So true. Some years ago I was prescribed one of the SSRI's. I tolerated it reasonably well, but went off of it when I got tired of feeling like a bit of a robot. Both ups and downs were removed, and I didn't like the trade-off.
The second time I was prescribed the same drug, I didn't worry about side effects, since I'd had it before. What I didn't think about was that in the intervening years I'd been prescribed Imitrex for my migraines. One stress-filled day I took an Imitrex tablet for my headache and ended up in the ER with a cardiac arrhythmia. The ER docs checked me out, sent me home with some Xanax, and said to go see a cardiologist if it happened again. They never discussed possible medication interactions.
When I came out of my Xanax fog, I started doing some online research and learned that the combination of the SSRI with the Imitrex might well have caused a problem, since both affected serotonin levels. Add in a stressful incident, and I was in trouble. What scares me is that none of these medical professionals picked up on it.
I tossed the SSRI's, worked harder at lifestyle, diet and stress issues, added some Vitamin D3 to the mix, and am doing much better. The cardiac incident was over a year ago, and hasn't been repeated. What I've learned over and over in life is that we need to be our own advocates in this complicated world.
The Xanax could have very well saved your life. The fog was more likely from Serotonin Syndrome unless you were given a very high dosage of Xanax like about 2 mg and even then? Xanax doesn't work quite like Valium. It's a lot smoother. 2MG except for usage in cases like this is not a good dose and can cause more problems long term than it helps. The same 2Mg spread out in four dosages in 24 hours can do wonders though :>} Been there and taking it 16 years in that manner. :>}
You got an ER doctor who did the right thing for you and likely saved your life with the Xanax. It is the class of counter acting drug for treating Serotonin Syndrome. But the doctor should have told you point blank what happened.
Serotonin Syndrome can cause cardiac arrhythmia it is one of many of the warning signs which include hallucinations. I've seen it at it's worse. It nearly killed my wife. Her hallucination included her thinking she was Tess {Della Reese} on Touched by an Angel. And my wife is as white as white can be LOL.
Sad to say doctors ignored the obvious cause and assumed it was accute psychosis and upped the Zoloft. They also wanted her sent to a mental institution. They even argued with me after I presented them with an article on it their own Pharmacology Professor wrote. Doctors are for the most part ignorant of the potential dangers of antidepressants. The patient and patients family need to be warned of this possible serious and potentially possible adverse reaction.
In some cases, serotonin syndrome can be caused by taking just one drug that increases serotonin levels, but it occurs most often when you combine certain medications. For example, serotonin syndrome may occur if you take an antidepressant along with a migraine medication.
BTW OTC Cold medications like Nyquil mixed with SSRI's can do the same thing.