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Wondering if anyone else gets zaps in the head

Posted , 4 users are following.

marion30801
marion30801

Sometimes when I am thinking about my anxiety I get a zap in the head

and then my knees feel weak.  I heard this could be a withdrawal from

anxiety and/or antidepressants or just another anxiety symptom.

I've had this since I went off Lexapro last June but never experienced

it when withdrawing from other SSRI's.  This happens when I get

nervous and it doesn't take much to do this. It seems there is no cure

for anxiety but it's a life-long disorder. I think we need to always be on

some kind of medication.  

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Shaman737
    Shaman737 marion30801

    Posted

    Hi Marion, I've had these head zaps when I miss a dose of my antidepressant Cymbalta. I think it's a withdrawal symptom at least for me. but you say you've been off of yours for awhile. So maybe it is an anxiety symptom too. Hope you feel better.

    Brian

  • Shaman737
    Shaman737 marion30801

    Posted

    Btw it feels like a shot of electricity, not pleasant.
    • marion30801
      marion30801 Shaman737

      Posted

      Hi Sharman, yes, that's what it feels like.  I was on Cybalta for five days the end of January.  I was having a lot of muscle pain that afterwards was diagnosed as arthritis.  I stopped the Cybalta because I had terrible side effects like being over-drugged and dizzy.  I was on 30 mgs, and the practitioner said it was the lowest dose but not true.  It comes in 20 mgs according to the the list I have of prescription drugs that my Ins. will pay for.  I am also taking Buspirone and he wanted me to stay on it; this surprised me as I was never on 2 medications before.

      I needed an antidipressant too and the latter is for anxiety.  I guess I'll

      have to go back and see if he can prescribe something else.  It's all guess work and doctors have also referred me to an arthritis specialist and a neurologist but I have almost every symptom that has been

      mentioned in these posts.  Have you had any side effects from Cymbalta?

       

    • Shaman737
      Shaman737 marion30801

      Posted

      I had side effects in the beginning, not really bad just being tired all the time. However I've been on it for several years and it seems to be losing its effect, I take 60mgs a day. Don't really want to increase it, not sure what to do. It gets discouraging. I have severe arthritis too and the pain from that doesn't help with anxiety and depression. Hope you feel better.

      Brian

    • marion30801
      marion30801 Shaman737

      Posted

      Hi Brian, thanks for your input.  I used to take 60 mgs a day of Prozac

      for about 12 years but when I went back on it starting with 20 mgs, it

      made me feel worse so had to quit after a month.  My arthritis did not bother me then, but I think I had a flare up recently that is probably caused by the anxiety.  I have to see a specialist in two weeks but don't know if he can help.  I don't want to take injections nor go for physical therapy and sick of seeing doctors who just refer me to another doctor.

      Hope they can give you something for the arthritis pain. I just take

      acetaminaphen when it gets bad but doesn't help much. The thing about antidepressants as when they stop working nothing else seems to do

      any good; maybe we build up a tolerance for all antidepressants.

    • michaelall35712
      michaelall35712 marion30801

      Posted

      You might research Tumeric and it's health benefits.  I read an article on it's anti inflammatory properties.  Certainly worth looking into.
  • jenni101183
    jenni101183 marion30801

    Posted

    Yes I also get those zaps feelings like electric shocks , or electricity is going off in my head , very weird feeling , after the Dr did many of test he came to the conclusion that I had anxiety/panic disorder,, but I was never on any meds because I choose not to take them because of the side effects, I went the more natural vitamin route for.my anxiety . so my head sensations where just another anxiety symptom.
  • marion30801
    marion30801

    Posted

    Hi Jenni, I guess this is more common than I thought.  When I told my GP

    about this, she didn't know what I was talking about.  Other people I've told

    think I am imagining this.  I must of had a meltdown about a year ago when all

    these symptoms started and it only gets worse, a new symptom every day so 

    that's all I can think about.  I  have chills during the day and sweat at night.  

    I am constantly lightheaded and my body aches all over.

    When I have the zaps, it affects my legs and I can barely walk for a while until I can calm down. I can't seem to talk about this to anyone else now except in this forum because we have all been there.

     

    • jenni101183
      jenni101183 marion30801

      Posted

      Yes trust you are in the right place , because it seems this is where you can get some kind of relief knowing you are not alone and others are going through the same thing . its the worst feelings in the world to feel alone in your time of need !!
  • michaelall35712
    michaelall35712 marion30801

    Posted

    It is possible that we may need medication long term.  But I think it is important for people to take medication and seek counseling at the same time.  Did you withdraw from you medication with doctors orders?  Weening off the medication?
    • marion30801
      marion30801 michaelall35712

      Posted

      No.  I just learned about weaning off.  The doctors never mentioned it before but I was on Prozac on and off for many years until it

      stopped working.  I think it was Lexapro that gave me withdrawal effects but I was only on it for two months and only 10 mgs.  Haven't taken it for 8  or 9 months now but been on a low dose of Buspirone for about 2 months that's not doing much good but I'm being followed up with it and will wean off before I try something else.

      I'll think of therapy when I get a medication that works. You have

      to get the right therapist also like the right medication so it's easier

      said than done.

    • michaelall35712
      michaelall35712 marion30801

      Posted

      I understand.  I have experienced those "zaps"  when I forgot my meds for a couple of days.  To me it was like shutting off an old t.v. Where the screen light goes from full screen to just a dot on the old t.v.s  Sounds like medication withdrawal.  Doctors should really explain how someone should ween of these SSRI's.  My doctor switched me from paxil to lexapro and didn't even tell me how to stop one and start taking the other? But lexapro seems to be working.

       

  • gentryside
    gentryside marion30801

    Posted

    I just joined Patient and was shocked to see all the people that experience the Zaps or electric shocks I experience when I miss a dose of Cymbalta!!!  I've tried to describe it as electric shocks trying to jump over brain synapses, but of course everyone looks at me like I'm nuts.  I've been on Cymbalta successfully for many years now and will probably die on it.  I don't want to wean off of it as it's a scary drug.   I'm a 62yr old lady, retired and happy.  But having God in my life has helped me the most, to be honest.  Good luck everyone.

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