Posted by Donna Louise on June 13, 2006, at 21:28:43
In reply to Re: Serotonin Syndrome Reaction, posted by SLS on June 12, 2006, at 8:39:48
> > > > Could someone explain what this is, what causes it, and what are the symptoms. Thanks.
> > >
> > >
> > > Serotonin syndrome is a serious and potentially fatal reaction that sometimes occurs when combining drugs that potentiate serotonin neurotransmission. It can even happen with one drug. The greatest risk is probably when combinating a MAOI with a SRI. One must be careful whenever two serotonergic drugs are given simultaneously. Even adding lithium to a SSRI can precipitate an episode.
> > >
> > > Having said all of that scary stuff, serotonin syndrome is a very infrequent event when combining drugs except for MAOIs. Most cases are relatively mild.
> > >
> > > Probably the most dangerous symptom is hyperpyrexia - a high fever. When body temperature gets too high, organs shut down. Other signs and symptoms include confusion, delerium, agitation, elevated heart-rate and blood pressure, nausea, muscle rigidity and involuntary movements, exaggerated reflexes, extreme restlessness, tremors, incoordination, sweating, and hyperventillation.
> > >
> > > Some of the drugs used to treat serotonin syndrome include lorazepam (Ativan), propranolol (Inderal), and cyprohepadine (Periactin).
> > >
> > >
> > > - Scott
> >
> > Thanks for your response, Scott. My psychiatrist thinks this is what occured with me when the Risperidone was added to the Parnate. I had confusion, slurred speech (not realizing this), would forget what I was saying in the middle of a sentence (not realizing this), mild incoordination, and I suffered from nausea, fluctuating blood pressure, chills and mild fever, involutary movements, stiff muscles and soreness in muscles. I was away from home where no phone service was available including cell phones. I did not know what to do when the confusion got really bad. But since the Risperidone was added to help with sleep at night, I had been taking it only two weeks with increasing symptoms after increasing the dose from .25 to .5 mg in the p.m. I decided to stop the Risperidone, and this brought on almost immediate improvement with the exception of some residual restlessness and involuntary movements that I am told should resolve in another week.
> >
> > My psychiatrist said he researched this (is at a top University and said he has never heard of this before-- with an MAOI and an antipsychotic but said it is possible since both deal with serotonin levels. Thanks for your input.
>
> I can't figure how risperidone would cause SS. I would have thought that it might be neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). This is very rare, but occurs with drugs that alter the dopaminergic system.
>
>
> - ScottI wonder..I haven't felt too well lately. I wonder if 9mg EMSAM and 300-400mg provigil could be causing a problem. I have occasionally had slurred speech but after taking my tiny dose of klonopin. ,25mg. The past few days my BP has been fluctuating. It dropped very low at first with EMSAM but yesterday I felt like it must have been sky high. It was just 128/78 which is not high but is a big difference from the 90/60 it was a few days before that. I am always fiddling with the A/C thermostat. Hot then cold...hot at night while trying to sleep especially. I have just felt kind of drug sick if you know what I mean. I spent all last week practically manic with house cleaning to the point of not eating until 3pm, not getting but 6 hours of sleep which isn't much for me, and now the past two days I can't seem to do a thing but sit around and eat. And feel bad. No energy, tired easily. Maybe I am just crashing from last week. oh, and an off again on again migraine since Sat. night. ugh, I am sick of worrying about myself.
Donna
poster:Donna Louise
thread:655417
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060610/msgs/656656.html