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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 0:18:42
Hi all, I'm new here.
I've been on Zoloft for about 6 months. I started on Lexapro in the beginning and switched over to Zoloft after 3 mos. as the Lexapro wasn't helping my anxiety. I was only on 100mg of the Zoloft and have been weening down. I've went to 50mg for 3 weeks and just went to 25mg/day a week ago, which is where I am now.
I'm getting Electric Zaps in my head all day long and when I move it's worse. I also feel the Zaps in my hands.
I'm a smoker, about 1 PPD, and if I try to smoke, I feel the Zaps all over my entire body. It starts in my head and just shoots all over the place. Probably a good time to quit the smoking, but my Anxiety is way up, which I hear is normal when you come down. The Zaps started the day after I went to 25mg/day and it's been a good week now and doesn't seem to be going away. I was supposed to drop to 12.5mg/day, but I don't see how I can do that right now. My MD is aware, but said just to stay where I am and this is normal.
Everything I read about these Zaps is with abrupt discontinuation. I'm still on the med. And whats the association between smoking and Zaps.... It is so uncomfortable I can barely move. I guess, I won't smoke, but thats a second withdrawal to deal with. Any advice or information about these Zaps would be greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advace,
Brian
Posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 18, 2008, at 6:23:04
In reply to Brain Zap Question..... Please help me....., posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 0:18:42
A few questions:
1) Did you do a true gradual weaning or did you cold turkey it at any point?
2) What other meds, if any, are you taking?
3) Have you dosed with Diphenhydramine at all?
FYI -there is a Withdrawal Board available here also.
Posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 9:00:36
In reply to Re: Brain Zap Question..... Please help me..... » HereToHelp, posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 18, 2008, at 6:23:04
> A few questions:
>
> 1) Did you do a true gradual weaning or did you cold turkey it at any point?
>
> 2) What other meds, if any, are you taking?
>
> 3) Have you dosed with Diphenhydramine at all?
>
> FYI -there is a Withdrawal Board available here also.From 50mg, I did try a cold Turkey about 10 days ago, but on day 3, I felt like I was having a stroke, this was when the Zaps first hit me. I immideately reinstated the zoloft back to 50mg for 3 days before cutting back to 25mg.
I've been taking Benadryl 25mg every 3-4 hours while awake just to take the edge off, as I feel like I'm getting Akastisia. The Benadryl should help, not hurt, right ?
I only Take Xanax XR and have fast acting Xanax as needed. The Zoloft is my only other med.
Posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2008, at 10:36:17
In reply to Re: Brain Zap Question..... Please help me....., posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 9:00:36
When I first went off l0mg of paxil same thing happened I just stopped and the next day zaps the doc said go back on and cut slowly so I did and they went away. I was also a smoker at the time so I don't feel this is affecting it. Maybe you're super sensitive to meds. And let me welcome you to babble. I see your're new. Phillipa ps it took about two weeks to complete the stopping of paxil was on .5 of xanax bid at the time.
Posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 10:44:09
In reply to Re: Brain Zap Question..... Please help me..... » HereToHelp, posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2008, at 10:36:17
O.K., woke up today and the Zaps seem to be deminishing, thank god. I never thought this would happen. However, what appears to be enhanced anxiety remains. Is this normal ? and how long does it last ?
I started the Zoloft for anxiety, but I don't remember this being my baseline. Should I expect more brain Zaps from 25mg to 12.5mg ?
I can't function and have called out of work.
Thanks for your warm Welcome Phillipa.
Posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2008, at 12:10:06
In reply to Re: Brain Zap Question..... Please help me....., posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 10:44:09
Your so welcome may I ask you a question did your zoloft get rid of your anxiety? As far as the brain zaps I'd just bite off a piece of the pill daily til you notice no zaps. Are you changing meds? If to another SSRI my docs always just switched me over but I'm reading that some pdocs like a clean chart so to speak first. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2008, at 12:15:28
In reply to Re: Brain Zap Question..... Please help me..... » HereToHelp, posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2008, at 12:10:06
Also isn't your xanax helping? What are your future plans for meds if any? Phillipa
Posted by Jeroen on August 18, 2008, at 12:18:27
In reply to Brain Zap Question..... Please help me....., posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 0:18:42
feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ???
Ativan 2.5 mg for sleepAbilify 10 mg
Sulpiride 200 mg twice a daywhen is this gona end?
Posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 12:49:14
In reply to feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ???, posted by Jeroen on August 18, 2008, at 12:18:27
I'd trade depression any day for the feelings of debilitating anxiety. I'm sure they both are terrible, but being keyed up on edge every second of every day wears you out like there is no tomorrow.
Phillipa.... The Zoloft never helped my anxiety, but Xanax did. Right now, I guess I'm just going through severe W/D. I'm done with meds. I've tried quite a few SSRI's now and some mood stabilizers (off label), and even the Tricyclics. Nothing works. I don't recall ever going through this type of W/D before. Gosh, I'm still on the drug. I'm on day 4 of 25mg from 50mg of the Zoloft. I'm getting Akathisia like symptoms, Zaps, and just feel worn out. Feels like I've been at the gym non stop for a week. My body is so fatigued. What to do............
Posted by Amigan on August 18, 2008, at 13:20:38
In reply to Brain Zap Question..... Please help me....., posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 0:18:42
> Everything I read about these Zaps is with abrupt discontinuation.
Not 100% true. I get brain zaps when i'm ON Buspirone. (Buspar)
Posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 13:49:54
In reply to Re: Brain Zap Question..... Please help me....., posted by Amigan on August 18, 2008, at 13:20:38
> > Everything I read about these Zaps is with abrupt discontinuation.
