Seroquel (Quetiapine) is a short-acting atypical anitpsychotic drug that is primarily used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In some cases it is also used as an antidepressant augmentation strategy to treat major depression. It is sometimes used to help manage Alzheimer’s disease and is used at low doses for the treatment of insomnia. Despite the fact that this medication has a variety of uses, it should really only be used for its intended purpose – to treat schizophrenia and possibly bipolar disorder.
Many people take it and it works great to help people manage the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. It also helps prevent major mood swings among individuals with bipolar disorder. With that said, not everyone responds well to this drug – in some cases the side effects become unbearable. Additionally, for some individuals this drug doesn’t work well enough to justify continued usage.
Although this is a drug that can be beneficial for some people, the long term effects are not very promising. In many cases, this drug actually worsens intellectual functioning – especially in elderly with dementia. It also tends to elicit a variety of unpleasant side effects for the person taking it including: weight gain, sexual dysfunction, drowsiness, and worsened motor functioning.
Factors that influence Seroquel withdrawal include…
When you withdraw from any medication, there are important factors that will influence your withdrawal. These factors include: time span, dosage, your physiology, and whether you tapered off of the drug or quit cold turkey.
1. Time Span
How long were you taking Seroquel? If you were taking it for an extended period of time (e.g. over a year), you are likely going to have a tougher time coming off of the drug than someone who only took it for a few months. If you were on this drug for many years, it may be extremely difficult to quit.
2. Dosage (150 mg to 800 mg)
What dosage were you taking? In general, it is hypothesized that the higher the dosage you take, the more it alters your brain functioning. If you take a high dose for a long term, it is going to take your brain a much longer time to normalize in regards to neurotransmitter functioning. The drug comes in doses ranging from 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg.
For treatment of schizophrenia, most people take between 150 mg and 800 mg per day. If you are on the 800 mg dose, it may take longer for you to withdraw. Fortunately the dosing is nice if you need to conduct a gradual taper – you can keep cutting your dose in half.
3. Individual Physiology
A lot of withdrawal symptoms will be influence by your individual physiology. Despite the fact that many people experience the same symptoms when they quit taking this drug, some people don’t experience as many symptoms, while others experience more symptoms. Another thing to consider is whether you have a mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar. Withdrawal can trigger symptoms or a relapse of symptoms related to the illness for which you were taking it.
4. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
How should you quit taking Seroquel? For most people, it is highly recommended to conduct a gradual taper. If you are on a higher dose and you quit cold turkey, you will likely be unable to function. By conducting a gradual taper (e.g. slowly reducing the dosage over time), you are allowing your body and brain to slowly adjust to changes.
If you have been on the drug for a long period of time, even tapering may be difficult. If you are someone that quit cold turkey and aren’t looking back, prepare yourself for a long recovery period and symptoms that feel as if they are never going to go away. If you haven’t yet quit this medication and want to taper, slowly reduce your dosage every few weeks. It may take months to taper off of your medication, but it will minimize the withdrawal symptoms.
Seroquel Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below are a list of common symptoms that have been reported during Seroquel withdrawal. Keep these symptoms in mind when you come off of the medication so that you know what to expect. Although you may not experience every symptom on the list, it is likely that you will experience something when you quit taking this drug.
- Agitation: If you feel especially agitated, it’s because you’re brain is no longer receiving the drug. This drug helps many people stay calm and reduces agitation. When a person quits taking it, they may become increasingly agitated and it may last for awhile.
- Anxiety: In many cases this drug helps people with anxiety. When you stop taking it, your anxiety may skyrocket. Everything you do may provoke nervousness and intense anxiety. Try to realize that it is just from withdrawal and that you will recover.
- Concentration problems: Although this drug can cause concentration problems while you take it, you may also experience poor concentration when you stop it. Some people call this “brain fog” or foggy thinking – it is due to the fact that your brain is trying to readjust itself.
- Depression: When withdrawing from this antipsychotic you may spiral into deep depression. Any medication that affects neurotransmitters can result in depression when you withdraw – especially if it had a subtle antidepressant effect when you took it.
- Dizziness: A common withdrawal symptom from any psychiatric medication is dizziness. This may be extreme when you quit taking Seroquel, but shouldn’t last longer than a few months. For most people, this sensation goes away after a few weeks, but for some, the dizziness persists for a long time. Don’t freak out if the dizziness lasts longer than you anticipated – realize that it is a result of post-acute withdrawal.
- Fatigue: Feeling excessively lethargic, tired, and fatigued is common when quitting an antipsychotic. Although this medication tends to be sedating while you take it, the withdrawal takes a toll on overall energy levels. When your brain is trying to readjust, you may become extremely tired and feel like sleeping all day.
- Headaches: It is common to experience headaches when you quit taking Seroquel. The headaches may be minor or may feel like full blown migraines. These will subside eventually, but may last weeks before they go away.
- Heart rate changes: You may notice that your heart rate becomes excessive when you quit this drug. Some people notice that their heart beats excessively fast when they withdraw. You may also notice heart palpitations – these are caused by both withdrawal and anxiety.
- Hypersensitivity: A person may become hypersensitive to sights and sounds when they come off of this medication. The person may not realize that it is from drug withdrawal and their neurotransmitters are not functioning properly. Therefore normal sounds may sound excessively loud and normal sights may appear excessively bright.
- Insomnia: It is common to experience insomnia when you quit this drug. Insomnia is usually caused by anxiety and/or sleep disruptions. Your entire sleep cycle may be thrown off when you quit this drug and you may experience increased anxiety.
- Irritability: Don’t be surprised if you become increasingly irritable and difficult when you stop this drug. In general the medication tends to calm people down almost to the point of a stupor. If you feel excessively irritable, know that it’s likely a result of withdrawal.
- Itching: Some people notice when they quit this drug that they become itchy all over. If you are experiencing excessive itchiness when you stop Seroquel, just know that it’s a result of withdrawal. If it becomes too unbearable, you may want to conduct a slower taper.
- Mood swings: It is common to experience mood swings when you quit this drug – even if you are not bipolar. The mood swings may be more pronounced and uncontrollable if you are bipolar, but even individuals that aren’t will notice that they may feel angry one minute and hopeful the next.
- Nausea: One of the most common symptoms associated with withdrawal from Seroquel is that of nausea. You may feel nauseated for an extended period of time until your body becomes used to functioning without the drug.
