venlafaxine brain zaps

Day 2 of withdrawal from venlafaxine 75 mgs. Having vomiting, nausea and brain zaps. How long will this last???

I too was on Paxil and this has a good reputation for causing brain zaps either from missing a dose or two, tappering off or when a dose is lowered... it is basically withdrawl symptoms you have experienced. Maybe you experienced these brain zaps when you forgot to take your tablet or took it alot later in the day than you normally do.

The brain zaps aren't damaging your brain. It's the drug being stopped that's causing them. Here's what's believed to be responsible for this: serotonin-targeting antidepressants alter the natural way the body breaks down used serotonin, allowing it to wash in targeted receptors longer. Other receptors turn off, the brain not believing them to be necessary anymore.

I can't comment on the drug interaction of SSRI's and SNRI's with heart meds. But I'd want to say that you should consider each very carefully before starting either family of drugs. My wife was on Paxil (Alprazolam) for many years before switching to the SNRI Effexor (Venlafaxine) following treatment for breast cancer. It was found that SSRIs interfered with the Tamoxifen that she was taking.

I'd been on 1 x 75mg of Venlafazine/Effexor XR a day for quite a few years. The initial need for taking them, no longer existed, so decided I'd been taking them for far longer than what I should have been, and wanted to have a bash at discontinuing.

my mom went through the same thing.. she was a mess for a long time.. eventually i had to bring her home to my place so we could take care of her. she says she cant remember most of the time she stayed with me now. she said she had the "brain zaps" too, thats exactly what she called them. my heart goes out to you, i would taper if at all possible. good luck. god bless.

Thank You for your reply. I am trying to understand what exactly Efferor XR does or does not do. I have tapered myself off of this drug. I started the process in January of this year, 450mg per day then - to 75mg per day - until 0mg 7 days ago. It has been THE WORST experience of my life to date. The one thing that I want GONE are the "Brain Zaps". I have read that Effexor increases serotonin, I've been told that Effexor blocks serotonin.

I took Wellbutrin XL 300 mg for a number of years. Last year I was given effexor with the Wellbutrin. I was also taking Topomax, 25 mg twice a day. I have since slowly weaned off all three because of the combined side effects. I lost weight very rapidly, started twitching, had anxiety, etc. I am now taking nortriptyline with dry mouth being the only significant side effect. You should not stop Wellbutrin without weaning. It can cause "brain zaps" which can be quite painful.

Since this was going on while you were on the drug, it's hard to know if going off of it will help any because who knows if the drug was causing it?

The worse is when you feel brain zaps when you are awake, you think there is something really wrong with your brain,I have been experiencing this day time brain zaps rarely for years now and gratefully it's not getting worse. The teqnique I used, and it worked to rid of brain zaps was to get up immediatelly, stay awake for like 10-15 mintes, drinking somethin or watchin TV, then sleep again, they vanish.

I'm suffering with the brain zaps after coming off of Lexapro. I tapered off the Lexapro, incrementally and very, very slow. The withdrawal symptoms didn't start right away with my last dose which fooled me into thinking I would miss that part. But, alas not to be. Anyway, it's been 28 days with the zaps, shakiness, and irritablility. I started taking Primrose Oil and doubling up on my fish oil (2000mgs) around 10 days ago.

I am writing because my poor husband has been suffering with "brain zaps" for 14 months and I just need to find out if the brain zaps ever STOP. He was taking effixor for just one month and went off the drug "cold turkey." Ever since that day he has had the brain zaps daily. Some days they are so bad he is nearly knocked down and days when he can't even go to work. Othr days they are mild, but he NEVER has a day without the zaps.

Day 2 without Effexor. My wife says she feels good, but is beginning to experience "brain zaps" at intervals that are becoming closer together. Otherwise, she says she's feeling upbeat and said that she never felt "right" on Effexor as compared to Paxil.

Dear Doctors A week ago I have stopped my therapy with Cymbalta. I have had anxiety's problems. I have took off the medication in 3 months from 60 mg to 15 mg..to 10...to 5....to 0 mg!! Now I'ts a week that I have brain zaps...here in Italy all the psichiatrists told me that it's an anxiety's symptom. I know that it's not true...because in all the time that I have not took antidepressants (3 years)...I haven't had IT!!...

Hello! I have been taking Effexor for a little over a year. I only take one a day, the 75mg I believe. However, 4 days ago I completely stopped taking it. I have been slowly taking less and less over the last month or so, but I am still experiencing the dizziness and "brain zaps". Those are the only two things that have really been affecting my body. I have not felt depressed, or had mood swings, or any of that. I was just wondering how long the withdrawal effects will last?

I've felt these EXACT same "brain zaps" WDing from both Tramadol and Lortab. YES, you CAN feel them even when you don't take antidepressants. They are awful and I felt them intensely with just the slightest movement of my head or limbs.

t go back on antidepressants - but am wondering what to call this - maybe brain zaps work. Equally, I am wondering how long THIS is going to happen.

--- I have experienced this sensation several times in the past few months. I have been describing it as brain spasms but when I goodle brain zaps it appears a lot of people have them. Seems to coincide with coming off SSRI's which I have never taken. I am having an EEG on Thurs because I am worried it may have been a mild seizure -- now im not sure.

I never knew how to describe what I was feeling till I read about brain zaps. They come and go, may have them one day and the next day they are gone. Had them for all ten years. Why do they come and go? and is their anything I should do?

Please, please, please can the thousands of people suffering from brain zaps have some answers from the medical profession???? Doctor's dismiss our complaints as very few doctors have even heard of brain zaps and the associated headaches, tinnitis, etc. Why are they happening and WHAT WILL MAKE THE BETTER? So many thousands of people are blogging and googling-away trying to find answers.

I have read a lot about individuals coming off medication (antidepressants and such) and experiencing brain zaps but I have them and am not taking any of those medications. I had a bout with them about 3 years ago which lasted daily -numerous times a day - for about 2 months. They are back again and have increased each day for the last week. I had spoken to my doctor about them the first time around and she didn't have an answer nor did she pursue it.

How long should my husband expect to suffer from "brain zaps" or electric shock like symptoms while withdrawing from paroxetine and introducing fluoxetine?

There was a thead on this elsewhere but it would not allow me to post as it had reached its daily limit. I've seen a lot of posts where people are complaining of brain zaps while going through SSRI withdrawal. I'm actually experiencing them while I'm on one! I've been taking Lexapro 20mg or about a year now and have been experiencing ocassional brain zaps. Anyone having this problem while under current treatment -- not withdrawals?

Dear All. A week ago I have stopped my therapy with Cymbalta. I have anxiety's problems. I have took off the medication in 3 months from 60 mg to 5 mg....to 0 mg!! Now I'ts a week that i have brain zaps...here in Italy all the psichiatrists I have asked..Say that it's an anxiety's symptom. I know that it's not real...because in all the time that I have not took antidepressants...I haven't had IT!!... What can i do to exceed this effect of suspension?...Thank you!!

Venlafaxine brain zaps

Common Questions and Answers about Venlafaxine brain zaps

effexor