Question: Was experiencing a range of side effects from taking avanza, (swollen foot, knee, hand, feeling as though my arm was being squeezed firmly, very itchy, very sore joints, muscle aches & pains, extreme night sweats requiring i change PJs twice during the night, insatiable appetite feel as though i have put on close to, if not, 10kg in just 1 mth, craving for sugar + carbohydrate, including a liver function test showing my liver is irritated (whatever that means). My dr had no idea any of these symptoms are known side effects for some people & are well documented. I was told to simply not take my avanza 30mg that night. He handed me an Rx for cipramil advised to commence taking this new medication the following am. After a dreadful night of disturbed sleep with extreme full body sweating which drenched the sheets, i was so unwell, i was unable to drive, and asked my neighbour to go to the chemist for me. I took a cipramil immediately. My mother came over to give me some assistance. Shortly after i went to bed, only to wake up with ambulance officers in my room. My mother became concerned i had fallen into an excessively XXXXXXX sleep and could not be roused. She contacted my GP's clinic, and after discussing situation with one of the clinic doctors, she was advised to call for an ambulance. I thought it was completely unnecessary, the paramedics checked me out quite thoroughly and were satisfied it was safe for me to remain at home, but to call them if there were any changes. Cipramil dose is 20mg. I am unsure whether my dr should have allowed for a "wash out" period prior to starting cipramil? ex sick - now unsure what i should do next?
Appt 2morrow @3.50pm (tue) - he won't discuss over the ph. Pharmacist said i may have "seratonin syndrome" whatever that is. Dr also asked pathology 2 check liver 4 hep B/C which makes no sense at all. Can you explain what an irritated liver is, along with seritonin syndrome? I would be very grateful if you can assist me with information to explain why i have succumbed to such awful symptoms . What is your professional opinion about the overall situation. Please be assured, i am not at all angry with my Dr. He is not God, and can't know everything, he has proven himslf to be an astute, thorough, diagnostician. He is a friend of the family, and this is a hiccup on his part. I think it is important to alert him to the facts for future reference. Many thanks

Thank you for your feedback. My concern is;
the level of nausea i'm feeling
the onset of pain in the area of the liver - should i be concerned? what could be causing this?

You didn't advise me the duration of time necessary for a "wash out" of avanza b4 commencing on cipramil.

Many thanks
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