Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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SSWarning 05/21/2011

I'm a little concerned. I complained to my GP about being tired all the time and the inability to concentrate. She at first wanted to Rx me Abilify but my insurance won't cover it and it's over $500, so she want's me to start Seroquel as a replacement. When I picked it up the pharmacist warned me of the sleepiness and to NOT RUN OUT FOR EVEN ONE DAY!

After I got it home, I read it over and this is mainly used to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder! WTF?!! I am neither of these. I was misdiagnosed with bi polar a few years back and took meds for it for one day and I do not like the way that felt at all. I became a zombie. It turned out it was hormonal and later found out I have endometriosis.

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with this drug and if there's anything I should be concerned about. Or if this drug will help me in the long run. I know it can take several weeks to see if these types of drugs can help.

Any info would be helpful as I am VERY concerned about taking this drug!!

Thank you!!

deleted_user 05/22/2011

I was on it for 2 weeks. They wanted me to take 200mg but I have reactions to meds so I started with 100mg. I slept for 18 hours!

The second and third night I slept for 12 hours and it was never less than that. It was very hard for me to "wake up" felt drowsy all day.

This is just me and as I said I have strong reactions to some meds.
Just be careful and plan on sleeping in.
Hugs
Kallie

SSWarning 05/22/2011

Thank you soooo much for sharing your experience. I have a feeling this will happen to me as well. I already sleep 12 hours which was one of my complaints as this is very unusual for me.

Thanks!

(((HUGS)))

deleted_user 05/22/2011

no probem!

everyone is different but i did not understand why they put me on this for anxiety but all it did was make me sleep all day? if I am asleep i won't have anxiety but DUH! common, let me have a life too please. lol

hugs
Kallie

deleted_user 05/22/2011

I had it prescribed for depression, a while back, and I could't function, and not only that but it gave me vertigo, so trust me, is not a pleasant medication to take, but then again, everyone is different.

Take care,

deleted_user 05/22/2011

The warning "not to run out" would be enough to make me run.

SSWarning 05/22/2011

Thank you very much for your responses!! I really appreciate it! I just love this group, everyone is so helpful and honest. I shared your experiences with my DH and he made me promise not to even start this drug. He says my bubbly personality is diminishing the way it is.

I've been thinking and I strongly feel that it's this new anti-depressant causing the new symptoms to begin with. I think I will just try to campaign for my old anti-depressants as I never had these issues while on those. I don't even know why they switched me in the first place!!! My PA from the pain clinic is the one who switched it. I think I will go over her head and have my GP switch me back so I don't have to take ANOTHER Rx!!

Thank you sooo much!! I feel so much better about making a solid decision!

XOXOXOXO
Stephanie

deleted_user 05/22/2011

??? A powerful psychotropic with serious side effects including sedation, cardiac, hypotension. This is not a medicine to be thrown around lightly AT ALL. Neither is Abilify (a stimulant). Tread with great caution as I think your concerns are very very valid.

deleted_user 05/22/2011

I gained 50 lbs on Seroquel. It helped with the depression but now I'm distressed over not being able to fit into any of my clothes. If you research it it says not just weight gain BUT rapid weight gain. I would weigh the pros and cons.. no pun intended. Hugs

deleted_user 05/22/2011

I take an oldy but goodie, Amytriptyline, and it not only helps my depression, but it also helps me sleep. I keep my bubbly personality (LOL), and can sleep 9 hours a night, what is there to complain about??!! Yes, tell your Doc that you need your old meds back! Take care, and is nice to see you around again.

Hugs,
Tipper

angee7 05/22/2011

I started Seroquel on a Friday evening thank goodness! I slept 16 hours straight, then forced myself to get out of bed. But, ended up on the couch until it was time to go back to bed.
I didn't feel somewhat normal until Monday when it was time to go back to work.
My whole weekend I was drugged.
I will never take Seroquel again!

cherrychanga 05/22/2011

I have no experience with that drug, but after reading everything written by those who have...YIKES. It sounds like a case where the side effects could be worse than what you're taking it for.

Have your Thyroid and Vitamin D levels been checked recently?

SSWarning 05/23/2011

Thank you Tipper for missing me! That makes me feel better! I've been going through hell these last couple of months after loosing my job due to the endometriosis. It really took it's toll on me when I heard about the nasty rumors coming out of that place!!! And the people I actually thought were my friends won't call me, and that has struck a nerve as well. It's amazing how fast you find out who your real friends are!!! So THANK YOU AGAIN!!

To Cherry, that might not be a bad idea. I have been trying to take extra vitamin D during the winter months but... I will be calling my GP tomorrow!! Yea, your right though, after reading about other's experiences, I think that should be enough to make a sound decision with my best interest in mind.

Thank you! xoxoxox
Stay Gold!

Stephanie

tendonshurt 05/23/2011

My mom took seroquel for years even though it made her sleep all the time. She also had vertigo and fell down several times. So if my doc told me to take it I would have to refuse. Hope you feel better soon.

Healing hugs

deleted_user 05/23/2011

This class of medicine is, in my opinion, a last resort. Meaning, if NOT taking it would cause psychosis to the point of being dangerous (life threatening), then it makes sense balanced against the serious side effects and risks.

livewithope 05/23/2011

As you know docs get kickbacks for scribing drugs so be your own advocate. I took it for something...God knows what and my legs kept moving and moving!!! When it wore off I called her and told her OFF. She said oh that can happen. Then I began doing my own research. The FDA gave me this website to check drugs. http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/about.cfm so now I don't swallow anything before checking it all out...including googling words I don't understand. I would NOT take this awful drug. I'd find a new doc if it were me. I did. But not before I got addicted to clonazepam. I cut down 1/2 mg and had w/d for 18 mos. I will be on the other half for the rest of my life. They love that crap! So careful out there.......

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