I have been taking Paxil – 30 – 60 mg daily for 4 straight years (doctor prescribed 1 or 2 daily as needed – I would only take 2 – 60 mg about once a week). :(. Looking like that was a bad idea. The second day I felt far better, but these brain zaps remain and today is day 3… with every zap, it’s like I’ve got this whooshing noise in my head, and it’s DEFINITELY affected by moving my eyes and/or head abruptly. I was prescribed this from a doctor in my home towns local hospital/clinic. I have been researching this all night. Whether this has any credibility is debatable. Zaps are down by 90% instantly. I will try anything and will keep this thread updated for others to follow along and hopefully find their own ways to cope. I am now on day 10 without Paxil and the zaps, dizziness, and vertigo seemed to spike on day 8 and is still going strong. Now I’m in the throes of withdrawing from escitalopram and came on here looking for ideas on supplements to combat the brain zaps. I never made it off venlafaxine because of them – I tapered right down, but then went down with depression again, so they are back up. I am as well and I get them when my blood pressure is too high. I am going to try the fish oils and pray this ends. It doesn’t. After having my daughter almost 2 years ago I suffered with horrible anxiety attacks. (5). It is scary and the most uncomfortable feeling. And then there’s the dizziness, nausea and all the other terrible withdraw symptoms with that drug. I began experiencing these “brain zaps” a little over a year ago. It isn’t just the zaps. 2. I couldn’t believe how much it helped me. Tapering off Effexor for months now. Sometimes these were accompanied by nausea and tinnitus. No pain associated with mine but quite severe. Brain zaps and other symptoms of withdrawing from Cymbalta therefore can be seen as the brain’s reaction to suddenly being removed from the abnormal environment to which it has adapted, like a deep sea diver who returns to the surface too quickly. 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! If not, I would consult with a neurologist. My psychiatrist did not warn me of this. Of course now I just want them to stop. Good luck to you. I started getting them once after taking co-codamol for 3 days! It’s not something that can be fre my discussed with people due to the stigma on mental illness and medication. 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. I appreciate knowing I am not the only one and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I had no idea it was a thing until I read this! Worked for me! Mine feel like electrical shocks going through my brain. About 18 hours later the extreme fatigue and brain zaps were horrific. but brain zaps are killing me. I’m weaning myself off of effexor and the brain zaps are terrible. To control brain zaps currently, there is no medical or intervention can be used reliably. I was on Celebrex for several years for fibromyalgia. Thanks for posting this article and allowing comments. Although you might experience brain zaps for no obvious reason, they seem to be more common among people who are under a lot of stress or dealing with anxiety. It’s been 3rd week now without paxil and I am having strong brain zaps for almost 4 days. Go for acupuncture and kiss the suffering goodbye without any other medication. Brain zaps can cause some of the following symptoms and sensations: (3). I personally remember quitting Paxil CR and wondering why it felt like my brain was being tortured in an electrocution chamber. Got back on for long enough to start tapering off of it. I am 63 yrs old. Brain zaps are literally the worst. Hey did the shocks stay away? Be assured – the zaps will decrease with time. Lexapro (Escitalopram) vs Zoloft (Sertraline): Extensive Comparison. I can’t afford downtime AT ALL. Brain zaps are not the only withdrawal symptom that people weaning from drugs like Zoloft or Prozac can experience — other common withdrawal effects include dizziness, headaches, nausea and paresthesia (burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs or feet). So along with the Effexor I have also cut out the Xanax. Just one day I started having them it was terrible. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) Below is a list of various descriptions of the zaps based on first-hand experiences. I was woken up less often by zaps, and the extra sleep helped in the morning. Brain stimulation using extremely weak electrical current might be able to reverse this and restore youthful vigor to aging minds, a new laboratory study suggests. For the past year I’ve taken 0.25mg (1/2 of my 0.5mg I have) almost every night before bed. I’d never heard of brain zaps and have to admit I was relieved to find out it was a “normal” response. I’ve spread the word by telling my GP and psychiatrist. Last night, I had an acupuncture treatment and it seriously helped. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. I will admit – on the 4th I had some drinks but the alcohol is way out of my system and I’ve been experiencing the zaps for 3 days still. I believe this to be from the additional tinnitus I’ve had since my teens. 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. Several other supplements have been mentioned as helpful in the case of brain zaps. Those aside I am so much luckier than others and will pray for all my brothers and sisters enduring this now as well. I am so glad I found this article but also sad reading all these people victim of these medicines. Emergency room doctors are trained to stay cool and focused in the ... 4 Natural Treatments for Brain Zaps and Prevention, The 9 Best Yoga Poses for Your Gut [Digest + Detox], Secret Detox Drink Recipe (A Natural Detox Drink Recipe), Pho Recipe — a Gut-Friendly Vietnamese Soup, How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes: 13 Easy, Natural Ways, The Best Sunscreens, Toxic Ones to Avoid & the State of Sunscreen in America, The Gut-Brain Connection: How It Works + How to Support It, The Leaky Gut Diet and Treatment Plan, Including Top Gut Foods, Dangers of Toxic Positivity + What to Do Instead, How to Stop a Panic Attack in Its Tracks, According to an ER Doc, Always Have A Bloated Stomach? This is the worst feeling I’ve ever experienced. I finally got up one day 5 morning with no zaps! The zaps started the second day off meds , today is my third day and I have been in bed all day. I hope your withdrawal is not long. Did nothing for the pain. 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