Posted by BiPolar Mama on August 14, 2006, at 19:27:14
In reply to Effexor + Zoloft = Serotonin Syndrome? Probable, posted by stargazer on July 22, 2006, at 22:44:31
> http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/serotonin-syndrome.htm
>
> This explains Serotonin Syndrome and your symptoms sound like you may have it. Call your MD and say that's what you think you have and if she won't see you immediately, you may have to go to the ER. The condition can be life threatening. And you should not be increasing your medication no matter what your MD says. If she says that, I would find a new MD ASAP!
>
> I took both Effexor and Zoloft (separately) years ago and one of the 2 made my depression worse (suicidal). Even though my doctor said it was not a side effect and was my depression I refused to increase the dosage like he said to do. Today we know that suicide is a side effect of many of the AD's.
>
> SGNo Stargazer, My MD is a family doctor. My insurance is giving me problems about seeking Psychiatric Help for my problem. They want me to go long distances when there is a LPC right here in town. With the gas prices these days, I cannot afford to drive 80-200 miles round trip to see one that they "prefer". I am stuck between the rock and the hard place on that one. I do feel better though now that she has changed me from 18.5 mg of Effexor XR to 75 mg of Effexor 1x daily. She also added the Klonopin (.025 mg) to help alleviate my panic attacks. I have to split those, otherwise the full 0.5 mg dosage turns me into a zombie and if I sit more than 5 min, I am asleep. This has caused major problems since I work as a dispatcher in a Call Center. That is why they placed me on a 6 week Leave of Absence to try to straighten things out. Now they are wanting me to do it again since some mornings I have problems just walking out the front door to go to work. The supervisor recommended the doctor to fill out a Temporary LOA form. My MD said she does not do those because people will use them as "crutches" to get out of work. She states that I just have to build up my willpower to overcome this problem. *Can you tell she has never experienced this personally? (sigh)* I did take the paper to the psychiatrist that diagnosed me, and she said that I would not need to take temporary LOA's that I could overcome this with therapy.
But what do I do in the meantime while waiting for the red tape of the insurance company to unwind???
Sorry to dump this on you, but I am feeling pretty despondant and desperate at this time.
poster:BiPolar Mama
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060810/msgs/676441.html