Withdrawal Brain Zaps

[Perl209]

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.

[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]

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

[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]

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 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 in reply to TawnyOwl94]

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

[Zapmaster]

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

[tmjourney]

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