MDMA and brain zaps-So weird :(

[saberhead]

Hey everyone-new to the forums but been browsing for quite some time

About 3 weeks ago I was prescribed Prozac for my horrible PMS (specifically, a disorder called PMDD), about 3-5 days into the prescription I felt absolutely awful on them (crazy brain shivers, weird disorientation, panic attacks) and totally discontinued it. The following week or so I got what I can only describe as "brain zaps" everytime Im about to fall asleep. Then BAM, I wake up, even though Im literally DEAD tired, and then terrified to fall back asleep. Totally goes away when I wake up and do something (such as writing in a wonderful forum ).

From a lot of wiki research and forum research this is apparently totally normal and common with stopping SSRIs. Although its less common to see this only having taken it for about a week, it still does happen in some sensitive people.


I havent done mdma in about 5-6 months, prior to that I did once a month for about 4 months in a row. Each dose I did these one-time-a-month nights I would do a pretty low dose (Im a super light weight).

Well, again its been 5-6 months since Ive done mdma, did about 2 or 1.5 capsules tonight and had a good time, didnt roll insanely hard (which is perfect for me) and then at 5 am when trying to go to sleep I get the brain zaps. Feels REALLY scary. Apparently this is also normal? I dont know if this is still residual from the week I took prozac (but that was like...3-4 weeks ago?) or from the mdma use. Between that time I got off prozac and now Ive been taking a small dose of 50 mg of 5HTP. Ive taken 5HTP for years before and stopped and never had this happen so I doubt its that.

Prozac withdrawl or from doing MDMA usage tonight? Really annoying and super scary! If I take 5 htp will that help? Couldnt find that answer on forums Really need to sleep but terrified of never waking up xD Poor boyfriend made me sleep on the couch because I keep jolting out of bed.


*Edit=I forgot to mention that after I discontinued the Prozac and had no idea what brain zaps were I went to the emergency room, completely convinced that I had a brain tumor or was about to have a sezuire or epilepsy. Got a cat scan and everything is totally healthy and normal...so in case anyone suggest this, Ive already done so *

 

[ColtDan]

sounds like it was the prozac, triggered off by the mdma. one time a month mdma useage shouldn't give brain zaps as bad as as that, ive been doing mdma every weekend in a row for 3+ months and i only get brain zaps from 2 nights in a row. dont touch any serotonin effecting drugs for awhile, exercise a lot, take lots of omega 3, bananas, etc. maybe piracetam. they should go eventually. ive had them quite bad before, theyre fucking annoying. my last episode of brain zaps lasted 2 weeks, thought they were never gonna go

 

[saberhead]

Thanks for the reply
So you figure its the prozac? Damn. I stopped taking them almost 3-4 weeks ago Thought they would've been out of my system by now. Fucking terrible.

Ive read that 5htp is supposedly for some people a good way to get them gone in one dose. You advise against this? Just curious why. I like to learn

 

[eLeSaH]

Brainzaps are caused by way too low serotonin levels. This can be caused by Antidepressivas (Also 5-htp) if tolerance builds up. That's why people need to get off slowly of it. Yes 5-htp can help BUT just take a very small dose where you don't have brainzaps anymore and try to build tolerance to a normal level again.

I'm no doc, just my personal experience and "research".

 

[ColtDan]

ive heard that brain zaps from things like prozac can last for months, maybe years. but i suppose it depends on the amount of time your on them. not good either way. 5-htp wont get them done in one dose, infact i advise against using 5-htp, in some cases it can make them worse. i think ive somehow triggered brain zaps from 5-htp before, i used to take 100mg a day a few days after using mdma etc but a couple of times its triggered them. but depends on the person.
a healthy diet of oily fish for the omega 3, maybe combined with extra omega 3 capsules, and bananas help. apparently bananas are good for serotinin and various other things. but do not touch any serotonin effecting drugs until the brain zaps from prozac are completely gone, triggering them off again could set you back weeks.
also avoid stimulants, i read even caffeine can aggravate brain zaps. hope they go soon, know how bad they are. i got them bad from stupidly sniffing mdma 2 nights in a row, every time i moved my eyes fast i would get a shock. and trying to sleep i would end up zapping like crazy, used to jolt me awake

