15 replies to this topic

[Ramona80]

I am experiencing it right now. In a nutshell, as I was beginning to wean from Cymbalta (too quickly), I had withdrawal effects and my doctor had me add in 10mg of Celexa. About 10 days later she had me increase to 20 mg of Celexa. Then everything fell apart emotionally for me. Sunday, cried all day with the gut-wrenching grief you feel when a loved one dies. I couldn't stop. The 4 days since then I've had anxiety that I cannot stand. I don't even feel like I'm in my right mind, I don't feel like me. My heart rate is fast, my heart pounds, I'm sweating and shaking, I have no appetite, and periodically my leg just jerks.

 

I found out the Omeprazole I was taking (for reducing stomach acid) ALSO reacts with Celexa and increases it in your bloodstream. I stopped the Celexa yesteray, and the Omeprazole today.

 

The doctor prescribed 0.5mg of Lorazepam to take 2 times a day if needed. Yesterday afternoon I took it and for the first time in days it really helped. I felt back to myself. 

 

This morning I was scared to wake up to all the anxiety symptoms again. I took a Lorazepam and it let me sleep for about 1 hr, but I feel no relief from the other symptoms. The anxiety, I cannot handle this. I am wondering if I need to go to the hospital. I feel like I'm losing control.

[fishinghat]

Ramona

 

Zantac is OK with ssri/snri. You  might try that.

[Ramona80]

Ended up in the ER today. They did not think it was Sertonin Syndrome, but just all the medication fluctuations i've had in the last couple of weeks. That my brain is reacting like this because of the med tweaks. Unfortunately they coudn't say how long this will be happening, but they want me to attend an outpatient program for people who need daily monitoring as they are going through psychiatric med changes

[thismoment]

Hi Ramona

Sorry to hear your symptoms are unbearable. If the Lorazepam isn't bringing your anxiety under control please see the doctor. If your immediate concerns are distressing you-- yes, go to the hospital.

[thismoment]

Ramona

I see I was a little late, sorry. But we were on the same page and you did the right thing. The outpatient program sounds helpful and engaging-- it will help.

Take care.

[fishinghat]

I have to repeat what TM said. If the lorazpam is not helping your anxiety you need to go back to your dr. Lorazepam is a very strong and effective benzo. It is very addictive and if it isn't doing its job you need to see the dr.

[Ramona80]

The hospital gave me 2 xanax and fluids, and the xanax knocked me out. My husband drove me home and I passed out for 3 hours.

 

This morning it's the same thing, the Lorazepam isn't taking the anxiety away. I can't go back to the ER, what will they do? Give me something that knocks me out again? I am a mother and i don't know how I can take care of my kids like this. I honesty dont' know what to do.

[thismoment]

Ramona

 

Can you get some help in your home for a time? A relative perhaps? Just until things level off some and you are sleeping somewhat normally. Work with the outpatient program and perhaps they can give you some guidance on managing some of your difficulties.

 

I wish I could help, but I don't know what to say.

 

Take care.

[fishinghat]

Ramona

 

I would caution you that you are unusual in your reaction to benzos. Ativan (lorazepam) is one of the strongest benzos but Xanax is considered fairly week in comparison. You might consider clonidine or hydroxyzine. Both are very effective against anxiety but have no withdrawal. Under the section "Medical support" I entered a bunch of medical research on meds and vitamins that are/have been used to fight anxiety that have no withdrawal. It also contains somethings to watch out for with these items.

 

All of those articles start with "Controlling Anxiety...".

[thismoment]

Wendy

"My heart rate is fast, my heart pounds, I'm sweating and shaking, I have no appetite, and periodically my leg just jerks."-- All classic SS (Serotonin Syndrome) symptoms.

Serotonin Syndrome may appear after increasing the dosage of a serotonin drug or following the addition of an additional drug. Symptoms include the following:

• Agitation or restlessness
• Confusion
• Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
• Dilated pupils
• Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles
• Muscle rigidity
• Heavy sweating
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Shivering
• Goose bumps

The diagnosis for SS is clinical (there's no test), and all of the symptoms you mentioned qualify. Giving a benzodiazepine and IV fluids is standard procedure. So even though they said it wasn't SS, it sure sounds like they treated for it.

