Aa
Serotonin syndrome?
took Paxil for 12 days, was taken off because it was making me worse (suicidal thoughts, etc) as most SSRIs do. My doctor told me there was no need to wean myself off as I had done with past SSRIs; he said to continue with the .5mg Klonopin 3x/day (I also occasionally take Ultram rx'd by my OB for cramps; family doc knows this). It is 5 days later and I feel just as bad, ready to attempt suicide almost. Even only taking it for 12 days, could I be experiencing SSRI withdrawal syndrome? Could it possibly be Serotonin syndrome?
Best Answer
look up akaphisia. i have it right now after 3 days of zoloft. if it is that, it will go away, just be patient. someone mentioned it to me on here and it about saved my life.
Yes i agree it is rare, but i felt i needed to make people aware that it can and does happen. I know this as i am one such person! as a result i can not take anti-d's of any class, even herbal.
While SS can occur on a low dose of an SSRI type med, it is very rare. It usually happen after a person has overmedicated, or mixed two or more kinds of drugs ("natural" remedies included) that lead to too much Serotonin being circulated in the brain. SS is actually a medical emergency most of the time and should be treated as such.
OP...your symptoms sound more like severe side effects rather than SS. Have you been in touch with your doctor since you've continued to feel poorly? That's my advice, keep working closely with your doc as you start to "normalize".
It goes without saying that you need to seek emergent help (911/ER) if your suicidal thoughts worsen, even if you're not 100% sure of your intentions. Increase in depression and suicidal thoughts are common in the beginning stages of therapy with these kinds of meds, but you certainly don't want to blow it off or not take it seriously. This WILL get better.....to quote the cliche...suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. That is so true.
Hang in there and keep us updated!
OP...your symptoms sound more like severe side effects rather than SS. Have you been in touch with your doctor since you've continued to feel poorly? That's my advice, keep working closely with your doc as you start to "normalize".
It goes without saying that you need to seek emergent help (911/ER) if your suicidal thoughts worsen, even if you're not 100% sure of your intentions. Increase in depression and suicidal thoughts are common in the beginning stages of therapy with these kinds of meds, but you certainly don't want to blow it off or not take it seriously. This WILL get better.....to quote the cliche...suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. That is so true.
Hang in there and keep us updated!
Just to add incase of confusion... experiencing one or two of these symptoms together is not cause to stop the drug, as the symptoms above can be a side effect. It is when there are several of these symtoms appearing together.
Anyone suffering from a collection of symptoms should ALWAYS consult either their own doctor or go straight to the ER/AnE.
Anyone suffering from a collection of symptoms should ALWAYS consult either their own doctor or go straight to the ER/AnE.
yes the above is very true, that MAOI's and other anti-d's should not be taken together and cause serotonin syndrome BUT this is not always the case!
Taking a single anti-depressant can cause this syndrome and even can develop within an hour of taking the very first tablet. Your symptoms do not present as it being serotonin syndrome, from what you have said. Symptoms present as follows and are a collection of symptoms together and are not singular:
Hot flushes/head rushes
Dilated pupils
Rise in body tempreture
profuse sweating
Muscle twitching/stiffness
agiation/restlessness
loud stomach noises/gurgling
runny stools
confusion
seziures
There are different severities ranging from mild serotonin syndrome to moderate to severe. Mild syndrome is usually treated by stopping the drug and requires no further intervention, as by stopping the offending drug the syndrome normally resolves itself within 24hrs.
However with moderate and severe, where symptoms are more vast and more aggressive hospital treatment is needed to treat with serotonin blocking drugs and benzos. In severe cases intensive care with ventilation with heavy sedation may be needed.
The doctors do not have a definitive test to diganose, they use patient history with symptoms and severity to make the dignosis.
Taking a single anti-depressant can cause this syndrome and even can develop within an hour of taking the very first tablet. Your symptoms do not present as it being serotonin syndrome, from what you have said. Symptoms present as follows and are a collection of symptoms together and are not singular:
Hot flushes/head rushes
Dilated pupils
Rise in body tempreture
profuse sweating
Muscle twitching/stiffness
agiation/restlessness
loud stomach noises/gurgling
runny stools
confusion
seziures
There are different severities ranging from mild serotonin syndrome to moderate to severe. Mild syndrome is usually treated by stopping the drug and requires no further intervention, as by stopping the offending drug the syndrome normally resolves itself within 24hrs.
However with moderate and severe, where symptoms are more vast and more aggressive hospital treatment is needed to treat with serotonin blocking drugs and benzos. In severe cases intensive care with ventilation with heavy sedation may be needed.
The doctors do not have a definitive test to diganose, they use patient history with symptoms and severity to make the dignosis.
Serotonin syndrome occurs when you mix an MAOI and SSRI. I was recently on Lexapro for a while. Had relapse so my MD put me on Zoloft and XANAX. I had a terrible reaction for a week. went to a psychaitrist and he put me back on lexapro and klonopin which after 3 days feels like it is working! Good luck but dont give up you will find something that works!
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You od on ssris or take two ssri together. I highly doubt you have it from taking paxil 12 days. The mixture of a benzo and ssri is
Common someone wrry. ( klonopin and paxil). U might b experiencing just heavy anxiety and depression. Even though u took paxil for short period sometimes ssris have opposite
Effect or negative side
Effects.read
Some
Of my posts there are tons of ways to combat ur problems you just have to keep searching do not give up. God bless