 

[saberhead]

@eLeSaH- Took just one 50 mg pill of 5HTP since my last post because I was just dieing to fall asleep. Still got them sleeping on my sides, but was not getting them when sleeping on my stomach with my face IN the mattress (LOL, not very comfortable). For some reason that felt like my body was in "stationary" position, which for example, when Im walking or awake, I dont feel the weirdness. Its only when I lay on my sides. Interesting huh? Sure hope they go away tonight because I hate sleeping on my stomach xD

@ColtDan-Yeah I really thought I was having small seizures when I got off the prozac it was VERY scary since I had NO idea what was going on. I just find it so strange that I ONLY took the prozac for 4-ish days and got that reaction. Also think its weird that Ive been off it for almost 3 weeks and I guess the MDMA triggered what very little was left? Beats me. All I know is I have GREAT respect for seratonin now!

Slept about 4-5 hours, soooo tired right now. Boyfriend and roommate said they had a hard time sleeping last night too. Maybe something weird in the MDMA, did feel a bit speedy when we did it. Boyfriend said hes not getting zaps but right when hes about to fall asleep he wakes up thinking he heard a loud noise. Hes also been on Prozac for a month and actually DID roll quite well on the stuff.

 

[First Bad Comedown]

Saberhead -

I want to help you.
Brain zaps really suck, don't they?
For those that have never had them...they just don't understand.
It is more than just a headache or a scary sensation...
no - this is more like you have an electrode inserted into your brain that occasionally goes POP!!!

POP isn't even strong enough to describe it....this is a violent and frightening phenomena that sends your endocrine system into a spiral.
You can be DEAD tired and desperate for sleep - but it won't matter. The pain is unbearable and you are not in control.

I always look to science for the explanation to these things.
And I have some input for you to consider.

The hypothalamus is the culprit.
Well, that is simplifying it a bit...

I am working on a longer post with much more detail.
I will message you when I am finished, but I wanted to give you a few pointers.

Brain zaps and head-pressure are described by both MDMA users and SSRI users.
Most commonly these occur post-use or during the withdrawal period.

However, it is known that serotonin directly modulates blood flow in the brain - its influence on small blood vessels is impressive.
And occasionally MDMA users, as well as other amphetamine/stimulant abusers, suffer strokes during use.

You are describing the more common phenomena - withdrawal zaps.
In research on human MDMA users, decreases in blood flow to various regions of the brain have been observed - sometimes without reported side effects. More importantly, a smaller group of users is seen to experience increases in blood flow to parts of the brain.

This is considered a hallmark of toxicity - it is a sign that the brain is being re-wired.
The patients seen with increases, normally report symptoms - often severe.
Outside of MDMA research, it has been well established that the brain is supposed to have even blood distribution.
This is a primary finding based on countless fMRI scans - patients that show disturbances in blood flow have major problems.

Now, don't freak out because this is not the whole story.
In MDMA research, and in many of the non-MDMA patients, the brain somehow restores blood flow over time.
The increases seen in MDMA patients normally even out after several months. Sometimes it takes a little over a year.

Reports of anxiety/depression also follow this timeline - even heavy long-term users tend to make a substantial recovery within 1.5 years.

I know you were not a heavy or long-term user.
You have to understand that there are many confounding factors with MDMA.
Along with the possibility of adulterated product and poly-drug use...we also see that body temperature plays a direct role in toxicity.
They suspect that age, pre-existing psychological conditions, genetics, and other environmental factors play a role.
Even in methodical laboratory research, carried out with pure and carefully measured MDMA doses - there is a RANGE of toxicity seen.
That means that some mice display more advanced signs of toxicity than others, despite being given the exact same dose...

