Quetiapine FAQ

Please help...? Life seems so pointless with no future?

I had a breakdown at the end of last year, and was diagnosed as bipolar (probably had it since very young). I was prescribed Zyprexa (olanzapine) then Seroquel (quetiapine). And also Epilim (sodium valproate; depakote in US I think) I have gone from being slim to being clinically obese. Because of this I stopped my meds, and when given steroids went manic, followed by a mixed episode, and ended back in crisis care. I am apparently 'classic bipolar' though have no idea of what that means. I've been told that I tend more to manai than depression, which is weird as I feel low, but apparently am still 'high'. I have been given risperidone which I haven't taken; the only reason it was given is because whne anxious I worry about someone being downstairs (I have had my windows broken three times). My psychiatrist asks someone to watch me take my meds in the morning; but I hide the risperidone. I was warned that it can make me lactate, the valproate is making my hair fall... I don't want to exist anymore. I have tried to talk about my concerns and am not heard. I suddenly look middle-aged; am worried that if my periods stop I will not have enough time to have more kids... I am not prepared to sacrifice all this just to make me 'normal'. I do not feel that being fat (very fat) having facial hair, losing hair on my head and general self-hate is worth it. I am not dangerous, more hypomanic, I want to run away as no one seems to understand. I used to suffer bulimia and anorexia and am dangerously close to making myself vomit again.. help?

I posted questions yesterday regarding medications and my psychiatrist not listening. I have agreed to take the valproate as a mood stabiliser (for bipolar) but instead of just letting me stop quetiapine he has put me on risperidone another antipsychotic. I knew nothing about this drug and assumed it would be weight neutral, I've since discovered it is not. Is is worth not taking it and sticking with the sodium valproate (epilim) as a mono therapy? Since starting the quetiapine my BMI has gone from being within the healthy range to obese (34.5) and my weight is now 214lbs (15stone 4) My weight has not changed since I stopped all meds, but I do not want to risk gaining through a drug again. Please no talk about diet and exercise, I am a qualified nutritionist and can assure you my diet has not changed. And i used to be anorexic which makes it worse

I'm currently attending day hospital due to a relapse with bipolar (I stopped my meds, went manic with steroids, and crashed with a mixed episode). Part of the reason I have trouble with taking the meds is I am unhappy with potential side effects; my outpatient pscyh did agree to look at changing when i was stable, but as I felt so good I didn't take the meds. I also have trouble accepting the diagnosis. The psychiatrist at the hospital refuses to listen to my concerns and twists my words. My current meds are: quetiapine (seroquel) 300mg, epilim (sodium valproate) 900mg (going to 1200 -1500 soon) oxazepam 10mg as needed and zopiclone as needed. I was due to be taken off the quetiapine as I have trouble with weight gain on it, and was told as long as I took the epilim it was ok; however the psychiatrist deceided to up it due to the fact I think I can hear movements downstairs when asleep (my windows have been broken twice at 4am). I know I probably need the epilim but am worried about gaining even more weight, or losing my hair, and I have PCOS. I really want Topamax or Carbamazepine but the doctor won't listen. Also another patient said I should be on antidepressants as she has only ever seen me low, but the doctors say that I am not, I am still high even if crying all day.... HELP please??

I'm currently attending day hospital due to a relapse with bipolar (I stopped my meds, went manic with steroids, and crashed with a mixed episode). Part of the reason I have trouble with taking the meds is I am unhappy with potential side effects; my outpatient pscyh did agree to look at changing when i was stable, but as I felt so good I didn't take the meds. I also have trouble accepting the diagnosis. The psychiatrist at the hospital refuses to listen to my concerns and twists my words. My current meds are: quetiapine (seroquel) 300mg, epilim (sodium valproate) 900mg (going to 1200 -1500 soon) oxazepam 10mg as needed and zopiclone as needed. I was due to be taken off the quetiapine as I have trouble with weight gain on it, and was told as long as I took the epilim it was ok; however the psychiatrist deceided to up it due to the fact I think I can hear movements downstairs when asleep (my windows have been broken twice at 4am). I know I probably need the epilim but am worried about gaining even more weight, or losing my hair, and I have PCOS. I really want Topamax or Carbamazepine but the doctor won't listen. Also another patient said I should be on antidepressants as she has only ever seen me low, but the doctors say that I am not, I am still high even if crying all day.... HELP please??

I have suffered depression on and off for years. My Gp sent me to see a medic. who said i have depression, anxiety disorder and OCD. He prescribed me quetiapine and said they would stabilize my mood which would relieve the OCD . I have been taking them for a month now and feel like a zombie, Tired 24/7 restless legs and my anxiety has increased. Would this be normal ????? I am also taking paraxetine which i have been on for 12 months

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