Follow-up on Seroquel Rx

Paris20

There was a post about Seroquel a couple of weeks ago. I expressed interest because my husband was experiencing delusions and temper-explosions. I gave in to the neurologist’s suggesting Seroquel, in addition to the antidepressants. Many replies noted how effective it had been for their LO.

The change in my husband after just two weeks has been dramatic. His explosions are less frequent and more mild. The delusions have disappeared. I know this may well be temporary but I’ll take it. He’s currently on the lowest dose. I’ll report the good news to the neurologist this week. Meanwhile I’m getting a bit of my own respite care, at least that’s how it feels.

M1

So glad it’s made a difference Paris20

shardy

Wonderful!  That's how it was for us also,  I could see the difference in approximately two weeks. But be forewarned, when we first started it years ago we increased about every six months as the behavior returned. It took us multiple increases to get to a solid good place. But each time about 2-2.5 weeks after the increase he got relief. And so did I.

Stella Luna

Paris,

I was the one who posted about Seroquel to control my DH’s delusions and agitation. He is taking 50 mg a day in two doses and his improvement has been remarkable. He talks about his delusion once in a while but there is no emotion attached to it, so he can be distracted. I am so glad is working for your DH too!

Joe C.

Paris, I’m happy the seroquil is working for your husbands anxiety/delusions. DW has been on seroquil for 19 months starting at 25 mg. Over that time when I notice her anxiety starting to increase I let her neurologist know and we tweak the dosing, now she is at 100 mg at day. This medication has been a lifesaver for both of our wellbeings.

Ed1937

Isn't it great when you find something that actually works? I'm happy for you.

Paris20

Thanks to all who helped me to make the decision to try this medication for my husband. This week has been SO much better than the last several months. My only regret is that I waited too long. No more questions about his mother, his brother, going home, etc. No more attacking the caregiver…or me. I know it will end at some point but right now I feel like I’m on vacation, with only incessant repetition and no short term memory…piece of cake!

ButterflyWings

Paris20 - Seroquel is the only way I can keep my DH at home. And it likely saved an injury (me) back when he was hallucinating and delusional about non-existent intruders, and stashing knives etc. under the mattress for late night battles. 

It was a scary time for me, and I learned since then to think of how anxious and miserable my DH must have been to trigger that kind of behavior. So, the Seroquel/Quetiapine was the best solution for many reasons. Two years later (ish) he is now taking 250mg daily. 100mg in the morning, 50 in the early afternoon pre-sundowning, and 100 at bedtime.

So, as shardy mentioned, be prepared to have to tweak it periodically -- just keep the doc advised when (not if) the behavior seems to be ramping up again, though it may be several months.

Good for you, for using the available tools to help both you and your DH navigate the rough waters of dementia.

Doityourselfer

My husband has been taking Seroquel since 2016 due to his agitation.  He's currently on 400mg per day.  It has been increased over the years, started with 25mg per day.   I wouldn't be taking care of him if it wasn't for this medication.

Stella Luna

Paris20,

After a month and a half of relative peace, my DH’s delusion and severe agitation came raging back. His  geriatric Pschyatrist recommended to increase the dose to 75 mg of Seroquel a day. Let us hope the effects of the drug kick in. We are going to participate in a clinical trial of a synthetic THC to treat agitation, I will post the results, hopefully it works.

markus8174

I also found good results with the use of Seroquel for my DW. We were at a programed dose of 25mg daily with an additional 25mg as needed. She rarely needed the "as needed" dose. As a nurse in critical care floor I was familiar with Seroquel long before my beloved's AD was diagnosed. The jingle we often quoted was "make them well with Seroquel !". It's effect on ICU psychosis was astonishing after only 1 or 2 doses. (Of course we gave it IV with aggitated patients) and often had to use a short term tranquilizer (Atavan) to scale back the patient's anxiety. It was Seroquel that not only calmed the patient, but restored them to normal orientation without having to resort to heavy sedation to keep them from injury.

Jo C.

Thank you for the followup; it is wonderful that this medication has brought so much relief to both yourself and your husband.  Bringing him peace has given him a much better quality of life as much as can be under the circumstances.   So glad this has helped.  

My step-dad also had wonderful results with Seroquel low dose in a.m. . . . in a few months, it was evident that it did not have as strong an effect as before.  Dose was increased, given once in a.m. BUT what we found was that if we changed how the med was given -  he got a low dose in the morning and again in the late afternoon/early evening, he continued to do very well and was stable.  This was effective for years until his death far later from causes other than dementia.

 Each person is different and we make adjustments as we move forward.  Hopefully this will continue to work well for your DH and you.

 J.

jfkoc