So, you should accept the possibility that you are more susceptible to being damaged by MDMA.
This is an unpopular notion around here, and you are unlikely to encounter this suggestion outside of my posts.
But it is nonetheless true - there are some users that pay a heavier price for fewer doses.

I may be in that group - my lifetime exposure was less than 30 tabs.
Other factors undoubtedly had an influence....my spacing was inadequate for my last few doses.
I didn't treat my intestines kindly either - did you know that serotonin serves to contract the smooth muscle around your intestines?
In fact that is its primary function. Bile is a cousin to serotonin, if you didn't know.
I was also a long-term cannabis user - something thought to contribute to MDMA toxicity by researchers.

I have subscribed to a group of SSRI users experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms and sexual dysfunction.
Over the last year I have read hundreds of their emails, and I have always been astonished at the similarity to MDMA recovery.
But one thing I know for sure is that not a SINGLE person in this group has described 'brain zaps' from such a short period of use.
They have described permanent loss of emotion and sexual function...but not brain zaps.
All the stories of brain zaps that I have seen involved longer periods of use.

So, I think you should assume that the MDMA is responsible for your brain zaps - of this I am quite confident.
Others will automatically blame the Prozac because it is convenient for them to believe this - I am honestly telling you that the MDMA is the problem. Regardless of your light use of the drug - it is a potent neurotoxin.
It reorganizes the ascending axons of your most intricate neurotransmitter system - this is NOT in debate.
It is the EXTENT of the reorganization at what dose that is unknown, and the ultimate consequences.

I would even argue that the reason that Prozac caused you such side-effects so quickly is due to the damage caused by MDMA.
If the medication was causing that reaction so quickly, then it was causing blood vessels to reorganize themselves.
If you had continued the medication, they likely would have receded and you would have experienced an improvement in symptoms over time.

But I would be wrong to leave it at that - the use of SSRIs is controversial and most neurologists with MDMA experience do NOT prescribe them. Many of the people from my SSRI group would scream 'DONT DO IT' at the top of their lungs.
Several people on BL have indicated that SSRIs only hurt their recovery process, costing them a lot of time.

Anti-depressants in general only 'cure' depression in about half of the patients that use them.
The other half will go on to experience episodes later in life, often more severe than the first!
Indeed, some people end up trapped on SSRIs for their entire lives...often with major sexual dysfunction.

So, I encourage you to stay away from that option.
I am not a doctor, but too often the doctors dispense these medications without even discussing the potential for harm.

I certainly suggest you stay away from MDMA.
Taking it again will only serve to set you back.

By the way, I have encountered several MDMA users that were female that had MUCH more difficulty during PMS.
This makes sense since women experience a loss of serotonin in the brain at this time.
This is because it is being used to contract the uterus, just like the intestines it is surrounded by smooth muscle.
In fact my wife, who used MDMA at the exact same times and doses that I did, also took SEVERAL MONTHS to develop symptoms.
Although she has not had brain zaps, she does have major problems during her cycle - much worse than before.
It took 3-4 months just to begin, and it didn't get bad until at least 6-7 months.
In research, female MDMA users often exhibit a greater cognitive decline than male users...but that is a questionable finding in my opinion. I do believe that the female brain works differently and damage/recovery is experienced on a different timeline.

I hope you are not on birth control as it affects the brain, including the hypothalamus and the endocrine system.
I highly recommend a copper IUD - no hormones. I recommend this to healthy women, but especially for you.
This is the holy grail of birth control, in my humble opinion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragard

If you aren't having severe emotional/psychological problems, including panic attacks...then consider yourself lucky.
When you lay down at night your hypothalamus is supposed to adjust your blood pressure and maintain homeostasis.
It is not doing this properly, and this is further evidence of MDMA toxicity.

Advice - sleep upright. Prop yourself up with pillows or get a good recliner chair to sleep in.
Another option is to NOT EAT for several hours prior to bedtime.
By requiring your intestines to digest late at night, you are increasing serotonin activity in the brain.