- Psychosis: It has been discovered that withdrawal from antipsychotics can cause psychosis. In other words, you may experience hallucinations, delusions, etc. when you are coming off of this medication. Most people don’t experience psychosis when they withdraw unless they have pre-existing schizophrenia – but it is still a possibility.
- Sleep problems: A person may notice major changes in their sleep patterns and length when they quit taking this medication. One minute the person may have bouts of extreme insomnia and the next minute they may feel extremely tired.
- Suicidal thoughts: Many people take this medication to help with suicidal thoughts and depression. When you quit taking it, you may feel more suicidal than you have ever felt. This is due to the fact that your neurotransmitter levels are out of balance and you are no longer receiving the drug to help.
- Sweating: A very common symptom is that of profuse sweating when you stop taking Seroquel. This may be prevalent throughout the day and/or may occur while you are sleeping. You may wake up from sleep in a pool of sweat. Just know that this is your body’s response to withdrawing from the drug.
- Vision changes: Some people experience pain in the eye and visual disturbances as a result of taking this medication. It has been hypothesized that this and other antipsychotics could lead a person to experience blurred vision even when withdrawing. Some even hypothesize potential “eye damage” as a result of taking this medication.
- Vomiting: Unfortunately you may vomit a lot when you stop taking Seroquel. This can be a result of intense nausea and/or your body’s way of detoxifying itself. If you feel like vomiting, just know that many people experience this during withdrawal.
Note: It is documented that Seroquel stays in your system for around 1.6 days after you stop taking it.  Once the drug is out of your system, it can take a long time for your neurophysiology to recalibrate itself back to homeostatic functioning.
Seroquel Withdrawal Timeline: How long does it take?
The withdrawal process tends to affect everyone differently – therefore there is no predictable timeline for withdrawal. Some people may fully recover from symptoms within a month or two, while others may struggle with symptoms for months after they take their last dose. There is really no telling how long you will experience symptoms, but as a general rule of thumb, I recommend waiting 90 days before expecting any sort of recovery.
If you have been taking a powerful psychiatric antipsychotic drug for an extended period of time, it is going to take your brain and body quite some time before they fully recover back to homeostatic functioning. Your neurotransmitters and receptors have been altered by the long term drug usage, and your brain will need some time to reset its functioning.
In order to ensure the fastest possible recovery, you can make sure that you are eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep, staying productive, and getting some exercise throughout the day. Exercise helps stimulate functioning in the brain and rids toxins from the body. If you are getting some exercise (even if its light), it will go a long way towards helping you cope with recovery symptoms and recover quicker.
If you have been on Seroquel and would like to share your experience, feel free to do so in the comments section below. By sharing your experience, it helps other people realize that they are not alone and not going crazy.
I was on Seroquel from 2009-3014 800 mgs in Minnesota. When I moved back to Massachusetts it went down to 200 mgs. I gained a lot of weight. My doctor tapered me off and put me on trazodone. My last dose of Seroquel was about 3/12 weeks ago. 3 weeks ago I got (sorry to say diarrhea) which I’ve had for 3 weeks, I thought it was a stomach bug.
I’ve been nauseous also for 3 weeks. I’m also very itchy. I went to my primary. All she did was give me some cream for my bottom. Last week I went to the hospital. They gave me fluids because I was mildly dehydrated. My blood work came out ok. I’ve lost over 10 lbs in 3 weeks. I can’t really eat. Lots of freeze pops.
I have an appointment with my gastroenterologist on Tuesday. Reading all of these posts it maybe sounds like withdrawal from the Seroquel but not sure. Interested to see what the gastroenterologist says. I’m guessing he may do an endoscopy. I’d like some feedback to what people think. Thanks so much.
Judy… praying for you. Maybe your doc took you off to fast. Protracted withdrawal from S seems to be common. But it is good you are getting your stomach checked out. Keep up the good work!!!
Do you really need to go to a gastroenterologist after reading about hundreds of people posting here that have nausea and trouble eating after withdrawing from Seroquel? Sometimes, from what I’ve read here, the nausea lasts months.
I wanted to share my experience coming off Seroquel to hopefully encourage others. I was put on Seroquel as an add on to my SSRI for OCD/Depression/Anxiety. I hated the side effects from Seroquel. Joint pain, fatigue, blood sugar issues, etc. I only took Seroquel for a total of 5 months so my taper was much faster. I took 50XR for 2 months, doc advised to increase dosage to 150XR.
I took 150XR for 2.5 weeks and had to lower back to 50XR due to side effects. I stayed on 50XR for 3 additional months and continued to have side effects. I went to 25 mg of the immediate release for 3 days and then stopped. The first week was bad. I was nauseous, anxious, itchy, upset stomach, had bad dreams and trouble sleeping. Benadryl really helped with the itching and falling asleep.
After 7 full days with no Seroquel, I am feeling much better. I still itch and have diarrhea, but I feel so much better. I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I kept a journal to help me see improvements and prayed daily for help. I could not have survived this without my hope in my faith that God would see me through this awful time. It was still awful, but have hope. It will get better.
Chasidy. Congrats on what you have accomplished. Praying for you. The journaling is a great idea. I will incorporate that into my plan. Thanks.
Thank you to all the people that have posted. I thought I was going mad but reading this information and your experiences has helped so much. I don’t feel so alone, I know it’s the drug and not me, and I know it WILL pass. I reduced from 300mg over about a month and stopped a week ago. Have had bad dizziness, exhaustion, weeping, nausea, confusion, speech problems etc. But I’ve noticed that the evenings are starting to improve a tiny bit.
Just want it to hurry up and go as missing so much of my children’s lives while I sleep or walk around like a zombie. Hang in there everyone. Each hour that passes our brains are slowly healing themselves. Be patient, accept your ill at the moment, and get as much help as you possibly can. I emailed this link to all my friends so they would understand why I couldn’t see anyone and just getting such kind and supportive replies has also helped me cope. Sending hope to you all.
Hi… I’ve been reducing my dose 100mg over the past 4 weeks.. I have taken one on alternate nights and now have started cutting my tablet in half repeating the same process. My sleep pattern seems to have got better this is now week 5. I’m feeling very good, my mind feels clear, I have more energy and am not experiencing any mood changes, I have been getting awful nausea and occasionally have vomited.
