... shaking uncontrollably and stuttering. She was hospitalized and put in the ICU. She is still shaking and stuttering and has difficulty speaking 3 days later. They are discussing putting her in a nursing home, at least temporarily (she is 38 years old). Has anybody seen anything like this before and have any information I can provide? The doctors haven't seen this and I am obviously worried that it is permanent. Thank you for your help
My wife was put on prozac for depression, and had been on it for a couple weeks when she began?
- Asked
- 17 Oct 2011 by wombatteer
- Updated
- 19 Oct 2011
- Topics
- prozac
Responses (4)
Hi Wombatteer, So sorry to hear about your wife. Do you live in a small town? Does your wife have any sort of weakness anywhere, arms,legs,hands? Is she able to stand alone? I just need more details on her condition. I am sure they took her off prozac! Answer back as soon as you can OK. Dave
Hi wombbateer,
Can you tell us what meds she was addicted to? Could one of them have been tramadol/ultram? If so, that can cause seizures and all sorts of cognitive problems.
Best wishes to you and your wife!!
Dave, what about Serotonin Syndrome? Or does it not present itself like this? Just curious what you thought of that possibility?
Hi Sweet, I believe in order to have a Serotonin Syndrome reaction you have to be on that medication for a length of time,and usually develops when there is a discontinuation of the drug. As you know I am coming off SSRI's and have done a lot of research. I could be wrong, as I am having some confusion still,in the morning. You make a very good observation about Tramadol / Ultram. That's what makes this group great, every one working together! Lv Ya Dave
Hi Dave,
I don't know why, but I picture you with a pipe clenched between your teeth!!
Now how weird is THAT? Tis funny how we picture someone we don't even know, yet we know each other virtually!!
Your friend,
Lara
Hey there wombatteer, & welcome to the site. Dave is very knowledable in medical so please heed his advice. I just wanted to welcome you & let you know we are all thinking about you & your wife. I hope today is better for her. I have a husband that had to go on disabiliity at 32, so I know your concerns. Have a better day...
Hi Mary! Are you doing alright today, I surely hope so. I an still having morning confusion coming off SSRI's and starting Wellburtin, much better than it was, I an almost completely off ssri I have a week to go on a very small dose. Lv Dave
Hey wombatteer, Oxycontin is one of the most highly addictive narcotics out there. You say she has been on it for several years, she is addicted. That can complicate the situation she is in. I am sure her doctors are aware of her drug use. Was she using Oxycontin for real pain? I don't know her daily dose, but that's a mean a#@% ss drug. Keep us posted, thanks for sharing this with us! Dave
That explains a lot wombatteer!! I went cold turkey off of oxy and couldn't stop shaking!! And I don't think I made too much sense either!!
Is there any chance that she was taking Xanax, or any benzodiazapine with oxy and ambien?
If SO, that would add to the shaking and incoherency.
Please, go through her meds at home, see what you can find, and get back to us?
Best wishes

Further Information
- Prozac Information for Consumers
- Prozac Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Prozac (detailed)
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Hi again womba, I have a few more questions, can she not speak due to her mouth or tonge or lips swollen ? Sounds like a severe reaction to prozac. These symptoms usually show up around 2 weeks. Exaggerated reflexes, Shaking, Sever confusion, Inability to sit still. There is also a condition due to antidepressant drugs that she really need's to be worked up called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Symptoms include Neuromuscular Twitching, feaver, muscle rigidity confusion and a few more. They need to work her up for that syndrome, the sooner the diagnosis, the better the outcome. I don't know why the doctors are so baffled? From all I have just read those symptoms are a classic of a severe reaction to Prozac. There is a remote chance she may have had a stroke, at her age it is a very remote chance of that. Keep us posted on her condition OK Let me know as much information as you can. I will be praying for her! Dave
She is in a decent sized hospital (Portsmouth, NH). She sounds coherent with the exception of the stuttering. As far as standing, she is not able to stand on her own and actually fell earlier today with one person helping her, so now they have two whenever she moves. As far as history goes, she has had issues with prescription medication addiction in the past, and has been on suboxone recently, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. She was taken off the prozac, but she said they were considering putting her back on with a smaller dose. We are currently separated, but I am very worried about her.
thanks for the answer. Are they continuing the Subox. Hope so. I do know why they would even think about putting her back on prozac. There are 100 other drugs to use. At least you are not in some small town with a couple of doctors/ Keep me posted thanks Dave
Okay, thanks for your help. I just hope it is a temporary thing.
Thanks for everyones help. The symptoms have gone away and she has been released. Your comments and thoughts helped a lot.