>
> Not 100% true. I get brain zaps when i'm ON Buspirone. (Buspar)
>Buspar was one of the meds I tried most recently to add to the Zoloft.... It sent me into crying spells like you wouldn't believe. My pdoc said it was because it inhibits Dopamine. Thats when I said enough is enough. Once I'm off this Zoloft, I'm going strictly Natural... Valerian, Kava, etc.
Posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 18, 2008, at 14:06:15
In reply to Re: Brain Zap Question..... Please help me....., posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 9:00:36
I have discontinued SSRI's twice. The first was a cold turkey situation for about 5 days and then to the weaning I knew I should have embarked on. The cold turkey time started a scenerio that was difficult to undo even when I went to the weaning plan. The second time I did slowly wean and it was a better experience but not perfect. I was well aware both times of the importance of slow weaning.
Benedryl was helpful but I tend to have a cumulative effect and after several days of dosing, I'm very snowed.
A longeracting benzo proved to be of some help.
Time was the biggest factor. Mine did pass and did not go into a protracted W/D.
A year and a half after weaning the last time and having done a complete med washout during that time, well, that whole no chemical help didn't work out for me. Despite the troublesome discontinuations from SSRI's. I am now a poster child, so to speak, for the one I'm taking currently. I have achieved years of stability for anxiety and MDD.
Posted by Deputy 10derHeart on August 19, 2008, at 14:54:13
In reply to Brain Zap Question..... Please help me....., posted by HereToHelp on August 18, 2008, at 0:18:42
>Hi all, I'm new here
Please don't post things you know to be false, or post while blocked. I'm sorry to have to do this, but since you have been warned repeatedly about this same issue, I am going to block this posting name permanently and double the length of the block on your "regular" posting name.
As you have used a number of names, you may have questions about which name to use, what your current password is/how to reset, etc., once the block is over. If you'd like to post again at that time, and are unsure what to do, please email or Babblemail a deputy or Dr. Bob and we will assist you. Of course, you can still reach the deputies and Dr. Bob by regular email even while blocked (see addresses in the FAQ.)
**Please remember in the future, if you use a new name, you need to post on Psycho-Babble Admin that you used to post under another name.** You don't have to say what the name(s) was/were unless you wish to.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration and they should, of course, themselves be civil.
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-- 10derHeart, acting as deputy to Dr. Bob
Posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 19, 2008, at 15:55:18
In reply to Blocked » HereToHelp, posted by Deputy 10derHeart on August 19, 2008, at 14:54:13
HTH, I wish you the best.
I admit I do not understand why you keep doing this in a place you claim to appreciate and folks have been open to attempting to be of some help to and/or supportive of you. I simply do not understand.
It makes me feel sad and untrusting when I see folks being untrue in presenting themselves. No one has to tell more than they are comfortable but I like to think posters would not be deceptive in their presenting themselves either.
I hope, if you care to return after your block is up, you will follow the guidelines as I think the name change guideline - amoung some others - has a good purpose and is good for the community.
Posted by aussie_jon on August 23, 2008, at 3:14:51
In reply to feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ???, posted by Jeroen on August 18, 2008, at 12:18:27
feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ???
Ativan 2.5 mg for sleepAbilify 10 mg
Sulpiride 200 mg twice a daywhen is this gona end?
**********************************************
None of these are antidepressants, ativan is a tranquiliser, and the other two are antipsychotics
Ask your doctor about adding an antidepressant to your drug regime
Posted by Jeroen on August 28, 2008, at 7:11:05
In reply to Re: feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ???, posted by aussie_jon on August 23, 2008, at 3:14:51
anti depressants like paxil make my psychosis worse
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2008, at 21:34:17
In reply to Re: feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ???, posted by Jeroen on August 28, 2008, at 7:11:05
Jeroen could you possibly be bipolar with that reaction to ad's could be that would explain lack of response to antipsychotics as you need a mood stabalizer. Just thinking out loud. Phillipa
Posted by aussie_jon on August 31, 2008, at 23:50:42
In reply to Re: feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ??? » Jeroen, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2008, at 21:34:17
Some antipsychotics have a reputation for lifting depression, for example loxapine
Posted by jjjaspar on September 1, 2008, at 11:29:16
In reply to Re: feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ???, posted by aussie_jon on August 23, 2008, at 3:14:51
> feel depressed, still im on 3 meds, why ???
>
>
> Ativan 2.5 mg for sleep
>
> Abilify 10 mg
> Sulpiride 200 mg twice a day
>
> when is this gona end?
>The benzodiazapine, ativan, for sleep is not something I would keep up, yet sleep is definitely a critical component. Sleep disorders can cause symptoms of depression, and depression can cause symptoms of sleep disorders.
So I would ask exactly what you are asking... WHY? What is it that is not being addressed. As others pointed out--where is the antidepressant? But maybe you cannot take one. Can you take nutritional supplements to help boost your seotonin levels? What about hormones? How are the levels of your thyroid hormone, cortisol, sex hormones, etc.? And what about the sleep? Do you have good sleep hygiene? Have you had a sleep study? Do you get regular exercise? And allergies and diet? Have any issues there been addressed?
I am not asking these questions for an answer from you. I am just bringing up questions you might consider yourself.
I have a child who was diagnosed with "depression" and things just escalated and escalated from there. Many of those questions were NOT asked by the doctors, and issues were not adressed. Sometimes no amount of psychotropic medications alone will be enough without other underlying or comorbid issues being addressed.
-Jaspar
This is the end of the thread.
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