Beyond this, you should be eating very healthy.
That means lots of fruits and veggies...different lean proteins.
Bananas are amazing - they contain serotonin and they help digest carbs.
Carbs are your enemy - especially the bad ones.
Stay away from fries, chips, and refined sugars.
Treat your intestines kindly, and you will spare yourself many zaps!

Finally, exercise.
By doing cardio you will actually sprout new capillaries in the brain.
You will improve the distribution of blood vessels and increase the number of connections between neurons.
Lifting weights will release BDNF, a protein that sends STEM CELLS into the brain.
Wanna recover faster? Work out....as often as you can.

Fish oil every day...turmeric extract is a great anti-inflammatory.
But exercise is the most powerful healing tool you have - even more than healthy diet.
Stay away from serotonin drugs - for a LONG time.

MDMA is not a safe drug, although its true potential for harm remains in debate.
Do not roll again for a LONG time.
Remember the timeline for recovery that I mentioned?
Shoot for 2 years before you roll again.

In the very least wait until your 'zaps' have been gone for a good year.
Or you could decide not to do drugs for the rest of your life...

Just start working out, daily.
And eat right.
The brain will repair itself eventually.

Good luck, young lady.

 

[vancbc]

The only time I've ever had brain zaps and sleep paralysis following MDMA is when I take 5-HTP afterward. Some people swear by it, but I wouldn't touch 5-HTP with a 3 metre pole.

 

[ColtDan]

did you take 5-htp straight after?

 

[saberhead]

WOW this is sooo awesome thank you so much for confirming to me that this is just withdrawl and I am not going insane or anything.
Even reading other users say the same thing as me didnt give me much comfort, but as a student of physics I love a scientific explanation.

Yes the prozac was TERRIBLE.
The first day I took it I was ok. Second day, went to a restaurant, and had an out of body experience for 2 hours. Literally felt like I was on LSD.
Third day had panic attacks (never had one before...wow they suck). Night of the third day I got "brain" shivers. I woke up out of a DEAD sleep and felt like my brain was totally tingling all over. It was extremely frightening. Stopped dose on day 4 and day 4 was when brain zaps started. Went to hospital, got cat scan, everything checked out ok and then went home. Dealt with brain zaps that night but then when was fine.

3-4 weeks later felt totally normal and not under prozacs domination and figured it was safe to take mdma again after a 5-6 month break.
Rolled nice and even, then when going to sleep, brain zaps and also pain in left side of mouth and eye like a sting which subsided very quickly. That was a bit scary. Ears also going a little weird. Wasnt in a rave or anything that night though, just did it at home.

Today took 50 mg of 5HTP, felt emotionally totally fine, nothing out of the ordinary. No day time brain zaps. Just TERRIFIED of going to bed. 3:20 am and need it soo badly.

Will do on the food/diet and excersize. I ride a bike 10 miles a day or more so I got that covered. Need to adjust food habits.
Will stay away from MDMA, just did it the other night for kicks. Hope to dear god I can sleep without issues tonight. Hopefully Ill be ok.

Please send me that email you mentioned, would love to read it!!

 

[rake]

>I was also a long-term cannabis user - something thought to contribute to MDMA toxicity by researchers.

do you have a link for this info?

 

[First Bad Comedown]

Quick example - concomitant use of cannabis with MDMA results in lower prolactin response to fenfluramine. Fenfluaramine is a serotonin agent commonly used to asses normal serotonergic function.
It can be found in a number of MDMA studies, as can high dose tryptophan, piperazines, and others.
Cortisol followed by prolactin is expected with any major serotonin increase - a reduced prolactin response is considered a sign of decreased serotonin function.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322301013063

Here is another - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hup.342/abstract
Once again small sample size, but it shows that the use of cannabis is directly related to the statistical significance of serotonergic dysfunction in former MDMA users. Those that were not heavy smokers, did not exhibit significant scores for emotional/psychological problems. Yet another study that shows MDMA's neurotoxic effect may not be directly related to emotional problems on its own. It is the combination...

