Serotonin Syndrome? Any info would be great....?

Question

4 weeks ago my doctor put me on a combination of Cymbalta (SNRI)60mg and tramadol 100mg. After becoming "sicker" I stopped both on my own. My doctor attributed my symptoms of feeling worse to worsening depression and fibromyalgia. On Tuesday she had me restart and increased both meds to 90mg Cymbalta and 200mg tramadol and encouraged me to give both a chance to work this time. After the increase, I felt worse than ever and I thought I was going to die for 3 days but my doctor again attributed my symptoms to worsening depression and fibromyalgia. Yesterday, I insisted she switch my meds and she agreed to switch me to Pristiqu another SNRI and told me to continue with the tramadol 200mg. Last night I was reading the info sheet that came with the new med (Pristiqu). It said that Pristiqu or any SNRI (Cymbalta) should NOT be taken with tramadol due to a risk for developing serotonin syndrome. I decided to only take the Pristiqu until I could talk to my dr on Monday. I feel a little better today but not well or perfect. I researched serotonin syndrome on the web today and it sounds quite serious. I had every symptom of serotonin syndrome, except for coma.

If I only take the Pristiqu will I be OK till Monday or should I stop all meds?

Should I go to an Urgent Care or ER or will I be ok till Monday when I can speak with my doctor?

Answer 1

You probably will be ok until you can see your Dr. Or you can call his office and ask. I have been on Pristiq for 6weeks, it takes several weeks before you start to feel results. I too was taking tramadol but quit using it once I started on the Pristiq. Try www.pristiq.com  for more information. Good luck and better health to you.

Answer 2

First, it takes MONTHS for drugs to work. So being on it for a few days will make you feel worse. Second, nothing is wrong with you. You will be fine until monday.

Answer 3

it takes WEEKS (about 3) to achieve the full level of the meds--it may take longer to actually stabilize and feel teh effects-

don't stop both--I woudl just stop the tramdol as that mainly works on teh serotonin..

if you stop your meds suddenly--it may caus you to go into withdrawal---you need to taper off..

the doc and pharmacist shoudl have picked up on thsi

it is possibel to take both--but usually in low doses of each

call the pharmacy and/or doc before doing this---insist the doc think about serotonin syndrome