1. < Depression & Anxiety

Anyone had serotonin syndrome? What causes it? How to prevent it?

Posted by cathy~ @cathyh, Aug 10, 2017

This is my third time of going through this horrible syndrome. I have multiple docs and meds and once again one prescribed something (over the counter) that has made me sick for over two weeks. The latest one was a doc suggested I take some cough medicine after I had sent him a message on his portal. He had a list of my meds, but still told me to take this one, MucinexDM, that put me over the top. I am not the doctor or pharmacist. Why can't they get this right? I am upset he did this. I am physically and mentally miserable! Has anyone here got any suggestions in dealing with multiple docs and meds to prevent this?

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robjbost | @robjbost | Jun 10, 2022

So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few different meds to use to try and get proper control over it - right now I'm using Venlafaxine 225 MG ER which I've been on a few years, and clonazepam, which I've been weaning off of.

On Monday I was very sick. I had started with what I believed to be allergies - runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat. Later in the day I got a stomach ache, and a headache. I was also nauseous. I saw the doctor who tested me for covid, and it was negative, but symptoms began to alleviate. Last night however, after a quick shower and taking my clonazepam dose, I had an unexplainable episode of fast heart rate. It felt like it pounded out of my chest.

Today, I once again noticed some muscle spasms. I've been having them relatively regularly since I started clonazepam. I didn't think much of it. But now I'm utterly terrified - all these put together sound like Serotonin syndrome. And I'm terrified I'm ill and possibly near death. I'm scared. My family doesn't think I'm in danger but I feel horrified.

Please, can someone give me advice on what to do?

REPLY
4 replies
witsend000 | @witsend000 | Jun 10, 2022
In reply to @robjbost "So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few..." + (show)
@robjbost

So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few different meds to use to try and get proper control over it - right now I'm using Venlafaxine 225 MG ER which I've been on a few years, and clonazepam, which I've been weaning off of.

On Monday I was very sick. I had started with what I believed to be allergies - runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat. Later in the day I got a stomach ache, and a headache. I was also nauseous. I saw the doctor who tested me for covid, and it was negative, but symptoms began to alleviate. Last night however, after a quick shower and taking my clonazepam dose, I had an unexplainable episode of fast heart rate. It felt like it pounded out of my chest.

Today, I once again noticed some muscle spasms. I've been having them relatively regularly since I started clonazepam. I didn't think much of it. But now I'm utterly terrified - all these put together sound like Serotonin syndrome. And I'm terrified I'm ill and possibly near death. I'm scared. My family doesn't think I'm in danger but I feel horrified.

Please, can someone give me advice on what to do?

Jump to this post

Hi @robjbost. That definitely sounds scary. I think the best thing to do is call your prescribing physician right away.

If your symptoms are related to too much serotonin they can tell you what to do.

If they are not related to the medications, they could be a sign of something else that needs attention.

Bottom line is: if YOU feel that something’s not right then please seek medical help. Listen to your body and always err on the side of caution.

Even if it’s nothing, you will probably feel better getting checked and letting the doctor know what’s happening.

Hope you feel better soon.

REPLY
witsend000 | @witsend000 | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @robjbost "So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few..." + (show)
@robjbost

So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few different meds to use to try and get proper control over it - right now I'm using Venlafaxine 225 MG ER which I've been on a few years, and clonazepam, which I've been weaning off of.

On Monday I was very sick. I had started with what I believed to be allergies - runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat. Later in the day I got a stomach ache, and a headache. I was also nauseous. I saw the doctor who tested me for covid, and it was negative, but symptoms began to alleviate. Last night however, after a quick shower and taking my clonazepam dose, I had an unexplainable episode of fast heart rate. It felt like it pounded out of my chest.

Today, I once again noticed some muscle spasms. I've been having them relatively regularly since I started clonazepam. I didn't think much of it. But now I'm utterly terrified - all these put together sound like Serotonin syndrome. And I'm terrified I'm ill and possibly near death. I'm scared. My family doesn't think I'm in danger but I feel horrified.

Please, can someone give me advice on what to do?

Jump to this post

Hi @robjbost.

How are you? Were you able to get some answers or relief from your symptoms?

REPLY
sears | @sears | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @robjbost "So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few..." + (show)
@robjbost

So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few different meds to use to try and get proper control over it - right now I'm using Venlafaxine 225 MG ER which I've been on a few years, and clonazepam, which I've been weaning off of.

On Monday I was very sick. I had started with what I believed to be allergies - runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat. Later in the day I got a stomach ache, and a headache. I was also nauseous. I saw the doctor who tested me for covid, and it was negative, but symptoms began to alleviate. Last night however, after a quick shower and taking my clonazepam dose, I had an unexplainable episode of fast heart rate. It felt like it pounded out of my chest.

Today, I once again noticed some muscle spasms. I've been having them relatively regularly since I started clonazepam. I didn't think much of it. But now I'm utterly terrified - all these put together sound like Serotonin syndrome. And I'm terrified I'm ill and possibly near death. I'm scared. My family doesn't think I'm in danger but I feel horrified.

Please, can someone give me advice on what to do?

Jump to this post

. Please go to the ER if you’re doctor isn’t responding. You’re not well right now and need medical intervention.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @robjbost "So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few..." + (show)
@robjbost

So, I've recently been dealing with a large amount of anxiety. I was given a few different meds to use to try and get proper control over it - right now I'm using Venlafaxine 225 MG ER which I've been on a few years, and clonazepam, which I've been weaning off of.

