serotonin syndrome

[ladybeth]

My husband was perscribed Cymbalta along with Imitrex and Relpax for migranes. He went into a coma and had to be on a respirator in ICU for 3 days. Is this seretonin syndrome? The doctor claimed it was just a coma brought on by an intese migrane! Weird, Huh?

[ladybeth]

He no longer takes the cymbalta because when the doctor discharged him from the hospital, he told him to stop taking it immediately. When my husband questioned the doctor, he told him he did not hink the cymbalta did the coma, but I did some research and it shows that cymbalta and Imitrex and relpax are a deadly combination.

[acuman2]

I can say most likely it was not from a migraine.  Cymbalta to some is deadly - like me most likely.   I am a sensitive individual - and in the healing profession of massage and acupuncture.  I can feel a persons energy ... I can know what organs are not functioning and feel their overall state.  Whenever you are in contact with someone directly its not uncommon to have some experiences - especially when its your profession.  I have basically quit though, after 14 years, because of Cymbalta.  When I touch someone who is taking it, I practically pass out and lose my mind.  I am no longer myself after brief contact - drained, and disoriented.  I found this out with a regular client of mine who I had worked on for years.  She was prescribed Cymbalta, and wham ... after figuring out what happened, I could not longer work on her.  Compounded later by the fact that no one admits what meds they are on right away, I've had a few other Cymbalta reactions.  I am too afraid to know what would happen if I had more contacts.  I consider it a poison of the highest magnitude to some.  Its a crying shame but I know some people will be severely injured from taking it.

[Hensley258]

I hate to say it because I know some people are getting good results with Cymbalta, but I just have questions about that drug and it effectivness as well as it safety.

I have taken just about every AD medication known, including Effexor and the ONLY medication that gave me trouble was Cymbalta. My system is very tolerent to AD meds, but after 5 weeks on Cymbalta, I felt just horrible.

Your also not the first person that has reported Issues with Cymbalta. If an SNRI is needed then I say stick with Effexor or even consider the NRI Nortriptilyne or Remeron.
Much safer IMO.

[Hensley258]

Oh, I forget to mention.... It is very unlikly that his problem was related to the Cymbalta causing Serotonin Syndrome. That's because Cymbalta does not act on Serotonin such as more traditional SSRI medications do. Cymbalta is an SNRI and acts mainly on Neurephinepherine neurotransmitters, and not Serotonin Neurotransmitters.

[xanweaner]

I found your post quite interesting as I've never heard of this syndrome. I am so sorry to hear about your husband - I hope he is doing better.

I checked with the Mayo Clinic's site about this syndrome - here is a quote from their site:

"Serotonin syndrome is a condition characterized by dangerously high levels of serotonin — a chemical produced by nerve cells — in your body.

Serotonin syndrome can occur when you take certain combinations of prescription medications that affect serotonin levels in your body. For example, serotonin syndrome can occur if you take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for depression along with triptan medications to treat migraine. Serotonin syndrome can also occur if you take SSRIs with other drugs or supplements that affect serotonin levels, such as St. John's wort.

Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome range from restlessness and rapid heartbeat to muscle rigidity and seizures. These go away quickly with treatment, which may include discontinuing use of the medications causing the symptoms along with taking other drugs such as muscle relaxants and serotonin-production blocking agents. If not treated quickly, serotonin syndrome can become life-threatening."

Very interesting to note that this can occur with SSRI's and SNRI's...also, the info. about St. John's Wort...wow! And I have to take tryptophan meds for my migraines - I guess it's a good thing that I'm on a tetracyclic. (I hope...)

All my best to you and your husband,
xan