Here's another - http://www.springerlink.com/content/vr8cc8rh2m1pd8j4/
Self-reported psychological problems are closely correlated to the combination of MDMA and regular cannabis use.

There are many others like these.
Quite a few studies simply write off cannabis as a 'confounding' factor - but some researchers see it as a complicating factor. It looks like they were just paying attention...
If you weren't aware, cannabis use on its own significantly increases the odds of developing a mental disorder in those that are susceptible. It should be no surprise that combining long-term use with psychedelic drugs can increase this risk further.

Also, I have seen studies that show former MDMA users continue to exhibit a reduced prolactin response to several serotonin agents, including MDMA itself - after 2.5 years of abstinence!
No link this time...but this data is among the most solid evidence for persistent neurotoxicity.

Longer studies are difficult to perform, but they may reveal whether or not extended abstinence ever restores the prolactin response. Of note - I have read one anecdotal account that 3 years of abstinence did not restore 'magic' in a user, but 7 years did...

When I see people describing serious problems with MDMA on BL I always recommend they wait as long as possible - but sadly many young people can hardly imagine waiting several years. They view 6 months as a substantial break, regardless of the solid data that says 1-2 years is often needed for psychological problems to resolve in some users.

Beyond this - there is a consensus that MDMA 're-wires' the brain or causes a 'lasting re-organization of the ascending axonal structure'.
Do either of these processes sound like they will be completed in a few months?
This process likely goes on well beyond even the 2 year mark...

Regardless of all this data - there may still be doses of MDMA that cause minimal damage for most users. Repeated dosing is the definitive risk factor - all animal models of acute serotonergic injury utilize this underlying truth. Body temperature is the next most important factor.

Some research has shown that light to moderate MDMA users who did NOT smoke cannabis or attend raves (where body temp is an issue) simply do not exhibit any detectable cognitive changes.
This does not mean that damage isn't occurring - I believe that the experience of rolling itself is a consequence of 'damage' or modifications to existing nerve structures.
It is the extent that makes the difference...the brain has a lot of plasticity.

The best question is how many doses are you taking?
Based on the widely accepted 30 day rule among veteran BLers - 12 doses per YEAR is the maximum.
If you follow the father of MDMA's advice (Shulgin) - 4 doses per year.

I took an average of 2.5 tabs per night, about 10 times last year. That's 25 doses!
I was also a long-term cannabis user...
Oh, and I took a high dose of benedryl following my last use, resulting in what I consider a serious case of Serotonin Syndrome. And I didn't treat my intestines very kindly...

I was ignoring SO many risk factors - but if only I had controlled the MOST important one - DOSAGE...
I would be FINE. The same could be said for many many people like me. They all look for the cause, desperately searching, trying to figure out what happened. Endlessly examining everything they can...

But what does the research say?
Clearly...redosing increases the damage.
More than any other message, this is what I want to bring to Bluelight - an understanding of the MOST important risk factor...the one that would have saved nearly ALL former users that are suffering.

No longer should MDMA be considered a 'safe' drug, not by people going WELL beyond the recommended doses.
While it can used in a 'safe' manner, and with great spiritual benefits, the pattern of use by the majority of users does not reflect this.

Yes, smoking pot heavily seems to increase the risk in a real way - but this risk can be controlled the same way that the other factors can - by taking fewer doses of MDMA and SPACING them well.

Ok...rant over.

 

[saberhead]

Just thought Id post on update on here:

Been taking 50 mg of 5HTP every morning since I rolled on Friday night. Brain zaps have become much less frequent in intensity and frequency although for some reason tonight I've had them pretty badly, which is a bit concerning to me since I thought I was getting better. I've been riding my bike this week (not as much as I want, but still), eating better (or trying to on a limited budget) and reading a lot to keep cognitive performance up. When Im awake I feel totally ok, maybe sometimes a little off but its usually because its been a while since I ate or something. Its only when I fall asleep or wake up in the middle of the night.

