Expert: Libby Bonner - 12/24/2006

Question
Hi,
I take I'm of seoquel at night and have done so for the last 2 years.  I do not have any mental illness but I do suffer from the effects of terrible trauma.  I also take I'm effexor and I'm of largactic at night.

Since I do not have a mental illness as such would I have any effects from coming off the seroquel.  I have put on so much weight and just hate myself.  Would I lose weight if I halved the dose so I at least get some sleep.

What is your suggestion.

Thanks

Ann

Answer
I do sympathize.  This is a matter for you and your doctor.  He needs to know that you hate all this SO MUCH that you are thinking of reducing meds.  That should get his attention and get him working on changing med/s or dose/s, if possible.

I certainly hope you have also been getting non-med therapy for this.  If so, whoever is doing that, and your doctor, might want to confer about your progress.  IF you are getting nothing but meds, do ask your doctor whether adding some therapy might let you reduce meds after a bit.

I would think trauma would be one of the clear cases where meds alone would not take care of things completely.

And, besides formal therapy, is there a support group you could be part of?   If not in one now - again, inquire about one w/ the doc.

Good luck.  The weight gain is so yucky....I do hope some adjusments can be made....but not by you alone, and definitely not if meds are your one and only therapy.