Hi, I'm Carrie

May 14, 2026··

introduction

Hi. I have been on quetiapine since I was sectioned again last summer (2025). I've had numerous episodes of psychosis over the years. I have had issues with super high prolactin levels on most other antipsychotics, so "choices" were limited as to what I could be put on. I'm on 550mg (350mg immediate release at night and 200mg immediate release in the morning). Symptoms are ok ish. Still have residual ones but manage. However, I have put on 11kg since last summer and absolutely loathe myself. Weight gain continued even when I was restricting calories etc. I want to try tapering after something in July but don't want to do it under psychiatrist direction because I want control to be more responsive to tapering and most professionals seem to want to taper very quickly. I also don't want them to considering forcing me on a depot etc if they knew

Seroquel — 550mg - 350 at night, 200 morning — Since summer 2025 — researching taper | Effexor — 112.5mg — 13 months — supporting others

2 Replies

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CatinaStaffTrusted Voice6d ago

Hi @Carrie! A very warm welcome to you. I'm really sorry about your weight gain. That's such an unfortunate side effect and can make a person feel really badly about themselves. Taper Community does encourage people (if at all possible) to work with a qualified deprescribing provider. You can check the Find a Provider section on the left to try and locate one near you. However, if you're unable to, then there is plenty of information here for people to be able to taper on their own. I understand you not wanting to be forcefully injected. Have a look around the site and let us know if you have any specific questions about anything. Glad to have you! Catina 😊

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 18.88 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

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SteveStaffTrusted Voice5d ago

Effexor · active

Hello Carry and a warm welcome! I‘m glad your episodes are managable, while these dosages are indeed quite high. However, i would suggest you read into Low-Carb/Ketogenic diet (with a slow habituation), it might help you manage episodes even better when tapering. I understand the fear of having a rushing doctor and i hope more doctors will be open to slow guided tapering processes soon, maybe you can find one with the „find a provider“ section as Catina mentioned. Do you already have an idea how you want to taper? We like to suggest a slow taper, not necessarily hyperbolic if you are sensitive to setbacks. Have a good landing here 😊

off Stimulants (2000-2013)
off Fluoxetine (2010-2013)
off Lamotrigine (2013-2016)
off Quetiapain (2016-2020)

currently Effexor — 33mg — 13 years (from 300mg) — actively tapering | with clinician

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