My appetite is down but drinking lots. My GP prescribed me 20 5mg Valium tablets and I have not felt the urge to have to take one. I’m feeling positive for once (in 3 years). I personally feel that quetiapine made me feel awful, taking 50mg every other day still debilitates me.
I’m slow to get up in the morning, usually vomit or feeling sick, takes me a long time to wake up and makes me feel terribly miserable… I’m hoping that I’ll be drug free, I’m going to wean myself off over 8 weeks. 3 weeks to go! Eeek!
Emma- Congrats on all the good work and being patient. Prayers for continued success. Keep us posted please.
Dear God – I have just realised what is happening to me. I am a very intelligent 65year old woman. I have been on Seroquel for 15 years. Want to know why? I was under severe stress and began to hear music. I did some research and it is not unusual for someone under such stress to have such a reaction. Anyhow my so called doctor put me on 300 mg of Seroquel each day.
Before I knew it the music had stopped but my doctor left me on it to waste away. As long as I was quiet and took my medication etc etc etc. From time to time during those 15 years I would reduce the dose and I would see things at night in my room and even hear things – in no way did I connect it with this drug. So I went back on the dosage I was given because quite honestly I really thought I had some sort of a gift!! And I needed sleep.
It is only now that I am coming off this poison that I can see that it was the drug causing these symptoms of psychosis. I came off it incredibly slowly over 6 months and guess what? I can hear music in my head, not only that but if I close my eyes I see pictures and my brain says words – yes it actually and totally independently of me says words and sentences in my head!!! – These symptoms are beginning finally to decrease after 8 months but it’s so very very dangerous to give people drugs which cause so much damage to your brain.
I am not stressed at all now but yet I can still hear this inane music – it’s a bit fainter now but I have no idea just how long it will take. I would tell my doctor but her answer would be to be put on something else which would also poison my body – no way – I am not mentally ill!! Anyone involved in this scam which at the end of the day is about money should be locked up and the key thrown away.
Doctors??? I don’t think so – don’t they take an oath to never do any harm??? Or am I in Alice in Wonderland? My advice to anyone experiencing any psychosis after or during the withdrawal period is to keep calm, realise you are sane and in time they will go. Also eat very healthily because good wholesome unprocessed food will feed your brain the nutrients it needs to recover. But always keep calm and know it is not you – it is the withdrawal symptoms.
I’m lucky I haven’t ended up in hospital throughout all of this. Someone should pay for this.
Christina- thanks for the tip about eating well. I hope things are going well for you with your health. Prayers and keep us updated please. Ted. Tonight is day one for me.
I loved how I felt on seroquel but couldn’t handle the weight gain. I limited calories to dangerous levels and gained. It should be impossible. But I’m BP2 and nothing has stabilized my mood to a constant and happy state. I still feel normally and fully–I can grieve, empathize and rejoice like a normal human. Plus my cognitive functioning has been uncannily superior from memory retention to problem solving.
Maybe it’s just regular sleep?! Anyway, to give someone hope, I was on 200 mg for 6 months. I cut the 200 in half for 2 days, intending to slowly taper but then went to 50 for 2 days and just quit altogether. Last dose was 9 days ago. I’m using Lunesta for so-so sleep but have had no other physical symptoms whatsoever. Except the loss of 3 pounds and expected insomnia.
I do have lowered cognitive processing possibly related to the sleep change and I’m afraid my mood may be slowly dropping but hopefully from a Seroquel 9 to a Seroquel-free 7 and no further. I pray no soul crippling depression is around the corner as I’ll return to this medicine in desperation…
Good luck! It would be rare if you don’t have debilitating withdrawal symptoms! I expect it will get a lot worse. Check back!
I had been taking seroquel since I was 14 I’m now 18, I started on XR and was taking 1200mg of that a day and then switched to 600mg of normal release. Eventually I got down to 300mg no problem. I acquired panic attacks from the seroquel and quit cold turkey. I was apprehensive and the first 3 days weren’t great but weren’t as bad as they could’ve been. I woke up in sweats and felt tired but I ate healthy and relaxed and reduced caffeine intake and that helped my symptoms subside.
After 4-5 days my blood pressure and heart rate went back to normal and so forth. I understand it is dangerous but compared to everyone’s bad cold turkey experiences I honestly think it’s a lot to do with your mindset and what you do while withdrawing. Keep busy and eat well. If I can do it after 3-4 years of being on the drug on high doses anyone can. I suggest regular doctors visits while withdrawing to minimize risks.
LOL! Yeah, psychosis is just a mind set, too! How ridiculous! Do you tell that to yourself when you get the flu, too? That it’s all in your head, that you just have to buck up and pull yourself out of it? I can see you doing the same thing if you got terminal cancer. You need to break out of your delusions.
I’ve been reading comments to help me with my withdrawal… I know it has been 2 years but hope in your case you were not trying to get off your medication, whatever you are taking. Your comments clearly show something is wrong. (Your answer and comments to others are pointless).
Saskia, I could reply to all of these postings relaying my experiences whilst withdrawing from Quetiapine, but I’ve singled yours out purely because of the negative reply you had to your posting. I hope it hasn’t caused you upset? The truth of the matter is that very few people really appreciate the power of mindset. There is a growing community that understand that negative emotion is the basis for all illness. Google e-motion-the-movie if you get a chance, well worth a watch. I hope things are going well for you.
I’m glad there are other people who know what this is like. I have been on quetiapine 300mg for 12 years I attempted cold turkey but it was absolutely unbearable. I have now over the last 6 months been slowly tapering myself off of it. I am now down to just 12.5mg a night it has worked quite well and I have managed to avoid most of the withdrawal symptoms except for 2 agitation and insomnia.
I am barely sleeping at all. If I’m lucky I may get an hour or 2 and then I wake up again and am wide awake. Despite all this lack of sleep I constantly feel wide awake and my brain is racing at 100 miles an hour. I feel like a freak show! I hope my sanity returns soon.
Daniel- I hope this finds you well. Keep us updated and thanks for sharing some of your story with us. Ted.
My Doctor put me on Seroquel for sleep because he wanted me off Temazepam. It worked but after two years by blood sugar spiked to 400. My Doctor wanted me to start tapering off immediately. After about 6 weeks I’ve been totally off for two weeks. Even after tapering its been hell. I think I may be improving some.
