful

[@karenkennedy6331]

Scary scary drug! Should never be given to anyone who is not psychotic! I thought I was dying, the worst nightmarish experience I ever had! Luckily I slept 15 hours!

[@KarePassion]

Seroquel extended release has far fewer negative side effects than standard release does. Seroquel saved my life.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

The drug is the same, but the effect is delayed/extended so it’s diluted over a longer period of time. Consequently higher doses are often needed.

[@KarePassion]

​@@thePSYCHcollective I don't need higher doses. The effect is not the same. There are differences between extended release and standard release for many medications. Where some might not be able to take one, they might be able to take the other. Extended release Buproprion makes me anxious. Standard release does not cause the same issue. With Seroquel, it's the reverse. The extended release works for me with fewer side effects, while the standard release only causes more problems for me. My pharmacist said that across the board, extended release tended to have fewer negative side effects and less weight gain than the standard release does. I take 100 mg seroquel xr during the day, and 25 mg standard release before bed. Higher dose is activating. Lower dose at bedtime is sedating. Counterintuitive, but that is how seroquel works. Many psychiatrists prescribe far too high a dose for psych meds. They don't titrate up slowly to find the optimal dose for treating symptoms. 100 mg during the day and 25 mg at night is a pretty sweet dose. (Plus 75 mg Effexor, 150 Buproprion, and 150 lamictal) Many people are given doses of 300+ on most of these meds. I likely would not have even been on the Effexor and Buproprion had I been given the proper diagnosis from the start, and had a sleep study at the onset. Once on the meds, that was the lower limit that I could deal with in my attempt to titrate off the medications. I am in a very good place across the board with my medications, sleep and managing my disorder.

[@three-stripes]

I can't believe a medical doctor would prescribe this medicine for anything but what's its for.. anti psychotic, bipolar, major depressive disorder... That blows my mind.

[@mypalsalvintage135]

Very informative

[@velevetyyflies]

got 12.5mg a day seroquel from a short hospital trip, probably in the books for anxiety (despite me saying i wasnt anxious lol) but meant for depression i dont know i dont get told much haha. at first i loved it bc it was sedating but honestly i've never had issues with sleep and now if i don't take it i can't sleep (but more motivation), but if i do i'm sedated and more tolerable however pretty lethargic and tired the whole day. funny how in one day someone who you'll never see again can just give you this stuff. also on prozac and don't notice much except more i'm less irritable and less appetite. honestly i just use it more like a benzo so im chill i refuse to take it at night unless i have an early morning.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Some people find 6.25mg (1/4 tablet) to be adequate. Helps sleep/not too tired the next day. Might be worth talking to whoever’s going to be prescribing if you continue. Your Prozac experience is pretty typical for SSRIs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5CafaqCaqqgd9U

[@babynaysc]

​@@thePSYCHcollective Today I was extremely doped with 50mg, , more than 25. The solution will be to cut the 25 pill in half. Totaling 12.5mg. Who knows, maybe I will tolerate the sedation better

[@kryptichorror3230]

Long term marijuana use gave me permanent insomnia, after years of suffering with 30-50 hr no sleep days and trying different meds and relying on Benzos which only worked half the time, Seroquel worked for me and was a lifesaver for over 2 years at 12-15mg. But these last few months it suddenly stop working as good even increasing it to 50 didn't help just made it a bit worst. I tried many times to stop taking it and trying to sleep on my own but I would end up not sleeping or best get 2-3 hours quite dreadful. I really don't know what to do anymore at this point.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Could be tolerance. Less frequent use or taking a break can reduce tolerance impacts.

[@kutsykurt5239]

Hey I’ve been following you guys for quite some well you guys should make a video about genetic polymorphism and bioavailability for antidepressants

[@thePSYCHcollective]

@Kutsy Kurt - thanks for your follow and request. I haven’t found pharmocogenetic testing to be very helpful. It can potentially signal if people are need higher versus lower doses, but what we see clinically often doesn’t correlate to what the tests indicate. If you know of a good resource/argument for them I’d be interested.

[@504Journey]

I Been on it for 4 yrs n LOVE IT❤❤

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Great that you found something that works for you!

[@3.0colorado21]

I’m on day 2 of stopping it and I feel nauseous and groggy. I hate how I can’t sleep without it. But I hate how I feel on it. It really is terrible.

[@oliverjones2426]

im in the same boat, ive managed 2 times to get off it for a week but then my sleep isnt great and i get panic attacks and i get back on it, i really need regular sleep but i hate how the drugs makes me feel.

