Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 205533

Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?

Posted by firefly on March 3, 2003, at 13:20:06

Hi,

I'm new here, although I've visited here many times to read the posts. First I suppose I'll give a little background on myself as an introduction.

I have panic disorder, agoraphobia and some depression. I was on paxil a couple of years ago but had to get off of it because of the side effects. I'm one of those people who are highly sensitive to medications, and if there are any side effects, I'm usually one who's bound to get them. I have been off of paxil for a year and a half, and still don't feel entirely back to my old self, although most of the side effects are gone.

It took me five or six months to get off of the paxil because of how sensitive I was to the side effects, and I had the help of a good psychiatrist who gave me the liquid form of paxil which I had to measure, literally in tenths of cc's, which I would decrease once a week. While I was decreasing the paxil, I experienced these horrible things I have heard referred to as "brain zaps", although to me they felt really like I would imagine a seizure to feel, in my head. An awful feeling that is very hard to describe unless you've experienced it.

Anyway, I am sorry this is turning out to be a long story, but I just wanted to give you some background.

Yesterday, after months of debating with myself whether or not to try another SSRI, which my doctor had been asking me to try, I started taking Lexapro. I didn't want to because of my experience with paxil, but because of my severe anxiety and recent bad bout with depression, I thought it was worth a try. Well, good news - I hardly noticed anything. Maybe some slightly blurred vision, feeling like my head was a bubble (which wore off after several hours), but other than that, so far so good. Usually, if I'm going to feel anything from a medication, I feel it immediately. So, this was good and gave me hope.

This morning, I hadn't yet taken today's dose of Lexapro and I was working on the computer, not even thinking about it, just concentrating on my work and I got a very sudden, extremely uncomfortable "brain zap", which I hadn't felt since I was on paxil. And it made sense that if it were the Lexapro causing it, that it would happen at this time, since it was time for today's dose... the Lexapro in my system was wearing off... and the "brain zaps" were a symptom of paxil withdrawal (another SSRI).

So, here I am posting to ask if anyone else has had "brain zaps" on Lexapro, or while decreasing their dose of it. I would appreciate any feedback, as I'm really scared right now. I took today's dose of Lexapro, but I am scared that tomorrow I'll get another brain zap (it's such an awful feeling), and if I do, I want to stop taking this altogether because maybe SSRI's are just not for me. I also feel like my hopes are shattered because last night I started thinking this might actually help me, but there is no way I am willing to deal with brain zaps.

Anyway, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?

Posted by mopey on March 3, 2003, at 14:31:24

In reply to Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?, posted by firefly on March 3, 2003, at 13:20:06

Is the brain zap painful or just weird? I had a strange feeling in the front of my head last week after taking Nortriptyline. Felt like someone twisting bubblewrap in my brain. Same thing?

 

Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?

Posted by firefly on March 3, 2003, at 18:01:35

In reply to Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?, posted by mopey on March 3, 2003, at 14:31:24

Well, it's kind of like an electrical zap in my brain, that's what it feels like anyway. No pain but almost debilitating for several seconds until it passes, like someone is squeezing my brain, then I'm a bit dizzy afterwards but that passes too. I wish I knew how to describe it better.

 

Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?

Posted by male34 on March 3, 2003, at 22:19:57

In reply to Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?, posted by firefly on March 3, 2003, at 18:01:35

o was on paxil now on lex , but two meds give me like pins and needles feelings ,in and on my head ,sort of like goose bumps on and around my brain area ,my hair tingles, but ya know what its all side effects ,no biggie dont worry your not alone, im anxiety agoraphobic etc, trust me dont worry continue your meds on lex youll get very sleepy and wont want to get outta bed, but stay moving and motivated and youll be fine but ay first your sleepy

 

Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?

Posted by jesus on March 5, 2003, at 6:44:14

In reply to Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?, posted by male34 on March 3, 2003, at 22:19:57

if its an 'electrical' type of zap, then thats a common side effect of lex...unless these experiences are excessive, bothersome, painful, or whatever i wouldn't worry about it

 

Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?

Posted by Rachel2 on March 6, 2003, at 2:05:42

In reply to Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?, posted by jesus on March 5, 2003, at 6:44:14

I had "brain zaps" coming off the lexapro for about 2 weeks. They were more irritating than anything. Overall the withdrawal was a pretty bad experience for me. I hate to discourage you from a drug that may help you though. Also, it seems weird you'd be withdrawing after only one pill. See what your doctor says. Good luck to you, and don't give up. If this doesn't work, something else will.

 

Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?

Posted by firefly on March 6, 2003, at 6:48:00

In reply to Re: Lexapro - Anyone experience brain zaps?, posted by Rachel2 on March 6, 2003, at 2:05:42

Thank you, Rachel2,

Your post was very helpful. I know it's strange that I started feeling the brain zaps just coming off of the first dose, but since I'm so sensitive to medications in general, it didn't surprise me when I realized what was happening. My psychiatrist also believes the brain zaps I'm experiencing are because of the Lexapro, since they seem to happen around the time I'm supposed to take my next dose. He asked me if I'd be willing to try it for another couple of days, and I agreed, but we both talked about the possibility that the SSRI's may not be for me. Sad, because I've tried medications from the other groups of anti-anxiety medications and no luck with them either. Oh well. Thank you for your response to my post.



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