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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tony C. on June 26, 2004, at 16:18:06
I read this Article, from Author unknown.
SEROTONIN SYNDROME
I bring you this article because I have had two inadvertent instances of Serotonin Syndrome. The first time was when I had been on Phen/fen, Lithium, and Elavil when a new psychiatrist added Prozac to the mix. Within a very short time, I was rendered completely housebound, having to crawl up my stairs, afraid to drive because of feeling drunk and dizzy, clumsiness, and with the mental status changes severe enough to for me to completely unable to identify what was wrong with me.
The second time was when I was off all psychotropic (i.e., mood-alternating) drugs and tried 5HTP. Since I had little response at the smaller doses, I increased my doses to the upper end of those recommended. Soon I was having chest pains and increased clumsiness. I was able to identify the problem and weaned off the 5HTP. ©Marilyn Kerr RN 1998-2001
"The serotonin syndrome is a hypersotonergic state which is a very dangerous and a potentially fatal side effect of serotonergic enhancing drugs which can have multiple psychiatric and non-psychiatric symptoms. It is a condition which has been on the rise since the 1960's when we began using more and more drugs which directly affect serotonin. This is a toxic condition which requires heightened clinical awareness in order to prevent, recognize, and treat the condition promptly. Promptness is vital because, as we just mentioned, the serotonin syndrome can be fatal and death from this side effect can come very rapidly. This syndrome is a toxic hyperserotonergic state whose rate of incidence is unknown, but is on the rise. The suspected cause of that increase is the introduction of the new selective serotonergic enhancing agents in clinical practice - the SSRIs. This disorder, brought on by excessive levels of serotonin, is difficult to distinguish from the neuroleptic malignant syndrome because the symptoms are so similar. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a serious condition brought on by the use of the neuroleptic drugs.
"The symptoms of the serotonin syndrome are: euphoria, drowsiness, sustained rapid eye movement, overreaction of the reflexes, rapid muscle contraction and relaxation in the ankle causing abnormal movements of the foot, clumsiness, restlessness, feeling drunk and dizzy, muscle contraction and relaxation in the jaw, sweating, intoxication, muscle twitching, rigidity, high body temperature, mental status changes were frequent (including confusion and hypomania - a "happy drunk" state), shivering, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and death. (The Serotonin Syndrome, AM J PSYCHIATRY, June 1991)
"The serotonin syndrome is generally caused by a combination of two or more drugs, one of which is often a selective serotonergic medication. The drugs which we know most frequently contribute to this condition are the combining of MAOIs with Prozac (this should also include the other SSRIs) or other drugs that have a powerful effect upon serotonin, i.e., clomipramine (Anafranil), Trazadone (Deseryl), etc. The combination of lithium with these selective serotonergic agents has been implicated in enhancing the serotonin syndrome. The tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, MAOIs, SSRIs, ECT (electric shock treatment), tryptophan, and the serotonin agonists (fenfluramine) all enhance serotonin neurotransmission and can contribute to this syndrome. Anything which will raise the level of serotonin can bring on this hyperserotonergic condition. The optimal treatment for the serotonin syndrome is discontinuation of the offending medication or medications, offer supportive measures, and wait for the symptoms to resolve. If the offending medication is discontinued, the condition will often resolve on its own within a 24 hour period. If the medication is not discontinued the condition can progress rapidly to a more serious state and become fatal. It should be apparent that the greater the enhancement of serotonin levels, the greater the chances of producing the serotonin syndrome. Therefore it is recommended that Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, Serzone, etc. not be used concurrently with each other or any other serotonergic drugs and that these serious adverse reactions should be expected with these combinations.
Posted by linkadge on June 26, 2004, at 16:54:24
In reply to Anyone ever have Serotonin Syndrome ???, posted by Tony C. on June 26, 2004, at 16:18:06
I think I may be having a mild case of serotonin syndrome myself right now.
I am having pretty much each one of the side effects mentioned on the page.
I am experienceing uncontrolable shivering, jerking muscles etc. Not only that I feel like absolue crap. I feel extreme anxiety, which subsides slowly untill I take my next dose of celexa.
Linkadge
Posted by crazychickuk on June 27, 2004, at 5:53:03
In reply to Re: Anyone ever have Serotonin Syndrome ???, posted by linkadge on June 26, 2004, at 16:54:24
Dont mean to sound nasty BUT this post might cause paranoia for people who suffer from severe anxiety, Linkage if you are worried ring your doctor i doubt you have serotinin syndrom..
Posted by linkadge on June 27, 2004, at 8:08:03
In reply to =Serotonin Syndrome-gonna cause paranoia now !!, posted by crazychickuk on June 27, 2004, at 5:53:03
I went to the hospital I was shivering so bad, they told me to go home and it would subside. It didn't. I had to go back to taking 1/2 my regular dose which sure helped.
I have all the symptoms. Uncontrolable shivering, muscle tightness and jerking constantly. Not to mention very strange anxiety.
It all flares right up as soon as I take my next dose. One doctor I read about noted that serotonin syndrome is a contiunuom and not a binary syndrome
Linkadge
Posted by crazychickuk on June 27, 2004, at 8:18:44
In reply to Re: =Serotonin Syndrome-gonna cause paranoia now !!, posted by linkadge on June 27, 2004, at 8:08:03
o dear, thought u meant it clears up when u take your dose, what exactly do you take altogether? if more then one and u are worried or scared just take one see if that helps....
Posted by Sad Panda on June 27, 2004, at 11:43:55
In reply to Re: =Serotonin Syndrome-gonna cause paranoia now !!, posted by linkadge on June 27, 2004, at 8:08:03
> I went to the hospital I was shivering so bad, they told me to go home and it would subside. It didn't. I had to go back to taking 1/2 my regular dose which sure helped.
>
> I have all the symptoms. Uncontrolable shivering, muscle tightness and jerking constantly. Not to mention very strange anxiety.
>
> It all flares right up as soon as I take my next dose. One doctor I read about noted that serotonin syndrome is a contiunuom and not a binary syndrome
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
Hi Linkadge,Do you get a fever? Shivering is just a SSRI side effect, fever, OTOH, is a possible sign of SS or NMS.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by linkadge on June 27, 2004, at 17:09:39
In reply to Re: =Serotonin Syndrome-gonna cause paranoia now !! » linkadge, posted by Sad Panda on June 27, 2004, at 11:43:55
hot-cold-hot-cold etc etc etc
Linkadge
Posted by Sad Panda on June 28, 2004, at 5:45:23
In reply to Re: =Serotonin Syndrome-gonna cause paranoia now !!, posted by linkadge on June 27, 2004, at 17:09:39
> hot-cold-hot-cold etc etc etc
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>Is that your perception or an actual temperature measurement?
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by linkadge on June 28, 2004, at 9:47:58
In reply to Re: =Serotonin Syndrome-gonna cause paranoia now !! » linkadge, posted by Sad Panda on June 28, 2004, at 5:45:23
Not sure. Perhaps I should check my temperature.
Linkadge
Posted by LynneDa on June 29, 2004, at 17:40:26
In reply to Re: =Serotonin Syndrome-gonna cause paranoia now !!, posted by linkadge on June 28, 2004, at 9:47:58
Posted by linkadge on June 29, 2004, at 18:33:36
In reply to Linkadge - how are you doing today? (nm), posted by LynneDa on June 29, 2004, at 17:40:26
Not too bad, I'm going to the doctor on Thursday. I think I will give risperdal a try to replace my zyprexa.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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