Your situation sounds so much like my own, Effexor for a short period and these brain zaps they refer to are still just as bad after almost 20 years. As with most things, the bottom line is money. Any ideas if this is the same thing? I experienced some bearable withdrawal symptoms following the first days of quitting it, such as: illness, dizziness, muscle jerks etc. Some people find that they deal with brain zaps when falling asleep or shortly after waking up from sleep. My tinnitus and zaps started about the same time around the first of the year. Took some, and they seem to be going. It did its job but again the side effects were just awful. From what I experienced during and after this treatment, acupuncture, because it is working on the neurological system, seems to help repair the pathways for the normal flow of neurotransmitters. I am experiencing the same after Tramadol was prescribed for a recent foot surgery. If I move my eyes side to side it feels as though I’m being tased in my face and head. Patients know that most medical professionals are unwilling to acknowledge “brain zaps” and usually attribute them to worsening of neuropsychiatric conditions and/or a somatic disorder. Sometimes brain zaps may also feel like blood rushing to the head. I mean I have never heard of such a thing until I experienced them myself and decided to look up my symptoms. The zaps may also be caused via discontinuation of other psychotropic medications including: antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, MAOIs, SNRIs, and tricyclic antidepressants. SSRIs). Brain zaps are sometimes accompanied by mild pain and ache, tinnitus, dizziness and general discomfort. I started noticing these symptoms when my body was going on without enough sleep. However, natural remedies have helped many people avoid serious antidepressant withdrawal symptoms, including: tapering off from drugs slowly, managing stress/anxiety, increasing GABA naturally and taking supplements that support cognitive health. I still feel thankful to paxil to heal me from a strong anxiety but, zaps are hell. I feel your pain and wanted to share that there is hope! I have never experienced anything like this – not painful but talk about stopping you in your tracks. Eat a nutrient-dense, anti-depression diet that includes plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids from foods like fresh veggies such as leafy greens, fruits including berries, grass-fed meat, pastured eggs, wild-caught fish like salmon. Worked for me! I was on Paxil for 16 years due to job related stress. Finally stopped taking it 3 days ago and feel absolutely awful. If anyone else has the zaps with high BP, please let me know. A person experiencing these zaps may get dizzy, feel minor pain, and high levels of discomfort. Thank you, the comments have been helpful. New doctor started me on Effexor. I had been taking Effexor XR for about a year and my insurance stopped covering the specific kind I needed. There are several factors that are thought to influence both the severity and duration of the brain zaps. Also helps mood and brain zaps. When I move my eyes vertically no zaps occur but horizontal movements lead to immediate and strong zaps. Last night was the worst ever with bad dreams and heightened symptoms. Other psychiatric authors have suggested that brain zaps are likely influenced by serotonin’s role in sensory functions and muscle movement. Quit smoking, drinking alcohol in excess (more than one drink per day on average) and using street/illegal drugs. There are no known medical treatments that are prescribed specifically to stop the brain zaps. Many people have experience brain zaps upon discontinuation from an antidepressant medication. I’ve taken escitalopram (Lexapro) for about 5 years. For the past year I’ve taken 0.25mg (1/2 of my 0.5mg I have) almost every night before bed. Those aside I am so much luckier than others and will pray for all my brothers and sisters enduring this now as well. I now take a low dose of cymbalta and it is so much better. Mine was unpleasant, but not unbearable. My doctor never warned me about any of these symptoms and the thought of this happening to others hurts my heart. Brain shivers, or brain zaps, are described as mild shocks or tingling, electric sensations on your head which can cause discomfort, dizziness, and sometimes pain. To control brain zaps currently, there is no medical or intervention can be used reliably. My patients over the years have expressed the same zap sensations, and I have assured them they are not alone. I stopped taking paxil about 10 years ago and I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about. There are several theories in regards to what may cause them. While this was true, lack of sleep isn’t causing these symptoms. hours or days). I finally was able to retire and my stress level went down to zero, so I decided to taper off Paxil under my doctor’s supervision. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained within this work are not intended as a substitute for consulting with a medical doctor. I feel like I need to shout it from the rooftops! I have been researching this all night. Other common names for brain zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and brain shocks. However, falling levels of serotonin are not believed to be the primary cause of brain zaps because it’s been found that people with low serotonin prior to taking these medications do not experience brain zaps. Half also reported they could not/would not stop taking the drug because of potential withdrawal symptoms. Effexor XR withdrawal was the absolute worst for me… and that was like 10 years ago. They also seem more severe now than when I was younger. Over time I ended up on 150mg of Effexor and have been on that dosage close to 2 years. I am praying that it will work. I may even file a lawsuit against the behavioral health department for negligence and allowing anyone to go through what I’ve been going through. I’ve spread the word by telling my GP and psychiatrist. Brain zaps are head shocks, or electrical-like sensations, that usually follow the discontinuation of medications such as SSRIs, benzodiazepines or ADHD medications. I was super worried about it and looked up what they were. Lexapro (Escitalopram) vs Zoloft (Sertraline): Extensive Comparison. I am currently reducing a small dose of steroid, prednisolone but have not had antidepressants. I don’t want to be on the drugs anymore and am determined to see this through. I’m going to try the fish oil and B12 to see if I can cope with the zapping instead of taking another round of Paxil. Over the last 4 days I have been getting these brain zaps/electric shocks as I'm falling asleep. I couldn’t believe how much it helped me. Brain zaps are literally the worst. There were few other tablets I used to take. