Opioids Coming off oxycodone and having brain zaps... ?

[fixedatzero]

I'm about 50 hours off 3 months usage of oxycontin/oxycodone (relatively high doses) and I've come off of them before but never had these crippling brain zaps before. I usually associate them with coming off SSRI/SNRIs, not opiates. Is this normal?

I'm also on 4mg Klonopin, 100mg Pristiq (SNRI, highest dose), 1200mg of Neurontin and 2mg of Abilify.

What's going on here? I'm taking my Pristiq as I'm supposed to.

 

[bunge]

Ive never heard of this before in relation to opiate WD. Does it get worse after taking your AD meds?
I can only hazard a guess at it being related to your AD's, futher aggravated by the sensitized state your brain will be in from opiate WD. But that really is a guess.lol
If its really debilitating then you should discuss it with your doctor at the first opportunity. Dont stop or reduce any of your meds without your docs confirmation though and good luck with the rest of your WD.

 

[twoface]

Pardon me, but what dou you so call "brain zaps" could possible be all-of-a-suddent / came-out-of-nowhere couple seconds feeling of shivering inside your head?

I used to had days before I had done too much xtc / speed. Its really scary. Have no idea what is this tho.

 

[XThexXTank]

That 'shivering inside yer head' if that what brain zaps are than yeah I use to gettem all the time when withdrawin from opiates.

 

[twoface]

Well, I ussually got these while laying down watching tv / napping. All of a sudden, I would get this weird shiver in my head, and I would quickly stand up e open my eyes, and it was gone.

Weird, but I'm concerned. I don't have any daily or even weekly habit. It usually happend after a weekend doing speed or mdma. Also, im almost sure levodopa seemed to cause it as well (back my younger years, when I did lots of stupid things, I used to take levodopa after a nightout doing speed. i thought it would help restoring my dopamine level. yeah, i was naive.)

 

[Mass08]

I don't think what you guys are describing are the typical brain zaps that people usually associate with SSRI discontinuation. Supposedly it actually feels like a physical electrical shock through your brain. I highly recommend discussing this with your doctor OP.

 

[twoface]

Wow thank you! I most certainly will!

 

[Putingrad]

Brain zaps are typically associated with serotonergic drugs, especially SSRIs and MDMA, but also with other serotonergic stimulants and mushrooms. However, I am quite certain I have read anecdotal accounts, though few and far between, of them occurring with other drugs and withdrawals as well.

Considering that opiate withdrawal is what immediately preceded the zaps, I would imagine that is what has precipitated them for you, in addition to still taking other pharmaceuticals that interact with many of your critical neurochemical systems including serotonin. Your individual body chemistry has possibly (unluckily) manifested these zaps and thus it is not a cause for immediate medical attention. I would wait it out another couple of days, but if seeing a doctor would put your mind at some ease then absolutely go for it.

 

[Tommyboy]

I don't think what you guys are describing are the typical brain zaps that people usually associate with SSRI discontinuation. Supposedly it actually feels like a physical electrical shock through your brain. I highly recommend discussing this with your doctor OP.

Yea when I got brain zaps from stopping lexapro it would actually feel like an electric current went through my whole body, shocking it for a second.

This shivering in the brain seems more like the feeling I get when withdrawing from opioids that is usually followed up by goosebumps.

Not the same thing.

 

[fixedatzero]

It's odd because they sound the same! I took fish oil today and it seemed to alleviate some of it. Beyond that, I don't think there's anything I can do. I did go the ER today to be monitored and mentioned it to three RNs and the doctor who saw me. No one could make sense of it. It was quite the romper room. They kept bringing up the shivers but these aren't "shivers", they're like electric jolts. For example, if I'm driving, I turn my head to look in the rear-view window, I will suddenly be jolted. It is NOT safe to drive when these. I shouldn't have done it but I needed clonodine. I'll continue to take the fish oil (suggested by several users this message board regarding SSRI/SNRI w/d) and see if they go away. If it has nothing to do with opiate withdrawal, I'm wondering if I can grow tolerant to Pristiq. If that were the case, I'd be screwed because I'm at the highest dosage (there's only 2-3 dosages, no splits).

But it's likely my central nervous system and receptors are in a jumble. Just this past February I made it down from 6mg of Klonopin to .375mg and started to experience them then too. I eventually ended up in a psych ward (benzo withdrawal can do that a person) they put me on Zyprexa and Doxapin and they vanished throughout my stay. So it seems it has something to do with withdrawals of all sorts of drugs but unlikely and only for people on SSRIs/SNRIs.

 

[shreddedlettuce]

The term "brain-zap" is pretty subjective at this point in time.
But I understand what you are asking and hope I can help you to understand what I actually mean in the above sentence.

Yes "Brain-zaps" are associated with SNRI/SSRI withdrawal.
However, when withdrawing from any CNS drug your body tries to get back to what it thinks is normal.
All this "CNS" activity effects some people more than others.

I have experienced "zaps" when withdrawing from opiates, benzo's and the z-drugs(zopiclone in my case).
These "zaps" are uncomfortable and feels similar to the SNRI/SSRI "BRAIN zap" but in a much milder, more "body shock" than the actual "brain zap" that comes with SNRI/SSRI withdrawal. It is also short lived and is over in a few days, and is short in actual duration (length of time of each "shock").

Basically, IME, it is more of a "body-zap" compared to the crippling "brain-zap" one gets when in SNRI/SSRI withdrawal.

I know this sounds confusing and hope you kinda get what I'm trying to say.

I am NOT taking into account the other meds you are on, this is a generalized experience I have had when going into withdrawal from most CNS drugs.

Please speak to your doctor if it is debilitating for you.

 

[fixedatzero]

Well said, shreddedlettuce. I do appreciate it. This is what I think is going on.

 

[shreddedlettuce]

See, your creativity is sound.
The middle picture is the boss.
Let it do the work, don't try forcing it.

The less you think about it the quicker it will go away.

Good luck.

PS. Obviously if it doesn't then seek professional advice, but try giving your mind a break first, almost like "re-booting" it to avoid that third picture.

 

[Mass08]

lmao that picture is hilarious. Good luck OP.

 

[tentram]

lol indeed. ive nothing to add but that picture is boss lol.

 

[bingey]

The thing you describe is in medical terms a spasm , the difference with brain zaps is that the latter don't cause an actual movement.

 

[RobotRipping]

yeah my body twitches and almost convulses during opiate withdrawal, legs flap around, get those weird shivers all over my body. Brain zaps are definitely different, like you've been shocked by electricity or something. Yeah brain zaps aren't associated with an actual movement like a jolt, feels like a jolt but the actual body movement thing i always get from opioids, it's kind of scary, sometimes i just spasm over and over again for a couple of hours during withdrawal, every god damn time. Looks like a seizure almost but isn't. I also get muscle spasms which are different as well, my muscles seize up and cramp and it hurts like a mother fucker.

also nice picture.

 

[thurston]

I had brain zaps when quitting Zoloft and I also get them from opiate wd. I always wondered if anyone else did. The brain zaps I get from opiate wd are the same as from Zoloft but not as strong.