The thing that is really annoying is the random sporadic tingling and numbness sensation I get in different places of my head/face and hands at night. Its not long lasting, only comes on for a second or two then goes away but nonetheless drives me insane at night because of its strangeness. What the hell is going on? I dont get how doing 1 cap of Molly can do this! This has literally never happened to me before and Ive done at most 1.5 to two caps in a night with no issues like this afterwards. The only difference from the last time I rolled to any other time is that I took prozac a month before this roll..so I keep thinking that has something to do with it.

I know @First Bad Comedown says its not affiliated with the prozac but it feels like a prozac withdrawl, or at least what I experienced when I stopped taking it (even though I was only on it for 4-5 days). Its pretty obvious I must be extremely sensitive to SSRIs and I know I am a super lightweight when it comes to Molly but this is just ridiculous When will I feel normal again?

NOTE:*Another factor I also consider is that Im also getting my menses...I have pretty severe PMDD and I know my seratonin drops dramatically during this time. Is it possible that the reason why the zaps feel a bit worse tonight is because of this also? I would love if First Bad Comedown could put insight on this! The random numbness/tingling is also a bit scary. Anyone else feel like this?

 

[First Bad Comedown]

You mentioned that you 'have' severe PMDD.
Can we assume you have always had this problem?
If so, are the symptoms truly bad enough to qualify as PMDD?

Severe anxiety/panic attacks/sadness...possibly including suicidal thoughts?
General apathy towards life, high levels of fatigue?
Lots of bloating?

Other psychological conditions are more common in women with PMDD, as well.

If you are indeed a long-term genuine sufferer of PMDD - you should consider it a major factor in your reaction to MDMA/Prozac.

PET scans are the most detailed and most expensive brain scans available...not something your ER will offer you.
But these scans have confirmed that women with PMDD experience a loss of many serotonin markers in the brain at the same time their symptoms are worsening.

Consider this a confirmation that PMDD is a sign that you have a less resilient serotonin system to begin with.
Even healthy women experience an increase in boredom and mild depression during their menses.

Serotonin is a moderator of dopamine.
While dopamine is normally thought of as a pleasure chemical, it is also involved in anger/hostility and even psychosis.
When serotonin levels in higher brain regions is lost - so is dopamine activity.
This causes a relative increase in dopamine in lower brain regions...a key component of the negative emotions.

I know it is difficult to stop your search for answers, but if you have always had PMDD...this is a significant finding.
You were more susceptible to the toxic effects of MDMA to begin with...and YES a few days on Prozac could worsen your state.

If you took 5-HTP or tryptophan in combination with either MDMA or Prozac, you may have increased the toxicity.
But you haven't indicated this.

Again, brain zaps from anti-depressants normally requires a longer exposure, but perhaps the MDMA really did set you up for problems. But I have to communicate to you what these people have said, because your description falls short of the hell they reside in.

I have heard horror stories from people that were on Prozac...or switching from Prozac to Lexapro...and in a VERY short period of time (sometimes just 3 doses)...they experience a COMPLETE loss of ALL sexual function. Their genitals literally feel no different than an elbow...orgasm is either impossible or happens without sensation of ANY kind. More than this, their is an absolute lack of libido - there is NO psychological excitement/apprehension to be felt, regardless of the stimuli (porn/partner/thoughts).

Along with this, they usually describe the WORST type of depression...it is an emptiness that defies explanation.
They look back at their former depression as a big step UP. They WISH they could feel emotions like that again...

Terms like 'non-human' have been used - they feel like they are trapped inside a body devoid of sensation or emotion.
They cannot look people in the face and they sometimes cannot recognize themselves in the mirror!
Even the NEGATIVE emotions escape them - anger for example is FAR too vibrant to be within their grasp.
The only emotion they seem to be capable of is DEEP sadness. An all-consuming type of sadness...a hollow, empty existence.