I had to start my temazepam back to be able to sleep. Nobody what anyone tells you, YOU HAVE TOO TO GET SOME SLEEP TO LIVE. Seroquel worked but at a terrible price I’m paying now. I am occasionally having to take a Xanax for terrible stress. Hot, cold, sweating, can’t stay still at times, and a host of other side effects. All that said I firmly believe we can all live to get to the other side of this thing.
Cliff – wondering how you are doing and hope you are feeling better. Keep us updated please. Prayers. -Ted
I have been on 50mg seroquel for the last 8 months. My Dr put me on it to help with anxiety and depression. I’ve done my best to deal with the side effects of weight gain, loss of sex drive, and constant fatigue, but I just can’t anymore. I stopped taking it 4 days ago cold turkey and the nausea is terrible. It’s not to the point of unbearable, but it’s almost there. I’m doing my best to continue on.
Jessica- I hope this finds you doing OK. Keep us updated if you want to. Prayers- Ted.
I started feeling sweaty, so I took the 25mg I missed last night and will go back to my usual dose tonight and for a week. Then I will start a 25mg taper every 3 weeks. That will take me from 200mg at bedtime (non-extended release) to zero in 21 weeks.
I have been on that dose for 3.5 years. That tapering schedule seems slow, but it will be much more comfortable for me and those around me. That will put me completely off by about 5 months. I hate this stuff, but I want to do this comfortably. Some may even say that this is too fast.
So it is July 2, 2016 and I will be off before Christmas –Hallelujah– that is a great Christmas present. I will continue to get in better physical shape – really clean up my food plan and investigate supplements and do more muscle stretching, hydration and exercise.
I have been on 200 mg of Seroquel (not extended release) for about 3.5 years – taking it in one dose at bedtime. I dropped to 150mg last night. Maybe I should have gone only to 175mg?? I was able to get about 6.5 hours sleep last night but was up at 3:15 am. I stayed up until 9am and then napped until noon.
My hands feel a little shaky and the first thing I did when I woke up from my nap was to eat half of a small watermelon. My hands feel a little shaky and I have a start of a headache. I will take Tylenol for that. If today seems a push, then I will back to 175 and do a slower taper. A lot of it depends on how I feel today and if I can get to sleep tonight on 150.
Reading the article and some comments made me wonder about the effectiveness of this drug without continuing to go up on it. If the withdrawal can be intense, I wonder if there is an underlying hidden tolerance going on during long term use of Seroquel which makes the drug not work as well long term unless the dose is continually titrated upwards. I am going to get off of this drug safely.
I know it is my tendency to not be patient and do things too rapidly. I really would like to handle the drop to 150 well and not have to go back up to 175 or back to 200. I will see. I am going to hydrate well and really working on the increase my daily exercise. I think both are really key – especially so the hydration.
I’ve been on Seroquel for 11 years and I am still currently take it. (300mg) I’ve had two scary episodes happen to me from just running out of my medication. In all three instances within 48 hours I experienced EXTREME INSOMNIA and PROJECTILE VOMITING. I was so DIZZY it was horrible. When I was younger I was at work once puking, dizzy and on no sleep. My mom was able to find half of a 300mg pill.
I took it and within two hours I was feeling normal again. What bothers me the most is just how quickly the withdrawals slam you. I asked my doctor to please take me down to 300mg to 200mg with the hopes I can one day taper off completely, I’m a 33 year old female and was originally prescribed it for severe sleep issues. I sleep amazingly well on Seroquel, I absolutely cant fall asleep without it though.
I don’t know what my future holds but I do know I don’t want my body dependent on a drug if I don’t have to be. The withdrawals were so intense they made me unable to function at all. And thats not me quitting it cold turkey that’s me missing a full dose (300mg) for one day. YIKES.
This medicine has been a nightmare for me. I have gained 100 or so pounds and have been on this for almost 12 mos. I don’t even know what I’m doing and stumble into the kitchen and eat uncontrollably around midnight then go back to sleep. I am trying to taper off but have agitation and am sick to my stomach and cant think right. I wish I would have never been prescribed this medicine, it is just a plain out nightmare. I have only been tapering off for 3 days, cutting the dose in half. I’ve been on 200 mg. Then I will go every other day, then try to quit. :(
I was on 200mg of Quetiapine. I tapered off it. The only problem I had was being unable to sleep. It was still going on 2 weeks later. I now have to break a 25mg tablet in half and that works but it makes me think I’ll never be able to come off it fully.
I was put on Seroquel 15yrs ago because I was hearing music in my head – you know what? It was stress, I am very creative. It’s ridiculous to say the least. During that 15 years my neighbors did what they liked to me and I caved in. I am a very intelligent woman – being on this drug took any intelligence I had away from me, I could not see the wood for the trees. I have come off it now and have stood up to my neighbors – one of them has moved thank god because she couldn’t get her own way.
The other is close to losing her home – the sooner the better. Words cannot describe my disgust that doctors are handing these out like confetti. I was on 300 mg each day – now I do not take it, I began a very very slow withdrawal from them last November. My anxiety kicked in, but I started my own business, took up hobbies, am a writer now and a Master Reiki practitioner all in the space of 2 years.
You can do this, if I can at my age you can too – just don’t do it quickly. Never go cold turkey with this poison. I am on loads of supplements now and am vegan – that is helping a lot. I have today started also taking ashwagandha – and the dammed music which by the way returned, is now decreasing at times. It is only there now because I have been through a hell of a lot of trauma due to my standing up for my rights and losing my son.
It’s stress and anxiety which I suffer from which means that I need a much quieter yet productive life. I am 65 years old and finally I can begin to have a life – I am fortunate in that I do not need to earn a lot of money to keep my home – my pensions pay for the bills etc. I do dog walking which only brings in pennies but its a little bit extra for me to get nice things. I rue the day that I was put on it.
When you come off it be sure to eat well, get exercise and take lots of supplements to repair any damage to your brain and body. I still have the anxiety but it is reducing bit by bit as I take better care of myself. If the Ashwagandha begins to work well I will use that instead of chemicals for my anxiety.
What I have also discovered is that I am Highly Sensitive Person and I pick up everyones feelings and I cannot deal with lots of stimuli at once – so in this fast paced world I will be very careful with myself. It’s all about money at the end of the day. Lives get ruined in an effort to do good. But these people who prescribe them need to take personal responsibility for they are doing to their patients – would they do it to themselves? No.
