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Withdrawal Brain Zaps

Perl209 profile image
8 Replies

Hello! I’m going to share a truncated version of my story as I have some questions on whether I’m alone in this. 2011 I started weaning off Cymbalta - it took two years of counting pellets and tapering to succeed. 2013- I was on a new medication shortly, and then back to Zoloft as it’s the only one remotely effective. Cymbalta withdrawal was the worst- brain zaps all the time, zombie feeling, night terrors- you name it I had it.

My concern is that after years of not being on Cymbalta, and about 4 years back on Zoloft- I still get brain zaps occasionally. There has been minor adjustments to my meds within the 4 years but nothing drastic. The brain zaps occur maybe once a week. And they’re short. But I’m curious if I’m alone in dealing with them intermittently years after Cymbalta, or if others have had that experience.

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Perl209 profile image
Perl209
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8 Replies
Missnoname profile image
Missnoname

I don't know about cymbalta, but I can tell you that many, many people complain of this continuing for years after discontinuing effexor. I've been done with effexor for about 4 months now and I don't get them anymore, thank goodness. I couldn't allow myself to be dependent on a med that can cause such turmoil if you take one dose 4 hours late. Turns out some of the symptoms I wrote off as depression were being caused by the drug, though, bc now I can actually get out of bed and function without 14 hours of sleep.

soupysales profile image
soupysales

I had the same issue with Pristiq.....and yes, I still get 'zapped' once in a while but not weekly.

Delanna profile image
Delanna

Just curious for people taking cymbalta since it is an SSNRI how did it make you feel?

I know it causes brain zaps and all and all that crap

TawnyOwl94 profile image
TawnyOwl94

I have been taking Cymbalta for almost 7 years now and I get brain zaps, and zaps that run down my arm into my finger tips if I miss my dose by a few hours. This would also happen when I took Lexapro but not nearly as severe and it would take longer for it to occur. Now I feel like I am stuck, my doctor's act like I am crazy when I try to explain it to them. I want to get off, I have been on anti depressants since I was 14 and I am about to be 25 and I want to try living without them but these zaps completely screw with me. It scares me, I can't focus, I feel dizzy. I just don't know what to do.

Mtmann89 profile image
Mtmann89 in reply to TawnyOwl94

Hey I started Lexapro 5 weeks ago I was previously on Prozac for 2 months at 60 mg. When the Docter switched me I started on Lexapro at 10 mg for 2 weeks and tapperd the Prozac for 2 weeks. So all of a sudden I went and ran in the treadmill and I started getting brain zaps every time I turn my eyes. Only starts around 430 pm intake 20mg of Lexapro at 9 pm. You guys think this is from the Prozac withdrawal or some side affect of Lexapro?

Zapmaster profile image
Zapmaster in reply to TawnyOwl94

Hi. Did the zaps ever stop for you? I am experiencing the same.

Zapmaster profile image
Zapmaster

Hi. I am experiencing the same thing after stopping Paxil and taking Zoloft. Did they go away for you?

tmjourney profile image
tmjourney

I got these when coming off of Effexor! I stopped cold turkey.... without any tapering off and it was .... months of horror LOL

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