[@3.0colorado21]

@@oliverjones2426 it was a rough couple weeks, and some nights are more difficult still. Big pharma has its place and this medication for sleep was an overreach.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

More on sleep here: No sleep? Wired and Tired? CBTi for Insomnia is the solution kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6unhXxqna1orLs

[@shirine5015]

hey how’s it going for you?

[@3.0colorado21]

@@shirine5015 I’m on a semi regular schedule now but my nights are longer than I want them to be. The biggest thing is that I know I am mentally better off of that medication. I am not a zombie anymore.

[@skamarrr]

Thanks for this informative video! After trying quite a few meds, I was a prescribed 25 mg Seroquel a few years ago and it has been the only med keeping me asleep. However, I’ve been experiencing memory loss and I’m only 27 and I just know it’s from the Seroquel. My psychiatrist said there’s no way a low dosage is causing memory loss but the evidence speaks for itself. I’ve read the memory loss is related to Seroquel affecting dopamine regulation. I really want to get off Seroquel but in the mean time, any specific alternative you suggest when my main issue is memory retention? I have chronic insomnia so going cold turkey probably isn’t my best option. My psychiatrist is no help so I really appreciate you taking the time to answer this

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Check this out for some help on sleep. www.thepsychcollective.com/resources/Sleep-Struggles-and-Skills-eBook-p532872032

[@dodgdurango6128]

It’s definitely not from Seroquel but rather major depression. You probably need another antidepressant or a higher dose of seroquel.

[@dodgdurango6128]

It could also be your insomnia. I have chronic primary insomnia and I developed a rare form of Comorbid narcolepsy. it’s probably lack of sleep sadly to say cuz I have the same issue. I gladly get to taper off my seroquel because it’s not working anymore so I’m just sleeping without it anyways. If you’re taking any dose of seroquel under 100 mg, it’s not gonna do anything to your dopamine.

[@gtrdk8205]

I have chronic insomnia… I have use in long time sleeping pills but by time I didn’t get deep sleep 😴. My doctor prescribed seroquel 25mg. I felt to deep sleep but by time I felt like zoobie mode. Brian fog concentrate issues, memory issues dizziness all day…. When I try to reduce the dose it creates insomnia and anxiety. It’s really playing with my brain emotions 😢

[@dodgdurango6128]

@@gtrdk8205 I’m on lithium for my insomnia. very good drug.

[@fruitbunnii]

Thanks guys. This was helpful, I am supposed to take tonight for anxiety. But why is it blocking dopamine? Isn’t that the goal with an anti-psychotic to make you happy over and calmer?

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Issue is both the symptom (anxiety) and mental fatigue from anxiety and overwork. Everyone’s mental fatigue is a factor I suspect. Patient goal: an easy fix to complex problems as too mentally fatigued to address the complexity. Doctor goal: resolve the symptom complaint (anxiety) without time to go delving deeply while managing their own mental fatigue and not being able to work around patient’s mental fatigue Pharma goal: increase company revenue taking advantage of mental fatigue of doctors and patients Re happiness. It’s not achieved by medications. Meds might be able to alleviate negative emotions to a degree, but positive emotion is achieved by more complex things like movement towards a meaningful goal, relationships etc. I don’t think antipsychotics can make people happy. But can numb emotion.

[@Haiderali-be7bs]

Why it is blackbox drug, how do you define blackbox drug dangerous in many ways?

[@Dudu98]

Hi! I started taking quetiapine 3 weeks ago because I had nose surgery and it made me not feel the air I breathe through the nose which resulted in insomnia (possible empty nose syndrome). I am taking 200mgs extended release form for sleep, but I feel very demotivated and foggy during the day. For me at this point it is more like a choice between feeling like a zombie because of a medication for sleep or feeling like a zombie because of not sleeping. I just think that maybe trying Doxylamine wouldn't be the best because it might dry my nasal mucosa out even more. What would you recommend doing?

[@thePSYCHcollective]

We can’t give medical advise here. You need to take questions about medications to your prescriber. There may be very compelling reasons that your prescriber has made those recomendations. In general terms 200mg for sleep alone is a large dose. I mostly prescribed 12.5-25mg for sleep. Sometimes as little as 6.25mg. Here are some other resources that you may wish to explore regarding sleep: This video may be useful to understand sleep : kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2m6n3xrq7OSbLs This one is more comprehensive but long: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6unhXxqna1orLs

[@dodgdurango6128]

Try trazodone for sleep. It’s an anti-anxiety medication but at 50 mg it works wonders even at the most panicking level of Insomnia. it’s also non addictive.

[@Mmcermes]

Have you tried hydroxizine?