Hearing music in your head is entirely normal. Read Oliver Sacks’ “Musicophilia.” But I gather yours is unpleasant and uncontrollable. Maybe you can change it, especially as you find ways to relax.
Thank god I found this website – I thought I was going mad! I spent 7 years on this devil drug – 250mg XR for alleged bi-polar. Seven years in a fog, with no motivation and feeling sleepy all the time. I quit cold-turkey seven days ago (my own decision), and it has been brutal, despite the Psychiatric Nurse telling me there were no withdrawal symptoms.
Hot/cold sweats, no appetite at all, severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, shakes, dizziness, total lack of energy, and headaches. The first three days, I would cry uncontrollably at anything. But things are starting to get better. The ‘mind-fog’ has already lifted. The crying has stopped, and the hot/cold sweats are nearly gone.
My appetite still hasn’t come back, but maybe that’s not a bad thing because I gained 48lbs taking this poison. I truly wish that I had never started taking this stuff, and I am hoping that things get easier from now on. Good luck all.
I am about a week into dropping 300 mg of Seroquel cold turkey. I had a few restless nights, sweated a lot for the first 5 days, and my appetite has been a bit low. The drug was prescribed for possible bipolar, to control hypomania. Taking it, I gained about 20 lbs, and was very drowsy in the evenings and mornings. I am on anti-depressant medications as well, and I think it was working against them. I also began rTMS treatment 3 weeks ago. Overall, a bit of an uncontrolled experiment, but my general mood seems to be improving.
Update… I’ve been feeling steadily better since dropping Seroquel, and continuing with the rTMS treatments. My appetite is still a fair bit lower, and I’ve lost about 15 of the 20 lbs I gained while on Seroquel. I’m sleeping well, plus energy levels have returned to normal.
I’ve been on this medicine for a long time. It was prescribed to me, I was too young for a say in any of it so I took it. I was forced to believe something was wrong with me, when there wasn’t anything wrong warranting the uses of this medication. I suffer from panic and anxiety. Which I had medication for to begin with.
I was thrown on this because people didn’t like the results they were seeing in me. My new doctor said “I don’t even know why you were on this”… I stopped a few days ago. I was taking a low dose, because I’d rather use natural remedies then medicine that initially will destroy you. I’m nauseous, crying over absolutely nothing, not sleeping, sweating, and panicking like nobody’s business.
My anxiety has increased like to tomorrow. I can’t even think straight. My mind is racing.. I ASKED MY DOCTOR IF WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS EXSIST WITH THIS MED, was told NO. Do it cold turkey. Do NOT fall for this. Try natural pills and supplements… Don’t give anymore to these greedy people of medicine. You take something to feel better, you get better, get off it and feel worse than what you first started out with.
I’m all for mental health awareness. But I feel were suffering more than we should. I’ve been drinking so much water and juice in order to cleanse myself. Exercise makes me more dizzy than I already am at this point. I’m praying and meditating. I’m trying to get my life together. I’m going to be 20, and I feel like it’s going to spiral because the after effects of these medications I need to come off of.
Do not cold turkey anything!! This will end eventually, there is a light. Just can’t see it yet.
I’ve come off 75mg Quetiapine and I can’t express how low I feel. I’ve had chronic back pain which normally wouldn’t have. Had endless nights of no sleep and I can’t settle or relax for more than 5 minutes. I feel suicidal which is not my style. I’m so worried what I can do because I can’t cope with the low moods in which I’m having. I’m scared about my future.
I have been taking 400mg for five years. I just found out that I’m pregnant and the doctors said I had to quit now! I don’t know how I’m going to get through the next eight months with these withdrawals. Something has to give.
It’s dangerous even on a low dose. When I got pregnant with my son my doctor wouldn’t let me go completely off the medication they told me the side effects were unknown and that it was best for my baby to stay on a low dose I went from 800 MG to 400 MG. My son is now 5 and has various different special needs including autism, ADHD, and a learning disability… he also wasn’t able to breastfeed due to the Sedation Factor. Good luck.
This is my first night without 300mg quetiapine, I am sick to death of being so fat, of starving myself, working my ass off to lose 3 pounds, it’s a joke. Been on it for 3 years. It did help when I needed it but I hate myself for all of the weight gain and feeling like a zombie!! I wish I had never touched the stuff but here goes. I also take 300mg of trazodone which I am going to stay on for now. I am diagnosed with borderline personality, PTSD, depression and anxiety. Will update tomorrow.
I’m 26 and female. I have been on Seroquel for almost 3 years now. 400 mg a day. Started to lower the dose a month ago and now I’m on 125mg twice a day, meaning 250 mg instead of 400. Next week it will go to 200 mg per a day. The side effects?
1. Insomnia
2. Concentration issues – BIG TIME. It’s kind of hard trying to focus reading Uni books or even trying to get myself away for TV…
In Conclusion? No anxiety nor depression because I also take 2 other meds: Cipralex 20 mg, Topamax 50 mg.
The other 2 meds are guarding the mood swings and bipolar behavior. And for almost 6 months my shrink has given me the green light to ditch the Seroquel in order to – in her words – “use a minimum meds as needed”. So I’m very thankful for this med, it did me good. It took the pain away, took the drama away from me, gave me a steady mood to build my life better. And now it’s time to say good by to the safety wheels, and treasure the person standing in the mirror.
My doctor weaned me off of Seroquel 75mg for insomnia. Even going to 50mg one week and then 25mg the final week, I have had many of the withdrawal symptoms. It’s been 8 weeks since I weaned myself off. I am staying strong but it is so hard. I wish I never went on this drug.
I was on it for 2 years and gained 30 lbs. I was sleepwalking and eating on this drug. Doctor put me back on ambien 10mg even though it does not work as well as Seroquel. I am no longer sleep eating and have lost 5 lbs. I wouldn’t recommend Seroquel to anyone and if you’re going to quit, you need to prepare for feeling like you have the Flu.
I was in the Hospital for 7 months then transferred to a care facility where I have been for 7 months and I’ve taken Seroquel 25 mg every night. I know it’s not a lot but it’s something. I just recently stopped oxycodone cold turkey and tonight is my first night without the Seroquel. I can only hope for the best. Thank you for sharing your comments.
Was taking 25 mgs for sleep doctor recommended 50mgs. First couple of days the sleep reenergized me then started to notice I was mentally slowing down so I stopped and ended getting extreme dizzy spells… Which led me here so thanks for sharing and to pay it forward I’d suggest not using this drug for sleep at even a low dose. Ty.
