Severe bad reaction to Quetiapine

Hello.

3 nights ago I had a seriously frightening bad reaction to Quetiapine medication.

I had been taking this medication since 19th February 2014, having the dose gradually increased slowly to 300mg, but I think my body had a severe reaction to this new higher dose.

What happened?

On  the evening of Thursday 20th March I got into bed, at about 11pm, and took a 300mg tablet.
I very quickly after 10-15 minutes began struggling to breathe, and had difficulty swallowing.
The next and extremely scary thing that began happening to me was that I started to feel like I was losing consciousness.
I fought this feeling, and got up from my bed and phoned a friend ( a London taxi driver, who I knew would be awake).
''help me, I said'' tearfully, panicking.
''I'm struggling to breathe, and I feel like I'm going to pass out''.

''I cant do anything''  he said sympathetically but realistically, and told me to phone the NHS 24 hr helpline.

I did phone them, and tried desperately to explain that I had taken a 300mg tablet of Quetiapine, and explained what was happening to me.

The nurse said that her screen was telling her I should go to A&E.

I was reluctant to do this, take this drastic action as I am a carer to my adult son, and so if there was any other way to feel better.......?

She said she would get the 24hr on call doctor to phone me. She also advised me to inhale through steam a vicks vapour rub thing.
I did that and it helped.
I was able to breathe through my nose again, and by this time the overwhelming feeling to sleep came upon me.

I sat up in my bed with the phone by my side.
When he phoned I explained what had happened to me.

He said I should stop taking this med and see my GP the next day.

I slept for 11hrs from 12.20am to 11,20am when my son woke me up with a mug of tea.

I booked an emergency appointment to speak to a GP, who told me to stop taking this medication, for 1 week, and to see my 'usual' GP who would probably advise me to begin taking this med again increasing it slowly again until I reached a dose my body could tolerate, which would probably be 150mg.

In the couple of days prior to having this bad attack, I had suffered with an extremely high temperature, reduced need to pass water, and trembling hands.

I am now terrified to take this medication ever again, as it seemed like I had experienced what is known as 'Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome'.

The trouble is I don't think its safe for me to just suddenly stop taking this medication.
One of the side effects from suddenly stopping taking it is insomnia.
Insomnia I can live with, but I do feel I've been given the wrong advice.
After all this is a 'general practitioner', and with respect they are not 'experts' in 'psychiatry' are they?

I want to speak to my psychiatrist about what to do.

Since I stopped taking this medication, I have stopped getting that horrible high temperature, and been able to pass water again normally for me......and also the hand trembling has stopped.
Also in my mind, my minds health I have felt so much better and on an even keel. This is the first time I have felt on an even keel mood-wise since before I began taking this medicine.

So I personally conclude that this medication is NOT RIGHT FOR ME.

I don't want to take it again. If I am advised to 'wean-off' it on a low dose I will listen and comply.

Has anyone else ever had a similar experience on this medication?

Ideally I'd like to try a holistic approach to my own personal management of this Bipolar.
I have begun taking cod liver oil capsules as a volunteer at BipolarUK website suggested.
Apart from being unable to sleep, I'm feeling the most 'well' in my mind than I have felt for ages.

I now think on hindsight that the Quetiapine was affecting my mental health making me worse.

Your thoughts?

Thanks for reading.