ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Headaches => Topic started by: Mei Mei on February 04, 2011, 07:43:23 pm

Title: Serotonin Syndrome
Post by: Mei Mei on February 04, 2011, 07:43:23 pm
Hello All,
I went to the neurologist yesterday and finally someone was concerned with all the medications I am taking and said they wanted to re-organize this because they were afraid I would develop something called Serotonin Syndrome which is dangerous enough that you could eventually end up in the ICU.

I came home and researched it for several hours last night and have a google link below for you to explore:

http://www.google.com/search?client=gmail&rls=gm&q=Serotonin%20Syndrome

I was told to discontinue Nortryptolene and Alleve and lower my Cymbalta dose.   I started Indomethesin today to replace the Alleve for the headaches.

I wanted you friends on the forum to be aware of this.
Mei Mei
Title: Re: Serotonin Syndrome
Post by: Jim Scott on February 05, 2011, 02:02:13 pm
Mei Mei ~

Doctors should be making their patients aware of this syndrome but your alert is pertinent.  Thank you for passing on this critical information that could affect some of our members.

Jim
Title: Re: Serotonin Syndrome
Post by: Mei Mei on February 05, 2011, 04:37:51 pm
You're most welcome, Jim.   I am disappointed in all the specialists and the primary care.    They all ask for a list your your meds on your intake form and don't really care what it says.   Because one of our members said that Nortryptolene was working for her, I called me Primary care for a prescription for it and there is was in my pharmacy just for me.   No questions.   Whatever I want.   They don't review the interactions.   Thank goodness I went to this Marueen Moriarity a nurse practioner with a PhD and she told the MD and they came in and gave me a lecture about Serotonin Syndrome and that in a few days I might be in the ICU at Georgetown for this Syndrome.   To immediately stop the Alleve and the new bottle of Nortryptolene and start the Indomethecin and decrease the Cymbalta that I am taking for the myofacial pain and fibromyalgia.   

What are we, the complicated patients to do if we can't depend on our primary care to direct traffic?   I am so lucky to have bumped into Ms. Moriarity and the doctor that supervises her to put a stop to this.   I go to the best doctors and my primary care on the internet is listed as the best doctor in Washington.   I am trying my best to get the best healthcare and have the best insurance with no referrals.   That still isn't enough.   What do we have to be to get quality healthcare?   The President of the United States, the Surgeon General, the King of Arabia?   I don't know.
Mei Mei
Title: Re: Serotonin Syndrome
Post by: Captain Deb on February 06, 2011, 07:25:52 pm
My doc(GP) put me on Tramadol without giving Serotonin Syndrome a single thought even though I was taking an SSRI and Imitrex several times a week. I've been aware of this for several years and I even think I had a mild case of it once--shaking, vomiting, fever for a few days.  I didn't go to the ER (wish I had) but since then I rarely use Imitrex, no Tramadol, and take a minimum of SSRI's.

Deb
Title: Re: Serotonin Syndrome
Post by: Mei Mei on February 07, 2011, 01:17:58 am
I used to take Imitrex shots years ago when I had endometriosis.   I took it so often that it stopped working.  I used the autto injectors.  My aunt was so mad at me for taking it that I had to take it secretly when she wasn't around.   My headaches were bad back then.   Got passed the endometriosis with Lupron Depot shots for four months.

Am coming down with a cold right now and just got up and took some Zicam.   Hope it helps.
Hugs to you.   How is Hubby?

Mei Mei