Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

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sparklyavf 12/23/2008

Hi, I have seretonin syndrome, and I want you all to know it. Its one of those things you read about and think it will never happen to me etc etc. I was doing quite well with my fibro but needed extra pain management. I got put up to 120 mg of cymbalta daily and I got given slow release tramadol. I was previously on 60mg of cymbalta and just OTC meds for pain control. I also took 5HTP as a supplement.

Once my meds were changed I got bad diahroea, figured that was just a ssri side effect cos otherwise I felt fine. I let that go on for nearly 2 weeks before getting checked out by a doctor because I was having tremours and all kinds of weird symptoms that I just attributed to having diaahroea for so long.

Please ALL LADIES on this board go to the wiki page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome

Make yourself aware of the symptoms and what drugs can contibute to it. I had NO IDEA tramadol had any effect on serotonin. Ladies this could have been fatal to me and could be for someone else you know and love. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and everything you can. Most of us on this board would be at risk. Please, I urge you. Go read, and go get yourself checked out when weird symptoms arise

On a brighter note. Mine was caught earlyish. I feel like shit but I won't die or anything.. no meds for me for a while tho... bah!!!

Merry Christmas
Coralie xxx

deleted_user 12/23/2008

I have read that you shouldn't be prescriebd Tramadol and Cymbalta at the same time. I'm sorry you had to go thru this.

Trish50 12/23/2008

I have heard that to. I have been on tramadol for 2 yrs now.. with very little side effects.. might be just the mixture of tramadol and a that high dose of cymbalta.. this must have been scary.. your pharmacist should have know not to mix these 2 ... hope you can find some pain relief.. hugs hun.. :)

CarrieinSK 12/23/2008

I asked my doctor about it and he didn't sound so concerned. He said if we get it, it will be for about a week, and we'll sleep it off? I do have to read more about this. I'm on 3-6 mgs of Melatonin a night and so far, so good. We should always be careful when mixing medications and be sure we know all the side effects.

deleted_user 12/23/2008

Thank You for posting this. It shows that we should not ignore new symptons or say it's just fibro.

Sorry you had to deal with this Hope you feel better soon.

Hugs and Prayers

deleted_user 12/23/2008

I have a question. Is it okay to take Cymbalta and 5-HTP at the same time? I'm thinking that I saw somewhere to not take 5-HTP if you are taking a medicine for serotonin, like Cymbalta, but can't remember for sure.

deleted_user 12/23/2008

I have been taking 5htp and my dr wanted to put me on effexor. I called the store where I bought the 5htp and they said I should stop taking the 5htp and wait one week before taking the effexor because the 5htp stays in your body for atleast 5 days. She said there are some antidepressants that you can take with 5htp but you have to be very careful and they don't recommend it.

deleted_user 12/23/2008

Thanks for the post...gonna read it all.

Cayenne, I just read an article yesterday that said you shouldn't mix 5-HTP and SSRIs and another type (Can't remember that one). I was considering taking 5-HTP, but decided not to cuz I take Celexa, which is an SSRI.

Hope this helps... HUGS to all!!

deleted_user 12/23/2008

Thank you for letting us know. Cymbalta did this to me as well.

deleted_user 12/23/2008

OK, other type of anti depressant was MAOIs...Good article, thanks for the post. Gotta be careful with all we take.

HUGS

deleted_user 12/23/2008

Guess thats why I post so many post about drugs, it just scares me and I am concerned about people that take alot of drugs.We only have one liver, but besides that.

Sometimes you need to ask your pharmacist because doctors do not know everything about drugs or combination of drugs

Glad you are going to be okay, I am sure it scared you terribly,

Thanks for informing everyone.

deleted_user 12/26/2008

wow, shocking, I take celexa, another ssri, and at one time was taking tramadol, but it didn't work at all, so quit it. Also have bouts of IBS for like 10 years, but certain foods, and stress trigger it, never thought about the tramadol. thanks for the info! xoxoxo deeee

deleted_user 12/26/2008

Thank you for the information. Will definately check it out!

deleted_user 12/27/2008

I just went thru that!
They have to bload written on top of chart now!
Cymbalta here too & lyrika
Had to stop both & left low & crying!
back to higher dose of fentanyl & vics
or just spend a few days in hospital & go cold turkey off all! nothing really helping & i will never go back to work!

I usally print all the info i get from here so i have it when i go to any new Docs! & i take letter from my other Docs w/me!
Thank-you for sharing the website w/us!

deleted_user 12/27/2008

Thank you! I was on only 30mg of Cymbalta for a while. Stopped it as I had no money to pay for it.
Those 2 drugs should never be given together hun.
Thank God You are still here!
Hugs'
Cinda

PeaceN2You 12/27/2008

That must have been so scary for you! Thanks for the info - I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't know this.

I've been on Tramadol for over a year, and when I asked about it because so many here were taking it, my doctor mentioned that it had an effect on serotonin as well, which might make it more effective for my fibro pain, so not all doctors are asses - he knew and he told me.

So sorry you had to go through this!

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