I've titled this as such, since I believe "SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome" is a much too sugar-coated term for what this entails...
I stopped taking Prozac (cold turkey) about three months ago without consulting my doctor. Bad move, I know, but I longer have health insurance, hence the reason I stopped taking it. I was fine for a couple of weeks, as Prozac had a long half-life. The the brain zaps began...and still continue.
My question is this: Is it possible that I may have brain zaps indefinitely? They are seriously driving me mad and I am at my wits end...I don't know what to do. I don't want to be a slave to this medication. The only thing I've found that helps is hydrocodone (which I was initially prescribed after falling off of a ladder). Have I traded one evil for another? Is it dangerous to take hydrocodone indefinitely? (I don't exceed the instructed dosage.) Is there any other medication which will treat brain zaps? Again, I have no health insurance at the moment and cannot afford an expensive med.
Please help...I'm desperate...thanks in advance for any advice/guidance.
Your brain zaps are symptoms of going cold turkey your brain does not like sudden change look at it that your body is trying to get back to normal. Try not to be frightened
I know it's not nice I had body jerks after coming cold turkey off effexor as well as nausea, IBS, palpitations etc. We are addicted to these drugs after 8 weeks and they actually damage our bodies so withdrawals are the brain trying to get back to normal it has been switched off for how ever long.
Don't swop one addiction for another are those painkillers as they are very addictive.
Take care
Lorraine xx