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Trying Seroquel

Earlier this week, I started on the medication Seroquel. I'm on 100 (milligrams, I think) and will gradually increase to the therapeutic dose of 250, if all goes as planned. I just wanted to give a quick update on my experience so far.

Issues It is Intended to Treat

  • Insomnia
  • Paranoia
  • Delusions

Benefits so Far

  • Mood stabilization- My mood fluctuates a lot less throughout the day. I did not realize that the amount that my mood changed independent of external circumstances was unusual, but it stays steady more now. 
  • Insomnia Drastically Reduced- I fall asleep without trouble and only wake up 1-2 times per night. I have NEVER experienced that before. At first, it made me sleepy during the day, too, but melatonin and a little caffeine sorted out my sleep schedule well.
  • Increased Focus

Side Effects so Far

  • Drowsiness- It puts me to sleep about 1-2 hours after I take it, and it's hard to wake up in the morning without caffeine.
  • Nausea- I experience nausea right after I take it and also if I consume caffeine.
  • Dry Mouth- I experience dry mouth for the first few hours after I take it.
  • Mania- I feel manic for a few hours a day, ever day. Update 8/4 My support team says I seem "elevated" "reactive" or "hostile" for a few hours a day. It's hard not to hurt my service dog or myself (but like a meltdown, not like intention to hurt; it's reactive not premeditated).
  • More meltdowns- I'm not sure if this is because of the medication or because I'm trying to do more as a result of being on the medication
  • Not negative, but I switch from more vocal stims to more movement stims.
  • Not negative, but my brain "feels weird" after I take it

No change

  • Delusions- No noticeable change, yet. 
  • Paranoia- No noticeable change, yet.
  • Issues, like autism things, that it was not intended to treat
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