'brain zapping" side effect..

[Jarhead0811]

Dear men and women.I am a 27 year old male diagnosed with ADHD twice at two different hospitals. I went to hospitals because I knew I had some issue when I would lash out at people due to my impatientness among other things I knew really weren't me. I waited awhile because I wasnt sure if it was ptsd or not.But looking back, and having my Gifted/Talented teacher tell me i was the same in elementary, i knew it may have been add/adhd. I was put on concerta, which has helped with the "tics" and constant looking around and switching tasks.But I was also put on Paxil. Since trying to quit, i've had little "brain zaps".It feels like an electric shock going through my head. It usually happens when i'm waking up, and about an hour later it goes away.But kinda constant.Usually i'll go back to sleep until i  can get up without it being that bad.I've read others that have had this experience, but i'm not sure if it's serious or if it will go away or what..just don't like it.

[Jarhead0811]

Nope, stopped cold turkey because of a commercial that said Paxil was causing birth defects and heart palpitations. Also, i'm not fond of pills..There are other things that naturally do the same thing with no side effects. I probably shouldn't have, but Im not depressed, and it wasnt helping with anxiety. My "anxiety" though, is just natural loads of energy and a heightened sense of urgency..I dont worry about things or get stressed out, just am very impatient and energetic

[Paxiled]

You have typical ssri withdrawal.  Paxil can be particularly bad, so if this is all you have, you're actually doing very well.  Fish oil supplements have been known to help with the brain zaps.  If it gets worse than you can handle, go back on the last dose of Paxil you were on and taper more slowly.  But as I say, you might at this point want to just try the fish oil and get plenty of exercise, since it sounds like a mild withdrawal.

[cj29]

When you stopped Paxil did you do it under the advice of your doctor?  If you don't taper of SSRIs like Paxil there can be unwanted side effects to include what you are describing in my opinion.  That is why it is essential not to quit these medications cold turkey.  For me, tapering slowly minimized these side effects and they will go away...keep us posted!