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Suggest Remedy For Hallucinations When On Seroquel

Posted on Sat, 28 Feb 2015

Question: Can side effects worsen over time? I've been on 500 mg/day of Seroquel for for Bipolar Type I for a couple of years. I'm also on Lamictal, Wellbutrin, doxepin, and hydroxyzine. Recently I have been having (more accurately "thinking I'm having") side effects from the Seroquel. Shortly after I take it, maybe half an hour later, I get tingling and a feeling of restlessness (though moving doesn't help) in my lower legs, feet, and fingers; sometimes twitching; and a general feeling of having had too much coffee. Most disturbing is difficulty in swallowing. The effects last about two hours. I usually take all my meds at night. I tried taking one of my meds in the morning, one med at a time, to try to rule out causes. It wasn't Lamictal, it seems to be the Seroquel. I went a week with taking it in the morning and then switched back to taking it in the evening and the side effects were only present after taking the Serroquel. I also tried taking it in divided doses and the effects are present but less severe. I've had hallucinations in the past, but never of something like this. Is it possible that I developed these side effects after being on Seroquel for a few years and it is the culprit? I don't see my p-Doc for a month and a half, should I see her sooner? Thanks, Emil

Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
yes, see your doctor for these adverse effects

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

You have developed some less common side effects side effcets of seroquel.

Uncontrolled movements of lower limbs and difficulty in swallowing- they need medical attention.
In my opinion you must meet your treating team soon and discuss these issues.
Ideally, in such cases we might need to stop this drug altogether.

P.S. for lightheadedness during standing up from lying down or sitting position: try to move your lower limbs first and get up slowly.
Also, take more water.

Wish you speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Gopal (36 minutes later)

I didn't realize that lightheadedness was a possible side effect. That's been a problem for the last year or so, but it hadn't occurred to me that my meds could be causing it.

Is worsening tinnitus a possible effect also? It has been growing progressively worse the past year or so, to the point that tuning a piano is somewhat difficult. I have not heard/read that it could be a problem.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
can be related to seroquel.try adding multivitamin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Even I havent read about worsening of tinnitus, but as you said its increasing over past one year, I think it can be related to seroquel..because this is also a neurological problem ..tinnitus also increase with tension and paying attention to it...

Tinnitus is best treated with some multivitamins and ignoring this altogether...

Playing some soft music in room also distracts one from the tinnitus.

So, looks like due to seroquel, still hardly any sucessful treatment option available.

Though distressing and disturbing but it is not harmful as such, ever.....so, need not consider it dangerous...

. I think in your case it can go down by decreasing or stopping seroquel.

You should also get your B 12 levels done and treat of low. These are very helpful in overall managemnt of neurological symptoms which you have and may help tinnitus as well.

Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar