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Mental Health Electrical sensations through body

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Karbon1991

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Mar 5, 2016
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149
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England
Yesterday was my first day without Citalopram. I've had these electrical sensations through my body before, I'm assuming it could be down to changes in brain chemistry (ie. Citalopram or my Amitriptyline) or I've noticed the same sensations with my anxiety from time to time. However they seem to be increasing how often they appear, sometimes walking for example, can send these shocks or zap like feelings from my feet all the way up my spine and to my head, sometimes I can feel them through my torso or arms but not often. I do have a bad back I don't know if has anything to do with it? Has anyone else experienced this or something similar? I had a seizure in April, I don't recall having the sensations before that, but I'm unsure if the two are linked. Is this something I should tell the neurologist I have to see next month? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
I am really not qualified to answer this but YES tell your neuroligists, neurons carry electrical impulses throughout our body and any type of drug can alter this. If you have seizures this electric shock sensation you are feeling should be reported asap if you can't contact him before next month make an app with your GP. Like I said I wouldn't have a clue what's going on but with your medical history of seizures just wouldt take any chances :)
 
I only had a seizure in April from a large amount of Tramadol in my system. But I'll take your advice and tell the neurologist anyway :)
 
I take Paroxitine 30 mg and when I dont take it for a couple days, I get that "brain shock" feeling and feel almost motion sick. Maybe you're just "coming down"?
 
brain zaps are a classic symptom of SSRI withdrawal and MDMA abuse. serotonin related.

did you get off the citalopram? pretty quick or cold turkey by chance?
 
Yeah, most likely the culprit from a too fast taper. Sounds like how most the docs I've had would taper. It should subside within a month or two. If that's the only issue you are having, I wouldn't stress too much but it does give you a kind of wtf was that feeling.

Are you having any other issues? Crying spells, energy issues, low mood, sleeping problems?

If you feel like it warrants it, reinstatement of a fraction of your last dose could help. Then from there, you do a much slower taper. A lot of SSRI withdrawal depends on how long you were on it. People that are on them long term, like 5 or more years, can sometimes have more severe symptoms, sometimes debilitating.

Reinstatement doesn't always work if it has been a considerable amount of time. Typically you would only need around 10 - 20% of your last dose if you have abstained for some time.

I was on citalopram for about six months some years back. I stopped cold turkey and had the zaps. It really only lasted about a week and I wasn't having any other symptoms but it did frighten me a bit. Didn't have too many other issues from it though.

Anyway, if you have any questions or amything, let me know, I'll be happy to help.
 
This is out of context, but I was taking cyclobenzaprine (flexiril) everyday for 3 weeks, I've been having these mini jolts through my upper body causing me to squint my eyes and lose control of my arms for a few seconds few seconds or so, is this because of the flexiril?
 
As others have said, a classic SSRI withdrawal symptom. Benzodiazepines can really help blunten the shocks if at all available. Took me about 3-4 months for them to completely dissapear.
 
Sorry it's taken so long to get back to the thread. My zaps have gone. It must have just been a fast taper. Thank you for you all of your input everyone.
 
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