Seroquel Overdose/Coma

[Michael]

My 14 year old cousin just overdosed from this terrible med. I used to take it scheduled for bipolar disorder and it turned me into a schizophrenic paranoid. I was seeing hallucinations and wanted to kill my self. My cousin on the other hand attempted suicide by taking 3 1/2 times the highest recommended dose. She was in a coma for 2 days and still cannot accomplish simple tasks. Seroquel is evil and should be taken off the market immediately. These pharmacuticals and doctors hand these pills out like candy not knowing the long term side effects or withdrawels. Seroquel is dangerous.

[nate]

im thinking of overdosing too, but you have to take too many pills...

[Kelsey]

My dad is in a coma from overdosing on seroquel. My dad is not the type to try and take his own life, not one bit. He has 3 beautiful daughters and a handful of grandkids from only 2 of them. He has so much to live for and i know for a fact that he wouldnt want to miss out on any of it. The other day i found out that the only reason he was even on it was so he could sleep better. It is for people that have bipolar or schizophrenic disorders. My dad doesnt have any of that and never has. I was doing research on this drug they say helps people, and i found out that it alters chemicals in your brain and thats how it works. Well if some of these people they give it to dont need thier brain chemicals altered, then why do they give it to them? I think from after reading information on this medication that they should take it off the market and stop perscribing it to people regaurdless if it works or not. There is always a different solution to problems.

[Dani]

I take this drug, and quite frankly it's a great thing for me. Just because a doctor prescribed it and it happened not to work out right, doesnt mean it's a terrible drug. You can overdose on water, shall we make that illegal too?
Everything is dangerous in the hand of those that shouldn't have such drugs. Blame the doctor's not the drugs.

[just me]

I have tried suicide numerous times, the only drug I am taking now is seroquel and still want to kill myself. I doubt if this drug would kill me, as nothing else has. I just came out of the ICU for taking 200 rx sleeping pills... it didn't work. I have schizoeffective disorder and bipolar and see a psychiatrist but nothing I do helps to take away the thoughts of suicide. I don't think the drugs are to blame for my problems, there is no cure for self hatred, I'm sorry that so many people have to go through this. I wish you all luck with your friends/family members that are in so much pain. Don't blame the drugs, there is an underlying problem that either isn't being addressed or isn't being taken seriously.

[Seroquel helped me alot]

Just wanted to let people know that Seroquel is not evil, some people maybe not be effective with this medication that is what a psych is for, he will change your meds. Talk to him dont give up. Seroquel helped me alot for my schizo and lexapro helped alot for my depression and MY OCD, xanax helped me with my anixety and other personailty disorders.. it took me time to find the perfect drug, all you need is a good psych to stay with you and help you.. now i am perfectly normal and having a wonderful life and pursing my Master degree in Clinical Psychology. Dont give up...

[Whitney]

Let me just start off by saying that I'm very sorry for all of the problems that has been presented to your families. But there is one thing I'm not going to agree with.
Just because someone wasn't responsible to take Seroquel the right way doesn't mean that the drug should be taken off the market. I am currently on Seroquel, and I understand the risks. It's not the drug that destroys lives, it's the person taking it.
My life has improved greatly as a result of taking it. So don't blame the doctors.

[justin]

Just to add a bit more to this... Seriquel can be a very effective medication when prescribed responsibly. However, it is a serious drug and should not be doled out casually. It is classified as an antipsychotic and can be very effective in the treatment of debilitating disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. One issue is that primary care doctors and even some psychiatrists will prescribe this drug for things such as difficulty sleeping without making the potential side effects clear to the patient.

Unfortunately psychiatry is one of those fields where "let the buyer beware" certianly applies. There are many great psychiatrists out there, but there's also the danger of running into a quack before you find a good doc. Patients really need to do their homework, even when seeing their primary doc. Doctors who practice medicine are licensed to prescribe psych meds, but are not always qualified to do so. That being said, not all people who suffer from suicidal thoughts disclose their feelings to their loved ones.

