BRAIN ZAPS AND SPELLS
Has anyone found relief from Brain Zaps? These zaps have turned into spells one can only describe. The Zap electrical feeling just feels now like a dizzy vertigo. Like when you were a kid and would get dizzy on purpose. That exact moment when you would stop and the feeling of dizziness coming on.
I've seen two neurologists, ENT doctors, cardiologists etc. They all look at me like a deer in headlights. They all say the same thing, never heard of this. Weird part is the spells go away the month of March and April!
Im ready to blow my brains out cause now they are back with a vengenace.
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Are you on any medications that could cause this?
No. It's not from medication.
@hog715
I am assuming you had a MRI and EEG of your brain, right? Was it normal/no changes?
When did these symptoms start? Did you have any falls or concussions in your life?
Have you recently changed anything in diet, supplements, sleep cycle, smoking/vaping/drinking, etc.? Any hormonal changes (have you had your thyroid and hormones checked)? It seems like something has changed that is impacting your brain chemistry or nervous system.
I had brain zaps with hormone changes, certain antidepressants, and neurological/spinal cord compression.
Did you have Covid and the injections? This impacts your central nervous system.
I've had 3 MRI's and an EEG. Nothing was detected abnormally.
It started with a fall. I was standing on a moving boat that stop short and I flew 5 feet and landed on the deck.
I didn't hit anything but the floor.
I did have a compressed disc on my c7 that was operated on just prior to
the fall.
I also have had two covid shots.
Thanks for responding. You've asked more on the dot questions than all the doctors combined.
I used to get brain zaps using cymbalta. They were not pleasant. Needless to say I had to go off it.
It's not a medicine withdrawl.
It's driving me crazy.
@hog715
How long ago did the fall happen and your cervical spine surgery?
I wonder if you injured your cervical spine/spinal cord and had a concussion with your fall. Your cervical spine may have been more vulnerable because of the recent surgery before the fall (not sure what procedure was done on your c7). You could get a concussion even if you didn’t hit your head. My young son had 2 concussions so I have some experience with this. Your brain is like jello and a sudden, hard fall could cause a forceful motion to push your brain against your skull which would bruise/injure it.
Also, do you have hardware in your neck? What was done to c7? Did you have a disc replacement, laminectomy or decompression/fusion? I had ACDF surgery on my c5-c6 level (have hardware) and having c6-c7 done next week due to a herniated disc pressing on and injuring my spinal cord. Sometimes MRIs can’t see around hardware well and may miss something behind it (noted as artifacts in MRI).
You may want to have a EEG done if you haven’t already and functional testing of your brain. There is also a SSEP test that can be done that I understand can test your central nervous system.
Are you currently working with a brain specialist/neurologist and orthopedic spine specialist now? Have you gotten 2nd and 3rd opinions? It may be good to get other specialists looking at your imaging/symptoms and determine what is causing your symptoms and the appropriate treatment.
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/12393-evoked-potential-test
2. https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/diagnostic-tests/somatosensory-evoked-potentials-ssep
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/somatosensory-evoked-potential-sep-test
4. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/sensory-evoked-potentials-studies
5. https://www.neurophys.org/wiki/Somatosensory_Evoked_Potentials_(SSEP)
Find an excellent DPT that could help. Mine helped me with being off balance and exercises seemed to have lessened episodes for me