Thank you Johanne. My Dr. just took me off an SSRI. She did gradually increase my dose,but wasn't effect. She put me on a SNRI along with an anxiety medication. Boy I'm sure glad you was a nurse, you knew something wasn't right. I already knew about Serotonin Syndrome, I just wanted to stress the importance of not stopping, or starting any new MED's without talking to your Dr. first. Again, thank you.

I actually had Serotonin Syndrome and was rushes to hospital by ambulance at the tie, because back then there were no antidote, you either survived past the half life of the medication or you die. I was on oxygen as my HR was 159 and oxygen kept dropping, they did heart echos, CT scan and many other tests to rule out this deadly adverse reaction. My doctor had given me a new SSRI as I was depressed and burn out at the time and also because I have Fibromyalgia and the medication was suppose to help for both. My pharmacist had warned me due to other anaphylatic shocks in my past from medications that I may react, I only took 1 dose, was suppose to be twice a day, I had severe diarrhea had to stay in washroom as it just would not stop, once I stopped I layed down on the cold floor from sweating, and rapid heart rate, I felt I could not breathe and my ex went and got the big fan and put it next to me, I started having severe muscle twitching so I asked him for my benadryl. I started having full body twitching almost seizure like while in ambulance. It takes 24 hrs for the medication to be out of the system, they kept asking me if I wanted my heart rate to be slowed down by Beta Blockers, but I was already on Calcium Channel Blockers for a condsition called PAT (paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia) and for my Raynaud's, I also was known for Ashtma and Beta Blockers can worsen ashtma, so I stated no as my HR can easily go up to 179, so 159 with oxygen would be OK and they agreed they did not want to add more medications, we had to wait for it to be out of my system, In the morning all that was left was HR of 120 I was no longer on oxygen and I survived the ordeal, the heart tests showed no permanent damages done from the Serotonin Syndrome, so I was sent home. At times i did feel like I was going to die, the ambulance made me walk to ambulance instead of putting me on a stretcher and that is when trying to climb the stairs inside the ambulance my full body twitches came in and they ended up lifting me onto the stetcher. It was horrible with no antidote just wait it out.

Do not stop medications if you do react badly, call for help if severe, even go to hospital like I did, I knew I could not drive myself either. If you suspect you have Serotonin Syndrome do not wait it out thinking it would be Ok. Mind you I was a nurse so after the 3rd bout of me lying on the bathroom floor I knew 911 was going to be needed.

Back in 2021 I had to go back on a Serotonin medications for my Fibro, so we started very low doses of 10 mg and increased to 25 mg, then in 2022 when I developed the ocular migraine doctor wanted to up it to 50 mg, but I spoke to pharmacist and we only increase to 35 mg and that is the dose I am on since. It is not the same medication which cause the ER trip, it is one I used to be on decades before for my Fibro. When you cannot reach your doctor or health care team, pharmacist know a lot and can help also when in a pinch.

I would like to add. Never stop,or start ANY medications without first talking to your DR. even supplements.

Yes exactly. Thank you for your response❤

But too much serotonin causes signs and symptoms that can range from mild (shivering and diarrhea) to severe (muscle rigidity, fever and seizures). Severe serotonin syndrome can cause death if not treated. Serotonin syndrome can occur when you increase the dose of certain medications or start taking a new drug.

Serotonin syndrome - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

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https://www.mayoclinic.org › syc-20354758
Serotonin Syndrome: What It Is, Causes, Signs, Symptoms, and ...
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How Long Does Serotonin Syndrome Last? Effects And Causes.

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