[@dodgdurango6128]

@@Mmcermes I love hydroxizine 😭

[@Dudu98]

@@Mmcermes No, but I am currently getting off quetiapine and transitioning to trazodone. I am down to 50mg of quetiapine and can honestly say that I feel much more normal during the day. However, my nose is f'ed up.

[@badass1g]

I bounce back and fourth from ambien to seroquel to help keep tolerance from raising. I don’t like the dry mouth from seroquel but what can ya do lol.

[@aronjohnson2553]

The devils drug. Very evil stuff

[@squirlmy]

Just looking at Wikipedia for Pomethazine, and effects include: Tardive dyskinesia, pseudo-parkinsonism, acute dystonia (effects due to dopamine D2 receptor antagonism) Confusion in the elderly, Drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, more rarely vertigo, Known to have effects on serotonin and dopamine receptors. Now, these were things that were supposed to be reasons to avoid Seroquel, particularly dopamine antagonism. That chart 4:00 seems a little too neat, with some cherry picking. Either the blockage or boost of each receptor has a singular effect on the chart, and how accurate is the one to for plus signs for Effects? I would think there's a great deal of variability from person to person with such effects, and does "blockage or boost" of receptors have such clear-cut specific effects? Basically, I don't think it's a well made chart, and I don't understand why there isn't a link to download the chart, but maybe its to keep it from being too closely examined? Side effects should be considered separately from the biochemical effects on receptors, because there's no telling how many, or to what degree, unpleasant or unhealthful side effects happen with medications where receptor agonism or antagonism are not involved or not understood. These things won't fit into such a chart. "Skills before pills" has a nice ring, but I don't think it's too practical to expect many patients to succeed with this route, and a large percentage will likely have tried at least some of these methods before asking the doctor (I'm purposefully mixing cynical and optimistic reasons to turn to medication). Next I'll look at doxylamine (Dozile or Unisom), but, I'm not too hopeful.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Thanks for your comment. The pluses reflect relative receptor affinity at a given receptor. I could have used numbers, but it would have been very difficult for viewers to interpret because of the scale variation between receptors. Most effects and most side effects are mediated by receptor affinities. That’s how these medications all work. True there is variation between individuals, the table is based on the data and not on any given viewer’s receptor affinity profile, which is unknowable with the current technology.

[@iwilson6651]

Thats awesome that it works for some. Although seroquel did knock me out it left me completely exhausted with debilitating brainfog the next day...my dr's response was to drink more coffee lol

[@gangoffour6690]

It is an incredibly dangerous drug. All psychotropic are. Do your research first.

[@kevmack101]

I been talking this drug to sleep and my life is a mess now

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Sorry to hear that things are a mess

[@goldersgreen2177]

Same

[@lyndayates7533]

Mine as well. 400 plus mgs. I am finding lack of sleep the worst part. The best is my brain feels like it is finally free. I have sleep narcolepsy and not being able to sleep is overwhelming! I had side effects my Dr dismissed. He said my withdrawal couldn't still be happening at a month's time. Also I'm old so what a shock this has been to me! Now because of withdrawals and so little sleep, shakiness and jerking. My Dr wanted to prescribe yet another drug. Most of all it hurt me as a person that he suggested I need a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is how this huge problem started so I would never trust them again. Hope ppl stay away from these drugs. An industry that makes money off of your mental health. I'm learning still. Prayers to anyone going off of this poison.

[@blairsterling6141]

@@lyndayates7533 ..Psychiatry also ruined my life. I have a permanent disability of Tardive Dyskinesia. I had to endure: seizures, Parkinson's, Akathisia, Ataxia, profound incordination, shakiness, tics, heart rhythm problems, thyroid destruction, acne, hair loss, weight gain. Neuroleptics are the most dangerous drugs on planet Earth. Tricycyclics are almost as bad. Psychiatry will not address all their failures. They hide truth. They do not want to lose business. Read anything by Dr. Peter Breggin. 💜

[@lyndayates7533]

@@blairsterling6141 I reread again. This is pure horror you are suffering. I am so sorry that you were treated in such a way. How are you dealing with this and how do you cope? I have mild symptoms of many of these things from seroquel for sleep. Things got a whole lot worse when I got off cold turkey. There is no help for people like us but the support of our families and those who love. I love you. I may not know you but I recognize the pain. I've seen it. I can only listen and let you know that I care and you are heard. They lied to you. They kept telling you it was all in your head these side effects? Gastly horrible stuff. Lmk how you really are. What you are taking and more of your story. You realize it needs to be told. What was done to you is happening to millions of others right now. It's not right. God bless you. I pray you believe in God? Such concerning issues. I get it. They don't care. Only about money and covering their asses. Now you struggle with all this mess of diagnosis? Heart wrenching.