Wow it has been a revelation finding this site! I have been on quetiapine for several years dose of 200mg. This was after a bad section of my life and with a 15 minute appointment with a psychiatrist. I have put on over 4stone and now am a diabetic. I was not told about any of these side effects.
I have spent the last 3 years seeing a therapist and it has been a life saver. My whole thought process has changed. I have now reduced my levels over 4 weeks and yesterday took my final dose. I also thought I had a virus and the itching is terrible. The general fogginess when on this drug is awful, I have had trouble following storylines and taking in new information.
I really feel that this drug is evil and no good for me. It is given without proper knowledge of the effects. I hope to be feeling better soon and able to feel myself and not so ‘separate’. Good luck everyone on getting off this drug.
This is my first day going cold turkey!!! I’m scared. I hate being sick. I hate feeling sick and shaky and dizzy. I didn’t sleep a wink last night. It’s made me gain so much weight. I’ve been on 200mg for 8 months. I’m so so scared about doing this. I smoked weed for 5 years of my life and I came off that no problem. I feel so unwell already and it’s only half 10am! Please tell me these symptoms won’t last forever. I have a 9 month old daughter to look after. I don’t wanna be to ill to look after her. Thank you. Xxx
I just want to start by saying if your being asked to go on seroquel don’t take this decision lightly. I came off quetiapine before I was on 850mg for severe bpd with psychosis. I tapered slowly and I stopped. I developed fibromyalgia symptoms and ME symptoms along with severe psychosis and depression so I was sent back on it.
I was only on 300mg now it’s been a week since I stopped at 100mg and it’s not great. I have slept for days I have severe cramps and trouble going to pee. I have been on this evil stuff for 10 years and it’s that bad at times I’ve thought quetiapine would kill me. I used to have palpitations, my legs sometimes wouldn’t work and would feel too heavy, I’ve gone to sleep so out of control from the palpitations.
I never want to take this medication ever again.
I have been on seroquel for 13 years. When I was first was on them I was on 800mg. Recently it started making me stiff all over so I decided to stop them. I gradually reduced them over time and I’m currently on 100mg and took my last dose 48 hours ago. I feel very sleepy and have slept a bit too much today. I wish I had never been put on these pills judging by these comments.
My soon to be 90 year old grandmother with early stage dementia is being given this drug. The doctor prescribed it when after two days into antibiotics from a UTI she wasn’t cooperating (so to speak) or sleeping well. 25 MG nightly at first, but just a day or two because I asked them to half that, which they did. Now she’s on half of the 12.5 and still having major issues.
I feel so bad for her and tomorrow will be talking to the doctor yet again about stopping this horrific med. I’m afraid for her even more now after reading about the withdrawal. I was wondering if every other day for a tad would help ease her or is just getting her off cold turkey would be best since it’s such a small dose?
Any dose of this is deadly and inhumane especially in the elderly with any type of memory dis-ease. Or anything for that matter.
I’m a 68-year-old male trying desperately to wean off 400 mg gabapentin and 150 mg seroquel, both of which I’ve been using for 18 months due to chronic insomnia. This has been extremely difficult and my insomnia is out of control. When I’m able to sleep its for two to three hours. During that time I experience nightmares and sudden awakenings. I’m open to any suggestions. Thank you.
I have a love/hate relationship with quetiapine. I have been on this medication for around 15 years. When I stop taking it, I don’t sleep for days at a time. I was most recently taking 100mg nightly and decided to go cold turkey 5 nights ago. I am sick of being tired all the time and fed up with the severe weight gain.
I didn’t sleep at all for the first two nights & managed to get maybe 2 hours of sleep each of the following two nights. I’m irritable and headachy. I am determined to finally be free of this stuff, but realize that its not going to be easy. I think that I’ve forgotten how to get to sleep on my own.
Since diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in January, I was put on 25mg of quetiapine and gradually increased until now I am taking 200mg at night. I don’t like the way I feel on this drug. I feel permanently sedated, which is a nightmare when trying to hold down 2 jobs and study for a degree. I want to come off this medication, but am now really scared to after all of the experiences here.
I cannot afford any more time off work and it sounds as if some of the withdrawal symptoms would make it difficult to go to work (vomiting, shakes etc). I was prescribed this after a 10 minute consultation with a psychiatrist and was not made aware that withdrawing from the medication can be a nightmare. I don’t know what to do! Cold turkey vs tapering?
I understand Suzy, I didn’t know I was going to have such a bad withdrawal going cold turkey, I don’t recommend it, it’s just not worth putting your life on hold, the itching, the nausea, etc. is not something I will wish not even my worst enemy, I wish I knew about tapering… But then again I wish I didn’t take Seroquel at all. God Bless you and I hope you make the right choice.
I’ve been completely off for 7 days now. I’m sleeping but I think the quality of sleep could be better. I have been taking temazepam but I don’t think it’s actually working. I still crave food in the evenings but it is getting better and I’m still peeing heaps. I really haven’t had any other withdrawal symptoms but I was only on it for 3 months. It’s been easier than I expected.
I had the same issue, it seemed to not be helping me sleep as much as when I first started. It helped my sleep less and less until I was sometimes staying up until 7am, although then I would sleep 8 hours. But I found out one thing by running out and going cold turkey for 4 days (of pure hell!) is that when you start again it’s just like it was in the beginning! I mean, I took only 100mg last night (my regular dose was 200mg) and I was out like a light in 10 minutes and slept through the night, just like when I first started taking it years ago.
Hmmm, quite rare. You are talking about Seroquel, right?
I’m on day 4 without any quetiapine and feel good. I’m having temazepam for sleep and last night I actually did sleep. My appetite is still huge. I’m feeling very relieved.
I’m 15 and have a mood disorder, no schizophrenia. I take 200mg at night and occasionally I don’t take it if I have to cram for a test. When I don’t take it, I don’t sleep at all and I get paranoia and mild hallucinations, mostly auditory (hear footsteps upstairs when we haven’t even used the attic in five years, knocking on my window, heavy breathing that can’t be mine or my cat’s, whispering when everyone’s asleep). Should I be concerned? Should I tell my therapist/psychiatrist?
It would be a good idea to mention it to your Psych. It’s probably some rebound psychosis from not taking it, but best to be sure.
