Dizziness & Electric Shock Feeling

[rockangel]

I have been having "dizzy spells" along with a buzzing feeling throughout my entire body, the feeling of electric shock of sorts is not painful & seems to happen along with the dizzy episode. It usually happens every 2-30 seconds & lasts about 2-3 seconds. More severe when I move my eyes or my head. I don't feel this at all while I'm laying down...
My Dr. is stumped and so am I. I have no clue where to begin looking for the problem.
ABOUT ME:
33 years old
White Female
Smoker
on Zoloft 150 mg daily

Please help, where do I begin?
Thank You!

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Dizzy spells are noticed as side effects of Zoloft.
On the other hand, the electric shock like sensation is known with discontinuation of Zoloft. One of these two is possible. Do you miss any doses of Zoloft ?

Is Zoloft working for you ? If it is not, you may consider changing the prescription, of course, after consulting your doctor.

Regards

[rockangel]

Thank you for your response, I think I'm going to ask my Dr. to change my prescription. Maybe something else will work better. I have heard that Zoloft can make you dizzy, but the electric shock feeling goes along with the withdrawl. I haven't missed any doses of my meds. I take it faithfully every morning.
Maybe a good time to switch to something new...
Thanks again!

[bjwhite]

I have those same sensations. I dont know what they are but i have had them off and on for years. sometimes just in my head and sometimes all over my body more especially when im lying down trying to go to sleep. Thught id let you know your not by yourself.      hope you get better.        bjwhite

[Jessi63]

I have been on Zoloft 100mg for 6 or 7 years and have started to decrease my dose.  I haven't taken any in 2 days and feel horrible.  I have those same feelings.  Good luck

[rockangel]

I'm so sorry to hear that....
I went to the Dr. again today & he is convinced now that it has to do with my neck. He thinks it's an old injury. He is sending me to phsycal therapy now. Maybe he is right..... Maybe I need to see a new Dr. I know it isn't related to that...
I think it is the Zoloft but my doses haven't changed in about a year. I'll keep you all posted, thanks for all your responses & thanks Jessi63, I really hope you feel better

[Shazzy33]

I have the same problem but I'm not on Zoloft, I'm on Effexor 300mg in the Morning and Mirtazapine 30mg at bed time.  My Dr. is also a little stumped on why this is happening.  I do tend to get these symptoms more when I have missed a day or 2 of my Effexor, I'm *guessing* that's the cause but not 100% sure!  I really wish I knew!  These feelings are not only annoying but SCAREY!

Shazzy33
33yr old  w/f
Smoker 20yrs +

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Your dizzy spells could have some other cause. The electric shock like sensation is actually a part of the discontinuation syndrome, where one suddenly stops the drug (SSRI family). But since you have not missed your doses, it is unlikely.

I would recommend that you should see an ENT specialist. I suspect some internal ear dysfunction. You need to get ENG (electronystagmography) done. This test and the ENT opinion are not absolutely essential, but they will help rule out any vestibular (inner ear) problem.

Regards

[David702]

Believe me your not alone.  I was addicted to Lortab after I quit taking it I started to get the same feelings, there are days I can't even walk because I can feel it shoot through me as well.  Just like everyone else my Dr. was stumped I have had an MRI been to a ENT and to no avail.  If someone ever does find the answer let me know and to everyone else God bless you and help you.
***@****

[Sosleepy]

Hey rockangel,
I was reading your stuff and I wanted to say that I have had the same symptoms for about 1.5 years now and I am not taking any medication, so it may not be the meds.  
I have had every test that my Doc has recommended, which  hit the pocketbook, with no findings.  Dizziness is less often, but I have buzzing feeling, mostly at bedtime and pulsating feeling in my neck. The last month has been good, but last night was bad. My symptoms are usually worse after exercise, but not always.
I hope you find something out.
Ss

[pamelabamya]

I have the same exact problem as listed above, I have the buzzing feeling in  my head and the dizziness.  Sometimes the dizziness gets even worse when i close my eyes, not to to sleep but just to close them, I've been fighting with myself trying to figure out what's wrong, my doctors even can't figure out what's wrong.  I have had a coupoe of ear infection lately, and I want to go get an ENT, but I wanted to see if any one can related to these symptoms.  

[sarahh211]

Hi I get these same things happening, I am not on any of the drugs talked about on here. my neuro is doing an MRI to see if there is a vascular problem within the brain or he feels it could be seizures in the brain and I don't mean epileptsi.

I get dizzy then this feeling like my head is exploding then I get loss of vision and extremely fatigued after.

it has been happening for some time now.


I wish you luck in finding what is causing your problem I would also along with the other recommendations see a neuro and get a MRI there is a chance it is something more than drug induced.
Sandra

[puppet1231]

Just two days ago I began getting these "electric shock feelings" through my whole body. When I walk, hear certain noises, turn my head.  My mouth is always dry and my lips have been numb for 2 days.  I don't understand.  I don't take any medications or am I under any more stress then I normaly am.  I don't have medical insurance so I've been going to wed sites to find other people with the same symtoms, but I'm not getting any answers or help....

[woohoo14]

Re:
Just two days ago I began getting these "electric shock feelings" through my whole body. When I walk, hear certain noises, turn my head.  My mouth is always dry and my lips have been numb for 2 days.  I don't understand.  I don't take any medications or am I under any more stress then I normaly am.  I don't have medical insurance so I've been going to wed sites to find other people with the same symtoms, but I'm not getting any answers or help....

_____

This sounds very much like a pinched nerve or herniated disc in your neck - especially the numb lips and experiencing symptoms when you walk adn turn your head.  Anti-inflamitory meds should take care of it in a jiffy.

[tomvinu]

Hi,
I have been getting the electric shock like feeling since last 1 year. It wasnt continuous till 2 months back. These days I get them almost everyday. It starts to appear from noon to evening, normally when I am in office. No dizziness feeling. It occurs whenever I turn by head, and lasts for 2 seconds.
I am on Prodep 60mg one capsule everyday.