[@user-kg7lr2mf1g]

I had a break down well over it.

[@kekoakaawa8879]

Does low dose (25-50mg) of quetiapine/ seroquel really increase cardiovascular disease risk? And does it increase the risk of developing diabetes?

[@sherryarflin726]

I was started on 50 msg a day for sleep aid. It’s not working….I still only get about an hr to an hr and a half of sleep a night. I’m a chronic insomniac. My insomnia started when I was in the third grade. I’m 67 now. I’m having problems in my gate when I walk at night after taking it. Never did before. Now every time I stand up I’m having an explosion of pain in my head, then get dizzy and am so unsteady on my feet that I can’t walk without holding on to whatever I can reach at that time. I never had these problems before taking it. I want to quit taking it but I don’t know the best way. I didn’t think you could cut them in half. Can anyone tell me how to ween myself off of them safely?

[@sherryarflin726]

Nope, no help.

[@spiraling69]

I've been taking a long release 150mg and 100mg regular release seroquel for sleep for the past 2.5 years, and just found out that I have "Prolonged QT" because of it. so now my doc is quickly weening me off before my heart decides to stop! Moral of the story is that you should study up on the drugs your doctor prescribes and know the issues associated.

[@user-kg7lr2mf1g]

So basically l will feel miserable. Not a good drug. So although you are sadated . No affect on anyone else . You feel down. Getting of it . Down to 50 .

[@mymyinspiration9582]

Gained 20lbs on this drug. Can’t get it off either. 😢

[@kinseybruno5920]

I cannot believe people would take this for anything but psychosis it is awful to have to take I am dying to get off it please don’t take this unless u really have schizophrenia

[@Woodcity79]

I wonder why hydroxyzine aka vistaril wasn't on there? I can take a quarter of a 25mg of Seroquel and be out, but nothing with hydroxyzine.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

@Wood T Wasn’t an intention omission. I could have just compared very single antihistamine there is. Might have been less useful to do that than bring in other med classes? Might be too boring to just head to head very similar items? Let me know what you think.

[@user-jdr93q8yer9g]

Is chlorprothixene relatively safer than quetiapine when prescribed off-label as a sleep aid?

[@saintessa]

Do antipsychotics help to sleep because it lowers mental arousal? That's what I thought?

[@kristi1678]

I came on here to consider taking an old seroquel script to help me sleep. I've had it for a while and usually take remeron just having a hard time getting into the doctor! All these comments made me too scared to take one ugh

[@JacksonYoung528]

I needed this info wow

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Thanks for the feedback! Please share the video

[@bernicerogers2383]

I question the source of this paper. In fact I question this video when you can't even spell advice! Advise is a verb. 🙄

[@mustaphabakhti]

Don't listen to them,if Seroquel is working for you, keep taking it just make sure u get tested from time fo time blood sugar, heart and cholesterol.

[@Laura_Selig]

I know this video is a year old. But what’s the best way to taper off 50mg XR seroquel. As 50mg is the lowest dose in the extended release. Should I first go back to IR 25mg and then taper from there?

[@thePSYCHcollective]

That’s a reasonable proposition for many people, but you need to discuss you specific treatments with your prescriber.

[@aronjohnson2553]

These drugs are the devil in disguise

[@deddie4645]

Nice video

[@paulcarney2608]

Thank you 🙏

[@sarahhack1931]

Serious q, would you take on a new patient and work on tapering schedule (just for sleep) for myself? I was put on this without given knowledge of the dangers and dependancy issues for sleep 6 years ago (when I was in hospital for something else but found it hard to fall asleep before midnight) and my dr has since retired and hard to find psychiatrists in brisbane accepting new patients. desperate to have natural sleep again! (And to not have side effects / future risk)

[@Aussie-Phill]

Go see doctor cecelio arenas at north lakes (our medical home north lakes ) been my Gp,for our 20 years he helped me get off seroquel q.

[@michaelthau1007]

Thank you for such wonderful content!! Chronic insomnia for 3 years, sleep hygiene, melatonin, no help. At 53 im exhausted daily. I currently take Sonota, when I wake up and can't fall back to sleep. Doesn't work that great. My Dr has suggested trying Lunesta, says it will keep you asleep. Any thoughts on those Z drugs for long term, or i was going to consider Mirtaz at 7.5mg ? Do you feel that's a viable option? Thank you God Bless you

[@thePSYCHcollective]

If you’ve become tolerant to meds then it might be worth trying other approaches: this address the most common issue (mental arousal): kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqvKkJWsiq-ea80 Sleep Skills might be helpful, here some more relevant videos. kzbin.info/aero/PLdFXYiKIH7BGpTZuy9EB3aZ4L5YtklwH1

[@deepthoughts8393]

Forget all those big pharma killers!!!! Get RSO/ Phoenix tears from your dispensary problem solved

[@fickleemu4life401]

I’ve been on it for 11 years. I’ve tried other drugs and nothing seems to work. I’ve often wondered if I have a histamine problem.