I’ve been on Seroquel 300mg every night for about 4 years and I stopped cold turkey 2 nights ago. My mood has been fine but ive only got about 1.5-2 hours of sleep each night, been sweating a lot. I have some soreness/tightness in my throat and have little energy. But the main thing that is bothering me is my whole body twitching and muscle spasms and not being able to sleep. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to be able to sleep normally again?
I have been taking 400mg every night for about 3 years. I’ve always had trouble with anxiety, depression, and was diagnosed Bipolar Disorder type 2 when I was 21 years old. I was once happy with my body, 5’4″ and 130 pounds. Now I weigh 202. This drug should be highly advertised as something that may cause you to gain weight of that magnitude.
Seroquel has destroyed my life, yes it helped me sleep and helped with my mood swings, but my whole body image has changed to the point where it seems like a never ending cycle of being fat and depressed. Working out, watching what I eat, nothing worked and being bipolar can already make you feel like a freak, since it feels like no one ever understands the way your body and mind can turn against you, but gaining so much weight and not being able to lose it no matter what I tried is even harder to deal with.
I quit cold turkey about 5 days ago and last night was the first night I got even a moment of sleep. The side effects have been horrible. Shakiness, anxiety, not sleeping a wink in literally 4 days and being happy when I even get an hour of sleep in a night. Just to rest my eyes for a second is everything to me right now. The stress on my body from not sleeping is also causing me to vomit all day long, makes me so sick I feel like I can’t stomach or eat anything, and has me so clammy all over my body that it’s making me shake and go from hot to cold constantly.
I plan to keep on going though, my advice for anyone bipolar out there like me is to keep positivity around everywhere you can. Whether it’s watching tv, having friends or a significant other around, anything in your life you have to keep the bad stuff out. Do whatever it takes to cheer yourself up without going off the deep end and ending up in a mania of some sort.
I hope this drug can be out of my system finally and hopefully feel as “normal” as I can and take control of my body and weight once again. If this post can even relate to someone out there, that would be a dream come true. No one should have to feel this way on their own. And anyone who just started Seroquel or is thinking about it, STEER CLEAR. I would never wish these symptoms upon anyone, it’s terrible. Peace and Love to anyone who reads this.
I have gained 20 or more pounds on this drug. I am tapering off of it. Have you tried Melatonin? I use Natrol 5mg with Theanine (they call it Calm Sleep) x 2 fast dissolve tablets plus 2-3 Calms Forte sleep aid to sleep. Yes, it’s a lot of Melatonin – maybe try one at first, but at least I sleep. I get DEPRESSED if I don’t. I was put on this for a psychotic break after going cold turkey off Klonopin – bad idea.
A Psych put me on this 4 months ago. I’ve gone from 250 to 150mg in about 2 weeks. Each lowering of 25mg is about 4 days and comes with symptoms that aren’t terrible – mostly body aches and gastric. Today I feel some depression. Helped to cry. I hate feeling isolated BC of my weight gain. It has changed my face entirely – like a bloated mask. I can’t WAIT to be off of this and I wish you the best.
Hi. I’ve come off quetiapine in the past and only remember having insomnia for a few days. This time I’ve been on it about 2 months and titrated from 50mgs to 300mgs at night. In 2 months I’ve already got high cholesterol and am putting on weight at an alarming rate. I also have been having problems staying asleep and so the psychiatrist added temazapam which she’s slowly withdrawing, but I think I’m hooked so I decided to come off quetiapine again.
I cut my dose in half for about a week then cut it in half again to 75mgs after trying to go cold turkey for 2 days and not sleeping. Tonight I’ve taken 50mgs and hope that I’ll sleep. I haven’t been on it long so hope that things will return to normal pretty quickly. I have some mild anxiety but that is the only thing I’ve noticed after cutting down other than sleep being a bit hard to achieve in the next 2 or 3 days on each lower dose.
I plan to cut down to 25 in a week or so then stop again. I will keep you posted about my progress. I really feel for those of you that are having such awful withdrawals but know that they will pass. Stay strong and hopeful.
Hi again. Well 50mgs stopped me sleeping at all so this will be my second night cold turkey. I haven’t really slept for 3 days but I’m not feeling too bad. I was tempted to take 75mgs tonight but figure that could put me back to the beginning. I’m not having any more withdrawal problems so figure I’m pretty lucky.
Hi everybody. English is not my native language, but I’ll do my best. I’m quitting Seroquel, 200 mg a day, cold turkey. I’m on day two. My three year old daughter is at her dad for a few days, so I thought I will get it done when she’s there. I’m bipolar, I also have generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD after being beaten for two years in a relationship.
I feel cold, shaky, and having a headache. But that’s it. I’m so afraid that it will get worse. I’m a single mother and I can’t get “to bad” because I have to take good care of my child. Has anyone successed quitting Seroquel abruptly with just minor withdrawal symptoms? Good luck to everyone! And thank you for sharing your stories
Updating: I couldn’t do it. On day three I felt so bad, in so many ways, that I had to take the medication. I will try tapering off instead.
I stopped taking Seroquel 50mg last week I had been taking it for about a year and a half for insomnia, I went through 3 days of terrible stomach aches and throwing up with some headaches, I quit cold turkey. After a week of symptoms they subsided. I’m feeling much better after a week and I’m telling anyone who wants to quit this drug to quit it when you want to.
I had fears for very long time that I wouldn’t be able to do it or serious things might occur. But if u can buckle down for about a week of stomach aches and headaches and not very good sleep, I promise you it will be worth it, it’s like I got my life back I’m not controlled by that sleeping pill, I’m feeling almost back to normal again, again tho this is for anyone who takes for INSOMNIA on low dosage levels.
Firstly I am so glad I found this page. I am on day 2 of quitting cold turkey after 6 years on 100mg. Yes my dose was low but I never realized I would struggle with such strong withdraws. It bugs me that doctors are aware of the effects this drug has on the body and yet still put people on it. All my best to you all you have all given me inspiration and made me realize I’m not alone in trying to get my life back from this medication.
Last week my VA Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner took me off of the Seroquel I have been taking for 5 years. I was told to quit taking them and replaced it with Temazepam. I have had some horrible side effects all week, has been near impossible to work and honestly just feel horrible. I finally gave in and called her, I told her I was having some serious problems and major problems being able to work.
