Long-term depression

mamacita- I was also a teacher, but we aren't children here. We have had a lot of experience as you can tell by the writings on these posts. Adding medicine when it will help is not introducing a new thing. And learning lessons, one at a time is fine, but after you are better and can think clearly. You sound like a very religious person and I am not. I believe in science all the way.

Thank you. I really wonder sometimes if doctors stop and think about what all our bodies will go through when they make these decisions. In my case stopping Trazadone cold turkey, weaning off Lexapro and Remeron all at the same time. On top of this to add a new drug Cymbalta. My body the past 4 days has been through so much. I feel like I have the flu, and have all sorts of other stuff going on. My husband has pretty much kept an eye on me the whole time. It’s so scary! I think to go through something like this you should be hospitalized. The dr says I have Seratonin Syndrome. Whatever it is I just want my life back! The goal here is to be off less meds and I’m trying to remind myself that it will get better. So hard to do.

Mayo Clinic has a very good explanation of Seratonin Syndrome at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758

@kdo0827

I'm a Volunteer Mentor with Mayo Connect, and I'm concerned that you have a fever with your changes in medications. One of the symptoms of severe serotonin syndrome is having a high fever. If you are still having symptoms, please go to the Emergency Room! This can be a big problem, so don't hesitate to seek help immediately!

Please let me know how you're doing today. I hope your symptoms have lessened.

No, most doctors don't know what you will go through because they've never experienced what you are/will during withdrawal or starting new medication. Not that they don't care, they just don't know. I rely on my pharmacist a lot to let me know what may happen and when it's an emergency to get help.

Thanks, Gail
Volunteer Mentor

Thanks for your concern. Because it makes you feel like you have the flu is so weird to me. I got a sore throat the first day followed by congestion, headache and fever. My throat is much better and my fever is hovering around 99-100. I mentioned this to my dr yesterday. Do you know why you get these symptoms? So odd to get flu symptoms from an anti depressant.

@kdo0827

I'm glad your fever is low today. I'm not a medical professional, so I don't know why your symptoms are those of having the flu. My guess is that your immune system has kicked in and is trying to make sure the "foreign" things in your body go away. Also, I think we all react differently to these situations. If you start feeling worse, please go to the ER and tell them what you're doing and that your doctor said you have serotonin syndrome.

Good luck with your withdrawal!

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

@peach414144

We could be great friends! Your love for chocolate equals mine. Teresa

have a look and measure and get your adrenal gland assessed and also the adrenal gland epinephrine which floods the hyper campus amygdala and increases the levels of anxieties and depression and also under great stress we release a lot of cortisol .suggested idea is to find foods to increase serotonin levels and also melatonin and vit b and magnesium .and of course chocolate

@sirgalahad , I do take magnesium every day. Chocolate is an occasional treat. I will see about those tests you mentioned. Thanks for the information. Glad to "talk" with you!

Good morning! I, too, am in your boat! I don't know that I have a solution for you, but we can certainly hold hands through this. I will go ahead and say that being a senior adds to the distress for many reasons....regret over failures that we have no time to reverse; sorrow over so many loved ones we have lost and cannot be replaced; thoughts about how to be prepared/proactive for the future, particularly as we sense less ability to physically address things such as taking care of our homes/yards, meeting difficult obligations, etc.; possibly living further away from children/old friends; receiving less and less respect from co-workers who do not see us as part of the "up-and-coming" team; and it seems like the list gets longer every day. Some of these things are dealt with well enough to send them away for the time being, but as you said, the issues never completely go away. The good thing about senior issues is that we have the ability to tell ourselves we have earned the right to go a little easier on ourselves, and simply expect that others should understand. And they should. We must disallow too many expectations of ourselves, and come up with compromises that work. We must leave the past in the past. It is what it is, and will never change. Those of us who are Christians can rely upon Christ to assist us with our direction/goals. And don't give up reasonable goals! Keep working toward something, e.g. assisting with fundraising for reputable/excellent causes in your community and worldwide; sharing skills that come easy to you, e.g. taking over some of the paperwork at your church or another organization, like newsletters, banking, communication, etc. I know this only touches the surface of our issue, but it is a start. It takes our minds off the pain, as we have less time to just sit and think, and it is worthwhile. It may not be the same "worthwhile" goals we had years ago, before we had so many distractions/burdens with which to deal, but we are forever becoming "new" people and should have new purpose. I don't know your entire situation, but I believe I understand your feelings. Thank you for reaching out to those of us who experience some of the same things, so that as a group, we can find solutions and companionship. May God bless you always!