[@emmaelson6770]

along with Ambien and Amytriptlin, I sleep for a good 13 hours. It is great

[@Gabriel-gv1mx]

Greetings from Queensland. I've been prescribed Seroquel 50- 100mg, as an add-on, along with xanax 4mg at night. I have never increased either of these medications, but in my case, Seroquel was prescribed to assist with anxiety and panic attacks. Is it less harmful taking, say, 50mg vs 100mg, or should this drug be avoided? I am not remotely overweight, but I do have sleep apnea. Not sure if there is any correlation. Is it advisable to taper off seroquel and find a safer, less potent drug given the cardiovascular implications mentioned here? Many kind thanks.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Thanks for the question, but you won’t like my view. In the context of so much xanax I’m not surprised to hear about the anxiety and panic. Xanax has a rapid onset and rapid offset with rebound anxiety. I never prescribe it. It works initially, in the same way a loan shark works for a credit card problem. The patients I inherit with anxiety/panic don’t get better until it is converted to an equivalent long acting benzo and weaned SLOWLY. The process is tough and not for everyone. 4mg of Xanax is equivalent to at least 40mg of diazepam (8 x 5mg tablets).

[@Ann-l7x]

Seroquel is known to cause sleep apnea and breathing problems and muscle problems. And interdose withdrawal which will aggravate anxiety in long run.

[@aronjohnson2553]

Wow 2 horrible drugs. Xanax and seroquel

[@Gabriel-gv1mx]

@@thePSYCHcollective Many thanks for your honest opinion. Prior to taking Xanax and Seroquel, I was riddled with debilitating anxiety, anxiety attacks, disabling worry about dying- hence why I was prescribed these medications. My anxiety seriously impacted on my day-to-day life, beit work or in social settings. I am looking to eventually get off these two medications for the reasons you mentioned, which brings me to my question: what would you advise in terms of tapering off these two drugs entirely, and what, in your opinion, would be a safer alternative combating anxiety? Again, thank you. ❤

[@thePSYCHcollective]

@Gabriel-gv1mx There’s no one size fits all approach. You’ll need to work with your prescriber (blah blah). In general we go slow with reduction. As slow as is needed. Rebound severe anxiety means one is going too fast. It’s usually the case that it’s not too hard to drop from 100% to 75% (in small increments). Getting to 50% is harder so we need to go slower. The lower we go the harder it can get, so going slower in smaller steps is often needed. The last 25% is sometimes very hard and the last 10% can be even harder. People need to be as optimised as possible. Don’t try it in the middle of chaos. If stress come your way, postpone reducing (or even go up a notch) until the issue is resolved. You’ll need a good routine and regular exercise helps a lot. Before trying it it can be very helpful to cut out sugar/carbs, see this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4C7fYevbKmBZpo, as blood sugar fluctuations make anxiety worse. The 4 buckets techniques can help address feelings of overwhelm and chaos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3u0faiwjLuSrJY Learn anxiety modulating skills (via CO2 eg kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoGlen6Bj66qfas) and TIP (kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWGmqYKZZbermZo). Remember deliberate courage is the antidote to states of increased anxiety (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqKYg6lnasxniq8).

[@RR_DM]

referred to clinically as a, "chemical restraint"

[@CitrusandWinston]

I’m prescribed 200 mg for sleep and I usually break it in half and only take 100. I also take 0.3 of clonidine. I question if this is even safe and I have a lot of constant chest pain and body aches. I seldomly feel happy and honestly for the past year ive been on it it’s felt like i’m just been in null. But my issue is, even with the clonidine I can’t sleep. I things like hydroxyzine and it helps for 2-3 days then stops. I want off this medication but I don’t know what else to even ask for so that i’m getting sleep

[@mpras684]