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. You are so right about the opioid crisis being horribly exaggerated. I am on duloxetine (cymbalta) for depression, started in January. My doctor keeps wanting to treat my BP with metoprolol which raises my BP and gives me more brain zaps. You might be able to decrease your chances of experiencing brain zaps when you stop your medication slowly; however, this strategy is not guaranteed to work. I will try anything and will keep this thread updated for others to follow along and hopefully find their own ways to cope. Thank you so much for posting this! Brain zaps might also be triggered by alcohol use, anxiety or stress. Had I known this was something I might deal with when first starting the Effexor, I never ever would’ve started it! I have the zaps while on the med and they are 100 times worse off of the med. PLEASE READ – THERE IS HOPE! I tapered off of 150mg Zoloft and switched to 150mg Wellbutrin ER – and your description Brooke, is exactly what’s been happening to me since I stopped Zoloft. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. I have consulted an Ayurvedic (Herbal medicine doctor). My tinnitus is insanely loud- I am trying to find a job because I just graduated high-school and am worried that it will be difficult to find a job and start working while feeling like this. I didn’t know how to explain it to my parents, but I knew when I move my eyes it got worse. It is scary and the most uncomfortable feeling. I was only on it for about 5 days because of bad side effects (racing heart, sweats, etc). It’s not painful, but it’s definitely uncomfortable and disconcerting… almost makes me feel like I shouldn’t be operating “heavy machinery.” I’m hoping that this won’t last for too long. Brain zaps are commonly reported electrical shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant medications. So basically ever since then (few days ago) it’s been complete torture. For most people, the brain zaps suck, but will eventually subside. I was on Effexor and klonopin for sleep. I didn’t know what these zaps were, but having them for just a few days combined with vomiting, dizziness and headaches makes me wish I was dead even more than before I started on this death sentence of a drug. Below are some recommendations that may help you better deal with the zaps. I struggled with anxiety so badly. Then, I tapered off to every 3 days for a month…and that’s when the brain zaps and vertigo began. I ran out and hadn’t ordered any. I’m hopeful. My doctor prescribed 20 mg tablets. The doctor said I could probably stop taking Paxil at this point. THANK YOU! I’m taking fish oil. Remember, these affect neurotransmitters, the electro-chemical connection between nerves. I get one about every 10 seconds. However, can you imagine such a sensation happening in your brain constantly, or going weeks without a jolting sensation to feeling them almost every day? Great to read all the comments here. I came off 60 mg cymbalta completely a week ago and the withdraws are terrible. 7 days into cold turkey stop – I’ve tried tapering but I suffered withdrawal the same as I do now so I must just push through! I am 68 years old and have suffered from severe anxiety all my life. It’s really helpful reading everyone’s experiences and knowing that these aren’t dangerous. Many of GABA’s positive mood-enhancing effects are due to how it reduces/inhibits activity of certain nerve cells in the central nervous system. I was feeling so bad before talking to my doctor, but she was confident that those are just part of the withdrawal process and will diminish. A neurological exam. Hi Nikki, Don’t quit cold turkey! If it's suspected that you have a brain tumor, your doctor may recommend a number of tests and procedures, including: 1. Then came the worst of all: Paxil. Nothing really helps for zaps, no remedies at all! So I just googled (feeling like you are being shocked when you move eyes) and found this. I have never heard of it so I think I am going to give it a try since it is only $19.99 for a bottle and sounds like it can help with depression in general along with a multitude of other issues. Brain zap happens ringing is interrupted by static sound. Talk to your doctor and taper off very slowly. You MUST give withdrawal a very gradual slope, at least two months, to taper off or you will feel badly. I don’t exactly hear ringing, I have 3 different distinct sounds: 1-the screaming jet engines 2-chirping crickets and #3 my favorite (NOT) crickets with cicadas!!! All I can think of is that my body is very sensitive – examples being in pregnancy I could feel my babies kicking at a much earlier stage than you are supposed to feel it, also I could perceive my contractions starting when they were only the tiniest of sensation, with no pain. Next post: ADHD Medications List: Approved & Off-Label Treatments, Previous post: Extensive List Of Nootropics: 130+ Smart Drugs. Note: The author of this site is not engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. Some experts believe that they are a result of the brain suddenly attempting to transition out of the drug-induced neurotransmission to which it had adapted. 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