What are your experiences with Seroquel | ADHD Information

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My son started it about a week ago and I really haven't noticed a change.  I'm just curious to know how long it takes to work.

Thxs

Michele

Hi Michele,

The geriatric psychiatrist switched my Mom to Seroquel about 18 months ago. She is now 90 years old and has dementia. As part of the dementia, she HAD other problems, such as paranoia, imaging or seeing things, irritability, etc. Well, the Seroquel was a miracle drug for her. Before that, she was down, inactive, cranky, etc. The Seroquel made her a completely different person. She became lively, active, talkative, etc. ... more like her old self. She loves to sing and dance and has been doing both, although the dancing is mostly in her wheelchair now. Even the psychiatrist's physician's assistant was amazed. A few months after Mom started on the Seroquel, he and I were sitting in the hall of the nursing home and I mentioned how well Mom was doing. Then, we heard her voice ... singing loudly, coming down the hall walking with the help of an occupational therapist. She was even trying to kick her legs up in the air. The physician's assistant and I looked at each other and then laughed hysterically. Maybe I should take Seroquel! LOL!

Mom isn't as good as she was 18 months ago because the dementia and age take their toll. But the Seroquel was awesome and we are so glad to have her back. Before that, I thought she had had a stroke, but a simple medication switch did wonders.

I know I didn't answer your question about how long it takes to work. Sorry. But I thought you might like to hear how much Seroquel helped my Mom. Good luck to you and your son. I hope it helps him also.

Regards, amelia

My son started taking it a week ago too. The first dosage was too strong.
He was totally wiped out. We cut it in half and now notice no change in his
behavior. We called the doc and she said the tiredness he experienced
initially with the full dosage will wear off in a few days and we should go
back to giving him a full tablet.

I'm 24 and I was previously prescribed Seroquel for difficulty sleeping (I'm ADHD, innatentive-hyperactive and have also taken over-the-counter sleep meds for years). Initially some crazy psychiatrist prescribed me 200 MG (!!) because I was misdiagnosed as being Bipolar. When I took the Seroquel, half an hour later I would start seeing things, shadows, etc. and had the equivalent of waking night-terrors. I thought I was going crazy! I now take 25 mg. in the evening, which is enough to calm my thoughts/myself down so I can fall asleep. I think if I cut the 25 mg in half, I'd still fall asleep....and I'm about 125 LBS. It has quite a sedative effect so I'm not able to fathom how it can be prescribed for daytime use.Wow... I REALLY didn't like this med. The intro package starts on 25mg to 100mg to 300mg... and by weeks end 800mg's by day 7. I made it to day four and was a zombie... Things felt good...  but when I look back, it was a very non-productive week. I felt like I got the muscle rigidity for sure... Imagine layin in bed with your legs crossed at the ankles... Then to simply lift the leg over (uncrossing) felt like a task. I'm not saying it was hard but I noticed I was draggin my leg over vs. lifting it up.... then when it came over it fell solid to the bed. The drop is like only 2-3 inches of course.. but the muscels were so rigidity/firm.. it was like a dead leg.. just a very uncomfortable feeling. I stop the meds.. 2 days later felt great. The last day seemed to make my throat feel very tight and small... I thought I had cancer in the throat or something just a solid weird feeling in the throat... Now that I think about it... It may have been the rigidty muscles in the throat area, neck, inner muscles within the rib cage etc. I'm super healthy, fit, in shape.. 28yrs.. But it was a normal licensed doc doing what they do best... guessing... on what the problem could be. I remember the pills knoCK me out... So recently, I took one for sleep... and sure enough 15hrs later I woke.My doc hit with Zyprexa and a few weeks later the seroquel... The rolled each other... so i didn't miss a day. Zyprexa knocked me out, but I continued to take it and the instant tired thing were off as they said it would. The seroquel then knocked me out again (all though I just went through the zyprexa) and by day 4 the tiredness was gone as well.
So all in all, I do believe that part will wear off... So I do suggest continuing to take it if you're worried about the sleep thing... But then keep an eye open for other side effects after.

I have been on Seroquel for maybe 2 years now and I must say...I can sleep. It stops my mind and gives me a break. I think from early childhood, I remember thinking all night long and getting very little sleep. Just before beginning a low dose of 25mg at bedtime...I was thinking people or things were hiding under my bed and a weird women spirit resided in my bathroom. I am 19 years old during all of this. It was weird at first...starting a new med and all. There was alot of difficulty waking up...but I think that has alot more too it than just the Seroquel. But, my doc left it up to me to take what I felt I needed...now I have 100mg tabs that I cut in half rather than taking the whole. I have no problems waking anymore.

Seroquel Has been a life saver for me. I enjoy sleeping where as I feared it before. I mean...I was hyperalert all night and slept during the day for over a year. Hypnotics like Ambien and Sonata left me hung over and zombie like and I hated that right away. I gave Seroquel a try and I think of all my meds...I would like to keep that one. Now my anti-depressant I want to switch...but thats in another forum.

Good luck to all those seeking treatment of any type...and my doc always said...it's got a 97% success rate...but if I fall in the 4%...try again.

-Pam-

Update: Our son has been on Seroquel for three weeks now and it has not
improved his behavior. We will be switching meds as soon as school is over.
To answer your question, our doctor said it is effective immediately and that
is why he prescribed it in the first place.