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Brain zaps

Posted , 5 users are following.

tina89895
tina89895

Hi everyone

Haven't been on this discussion group for a while but I need some reassurance. I was advised by the psychiatrsit to stop 20mg cit for one week then start 15mg mirtazapine. Well this is now two weeks off cit and one week on Mirt. I am getting brain zaps like electric charges through my head and they are getting more regular this week than last week. I've found that if I move my head to look at something thats not too bad but if i just move my eyes it goes mad. Have people suffered from these as part of withdrawal from cit.? How do you cope with them, how long are they likely to last? Many thanks. As they are doing my head in.

Tina 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Wendiwoo
    Wendiwoo tina89895

    Posted

    Hi Tina,

    Bloody hell, these comments about Cit keep getting worse and worse!!  Ive only been on them just over a week, and I dont like what Im hearing about people that have been on them for a long time, and the trouble they are having coming off them.  

    Ive got to go back and see my GP in a fortnight, and I think I might ask her to change them to something else.  Its a shame cos I thought they were beginning to help me.

    I hope you get your brain zaps sorted.  Blimey, I dont even know what they are so cant really help you, but there has been alot of activity on here over last week, so someone may be able to help you.  It sounds awful what you are going through.

    Good luck hunny and if you feel like a rant, I can listen.

    Wendy X

    • tina89895
      tina89895 Wendiwoo

      Posted

      Hi Woowoo

      Don't dispair about cit, I had been on it since sep but the psychiatrist didn't think they were really helping me neither did I. If you read through alot of these you will see it takes a while for this to get in your system and start feeling the effects. It's good that you are already feeling as if they are helping you so don't give up too quickly. as everyone is different, there are some good outcomes on here too.

      My problem is I don't know if it is coming off cit that is giving me these or starting the other medication as on the Mirt, forum nobody had experienced them. 

      I didn't know or understand what they were but I do now. 

      And for a change I don't actually feel like ranting so that's a first. 

      Tina x

    • katecogs
      katecogs Wendiwoo

      Posted

      Don't be alarmed Wendy, Citalopram are perfectly safe.  I've taken them for many, many years, and I've recovered on them.  If taken correctly, and after initial side effects, you shouldn't have a problem.

      Dont change your medication.  If it's helping you then I'd suggest staying with it.  You can take these for life if needed to.  All SSRI's will give you initial side effects and if stopping, will also give you withdrawl effects too.  It's not just Citalopram.

      When it's time for you to come off them, it's best done very, very slowly over months.  That way the withdrawl effects will be very minimal.  Tina has withdrawn from these over a week with advice from her medical professionals as they don't suit her, and though a week is far too quick, its ok for Tina.  Everyone is suited to different SSRI's, as seems Cit wasn't for Tina :-(

      I came off these over a year ago and did it very slowly.  I had some withdrawl effects and brain zaps, which are weird, but nothing to be alarmed about.

      Tina ... having had brain zaps, I found there was nothing really I could do about them.  They only lasted seconds and I just found them a bit weird.  I just treated myself as if I'd had a bad dose flu - rested, lots of sleep, TV, good food, lots of fluids etc ..... think they lasted a couple of weeks maybe?  Of course as you've withdrawn from Cit in just a week, it might be a bit worse for you?  It will wear off - just go careful for a week or 2.

      I hope you're feeling more at ease xx

    • David_21660
      David_21660 Wendiwoo

      Posted

      Hey! Woowoo,

      Cita takes time and I totally concur with me learned colleagues that have already answered you, here on the forum. Part of letting Cita do her job is giving her the time no matter how bloody awful it may be - or not!

      Keep posting, keep reading, but keep in touch and listen to yer elders! Lol!

      Regards,

      David

    • Vee12345
      Vee12345 Wendiwoo

      Posted

      I am currently going through the same problem. Withdrawal from Venlor which I think is a generic of some other medication mentioned on these forums and all I know is I have been able to handle the nausea, flu like symptoms etc but these brain zaps are unbelievably horrible. I feel trapped into head. I have had a vitamin B shot after reading someone's recommendation and I am going to start on flaxseeds asap to see if the omega 3 helps. Please any other suggestions. Let me know. I wish I had known of all these issues before just blindly agreeing to take them.
  • David_21660
    David_21660 tina89895

    Posted

    Hi Tina,

    Nice to hear you, to hear you nice!

    I am just sorry it is because of problems with the meds. Sadly, this is something I cannot comment on, but I guess I can help with a little support.

    Let you know we are sending lurv and positive thoughts north of the border, drekly to you!

    David & Ann X

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