The person above me is spouting pure and utter nonsense towards you, she's never been put in a situation with anyone who actually took seroquel. She just "knows someone" and it works "well for them."
If Seroquel works on her, she'll be very tired often, and she'll easily sleep 24 hours plus and she'll easily gain weight from it. You could try to help her with the weight gain, if that's an concern(?), but she will seem out of it if it works on her. Seroquel is designed to sedate the person taking it. Its other uses are for a sleeping pill or someone with anxiety.
If your friend is or suffering from schizophrenia, they may start her at a high dose because it calms her down for the time being in the hospital. It may not, but you mentioned it does, and you've inclined it does calm her down. Out of the hospital is different.
In my opinion, and I'm no expert at all, I would ask about other meds and ask if they could start her on other ones before she is released. Abilify is the new one but it may cost you a lot. I would suggest looking up the second generation meds and bringing them in when meeting with the doctor and discussing each one out. Check to see which ones have a patent before as well.
Some Doctors will only suggest medicine that are patented because the get a kick back from it. Go with you think is right and right for your friend.
Good luck with your friend. I wish you the best.
Thanks.
Seroquel is having the sedating and increased appetite effects on GA, so you are right about that. I was on Seroquel for about six months years ago and I can't recall it really having anything apart from a blunting of my feelings effect. I can't remember why I came off it.
GA doesn't have schizophrenia, the doctors told her that the Seroquel is for stabilising mood and helping with anxiety and depression. They did not tell her that Seroquel is an antipsychotic medication. I told her that. I do hope they will change their minds and try her on something else. Today she told me (via text) that she was upset and depressed a lot.
I haven't personally seen GA's doctors or spoken to her nurses. Not sure if they want my input. The next time I go to see her will be on Wednesday.
Hope you can keep yourself safe too, Ren.
Thanks hyke, I am doing my best to stay safe. Uni started today and I can tell already that it is going to take up a lot of my time. I just want to be a supportive friend to GA as well. I don't want to be her sole source of support though. That would be too much for me.
@ Ren
sounds like you got your hands 'full'
hope things get better for you asap
Thank you bodaccea. It isn't so bad now that GA is in hospital. Trying to look after her before that was really hard as I wanted to fix things but didn't know how. But it isn't the sort of thing for me to fix. It is for the doctors so I am hoping they help in a good way.
I do worry about what will happen when GA comes out of hospital - I hope they organise some supports for her, if they don't I will be angry about it.