Get well soon: ‘Women should opt to cryopreserve eggs early’

Chennai

I have some problems like low concentration, unknown fear, lack of sleep and at times even cry for unknown reasons in the middle of the night. This has been happening for the past one year. One of my friends says I could have serotonin syndrome. Can you please explain what is serotonin and its role in the symptoms that I have? What is the cure for my ailment? Do I need take medicines all through my life? —N. Kannan, Chennai

These are not the symptoms of the syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a drug-related problem and a side effect of antidepressant drugs, which increases serotonin levels. It is a neuropsychiatric disease. There it can occur due to psychiatric or neurological drugs. The common symptoms are agitation, high-grade fever and delirium. Temperature will be ranging between 104 and 108. It has to be identified at the right time. Treatment will involve discontinuing the drugs that are causing the syndrome. And managing hyperthermia. It can be a lifethreatening one.

Dr DS Halprashanth, Consultant Neurologist, Global hospitals

I would like to go for cryopreservation of eggs. Is there any cut-off age for the same? Does family history have implications? Anamika. P, Chennai

There is no cut -off age as such. Women in their 40s approach us, specially if they are getting married. But the chance of getting pregnant is higher, when they preserve it before 35 years of age. This is for those who are unable to find their partners. Age is more important than family history, but if the mother or an elder sister has an early menopause (38-40 years), the chances of the person’s oocyte ageing early are more, and has to be taken into account.

Dr. Aruna Ashok, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVI Fertility Consultant