Said one contributor - "I would kill myself, but I lack even the emotion to do this. I think about death, wishing to feel the fear I once did - but I feel NOTHING."

Your posts don't resemble this - so consider yourself fortunate to have escaped the worst-case scenario.
While some of these people describe a worsening of their symptoms over a period of months - this is from withdrawal.
The ones who react severely to short-term treatment feel these changes happen almost overnight.
Like a switch is flipped...

I found a Youtube video of a young woman describing her emptiness after taking an SSRI.
I don't know if she has the whole range of symptoms that I mentioned above, but her sad tone of voice and empty stare are consistent with my impression.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OWoHZi67wE

You are definitely suffering - of this I have no doubt.
But if you describe yourself as more or less 'normal' during the day...and you don't even indicate true panic attacks at all - YOU ARE GOING TO BE FINE.
I promise.

Destruction of frontal lobe serotonin nerves is known to result in severe sexual dysfunction.
If you can still function sexually, this is a very good sign that you still have some nerve density in your highest brain regions.

They may still be deprived of serotonin when your levels drop - resulting in symptoms of PMDD and worse brain zaps.
But you haven't lost all nerve density.
I thought it would help you to gain some perspective on how bad it can really be.

Remember, the hypothalamus controls blood pressure during events like standing up quickly or laying down to sleep.
You are not the first MDMA user to describe a worsening of their 'zaps' at night - especially when trying to sleep.

More detailed research on acute serotonergic injury shows that primates suffer a hyper-innervation of the hypothalamus, while the higher brain regions remain dennervated.
This brain region is also in control of your adrenal glands - so the anxiety you feel when these brain zaps happen is further evidence that your hypothalamus is being messed with.

A little good news - the hypothalamus is one of the brain regions where GLIAL cells are allowed to move around more freely.
This is why you can feel thirsty and then NOT after drinking water...
So plasticity does exist here in ways we don't fully understand.

If you go back to the ER you will be wasting your time and money.
You could speak to quite a few nurses and doctors and barely manage a conversation about PMDD and serotonin.
CAT scans are very limited in their usefulness - unless you have a tumor or a structural defect.

An fMRI scan would be more likely to yield results, as it looks at the active blood distribution in your brain.
If you could somehow obtain a scan WHILE you are having 'zaps', they may actually find regional blood flow increases.
You can google MRI labs in your area and avoid the expensive ER visit too - should cost around $500, maybe a little more.

Then what will that information do for you?

You could go further and obtain a SPECT scan for around $3000, and it would likely show you have reduced glucose metabolism in your frontal lobes - especially during PMDD.
But once again - how does this change your predicament?

There are no current medications available to help repair the brain from amphetamines or MDMA.
High levels of cortisol or glutamate can be counteracted, but this does not restore SERT density.
Some doctors would recommend you go back on SSRIs - they would say you didn't wait long enough.
I disagree.

Benzos are useful for controlling toxic levels of glutamate - but long-term use actually leads to HIGHER levels of glutamate activity!
If you were suffering from extreme anxiety, a small supply of xanax or klonopin might be usefull. Small being the operative word.

Even these expensive scans are difficult to assign meaning to, as neurology is in its infancy.
Your best prescription for recovery is healthy diet and LOTS of exercise.
And TIME.

Brain counts recovery time in MONTHS, not days.
So far, your complaints are minor compared to many I have seen - so you should consider that a GOOD sign.
If things get worse as time goes on, remember that you are still making PROGRESS.
This won't last forever - the brain won't allow it to.

Even the 'worst-case scenarios' that I mentioned describe SOME meaningful recovery with enough time.
You are going to be ok - just try to remind yourself that you may not have the resilient serotonin system - the 'brain-gut' circuitry that others have.
I hope this helps.

 

[D n A]

^oi! Clear out a little space in your inbox please got a question for you.

 

[First Bad Comedown]

Space available...ask away.