[Icare dixit]

Has any of you ever had serotonin syndrome? Maybe after use of an MAOI or other antidepressant or illicit serotonergic drug (MDMA or another amphetamine, for example)?

[Wander]

Yes, I had it after a med overdose. I needed to be hospitalised and treated as I became very ill. Why do you ask?

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by Wander

Yes, I had it after a med overdose. I needed to be hospitalised and treated as I became very ill. Why do you ask?

I am trying 5-HTP, a serotonin precursor, together with an atypical antipsychotic (which blocks 5-HT/serotonin re-uptake) and honestly, I wanted to know whether I could/should take the risk of continuously increasing the dose. It's a risk assessment.

How does it feel like, basically? And maybe other things I should know. How long were you in the hospital for?

Edit:
Another thing is that I have had a mild med overdose for which I was taken to the hospital and I want to know whether the experience was similar. It could very well be different since it was on a typical antipsychotic, but I am unsure whether it may have been somewhat bordering on serotonin syndrome.

[Wander]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

I am trying 5-HTP, a serotonin precursor, together with an atypical antipsychotic (which blocks 5-HT/serotonin re-uptake) and honestly, I wanted to know whether I could/should take the risk of continuously increasing the dose. It's a risk assessment.

How does it feel like, basically? And maybe other things I should know. How long were you in the hospital for?

Edit:
Another thing is that I have had a mild med overdose for which I was taken to the hospital and I want to know whether the experience was similar. It could very well be different since it was on a typical antipsychotic, but I am unsure whether it may have been somewhat bordering on serotonin syndrome.

It could be a risk. Be careful and maybe check with your pdoc before you increase the dose. I deliberately OD'd on Tramadol and was rushed to hospital and put on a drip for about 12 hours to flush it out. My symptoms were; sweating, rapid heart-rate, confusion, hallucinations and BP was off just not sure if high or low. I also couldn't walk and could hardly move. It was an awful experience so I wouldn't recommend risking it. Without the treatment I could have died.

[Icare dixit]

Thanks for the information. Since it'd slowly increase, I think I can avoid adverse effects, but I will talk with my psychiatrist about. Even then, it's best to recognise mild symptoms so that it's not ever life-threatening. I'm sure that's possible.

I did have all/many symptoms of serotonin syndrome, but it could've been neuroleptic malignant syndrome, considering I used a typical antipsychotic (so just/mainly blocking dopamine). I am curious how much those two feel alike, so I know when I have a problem.

I had involuntary muscle movement but I couldn't move much either, sweating, changes in blood pressure and heart rate (which did compensate, luckily), delusional thinking, a feeling of fainting (made much worse by the delusional state) and (for many hours [actually] a few days afterwards) hypersensitivity (much like that caused by a migraine or long, severe depression; like what you may experience when manic, but far worse; of course, luckily, less and less).

Would you say you were hypersensitive?

[Wander]

The reaction you have had is certainly serious. I also had a feeling of fainting too. As for the hypersensitivity I cannot say for sure as I don't really remember. I was certainly a mess for days. One of the big risks is seizures and I was monitored for that but thankfully didn't have one. I say play it safe. These symptoms can escalate rapidly to very dangerous places.

[Icare dixit]

Thanks again. It's very helpful. I will discuss it with my psychiatrist.