Update on how bad the Serotonin Syndrome got

 

 Well when I did go to the doctor, he took me off the Celexa, and put me on Effexor.

He thought it was safe to stay on the Tramadol. So I took the Effexor 2 x a day for 4 days. Then suddenly it was horrible nausea, bad headaches, sweating alternating with cold chills, and terrible pain in my kidney area, couldn't sleep because of pain and terrible nightmares all night long and shakiness, and overall weakness. It was the sickest I ever felt in my life!

 

I told this on the fibro forum, and almost forgot to let you all here know about it.

I was conscious of Serotonin Syndrome, and was trying to make sure I did not get it, and by golly I got it anyway!

 

Please everyone be careful, I know my doctor didn't mean or think this was going to happen and I should have been more diligent about what all I was taking.

Looking back on the nightmare I went thru, I know I should have went to the hospital, but told myself I will stop taking the Effexor, and I did plus didn't even take the Tramadol for a few days. and even though many sites say the symptons usually go away in 24 hours after stopping the med or meds that caused it, it made me very sick for almost a week.

I want you all to know how serious this is especially nowadays when more and more meds are being prescribed like SSRIs,which can lead to Serotonin Syndrome. So please be your own advocate when it comes to taking anything, especially going on a new med. check it out, find out what the risks are.

I just do not want anyone else to suffer this way.

God bless,  Debbie 

 

 

 

Thanks for replying Kitt. My goodness,  what you had to go through sounds really scary.

 

I'm glad you knew to call your husband, and get to the hospital right away.

 

It is such a good feeling to know we can share our stories, and help one another.

I'm so grateful for these forums! I've checked out other ones online and Healing Well is by far my favorite.   Thanks Kitt for the time and care you give for the sake of so many people.  You are appreciated.

 

Blessings, Debbie

When I had a bad bout of SS (sweating, turned red, nausea, headache) I stopped my meds (tram and Flexeril), but also I took diazepam 2 mg. It hits the same receptors as tramadol and is used to stop the reaction. I got mine stopped in a day.

Hi Debbie -
Diazepam is Valium.

Alcie, would Lorazepam (Ativan) do the same as the Diazepam? Just in case.....

Goodness, we are lucky to live in today's world in which we can be helped so much by meds, but there is also so much to learn so we don't get inadvertently hurt by them!

Debbie, thanks for sharing your story, and... how horrible! I'm glad you came out of it ok.

I was prescribed diazepam for back spasms. I read an article on using it to stop serotonin syndrome and tried it. It worked. Then I told my PCP.

I think other benzodiaxepines would also work. A lot of us have them for sleep. It would be worth a try - but you should really consult your doctor!

I don't remember the site of the article, but I'm sure you could do a search.

Bottom line is to know what meds interract. Look them up before even filling the Rx. Most people are not as sensitive as I am and have no trouble, but it's lifesaving if you know what you could run into.

maybe it is a good thing i am allergic to drugs because docs don't force them on me. so sorry this does sound awful. hope you feel better eventually.