I am sorry to hear all of this. My poor sleep quality has impacted every facet of my life and when I try and talk talk to my GP and psychiatrist about it, I get no where. It took a letter from my mum a retired GP to get my psychiatrist to listen to me on Monday. I was on 225 mg and am now in 1125mg with the hope of tapering off to nothing. He does not want to reduce my dose right now. The major reason is the excruciating restlessness I feel when I take it! I describe it as jumping out of my skin. Unable to sit still and an immense feeling of physical agitation. My psych said it would not be a condition called Akathisia on the relatively low dose I am on but I am going to challenge him on that. Some of us can be terribly sensitive to certain medications. It happened to my best friend. 10 years of suffering but she’s off all meds but still experiences certain ticks and involuntary movements. All I am desperately seeking is a good night’s sleep! All the best on your journey. 🌺 Dr Griskaitis, I looked you up and can see you practise on the South Coast. Do you consult outside of the clinic? Telehealth perhaps? THANK YOU for your content and being accessible to the wider, non medical community 🙏

[@thePSYCHcollective]

If one is not sleeping despite sedatives, sometimes the answer is a break from them. One needs to be careful about withdrawal, so that means weaning. It’s reasonable to discuss with your doctor the concepts of tolerance, withdrawal and taking a break from sedatives. There’s other strategies for sleep. If it’s thought that keep you awake, address the thoughts: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqvKkJWsiq-ea80

[@archanamakhija3408]

Citrus & winston how many years u take this medicine r u still u this

[@smartttt1000]

@@mpras684 ask psychiatrist to consider prescribing propranolol 40 mg , slow start, monitor BP as it can reduce akathesia and restless legs, can even take benzhexol 5 mg here and there to help. Take diabex XR for weight gain.

[@andrewbrumagen3479]

One of my friend's friend died and he was on that, I was on that but I stopped taking them.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Sorry to hear about your friend

[@user-fb3yf2xb2z]

@@thePSYCHcollective the drug is dangerous. bpm suddenly goes to 210 in the middle of the night. wtf. let the doctors take them for a bit, and then see how they get banned.

[@fickleemu4life401]

Does anyone know of anything with the antihistamine properties of seroquel without the other stuff? Over the counter antihistamines aren’t strong enough so far to make me sleep. Only seroquel is. This is my 11th year old seroquel for sleep.

[@nenadcubric2663]

How good does it Work for Anxiety / Panic / Social Phobia , and Agitation?

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Probably by inducing sedation and (multiple mechanisms) a degree of indifference

[@pauldaniels2179]

Most people are phycotic by defintion so thats why its a great sleeping pill.

[@jillsinanan6777]

What about the side effect of raising one's triglycerides?!

[@thePSYCHcollective]

That can be a problem and could be part of the reason for the increased risk/mortality

[@craftygirl17]

My son who has autism was prescribed Seroquel for sleep, I’m going to talk to his care giver that he lives with, I never felt comfortable with this, I didn’t know he was taking this till I was told by his ex care giver, he use to live with. Darn drugs, is there any safe medication!

[@kareendeveraux1847]

Psychotropic drugs are all bad, please don't coldturkey the drug that causes brain damage. Get additional information online how to safely taper them off, most psychiatrists (actually 95%) don't know how to withdraw. It's about 10% reduction of the previous dose per months. That's how dangerous they are... Take care!

[@monalebon8016]

NO!

[@lyndayates7533]

No. A relief to know your son is your priority. Many caretakers love this drug because it sedates ppl so much they are much easier to care for. Sad but true. Check on your son. Big hugs for you!

[@FBAV]

Seroquel is slowly killing you end of the talk

[@mrwater2033]

Hi, I'm considering strongly swapping my medicine again (quetiapine), currently taking 50mg for sleep but idk looking at the stats of effectiveness and capability of different meds make me wonder why I wasn't prescribed with Doxylamine instead if the aim is to get me to sleep only. Do you have any advice on fixing a dry mouth? I've literally been emptying the choices at the pharmacy, haha. None of them are really helpful and the saliva in the mouth is really important for oral health, so I'm really worried. What do you mean with the dot under M1 Block? (Since you used + on the others)

[@lyndayates7533]

This drug is an antihistamine so be prepared to not only have dry mouth but dry eyes as well. I sure miss the sleep it induced but the nightmares and sleep paralysis were awful. I also think it works better for sleep at lower dose. I sure hope you don't ever have to increase it. Very dangerous drug. Do look up the side effects. Don't think they won't happen to you. Eventually they most likely will.

[@mrwater2033]

@@lyndayates7533 Yeah, I'm taking less dosages now and will eventually quit with it and try something else. I'm going to give L-Tryptophan a try. Apparently it's supposedly friendlier than melantonin. They're similar but you could say each one of them are different stages of releasing the sleep hormones or w/e they are. Most irritating thing was they suggested me to increase the dosage. I've had this medicine once before and quit but they kept encouraging me to test it again. and yeah, still shit. Thanks for the heads up! Appreciated :) What makes this even worse is that I'm currently combating autoimmune protocol disease at the same time which also affects my hormones, sleep, skin, organs etc.

