Day 18, brain zaps out of control
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 341
Day 18, brain zaps out of control
These have been since day one. I kid you not when I say they are happening every 30 seconds about ten at a time. I havent had these since I quit Zoloft 5 years ago and they werent like this. Anyone else? This and severe liver pain are keeping me up at night. I hope I havent permanently damaged my brain, thoughts?
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 513
Originally Posted by Ranger05 
What exactly is a brain zap??
For me, it felt like electric shocks inside my head. It feels scary and uncomfortable.
From Psychology Today -
The symptoms are described as brief but repeated electric shock-like sensations in the brain and head, or originating in the brain but extending to other parts of the body. Sometimes moving of one's eyes quickly from side to side has been shown to trigger brain zaps. Sometimes brain zaps are accompanied by disorientation, tinnitus, vertigo and lightheadedness.
In withdrawal from antidepressants, sleeping pills or anxiety medications, these jolts of electricity can worsen and become debilitating, although there is no current evidence that the zaps present any danger to the individual, the serotonin antidepressants appear to be linked to brain zaps, as do anxiety medications and sleeping pills that target GABA.
In withdrawal from antidepressants, sleeping pills or anxiety medications, these jolts of electricity can worsen and become debilitating, although there is no current evidence that the zaps present any danger to the individual, the serotonin antidepressants appear to be linked to brain zaps, as do anxiety medications and sleeping pills that target GABA.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middletown, Ohio
Posts: 44
Wow, those sound scary. I get sudden, extreme dizzy spells that scare me to death. Not the same thing I guess, but equally scary I'd imagine. I've had a 100's of these spells, but each time I'm almost certain that I will die.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Please don't mess around with any pain or brain problems.
Seeing a doctor is a wise move....
Not everything that happens is caused by drugs or alcohol withdrawal...
however you must be straight up with a professional so the correct tests and treatment can be done for you.
Seeing a doctor is a wise move....
Not everything that happens is caused by drugs or alcohol withdrawal...
however you must be straight up with a professional so the correct tests and treatment can be done for you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 341
I went to the ER day 1 2 and another ER day 3 of detox. I was told I am having anxiety attacks. I went to my pcp a week later and he explained i must need an antibiotic for my constant stomach pain and I threw it away. I am looking for personal stories now thanks to the great doctors in my area and their misdiagnosis... I think I am done with them, they didnt even know what brain zaps were. Yes I was honest about my drinking history, they wont stop and one er doc said the next time he sees me in his hospital hes admitting me into outpatient rehab which is enough to scare anyone into never getting help from a doctor again.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Posts: 367
A competent doctor? Sounds scary, bro. I'm the last guy you'll see running to a doctor, but I know 1000's of recovered alkies and drug addicts and never heard of this one.
I promise you, whatever it is drinking or drugs won't help.... with the caveat of stopping intake of certain drugs and alcohol abruptly without medical supervision can be dangerous.
I promise you, whatever it is drinking or drugs won't help.... with the caveat of stopping intake of certain drugs and alcohol abruptly without medical supervision can be dangerous.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
Originally Posted by behindblueyes
I went to the ER day 1 2 and another ER day 3 of detox. I was told I am having anxiety attacks. I went to my pcp a week later and he explained i must need an antibiotic for my constant stomach pain and I threw it away. I am looking for personal stories now thanks to the great doctors in my area and their misdiagnosis... I think I am done with them, they didnt even know what brain zaps were. Yes I was honest about my drinking history, they wont stop and one er doc said the next time he sees me in his hospital hes admitting me into outpatient rehab which is enough to scare anyone into never getting help from a doctor again.
Why would you go to the ER to get help and then NOT do what you were told?
Who are you to tell a licensed Doctor that he misdiagnosed you?
I wish you the best bbe but you are going to have to quit thinking that you know what's best here and start trusting somebody. Just my $0.02
Bob R
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: California
Posts: 15
Outpatient rehab is a good thing! You go to group sessions, meet with counselors, have your vitals tracked regularly and get the support you need to quit without having to uproot your life to a facility for a month or more. A lot of programs offer a night/weekend option in case you are working.
The ER doc is right to suggest anyone that wants to quit try that option.
You just have to want to quit.
The ER doc is right to suggest anyone that wants to quit try that option.
You just have to want to quit.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 341
Im sorry, i meant to type inpatient rehab. Also, anxiety and brain zaps are two different things. I just want rid of the brain zaps, they keep me up all night.
Yes I go to AA every Thursday night. I have cuustody of my daughter on other nights.
Yes I go to AA every Thursday night. I have cuustody of my daughter on other nights.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 309
Originally Posted by Payton
For me, it felt like electric shocks inside my head. It feels scary and uncomfortable.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
