Zaps, Zings and Electric Shocks

[Quixotic1]

I am rewriting this as a new post, because it seems important.  There is a type of paroxysmal paresthesia that people describe as feeling like a sudden "zap of electricity" or an "intense zing like a sudden electric current."  Other desribe it as feeling like being electrocuted without the dying.  This appears to be different from the ongoing tingling that many of us have.  It is an intense, sudden thing that comes and is gone.

How many here have this?

If you have it, what does it feel like?  and where is it?

Are you diagnosed with MS?

The reason I asked is that I looked through two other threads that talk about this and the vast majority of those that identified with this did not have a diagnosis of MS (yet).  I am wondering if it is common in this disease.  It is often complained of in Lyme Disease, but I have also heard of it in Transverse Myelitis (which also could be MS).  I suspect it is common to any demyelinating disease, but curious as to the experience here, even if you have posted on the older thread.

Zaps and Zings only, please, lol.  No ongoing tingles.

Quix

[JanisMI]

My symptoms started exactly as mentioned. It is terrifying. Mine is not MS, but the University of Michigan didn't know what to do with my particular bag of tricks, but I am currently on 15 meds. No fun.

[JanisMI]

Forgot to say that the zap was like an electric current running around my entire body. Was told I have left side parenthesis
BUT, I do have many other symptoms. Mostly ongoing pain in the left side for which I'm on methadone.

[JanisMI]

*parasthesis*

[still_here]

Hello, I also have like brain zaps and then like a wave feeling wash thru my head. It's usually when I am going to sleep or awakened during sleep. I have so many strange symptoms anymore..but this feels like a dud firecracker going off. Almost like my brain is firing duds. Does that make sense?..anyway..there ya have it..

[kahook29]

I have had the zapps looking back about 15 years off and on. I began seeing ads for Cymbalta withdrawals which led me to visited an ENT. He stated it was possible, I never followed up.  I never payed much attention to it after that until I started seeing a Neurologist for Neuropathy. over the last 4 years she has ran multitudes of tests. I have been diagnosed with POSD. Ive taken a few different meds over the past 3 years. I have not taken any meds for this in over a year. No Cymbalta for 2 years, but, replaced with Lexapro. now Im cutting it back and zapping has restarted.  Im very baffled over what to do other than not tell the Neurologist and continue Lexapro. she will start seizure meds again and Im not convinced it is POSD.

[DillionNFaith]

I get them. They started as a teenager.  I thought maybe I just needed chiropractic care for my neck.  A Dr said it could be from antibiotics.  That didn't make sense for my situation bc I wasnt on them.  It doesn't hurt.  Just a zap in my brain that goes down to my fingertips.  It comes and goes without reason.  It stops me in my tracks, I can only hear the blood rushing in my ears and I think I close my eyes and just stand there for the second it lasts.  I got diagnosed with MS at 44.  My neuro said it was from the lesions on my brain.

[GuitarRox]

Hi, wanted to welcome you to the MS forum. Thanks for sharing and hope you come back more to share your story and experience.  

[Apass001]

I had same thing happen to me after starting pristiq a mood stabilizer. My doctor states it’s a common complaint she has had from patients.

[Dorie123]

I have this zapping electricity only with a deep hard cough.  It is horribly painful.  I do not have M.S. but my son died at 39 due to SAD  which is an arythmic issue of the heart.