[@lyndayates7533]

@@mrwater2033 oic. From all I've seen the smaller the dose the most effective seroquel is. While stopping it I also tried many things such as melatonin. The Benadryl has the same drying side effects as the seroquel and is addictive also not healthy. It's great to see you're looking for more natural alternatives. I was always able to get off of the seroquel until I couldn't. I really don't understand why you weren't given a low dose benzo for sleep. You sound intelligent and in control of your mind and what you want verses what you don't. May be ask your Dr. Just be careful and look it up. Find out what vitamins and or supplements you may require when taking anything really. I am so happy the dry mouth and chapped lips are finally gone. I had chronic dry eyes too with floaters. Awful itchy eyes. I couldn't go anywhere w/o some good lip balm and eye drops. At night would have to use the gel. Be nice for you to get this sorted.

[@lyndayates7533]

@@mrwater2033 proud of you for getting off the seroquel. I often wonder if I might have been okay if only they kept me at a low dose all these years but as I said the lower the dose the more effective it is for sleep. Still the same side effects long term sadly. It's always good to hear when some one stops it. Keep us posted on your journey and what you find that works for you. Keep the faith on your auto immune disease.

[@mrwater2033]

@@lyndayates7533 Thank you, I noticed something was really wrong when I either had the flu or post covid for almost a year. Yeah, it scared me when I looked it up on youtube and got to know what they can do to you (doctors, psychatrists or ppl with experience). I'm always really skeptical about new meds. So starting off with 25g and max 50g was a good limit. Yeah, I will keep you updated :) At least I know I'm heading in the right direction of my healing process. Both mentally and physically. Can't believe it's been taking 10 years to figure out most of the end puzzles. Take care of yourself!

[@saintessa]

I use 25 - 50mg of seroquel when I run out of my catapres/clonidine for sleeping.

[@saintessa]

and since I hadve adhd which is why I take catapres, I think the quetiapine is having a counteractive effect on my vyvanse

[@Tilr701]

I have been using seroquel for sleep for 17years. I want to come off of it. What could be the other option? Also, what vitamins and minerals can I take while tapering?

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Its not something one can generically advise. It’s something that requires discussion and planning with your prescriber. It very much matters why it was started (it’s often used in mood and other disorders), the dose taken, and the presence of other medicines/drugs need to be factored in. Timing matters too, stressful life circumstances can make changes difficult.

[@Jakey4000]

The one mineral we advise in pharmacy is magnesium, it's not guaranteed but it's got the best evidence behind it. Melatonin is also a good option but I would highly recommend having your doctor decided if its best for you as its only helpful in certain situations. Ultimately you would want to aim towards not needing any medications for sleep other than supplements like magnesium for general health, in the US Melatonin is very common otc but in other countries like mine, Australia, UK Melatonin is a prescription only medication because it should be carefully chosen. Best of luck.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Great comment from Jakey. I’d add some more detail: Some people get a huge benefit from melatonin, but many people get no benefit. Melatonin seems to be most helpful when there’s a circadian rhythm issue (shift work, international travel) or as people get older and produce less melatonin. A few people seem to really benefit and I suspect they are those who underproduce melatonin. Which regards to magnesium. It can be helpful especially if one is depleted. Repletion with a Magnesium amino acid chelate / magnesium diglycinate is well absorbed, many other magnesium preparations are not well absorbed and mostly have a laxative effect. But after a week or two of nightly use the effect seems to wane, so intermittent use may be better (eg 2 weeks on / two weeks off). But neither intervention is likely to substitute for the wakefulness reducing effect of the seroquel’s action upon the histamine receptor. Generally very slow weaning may be a useful strategy and may switching to intermittent use of an antihistamine. But discuss any changes with your prescriber.

[@Jakey4000]

@@thePSYCHcollective Thank you! I've also noticed melatonin seems to be widely prescribed to my patients with ADHD and it seems to help me quite significantly too (I have ADHD.) Yeah with magnesium it does need to be a good formulation, and I can understand why so many people get confused while looking up and down the aisles. We have a brand here in New Zealand that makes a high quality magnesium supplement, they give us free samples to try when the reps come around which is lovely. I fully agree, it's definitely worth having your GP make a decision on what's likely to be the right addition if you need help sleeping, and I highly believe you should avoid sedating medications unless it's absolutely your last resort after trialing many options and with your GPs consent.

