Seretonin Syndrome..what do i do now...

[sunflowersd2001]

I have been on Effexor 300mg extended release for about 6 months now, before i was taking celexa.  7-8 weeks ago i saw a VA doctor and inquired about help to stop smoking.  We went over my medication list as we do with each visit.  The doctor then prescribed me Wellbutrin 300mg(150mg 2xday)

About 2 day later i started to have weird shortness of breathe.  On day 4 i was gasping for air to breathe (i had never been so scared in my life) i called a friend whom said i probaly was having an anxiety attack so i laid on my husbands chest to control my breathing and went to bed.  Woke up the next day to get kids up for school (i have 5 children).  I was completly out of breath, it was hard to gasp for air, im in college so i left the house at 7am to drive 46miles to school.  i got about 30 miles wqhen my whole body started to shake, and i could feel my heart pounding.  When i got to the college i was releived to put the car in park.  I went to the school RN and my pulse was 164, blood pressure 153/112.  A student drove me to the ER.  i was there for 4-5 hours and they preformed all sort of tests, said it was anxiety gave me zanex and sent me home.

They were aware of all my meds as i carry them with me.

Wed i went to my mental health apointment, he had not been informed of the added med, he said that doctors are to call before prescribing to get verification that it is ok.  He said to stop taking wellbutrin and gave me adrenolol.  

The next morning i woke up with tighness in the chest...was told to go to doctor.  Furthurmore none of the other symptoms had gone away i still could not breathe i was cold, then hot.

it was here in a small town that the doctor looked up seretonin syndrome (seretonine storm) he imediatly put me on propranolol and admitted me to the hospital.

After a couple days i was able to breathe.

However he said had i reached the point of the fever, which was the last symptom to get ( i had all the other extremly) i would have done one of two things, had a stroke or a seizure.

I guess my question is:
How long before all the side effects go away?

I still have the high blood pressure, im fatigued all the time (sometimes i sleep for 16hours and hear nothing on the couch) i get shortness of breathe and have to grasp for air even when im doing nothing, but type this letter.  i still get internal tremors and my legs get really heavy.  I have also put on weight now.  I am still on the Effexor 300mg daily.

Are these side effects with me for the rest of my life, and was the doctor wrong.....what do i do now, i have a hard time even trying to interact with my children and they range from 11months-13years.

Please help i can find nothing on the long lasting effects.  The doctor said we were lucky they usually find out the cause of death when it comes to seretonin syndrome, i came really close and am very thankful today to still be breathing.

thank you
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[M4Y0U]

Serotonin syndrome is a matter of day to day or a week or so.. The things that will make it vanish faster is the medication adjustment.

M4

[remar]

Good grief! I am really surprised that Dr started you on 300mgs of Wellbutrin. The normal starting dose is 150mgs and even sometimes 75mgs. I also think your on a pretty high dose of Effexor. I know some people are going to disagree with me about this. Personally, this med was not good for me. Lots of serious side effects including high blood pressure and I was on a much lower dose that you are.
Have you and your Dr talked about trying a different med?
Your body has been through an awful lot so your going to feel terrible for awhile. Thank goodness they caught it in time.
I'm hoping other more experienced members can answer your question about how long serotonin syndrome does last.  Remar