The bottom line: do your homework. If you are prescribed a drug, make sure you know how it works. There is always potential for negative side effects and it's up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons. It's a sad thing that doctors don't encourage people to know more about their situations and it leads to terrible outcomes sometimes. My thoughts are with the original poster and the person who's father is in a coma was well. I encourage you to learn as much as you can about what is happening to you and your loved ones and I hope things turn out for the best with them. To anybody else reading this, take these incidents seriously. Doctors make mistakes like everybody else, despite their degrees. It's up to you to determine what is best for you and your family.

[Rachel]

The drug should be prescribed and used under strict supervision and written as titrate to effect (build up to the receommended dose). I was on this drug to offset the side effect of a steroid I was taking for a disease (not mental) and I ended up blacking out at the wheel and went into a lake with my baby in the car seat. It almost took our lives and really changed EVERYTHING in my life. Use extreme caution. I agree the drug can be great for some psychiatric disorders but the off label use for other various reasons is irresponsible and I am in the process of a lawsuit to change how it is used. Be careful!

[Ivo]

From most reactions and my own personal experience, I don't know. I was prescribed Seroquel together with Fluvoxamine, as my psychiatrist was rather convinced I am suffering from bipolar with recidivistic depression. It really makes me mellow out and sleep a bit better. But taking the meds also makes me blurry and unable to concentrate on things, which is rather important since I am a teacher. And there's the weight gain and rumors about the diabetes thing.
I performed quite well on Fluvoxamine alone for several years, only this summer I fell into crisis (after trying to quit on Fluvoxamine) so deep my shrink also prescribed me the Seroquel. Makes me wonder: why do I suddenly feel as if I cannot live without it anymore? I mean I know that before this crisis, Fluvoxamine with short-period benzo-prescriptions got me back on track.

[LexingtonLady]

I am certain that it is a good med and works well for some people or it would not be on the market. With that said, I am a pain patient and have occassional bouts of server insomnia which leeads to serious sleep deprivation.

It gets pretty complicated as I dont respond to traditional "sleepers". Several years ago, I was admitted to the psych unit by my psychiatrist with serious sleep deprivation, sleeping no more than two hours per nights in bits and pieces for seven months. I was a mess to put it mildly and was having auditory hallucinations. He and my internal medicine doc tried me on all sorts of stuff with no luck then began me on Seroquel. When they had me up to 300 mg at bedtime, I would initiate about 20 minutes after taking it, sleep for about 45 minutes then awaken and trip out for the next 6-8 hours.

The psych. insisted that I stay on it as that was the closest I came to sleeping but discontinued it after several months because it made me feel just awful for those 6-8 hours. BTW, I carry a dx of MDD and am not thought disordered. I will admit that I can get rather quirky when badly sleep deprived but that is completely different from traditional thought disorders. Best wishes.

Lexy

[vegaswoman]

resoquuil ahs givn me nevre damagg and a higeher thne norml hratea rate. i have a hrad tiem cnocenrting on ynatihng. i do hpeo thsi goes awya!

[Jeroen Puttemans]

hello, seroquel helped me in the summer of 2004 it cured my schizophrenia and psychosis at low dose 100 mg, but it stopped working after 2 months

too bad now years later i have little hope, i tryed high dosage too but it wont just kick in anymore :(

felt soooo goood on seroquel for a while but happyness doesnt last, end conclusion

[Heather Stokes]

I just want to say I've been stuggling with depression for the good later half of my teenage years and all of my young adulthood. I was a music ed major at UofL...a high-end clarinetist all my life (since the 6th grade). I went to Youth Performing Arts school all through Highschool, was the 2nd best Bass clarinetist in the state of Ky my senior year of highschool, and maintained a full-ride scholarship from the UofL Music School for 4 years...I even made the Deans list one year... Well... needless to say it didn't last... I struggled and struggled... something that once gave me so much joy in my life (music) all of a sudden left me aching and empty... I quit school giving up completely and realized what I needed to do was to get my head straight. I went through several doctors...one who got me hooked on Vicoden and Xanax... I was also drinking a lot too.... After several blackouts from alcohol....I realized this doctor wasnt helping me out at all...I quit drinking, quit the vicoden, and the xanax... I was still miserble... eventually I met the right doctor... She told me I exhibited bipolar tendencies... I was crushed when she told me that because my mother has struggled the same way... and I never wanted to be like my mother she convinced me to try Seroquel...I agreed because I was so miserable and I was sick and tired or being sick and tired.... and it worked... WORKED I made a complete 180 in my life and it is because of SEROQUEL. However, it can be a dangerous drug... especially if you drink with it...and yes if you overdose on it... AS WITH ANY FUCKING DRUG bad things can happen.