[@thePSYCHcollective]

@Jakey Commonly, it’s thoughts that keep people awake. Stressors and problems that people can’t or won’t face or address. It might be lack of time or lack of motivation. In any case those thought increase arousal and keep people awake. A helpful approach is to address the thoughts head on. This video gives an approach to that: Solve Your Sleep Problems with this Technique to Declutter Your Mind kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqvKkJWsiq-ea80

[@maryannmoss]

What works as well as Seroquel

[@poopybutthole4947]

I have a borderline personality disorder and I kinda feel that my life becomes much better after taking serquel, I've been taking serquel for about 4 months now 300mg serquel +100mg lamotregine I kinda feel scared after watching this vedio + I have 0 motivation and I can't do simple tasks😰😰

[@thePSYCHcollective]

Everything is a balance of risks and benefits. It may be that the benefits outweigh the risks. This talk only considered it’s use as a low dose sleeping agent, not as a full dose treatment for a psychiatric disorder. If one’s life feels markedly improved that’s a huge benefit. In any case it’s worth discussing risks and benefits with one’s prescriber.

[@DaboooogA]

Wouldn't blocking the dopamine cause upregulation though?

[@thePSYCHcollective]

It might, and that might explain why some people feel so much better when they stop them.

[@DaboooogA]

@the PSYCH collective Great video, thanks for the reply.

[@josephinediaz4377]

I cant understand this male dr? Can someone replace him or create another video about tjis bcoz im using quetiapine 25 for sleep Hava a dr american can speak not british english

[@KarePassion]

Why doesn't your website promote consulting with sleep specialists and exploring the possibility of having a sleep disorder?

[@thePSYCHcollective]

People are free to access any services they wish. We are about psychological approaches, as psychological arousal from thoughts and ruminations is the most common cause of sleep problems. Medications generally just mask the causes of increased mental arousal.

[@KarePassion]

@@thePSYCHcollective Agreed about the medications. The most efficient place to start in dealing with sleep issues would be a sleep study. It's a personal quest for me. I am so disappointed that doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, etc. do not refer patients/clients to sleep specialists when they demonstrate any symptoms, or possible symptoms of a sleep disorder. If I could go back to any point in my lie, prior to finally receiving my diagnosis of sleep apnea, my life could only have been improved by such a diagnosis. To your video, 25 years in therapy and psychiatric treatment, and not a one paid attention to how I complained of fatigue. There was no psychological nor medication that could have compensated for my sleep apnea. And I was finally diagnosed with bipolar and given seroquel as one of my medications. 100 mg during the day for bipolar symptoms and 25 mg in the evening to help me sleep. It does help me to fall asleep. But it did not solve the apnea, thus I did not stay asleep, and my sleep was of poor quality. The treatment of my sleep apnea has helped me to manage my symptoms in ways that my medications could not do alone. Sleep deprivation causes so many mental and physical health problems. Depression, anxiety and mania are all made worse with sleep deprivation. Hence, my emphasis on the importance of a sleep study. It should be the starting point for treating any sleep issues, including insomnia, which is considered a sleep disorder/symptom of a sleep disorder.

[@lyndayates7533]

@@KarePassion all you need do is ask your Dr. The thing about sleep study is you go in for 1 night and it's not your home or even how you'd act at home. It's a great thing for those with sleep apnea or sleep paralysis.

[@KarePassion]

@@lyndayates7533 i know about sleep studies. I have had seeveral over the course of my life. If the people here were concerned about people taking medication to sleep, then they might encourage people to "check with their doctor" about getting checked for a sleep disorder. Insomnia is considered a sleep disorder and it is often a sign of sleep apnea. It is treatable without medications.

[@aethylwulfeiii6502]

@thePSYCHcollective: You can’t talk yourself out of a neurological problem, remember the sun plot of the sopranos about the guy trying to kick his mother out of the bed, then kick his father out of the bed, because of his odious complex when he really just had restless leg syndrome, and prescribing 10 sets of 10 squats would have been better than talking about his feelings.

[@ubercyberzealot]

This video begins with a warning that this is not medical advice and a further warning not to act on this because this is his opinion about what he sees but his advice is to ignore his advice. My question is simple; do we ignore the advice to ignore his advice, or do we just accept his advice to ignore his advice. This part is not clear to me. So can we say his advice that we should pay attention to is the advice that he provides about how unreliable his medical advice in the video, which he stresses is not medical advice, even though it's advice about medical issues, because his medical advice that isn't medical advice is unreliable advice, especially medical advice, but his advice as to not paying attention to his other advice is advice that whilst also not medical advice is sound advice?