“Brain Zaps”

I get them regularly, and their frequency seems to increase when I don’t get enough sleep. I’m on antidepressants and actually increased the dosage to treat the pain I experience from PN. So I don’t agree with the reduction of an antidepressant causing them.

@susanfalcon52
Although I have had thousands of seizures like you, what do I know?
Some say they are focal (partial) seizures. Have you had an EEG or been given antiseizure medication?
Stress or anxiety is a more likely cause. There are people with Epilepsy who have complained of getting them who are on seizure meds that don't help them so it makes one wonder if they aey are Street/anxiety related.
Do you take anxiety medication?
Take care,
Jake

I can attest to brain zaps, and I don’t think that’s what you are experiencing. They are like a clicking, buzzing in your head and mine don’t give me a headache…maybe confusion or brain fog.
Your episodes sound scary, if not related to meds. Best of luck getting to the bottom of the problem! ❤️

I have had a series of electrical shocks in a particular part of my brain for years. The shocks start off softly every few seconds and they become so intense that my head has litterly jerked with the shock. They last have lasted 3 to 11 days. My doctor say says it’s trigeminal neuralgia, but it does not effect my face. I believe stress brings this on. Excedrin migraine helps. Tried other migraine meds with no help at all. Good luck cleaning on trying to find the cause.

I use to get them if I ran out of my Effexor XR. But I don’t take Antidepressants anymore, thank god. I don’t get the zaps anymore either. Good Luck, hope you get rid of yours.

The literature that I read- which is where I got the phrase “brain zaps”- said that they were caused by discontinuing an anti-depressant. So, that tracks.

How could your neurologist think your brain zaps are unrelated to your migraines? I don't get that.
Perhaps you need a "headache specialist"...not all neurologists are.
I get severe bolts of jabbing sharp pains in my head - at any time. If they lasted more than seconds 911 would have to be called. All related to my migraine condition. Yes, stress and anxiety a big culprit. Maybe the only.
I am guessing you have had MRIs, CT Scans of the brain to rule out any pathology. All of mine completely normal. Yes, discontinuing antidepressants can do it but not relevant to you.
You say 20 years? Wow. That's a long time. Perhaps neurofeedback might help so that means you need to see a psychiatrist...and maybe a therapist to help manage your stress and anxiety. Have you given yourself a trial of benzos to see if they stop? Perhaps your nervous system is completely out of whack...and if so, why would that be? Lots of questions here. You need to investigate more...the best of luck to you.

briarrose,
All good thoughts. I have had mris. Nothing shows up. The brain zaps don’t happen very often. Twice a year maybe. Perhaps more. I had one last week in front of a client and they didn’t even notice.
I do have a prescription for Xanax which helps with generalized anxiety. I have had that prescription since 2004, so don’t seem to be in any danger of addiction as I go weeks without taking it.
Stress and anxiety are a huge problem and probably related to brain zaps.
Since covid, it is very difficult to find a therapist in my area. I know, as I am a therapist and have to decline new clients every day.
Best of luck to you with your symptoms. I hope you find relief.

I'm not taking antidepressants either and mine are ongoing. Am wondering if it could be because I have neck problems. My spine is out of whack. I'm also getting panic attacks now. Do you have problems with your neck?

dablues,
I’m responding late to your post. It seems that this thread disappeared from my site. I don’t have neck problems.
I had not had a brain zap in a long time - maybe a year - then had one yesterday. I still not know if “brain zap” is my diagnosis. It is definitely in my head, hits me without warning, lasts a minute. I feel disoriented for a few minutes after.
When it happened yesterday, I was at the gym on the treadmill. I was able to stop the treadmill snd then sat down on the belt for a few minutes until I felt stable. I go to a gym at a local college. None of the Generation Z students paid the slightest attention to me.
For me, it’s not an electrical feeling. More like paralysis.
I don’t lose consciousness or have vision issues.