Home > Ailments > Insomnia > Insomnia Q&A > Need Help Getting Off Seroquel for Insomnia
Need Help Getting Off Seroquel for InsomniaPosted By Cheryl (CA) on 02/04/2023
I need help to get off Seroquel which I have been on for 8 weeks 50 mg. No one writes me back. How do you write me back e mail? Is there a post some where I am not looking at? Please let me know,
Replied by Art (California ) on 02/06/2023
This is the first time I have seen this post, and am responding to your question about getting off of Seroquel.
This definitely seems like something you should be doing in conjunction with your prescribing doctor's knowledge and supervision because if there are any problems in titrating off of Seroquel, your doctor will be well aware of these complications and may need to switch to another drug to help you through the down titration process of Seroquel.
I will also link to two articles that discuss this issue and may be useful in conjunction with what your doctor suggests :
https://www.alternativetomeds.com/blog/seroquel-tapering/
And here :
https://addictionresource.com/drugs/seroquel/withdrawal/
Overall, it seems the safest approach is to take your time and follow your doctor's written withdrawal plan to help avoid any serious withdrawal symptoms. Everyone seems to respond differently to this drug, but going off of it cold turkey seems to be a poor choice. A slow and gradual approach seems the safest, with minimum potential for unwanted withdrawal effects.
Here is a link to general information regarding Seroquel :
https://www.drugs.com/tips/quetiapine-patient-tips
Art
Replied by Cheryl (CA) on 02/06/2023
Thank you Art. My doctor says I can go down 25 mg. Any idea what I can take over the counter if I can't sleep?Replied by Art (California) on 02/07/2023
There are several that may be helpful, but again your doctor's approval would be needed to make sure there is no conflict with your current meds.I wrote about a healthful 3 supplement combo that was shown to help people sleep in a study here :
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/art-solbrig-insomnia-protocol.html
I've used it and find it helpful for helping me to get to sleep.
Other natural things you can do to improve sleep is expose yourself to morning and afternoon sunlight for 15 to 20 minutes if the weather permits. This exposes your body to infrared light from the sun and that is healthful for you and can help you get to sleep at night. Drink tart cherry juice within an hour of bedtime.
If medical marijuana(MM) is available where you live, Indica products with high THC and moderate to low CBD content have definitely helped me get to sleep. The unhealthful downside to MM is, like alcohol, it reduces REM sleep and that is not healthful in the long run, so I would reserve that option only for nights when nothing else is helping you get to sleep. The fastest acting, in my experience is the vape and smoking the herb itself. The edibles are unreliable and slow acting because the amount of food in your stomach can affect how long it takes for the edible to take affect. I have had as long as a 5 hour delay for the edibles to take effect.
It is also useful to wear soft fabric blackout glasses to sleep as these block out ambient room lighting and tell your body it is dark and time to sleep. Some people find benefit from wearing soft ear plugs to block out any ambient noise that may be contributing to sleeplessness. I've tried both of these options, but there is an adjustment period of a few days in order to become accustomed to wearing them. These two also help you get into a sleep routine, which is good for the long term.
There are others, but these are simple, popular and help with sleep in my experience and for many others.
Art
Replied by Cheryl (CA) on 03/06/2023
Art, Ted, Bill, Mama to Many or whoever can give me some answers, I have been trying to get off seroquel for sleep which doesn't work any more or some times I get a little sleep. I was on 50 mg. and now I have cut it down to 25 mg. I just need something to make me sleep. I have tried melatonnin 80 mg., cbd oil 90 mg. Seroquel I read takes the serotonin out of your brain. So once you get off it you have to get the serotonin back in your brain. I also tried L tryptophan and 5 htp.EC: Hi Cheryl,
Here's the URL to your post from one month ago so you can keep everyone updated by replying to this thread: https://answers.earthclinic.com/how-to-get-off-seroquel.html
If you have an account, you can always find your question once logged in.
Replied by Art (California) on 03/06/2023
Cheryl,I already gave you my answer further back in this thread. A very slow and steady withdrawal plan. A 25 mg reduction is a large and very fast reduction and you apparently don't like the effects of it in terms of the resulting insomnia.
As far as CBD oil for sleep, I think it will take both CBD and high THC content from the Indica variety of medical marijuana in order to get an effective sleep effect after being on Seroquel.
Perhaps you can get a better response from others in the EC community.
Art
Replied by Rob (Kentucky) on 03/06/2023
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) or Zyrtec for Insomnia. Off-Label Use. I used to take prescribed sleep aids but decided to stop. I take one benadryl each evening and it helps me with my insomnia. I also have allergies so that is a big plus. My doctor suggested these to help me sleep. I usually wake up 3 or 4 times at night and lay awake for almost a hour before going back to sleep. I take 2 pills before bed time and within 15 or 20 minutes i`m asleep and sleep around 3 hours. When I do wake up, I`m asleep again in about 15 minutes. Work great to help one sleep.Also, get off caffeine...
Replied by Cheryl (CA) on 03/08/2023
Thank you Art and Rob for your responses. Now I am sleeping better. I am doing what my doctor said but I think I will slow down and only go down this time to 12 1/2 mg. I will consider all the options you gave me. I really appreciate your responses. It feels so good to be supported. I have been following earth clinic for years. It has been a lifesaver.