Has anyone had serotonin syndrome? Treatment and outcome?

Hello, @psearby17. Sounds like you've made some very astute observations about yourself, like being super sensitive to outside events, sickness or deaths of those you know, or somewhat violent movies.

The fact that you are taking Buspirone (Buspar), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and L-theanine is useful background.

I've merged your post with this discussion on serotonin syndrome. I'm confident you will find others here who have talked about serotonin syndrome and who may have some input on your symptoms, like @parus, @darlia @shoregal45. @kdoconnell2003 @tomgrinley may also may have some thoughts.

@psearby17 — has your primary care physician weighed in on your concerns about possible serotonin syndrome?

I have learned the hard way that doctors seldom check charts and if they do they are not aware of the effects of some combinations. Any time a doctor prescribes a new medication (even an OTC) best to talk to the pharmacist as this is where their training excels. The majority of doctors are only trained in prescribing. Many with the attitude of one size fits all.
I had serotonin syndrome and lay semi comatose for 3 weeks before I could get into the shrink (yes, my doctor) who told me what was wrong. It was NOT documented. Since this shrink was and still is the medical director of that facility it would not have looked good on his record either. I don't even mention thus. So oft others do what they need to do to save their own sweet butt. Excuse the attitude. Besides who will believe someone labeled a headcase?

@parus

Good reminder about being our own patient advocate. As many are not aware of what serotonin syndrome is I found a good article on Mayo's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758

As you mentioned @parus, your pharmacist is a great source of information about the meds we are prescribed as they are trained to do so and they see the whole picture of our meds.

Teresa

@hopeful33250 Thank you for the article. When it comes to medication it can be frightening at times.

In my study of this, its the combination of certain drugs. These that you've listed do not sound like any that are involved when taken together. You can do more research at looking up serotonin syndrome on the internet. Even the reference lit that came with my meds said to beware of this syndrome.

No she hasn't. My psychiatrist doesn't seem to be concerned at all about serotonin syndrome. He says I don't have it. But there are some days when I believe I'm right. I will see him tomorrow and discuss this again with him. Thank you for your response. This group has been very helpful and I appreciate everyone's thoughts and suggestions.

Has anyone on here been diagnosed with serotonin syndrome? What were the causes ?

Hi, @bruceg - we have had some members talk about serotonin syndrome like @mommapsych @texasduchess @sandij @carm. @artscaping may also have some thoughts on this.

This is some information from Mayo Clinic on serotonin syndrome you may find helpful: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758

Have you been diagnosed with serotonin syndrome, @bruceg? Or are you having symptoms you suspect could be from this?

@bruceg
Effexor (venlafaxine) works by increasing and regulating the levels of two different neurotransmitters in the brain–norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and serotonin.

Serotonin syndrome occurs when you take medications that cause high levels of serotonin to accumulate in your body. Too much serotonin causes symptoms that can range from mild (agitation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating and shivering) to severe (high fever, seizures and passing out). Some people are more susceptible to the drugs and supplements that cause serotonin syndrome than others, but SS can happen to anyone. It occurs most often when you combine certain medications; a number of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are associated with serotonin syndrome, especially antidepressants.

If you are on Effexor, you should not take L-tryptophan, or 5-htp as these are converted into serotonin and increase serotonin levels in the brain. Effexor is already doing that by keeping the body from using up serotonin.

If you start a new drug, or increase the dose of a drug you're already taking and suspect you have serotonin syndrome, you should call your doctor right away, or go to the emergency room. Severe serotonin syndrome can be fatal if not treated. Once serotonin levels are back to normal, the effects go away.

Anesthesia and pain drugs (such as fentanyl and hydrocodone) can interact with Effexor; in my case, I experienced serotonin syndrome while recovering from breast cancer and reconstruction surgery. My doctors KNEW I was on Effexor, but I think both the anesthetist and surgeon thought 25mg Effexor was too little to worry about, but it wasn't. My SS came on after several days of being on the pain drugs (so not a life-threatening sudden reaction as can occur), but I was home alone by then. If I had had some inkling the interaction could happen, it wouldn't have been so frightening; my doctors should have anticipated it and sent me home with just-in-case instructions/prescriptions if it happened.

Anyone taking Effexor should also be aware that ordinary cough medicine containing dextromethorphan can cause "significant" drug interactions with Effexor! I wasn't warned about that either by my regular doctor AND experienced serotonin syndrome when I was told to use a DM cough med during a sinus infection. This was super frightening as I didn't know what was happening--within 10 minutes of taking the DM and some other sinus medications, I felt a wave of intense fear wash over me like a wave--I didn't know why I was afraid, or of what. I did make the connection of that feeling to having just taken a bunch of medications--I thought they were interfering with each other; I didn't realize the reaction had anything to do with to my Effexor at all until years later when this fear reaction occurred again after the breast cancer/reconstruction surgery mentioned above. I don't know if I'm super-sensitive to these interactions, but keep in mind, I was ONLY on 25mg Effexor.

In the first instance, I was prescribed 10 qty .5 mg Xanax and told to take 1/2 to a whole one twice a day until I quit feeling so fearful; I used 6.5 pills. The second time, I stopped the hydrocodone and it certainly helped that I was already taking Valium (had been put on Valium to relax my chest muscles).

Thank you. This is very helpful information.