I received both a bad attitude for 2nd guessing her and a response of “well most people can just quit no problems or issues”, go back to the Seroquel. From what I am seeing and have read on a pharmacy drug note this simply is not true and it is entirely advised to not stop suddenly. I don’t really know what to do as now I feel like I will have to take this medicine until my deathbed.
Is anybody really having any success weaning themselves off of it over a certain period of time? I don’t trust my VA “doctor” anymore. Also forgot this tidbit concerning the itch, I was itching so bad 3 days ago I have 8 bruises on my right side by my ribs from scratching so hard. So yeah, these effects are serious.
I had terrible itching to, these symptoms feel like they are never going to go away but trust me on this don’t go back to the pill, they will go away over time. What it depends on is you dosage level and how long you will be taking it, granted the higher the level and time you took the pill the longer it will take to come off it, but it’s completely worth it.
Wouldn’t be the first time a doc or nurse practitioner didn’t know what they were talking about. Sounds pretty narcissistic – double the fun. Can you consult with a Psych who is not VA? Can you switch docs?
I absolutely hate this drug. I’ve taken it for five years, with dosages as high as 1200 mg. I supposedly have ‘psychosis’ but yet I’ve been through the military and college, graduating with high honors and a 4.0 GPA. I don’t feel like I need this anymore and I would do anything to get off of it. I’m tired of my life revolving around a small pill, along with the stigma of taking anti-psychotic drugs, which has cost me jobs, relationships, and even places to live.
Every time I quit whether it’s cold turkey or tapering I can’t even keep down water and I feel extremely sick. I’m not sure if the sickness is from the lack of sleep or if it is from the withdraw. I get irritated and foggy mind which hinders my ability to work or think straight. I can deal with all of the other symptoms but the lack of sleep is what kills me.
I feel my brain shutting down and as soon as I hit what I call the “Drift,” (the area where your thoughts wonder until you shutdown and sleep) I bounce back to being fully awake. I don’t give up easily and I’m going to continue.
I have been on seroquel for the last 6 years. Although it has helped a lot it also has caused a lot of suffering as I am now going through withdrawals. I was on a high dosage 1200 MG a day as I had been on it so long. And the sleep disturbance I have to say has to be the hardest thing to deal with. I haven’t slept in over a week with maybe an occasional dozing off that only lasts at most an hour.
I hate this med and wish I had warned about how much it would affect me psychologically and physically coming off of it. Even with tapering the withdrawals are bad so screw it just cold turkey I told myself. Ugh…I’m in a constant fog and anxiety is so bad. But I really just want some sleep.
My psychiatrists who prescribed seroquel to me did so within a five minute session and shared none of the important information about side effects and withdraw. I have come to loathe the practice of these drug pushing doctors. Seroquel was supposed to help my insomnia and mood swings. After a year I have developed such a tolerance that it has no effect on either.
In fact, my mood and sleeplessness are back to where they once were. In trying to taper off I am experience the worst side effects and I am starting a new job next week. I feel trapped inside of a pharmaceutical hell. If you are not suffering from severe mental illness DO NOT take seroquel.
Seroquel is harder to get off of and more addictive than narcotics. I am using the narcotics that I got after back surgery to get off of the stuff. I have taken Seroquel for years and couldn’t get motivated to do anything and couldn’t get off of the stuff. Getting off of the stuff by using narcotics may not work with everybody, and you would have to do it under a doctor’s supervision, but it seems to be working for me.
Hi fellow sufferers. I am so happy to find this forum. Need advice. I was prescribed SEROQUEL 25 mg in Jan 2014, 2 years ago and not ever given a good reason. I have all the worst side effects now including 25 kg weight increase. I am astounded at what has become of my life and my brain. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow and she is already on the defensive… such a small dose, blah blah.
I intend to reduce slowly but don’t trust her advice. Can anyone tell me over what period and by what amount they have at least been able to survive this monster? Cheers to all.
I have been recommended reduce 10 percent every four weeks! Slow I know, but the only way not to get awful withdrawal. I’m the same… put on a lot of weight on only 25mg.
A couple months ago I suffered an anxiety attack that came out of no where. I was prescribed Ativan and Wellbutrin which gave me adverse reactions and I was diagnosed with “manic depressive/bipolar.” I sought 2nd opinion and later found out that I was hypersensitive to dopamine. Wellbutrin had only induced me with severe anxiety/GAD and worsened my condition.
I was then put on Seroquel 50mg XR for a week and was increased to 100mg. The anxiety lessened but the side effects is unbearable! Even at a low dose I experienced rapid gain weight, felt stoical, continuous inflamed runny nose, my facial completion has changed dramatically, and it makes me feel like there’s something crawling under my skin.
I am now being tapered off the meds and today is the last day of taking 25 mg, however, I am still experiencing the side effects and more. Today the itching started and this time not just my face but my entire body! I anticipate the withdrawals and I am looking for ways to manage them for it is only adding to my anxiety.
Hi, my name is Christy and I’ve been on 150mg of seroquel every night for the last year or so. Originally I took 600mg of seroquel every night for about 2 and a half years. I gained close to 65lbs in a matter of 3 months and I honestly couldn’t really bring myself to want to work out. I got off of the seroquel (no idea how) cold turkey. It was a long time ago so I don’t remember much of the experience.
But basically I went a few years and then needed to get back on it due to increase in mood swings. I’ve been on the 150mg tablets every night for around a year or so now along with clonidine, lamictal, and wellbutrin and I’m feeling groggy most of the time, I have no motivation to get up and do anything, and I’m gaining weight again. I’m also having chills, migraines, nausea, and anxiety whenever I don’t take it or my prescription hasn’t been filled.
So I’ve decided enough is enough. I tried cold turkey but for around 4 days I slept terribly, had muscle aches and migraines, and incredible amounts of nausea. I’ve puked a lot in this short time and I can barely sit or lay down without stomach pain. I didn’t feel like eating or drinking anything. It was too much to handle. So yesterday I made the decision to taper.
I went from 150mg to 75mg (cut my pills in half) and last night was the first night I was able to eat a real meal and sleep through the night, with the help of clonidine (.3mg) and two tablets of Benadryl. Honestly for people who plan to get off seroquel, DONT QUIT COLD TURKEY! You will have the worst pain of your life and you will be miserable. Taper down to a super low dose and ease yourself into the transition.
And remember, seroquel stays in your system for close to two days after you drop the pill. So keep that in mind when you decide to quit. Good luck :)