On Monday I was very sick. I had started with what I believed to be allergies - runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat. Later in the day I got a stomach ache, and a headache. I was also nauseous. I saw the doctor who tested me for covid, and it was negative, but symptoms began to alleviate. Last night however, after a quick shower and taking my clonazepam dose, I had an unexplainable episode of fast heart rate. It felt like it pounded out of my chest.

Today, I once again noticed some muscle spasms. I've been having them relatively regularly since I started clonazepam. I didn't think much of it. But now I'm utterly terrified - all these put together sound like Serotonin syndrome. And I'm terrified I'm ill and possibly near death. I'm scared. My family doesn't think I'm in danger but I feel horrified.

Please, can someone give me advice on what to do?

Jump to this post

@robjbost, I completely agree with the comments you got from @witsend000 and @sears. I hope you heeded their advice and called your doctor or went to ER.

You'll notice that I moved your post to this existing discussion where others are talking about how to recognized serotonin syndrome, what causes it and how you can prevent it.
- Anyone had serotonin syndrome? What causes it? How to prevent it? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/serotonin-syndrome-1/

I encourage you to click the link above and read through the helpful posts. Rob, How are you doing today?

REPLY
mleaf | @mleaf | Jun 18, 2022

The DM part of the Mucinex did it more than likely.(plain Mucinex might be a better idea?) tramadol with antidepressants can trigger SS. I would look for a psychiatrist Joni’s well versed in interactions of your needs. I took a med that was given to me by the same doc who RX the other med it interacted with. Self advocacy is frowned on but I looked it up myself and bingo that is what made me sicker. Lots of websites have medicine interactions posted and what the effects are

REPLY
sears | @sears | Jun 19, 2022

Just a different perspective here. I took 40 mgs. Paxil daily for over 25 years. I took many OTC cough syrups, etc. over the years and never experienced serotonin syndrome. No one ever warned me of this, I just recently became aware that this could even happen.

REPLY
pacodennis | @pacodennis | Jul 27, 2022

I am 70 and have been taking Celexa 40mg and Klonopin 3mg for 12 years. About 6 months ago I started getting headaches. They continued to spread and now whenever I fall asleep my feet/ankles, abdomen, and sinuses are burning at pain level of 9. I might not be metabolizing the drugs as well as I have aged.? I was so desperate that I checked into nearby hospital. They prescribed Gabapentin 900 mg daily. That was about 1 week ago. I have very little relief yet, does this take longer to work? Is it possible that I have mild serotonin syndrome that is causing this neuropathy?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Jul 29, 2022
In reply to @pacodennis "I am 70 and have been taking Celexa 40mg and Klonopin 3mg for 12 years. About..." + (show)
@pacodennis

I am 70 and have been taking Celexa 40mg and Klonopin 3mg for 12 years. About 6 months ago I started getting headaches. They continued to spread and now whenever I fall asleep my feet/ankles, abdomen, and sinuses are burning at pain level of 9. I might not be metabolizing the drugs as well as I have aged.? I was so desperate that I checked into nearby hospital. They prescribed Gabapentin 900 mg daily. That was about 1 week ago. I have very little relief yet, does this take longer to work? Is it possible that I have mild serotonin syndrome that is causing this neuropathy?

Jump to this post

Hello @pacodennis. Gabapentin can take up to 2-4 weeks before you feel pain relief so it may just need some more time.

Here is some information that may be helpful to you as you explore your symptoms that you think could potentially be serotonin syndrome.

- Serotonin syndrome - Symptoms and causes: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758

After you read the information, I'd be curious if you'd like to share what you feel aligns with what you are experiencing.

REPLY
1 reply
pacodennis | @pacodennis | Jul 30, 2022
In reply to @amandajro "Hello @pacodennis. Gabapentin can take up to 2-4 weeks before you feel pain relief so it..." + (show)
@amandajro

Hello @pacodennis. Gabapentin can take up to 2-4 weeks before you feel pain relief so it may just need some more time.

Here is some information that may be helpful to you as you explore your symptoms that you think could potentially be serotonin syndrome.

- Serotonin syndrome - Symptoms and causes: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758

After you read the information, I'd be curious if you'd like to share what you feel aligns with what you are experiencing.

Jump to this post

Hi Amanda,
I have been on Gabapentin for 9 days, so I am waiting to see if it works. In the mean time I have to learn more about what is happening to me and how to cope with it. This forum is great...i am so glad I found you.
I have been taking Citalopram 40mg, and Clonazepam 2mg for 12 years. I am 70 years old. I think that my metabolism is not processing the drugs efficiently any more. I developed IBS 10 years ago and started using Medical Marijuana to help relieve some symptoms. About 6 months ago I started having headaches. which spread to my sinuses, and then to my abdomen and feet/ankles. As this progressed I increased the amount of THC to releave the pain. I am thinking that the combination of Psych. meds plus the THC caused this peripheral neuropathy.
As I read the symptoms for seratonin syndrome there was no mention of painful burning extremities ( especially while asleep ). So I am not as sure and almost can rule it out...but it still could be involved in how effective my liver is functioning. In the hospital my main Doc said they wanted to make sure my liver was processing it all. The blood tests said that is was doing ok, could be a little better. So, I really have to wait to see a specialist, which looks like a couple months away right now. They didn't seem to think the THC was the problem...but I am not sure. Thank you!

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