[to heather]

ya can't overdose on marijuana!

[daffodil]

does anyone know of someone who did commit sucide using this drug?

[Linda]

just me wrote:

I have tried suicide numerous times, the only drug I am taking now is seroquel and still want to kill myself. I doubt if this drug would kill me, as nothing else has. I just came out of the ICU for taking 200 rx sleeping pills... it didn't work. I have schizoeffective disorder and bipolar and see a psychiatrist but nothing I do helps to take away the thoughts of suicide. I don't think the drugs are to blame for my problems, there is no cure for self hatred, I'm sorry that so many people have to go through this. I wish you all luck with your friends/family members that are in so much pain. Don't blame the drugs, there is an underlying problem that either isn't being addressed or isn't being taken seriously.

For just me,
There is a cure for self hatred... Literally hand it all over to Jesus, complete surrender, ask Him to carry you through your valley...No matter if you believe or not He is always there and if you give it all to him he will get you right, just don't give it to him and then take it back...Let JESUS RUN THE SHOW...don't make a move without Him... You will be amazed. God Bless you!

[Pumpkin]

First of all, Never Never, drive after taking a dose of Seroquel. Second, Please get your sugar checked often while you are taking this drug. I am glad for those of you who are being helped by Seroquel, for me, I am completely dependent on this drug and I have tried several times to lower my dose and ween off of this drug. From personal experience it is not a good idea to go off cold turkey. Good luck to those who have not benefited but have gotten worse because of Seroquel

[Mike]

Your father's doctor is to blame here buddy, not the medication. I have bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder with schizo symptoms as well. This medication has saved my life, more than once!!! It should NOT be illegal!!! Doctors should wise up, and not go prescribing things for off-label uses.

I have also been a self harmer since 14 years old due to abuse. I have not cut myself while on Seroquel. Like I said; Get your facts straight, this medication is keeping me alive!!!

Max dosage according to FDA is: 600mgs. I have already taken 1000mgs on a bad day, nothing happened, except the medication saved my life.

I will say this in closing: Seroquel when given at high doses; you have to get an eye exam every 6 months. It 'can' cause eye problems. Talk with you physician about this side effect.

Do NOT try to overdose on this medication. I know a person who did, and it really doesn't work. Seek help if needed. 1-800-suicide!!!

Thanks
Mike

Kelsey wrote:

My dad is in a coma from overdosing on seroquel. My dad is not the type to try and take his own life, not one bit. He has 3 beautiful daughters and a handful of grandkids from only 2 of them. He has so much to live for and i know for a fact that he wouldnt want to miss out on any of it. The other day i found out that the only reason he was even on it was so he could sleep better. It is for people that have bipolar or schizophrenic disorders. My dad doesnt have any of that and never has. I was doing research on this drug they say helps people, and i found out that it alters chemicals in your brain and thats how it works. Well if some of these people they give it to dont need thier brain chemicals altered, then why do they give it to them? I think from after reading information on this medication that they should take it off the market and stop perscribing it to people regaurdless if it works or not. There is always a different solution to problems.

[Fletch]

Why not give up? I have been mentally ill all of my life I think, but in treatment off an on since 1990. I am ready to give it all up right now. I am on Seroquel and all it is doing is giving me some weird dreams and making me sleep. I'm just ready to pack it all in, and if taking the rest of my Seroquel will help, then, well, let's go. Cya.