The Mayo Clinic says SS is very common when mixing two or more serotonin drugs or serotonin-promoting drugs. If the syndrome is light it may pass on its own, and when stronger it typically lasts 24-72 hours if the dosage or the number of serotonin drugs is reduced. It may last longer if not addressed, and it could lead to further complications including unconsciousness and death.

The Mayo Clinic claims that more than 85% of physicians have never heard of Serotonin Syndrome!

[Ramona80]

Back to hospital today, this time to one that has a psych emergency dept. Doctor said 0.5 mg Lorazepam not strong enough. Said take 1 mg 2 x a day of either Lorazepam or Klonipin, every day for a while. Couple of weeks at least. I chose Klonipin. I think 1 of the doses I will take before bed since it makes me so sleepy. 

 

Considering breaking the tablet to = 0.75mg, if the 1mg proves to make me too sleepy during the day.

 

Doc at psych hospital said calming my brain with the benzos will be helpful while my brain chemistry sort itself out and gets back to how it used to be.

 

She also said she's seen so many people come in there with massive trouble associated with reducing their Cymbalta dose, that she herself doesn't prescribe Cymbalta to patients.

[TryinginFL]

Ramona,

 

I'm so sorry to hear this - a 2nd trip back to the ER - terrible!

 

It sounds as if you were lucky to find a Dr. who seems to have seen some of the worst of this withdrawal.  BRAVO !!  It appears that some of the medical community are finally awakening to the horrors of this poison drug.

 

I wish you the best and hope that this will help to calm you down for some healing.  I understand how bad it can get!  I was up to 3mg/day of Xanax during the worst time for me.

 

Please keep us posted - we care!

 

Liz

[Ramona80]

3rd trip to ER yesterday. I was hoping they would admit me. Had already spent 8 hours in ER and was very late at night, and they said the process to get evaluated by a social worker (for being admitted) would take several more hours. Others have let me know that their criteria for admitting people are pretty much only if you're a danger to yourself or others (which I'm not). At that point, we just went home.

 

Have been on Klonopin for a few days. The full amount they prescribed (1 mg, twice a day) keeps me knocked out. Then I can't eat or drink, I get dehydrated. I've been trying to get b on 1/2 mg twice a day. The anxiety is still present and at times I can't stand it. 

 

I looked up Beta-blockers (as I know they are sometimes used for anxiety) but there is a potential reaction with the Cymbalta I'm still taking. 

 

I am lucky to have relatives taking turns helping in my home right now, helping with caring for the kids. 

 

I am terrified to not be feeling any better and I worry what if my brain is like this forever. The hospitals I have gone to do nothing. They said that benzos are really the only treatment. I want my mind back. My normal state of mind that is not ruled by overwhelming anxiety. I am so scared. No one can seem to make it go away, no one can admit me to their facility to care for me, and no one can tell me how long it will be like this.  

[Ramona80]

P.S. I don't feel like this is a Cymbalta issue (as I am still on Cymbalta) but rather an issue concerning the Celexa that was added in earlier this month (which has since been removed.) All of the anxiety problems began with the Celexa and are persisting.

[thismoment]

Ramona

 

I think they should have admitted you. If you indeed have Serotonin Syndrome, few know about the syndrome and therefore the likelihood of it being diagnosed is minimal.

 

Here is the note from the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) on identifying Serotonin Syndrome:

 

http://www.jems.com/...rome-field.html

 

Take care.

[TryinginFL]

Ramona,

 

Please read the above info carefully.  Thank you, TM, for providing the details - also happy to see this is written in layman's terms so is easy to understand.

 

If I were taking the same meds as you, Ramona, I would certainly print this out and take it to your Dr.

 

I wish you the best - omg, 3 trips to ER - they need to be made aware.

 

Liz