I will take seroquel forever

[livingded]

It's sad to me. I'm not against meds but I know I cant stop taking it. I lived a nightmare 2 years ago bc of intrusive thoughts, paranoia, psychosis. I wasnt able to function at all and seroquel saved my life. I wasnt a functioning person without seroquel.
My mother thinks seroquel is like poison, she reads articles without scientific evidence, says seroquel will shrink my brain, give me memory loss and dementia.
I dont have symptoms but I dont want to stop bc I'm afraid they will return.
They did once when I stopped meds altogether.

 

[Dahlia]

Please don't listen to your mom, if seroquel works for you then that's all it matters, the road to recovery has to be your own. Take care of yourself by whatever means are necessary, sending love

 

[limpingtowardfreedom]

They did once when I stopped meds altogether.

Did you taper slowly or stop cold turkey? Most of the worst things happen from not tapering.

Not that I'm saying you should stop your meds, I don't know you or your situation. But you might get there in time where you no longer need it, or find a less intrusive medicine, or any number of things. Either way, you shouldn't let anyone shame you about meds, I'm very critical of SSRIs as a first line treatment, for example, but it doesn't mean they aren't right or necessary for anybody, ever, I'd be an idiot to try to claim that. Listen to people, but make your own decisions about what's right for you.

 

[Arrow]

I dont have symptoms but I dont want to stop bc I'm afraid they will return.
They did once when I stopped meds altogether.

ok then you should probably keep taking the meds then :)

 

[LittleJem]

It's amazing if you find a medication that works. People that don't suffer mental illness don't understand how bad it is. All medicines have side effects - but it sounds like your quality of life is so much improved, and I hope that lasts for many years for you.

 

[terry_a_davis]

Hi op i was mentally ill for 7 years then forced on meds, i took antipsychotics for about three years, got rid of all my positive symptoms, and came off them recently, almost cold turkey, was slightly anxious which went away after about 2 weeks. No symptoms of schizophrenia have returned. Your symptoms did return so well done for recognizing that and acting accordingly, if my symptoms come back i will be doing the same.

 

[PureMetanoia]

Truly the biggest problem facing people with schizophrenia and major depression, among other ailments of the brain, who had been blessed to find a medication that works is that in a year or two they start thinking that maybe since they've been so improved for so long, the meds are not needed anymore. This rarely is the case, unless serious therapy has been undertaken (and for purely neurophysiological disorders like schizophrenia - no amount of therapy will cure it). So better stick to them, at least at a minimum therapeutic dosage as consulted with your doctor.

For me to this day quetiapine ("Seroquel") remains in my memory - from my experience with the lowest dosage for insomnia at 25mg (an off-label use that is becoming very popular among psychiatrists in Europe, despite evidence against it) - a complete torture, with vivid nightmares and hazy days following them, filled with irrational cravings for fatty, carb-rich food and total anhedonia. I guess that's the magic of modern psychopharmacology - not even psychiatrists can tell you why quetiapine, a tour of Hell itself for some, is a life-stabilizer for others, but again - count your blessings having found something that consistently works. :) Now off to therapy! :D

 

[terry_a_davis]

@PureMetanoia I've been off anti psychotics for schizophrenia for 6+ months and i'm fine.​

Some, not all, can be "cured" of schizophrenic psychosis by drugs and continue to be ok after meds stop, google david harewood, an actor for his story.​

I totally agree with u that stopping meds due symptoms not being present, "i think i am ok", is a big problem, but *some* can manage after meds.​

There's studies that suggest atypical AP's may cause neuroregeneration, i'm not sure about this, but trust me i have no symptoms now 6+ after stopping meds.​

​

I am *not* recommending others do this, this is just my story, there's a good chance it won't be this way for others.​

 

[PureMetanoia]

@terry_a_davis

I swear I wasn't coming personally for your story, I must have missed the part where you share your results stopping it, then I got off-track with my own thoughts (as I do :D ).

Truly glad to have a loud voice for hopefulness in this uphill battle in you.

 

[catmom13]

If it works for you, keep taking it. Your mom needs to understand that it't not her place to determine which psychiatric medication is right for you. Do you live with her or are you dependent on her?