Brain Zaps

[M4Y0U]

Hey there,

I stopped taking Cymbalta 2 weeks ago after my mom died. I took Cymbalta only for 5 months due to neuropathic pains. I started to have those terrible brain zaps, brain shivers about 2 days off the med (yes i quit cold turkey, the only thing that bothers me are the brain zaps). I started 5-HTP to ease them a bit. Can anyone tell me how long they had there brain zaps. Funny thing is I would normally answer this question myself and say brain zaps generally last for 2 weeks but I want to hear about people's experiences.

M4

[M4Y0U]

I'm not depressed ironically. The 5-HTP is doing a better job than the Cymbalta for my tension headaches and general well being. Oh and my brain zaps are over since today! I'm so happy! I only had like a minor brain zap today and it was more like a 1 second dizzy spell. I don't need Omega-3 supplements for now since i'm not only eating sardines as a source of Omega-3 but i said other various source like soy milk, biologic organic cereals with omega-3, fruit juice supplemented with Omega-3 from oasis. Anyway thanks for the input! I'll give SJW a go!

M4

[Paxiled]

There's a whole lot more fish oil in fish oil supplements than in sardines, which have a lot of other nutrients other than just the oil.  You'd have to eat a lot of sardines to get what's in one measly gel cap of fish oil.  And here's a suggestion:  why not try St. John's Wort instead of 5-HTP until the brain zaps stop?  Here's my thinking:  nobody really knows how St. John's Wort works for depression, but it probably has some effect on serotonin (it was once thought to be an MAO inhibitor, but it isn't).  But St. John's wort also is used for problems with nerve pain (as well as an anti-viral).  Just a thought, but maybe it'll help with your neuralgia and won't intensify the zaps as 5-HTP might be doing.  Good luck with it, whatever.

[M4Y0U]

Yeah I'm taking fish oil via sardines and various other sources every day but I also bought some 5-HTP and you are right it got worse. I'm considering staying a while on 5-HTP tho because of my terrible tension/neuralgia headaches.

To YuK: 1 month with brain zaps sounds awful i hope ill get thru this in time and so I hope you will do.

I don't get them while partying tho...

[IMstacie]

I'm suffering with the brain zaps after coming off of Lexapro.  I tapered off the Lexapro, incrementally and very, very slow.  The withdrawal symptoms didn't start right away with my last dose which fooled me into thinking I would miss that part.  But, alas not to be.

Anyway, it's been 28 days with the zaps, shakiness, and irritablility.  I started taking Primrose Oil and doubling up on my fish oil (2000mgs) around 10 days ago.  Don't know if it is a coincidence but they are milder.  I have read it could take months.  I'm trying to wait this out.

BTW I was on lexapro for many years.

[Paxiled]

I've read that brain zaps can be handled with a hefty daily dose of fish oil.  I suspect you're already taking some, though.  Paxil withdrawal, as you know, took my life from me, but I didn't get brain zaps reputedly because I was already taking fish oil.  5-HTP, on the other hand, might make them worse by aggravating the body's reawakening serotonin receptors that had shut off because the body no longer needs them while taking the medication, which is what is said to cause the brain zaps.

[M4Y0U]

Yeah I know I could have tapered off it slowly but I just wanted to suffer to know what it's like to have a withdrawal for my own knowledge so I know what I'm taking about...

[therese83]

3 weeks

let us know how you do ?

I am on cymblta, if i were giving it up i would go 60. 30. 60 60 60 60 60the first week.

then have 2 X 30 the second week, etc til on 30 per day.  

then do the same thing with 30 and zero.