Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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HungryAngryLonelyTired 07/25/2012

Im having small and large brain zaps. Ive been taking meds 30 years and this morning I had a appt with heart doctor. No food so I waited to take meds when I came back. 11 hours later Im miserable... I've only had Brain Zaps with vertigo, tinnitus, waves, disorientation. Couldn't drive if I had too. 3 times this year. I don't know if its the benzo or the anti depressants. But I have had them before. This is one topic I have noone to talk to but God. I feel lonely and inadequate...I just don't want to lay down until the head noises lighten up.

justletmebe 07/25/2012

my sister had those on paxil, she still has them..

(((((((sorry your not feeling good )))))

maybe its the anti depressants?

dancingd 07/25/2012

I had read about Brain Zaps, but hadn't ever really experienced them ...UNTIL ( I can't remember which 2 meds caused them ...sorry )
I started having them...and yep, they feel exactly like they are described BRAIN ZAPS .

Awful

Hope you feel better soon

deleted_user 07/25/2012

Could be either. I had those whenever I had any wort of withdrawal from benzos or anti-depressants. I nurse told me I was imagining it because you don't go through withdrawals that fast, but I swear I did even if I was a few hours late on my meds. The worst for me was effexor and klonopin. I'm on ativan now and I don't have that problem, no anti-depressants anymore cuz doctor said they just aren't for me.

tommymott 07/25/2012

I had the zaps when I was easing off of effexor. Talk to your doc about it, they can do you the most good.

deleted_user 07/25/2012

Okay I am really sorry this is going on.

Now I do have a question. In all my "research" I have never heard of Brain Zaps, can someone please explain this to me?

Thank you.

hotdogalice 07/25/2012

yep....lots of antidepressants do the brain zaps, vertigo and all that...and sometimes it can be within hours of a missed pill....believe me.....i had them hit like a bolt of lighting....research it on google.. what pills are you on??

deleted_user 07/25/2012

Ok going there now..thanks.

deleted_user 07/25/2012

I never knew about this, I am really sorry your experience this and anyone else who has. I can't take anti depressants as they throw me into major manic episodes so I just have to battle through my depression "periods".

This does sound just awful. So sorry. HUGS

deleted_user 07/25/2012

like tommy said certain antidepressants are notorious for causing brain zaps especially when you're are withdrawing from them or have missed a dose. Effexor famous for this!

deleted_user 07/25/2012

I've had them: mental hospital medication fuck up: like a electric jolt, over & over- hard to describe- deeply unpleasant, crazy making in that you'll do anything to make it stop (at least that's how it was for me & I was in a locked ward so climbing the walls, telling you)

crazymeds site is bound to have far better descriptions of the experience..that site covers every conceivable mishap- with loads of people adding their own accounts of their experience.

deleted_user 07/25/2012

that's why certain drugs have to be titrated down verrry slowly- as sudden withdrawal is torturous (in my experience- and others I've heard of)

deleted_user 07/25/2012

google: effexor/brain zaps if still curious.

deleted_user 07/25/2012

here ya go (the drugs don't work they just make it worse ;) )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSRI_discontinuation_syndrome

deleted_user 07/25/2012

'cranial zing' & 'electric shock-like sensations' - haha! but true!

tats69 07/25/2012

Brain zaps for me were like someone taking an electrical wire and touching it to the inside of my brain, was just awful when they pulled me off Prozac cold turkey! Will never let any pdoc do that again.....I had them for months....not only zappy feelings in my brain but my body too......sorry this is happening to you....I hope it hurry's up and passes for you!

Never ceases to amaze me how these meds can do us like they do...everyone with different experiences too.

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