Re: Serotonin syndrome

In Reply to: Serotonin syndrome posted by Melanie Smith on July 20, 2000 at 20:18:06:

: Hi,
: I have a medical condition, serotonin syndrome. My body experienced a hypersensitive allergic reaction to the SSRI medication I took. I have severe side effects that are permanent.

: Generally people die or commit suicide with this condition, but some how I survived. Initially, I was in the hospital only 5% alive. I have fought to gain some strength to continue in life.

: I have to stay in bed most of the time. Right now my energy is about 30% alive. Going to an atlas specific chiropractor helped me.

: After research on the Internet I found that an orthomoleculor doctor can possibly help me get back to normal.

: To make matters worse apparently there is some kind of controversy about SSRI medication and the high rate of suicide. This has made many doctors leary to help a patient recover from the serotonin problem.

: Please write me if you have any comments and I will write back, at Sitemel@yahoo.com

SEROTONIN SYNDROME
Hi,
Noted the contents of the letter.
It's a toxic state due to incresed serotonergic activity,often resulting from the combination of serotonergic agents with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.Symptoms:restlessness tremor rigidity head-shaking unsteady gait raised temp irregular heartbeats collapse etc.Onset of symptoms within 2 hrs of taking the agent.If further dosage is not taken the symptoms usually subside in 6 to 24 hrs.This is a self-limiting syndrome.
In case of SSRI,the combination of TRYPTOPHAN and SSRI may be the cause.
Biologically,release of central serotonin store is the mechanism.
Treatment:Discotinuation the drug and supportive care.
Insel et al (1982)first described the condition.They called for clinical awareness for prevention,recognition and promt treatment.
DR ASIS KUNDU,Psychiatrist,India
asis_kundu@yahoo.com