Christiansambodi, may I ask, what are you taking now instead? I have trouble finding words, or sometimes accidentally use the incorrect word when talking. I think this might simply a bipolar thing, even off meds.
Attributing the weight gain to sleeping extra sounds realistic. That would make sense. I've been reading that the weight gain is due to water retention as well. I am a little concerned about this, but not majorly. I am currently 5'7" and only 120lbs- slightly underweight. This is the most I've ever weighed in my life. During depressive episodes I usually drop down to about 115lbs in a matter of days because of loss of appetite. I'll be shocked and amazed if anything makes me actually gain any weight. However, I definitely don't want to get fat. At this point though I'll take thick and healthy over skinny and disturbed.
Did you all find you were able to function at your job ok, without making clumsey mistakes? Were you ok with working on detail while on the med?
Also, about how long did it take your body to adjust to Seroquel?
Sure! I am more than happy to share my experiences. I was recently taking Geodon but I had a really hard time eating. I was sick to my stomach for over a week and then I didn't want to eat anything for months, even after my stomach calmed down! I am also slightly underweight. However, Geodon and Seroquel helped me the most and I have been on almost everything.
In regards to my adjustment to Seroquel, I did adjust within a few days. Yes, I got a little sick at first (I always do); but the ONLY things that lingered were dry mouth, feeling munchie, having a hard time getting up, and the foggy mind. However, I was highly functional on Seroquel. I worked 20 hours a week and went to graduate school full-time. I made awesome grades and my work didn't really suffer (although I will admit I was late a couple of times because it was hard to get up). I was still able to express myself well in writing, which is the main thing I need to be able to do in my profession.
I am on day 4 of Abilify and it's making me sick too. I also take Lyrica for Fibro and I don't think the meds are playing well together (there aren't any serious interactions, just minor annoying ones). I have an awful headache and I am still so dizzy, I can't drive anywhere. I also don't feel right mentally, to a degree. This might go away when I go up to 5mg; but, if it doesn't, I am going to call the doctor. If Abilify doesn't work, I might try Seroquel again. I don't want to feel sick on the Geodon...
Meds work differently for every single person. What can make one person gain weight will make another person lose weight. The most weight neutral drug is Lamictal, followed by Geodon, Topamax, Trileptal, and Abilify. The main drug that has been known to cause weight gain is Depakote. I couldn't handle how ravenously hungry I felt on that drug; however, Seroquel was tolerable and, although I felt hungry, I didn't gain hardly any weight.
Bottom line: If your doctor thinks Seroquel might help, and you have insurance to pay for it, give it a try! It is a safer option, like your doc said, and I think it's worth a shot. You might want to look into Lamictal (which didn't give me many side effects at all) and Geodon (if you can tolerate it) as well. Like with the weight, meds can make one person feel like a zombie and another one feel absolutely nothing. It's always a bit of a gamble; but your doc knows how you have reacted to previous medications and can make a more educated guess than anyone else.
