I get unexplained electrical jolts synchronized with auditory cues

I am not clear on your symptoms. Are you hearing things? Are you losing consciousness and having a seizure? Do you have a primary care provider so you can begin with an exam?

@rdalton95
When did your symptoms start? Are you taking any medications? Have you seen a neurologist and ear/nose/throat specialist? What have you been diagnosed with?

Have you had a ssep or fMRI done?

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/12393-evoked-potential-test
2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/sensory-evoked-potentials-studies
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/25034-functional-mri-fmri
4. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/radiology/specialties/functional-mri

Symptoms started about two years ago, the fmri and ssep info and links are helpful thank you. I baker acted myself and was hearing voices but did not mention the jolts. I take fluoxetine 40 mg regularly. I can not afford the co pay to see such drs. these jolts seem calculated, like i said they will say "robert Im going to shock you on the right" and then they will shock me on my right legiment. kinda scary but hanging in there.

@rdalton95
How long have you taken fluoxetine (Prozac)? When I was prescribed this medication for major depression, I was okay at 20mg but when it was increased to 40mg, I started to get brain zaps. I stopped taking fluoxetine and was put on bupropion (Wellbutrin) and sertraline (Zoloft) which did not cause brain zaps.

Are you working with a psychiatrist for medication management?

1. https://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/brain-zaps/
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/brain-shakes
3. https://www.verywellhealth.com/brain-zaps-7487316
4. https://www.health.com/condition/depression/brain-zaps
5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/fluoxetine-oral-route/description/drg-20063952
6. https://www.drugs.com/fluoxetine.html

@rdalton95 Your description of the auditory message followed by a shock is so upsetting. This is especially true considering you are taking fluoxetine for depression so you can feel better. I have not had the experiences you describe with the voice and brain jolts. I have a history of anxiety and depression so I do know what that feels like. I have a few questions.

1. Are you seeing a psychiatrist to help you manage your medications?

2. Do you recognize the voice that says "Robert, I'm going to shock you"? Is that the only message you hear or do you hear other messages?

3. Are you seeing a mental health therapist (other than a psychiatrist) you can talk with about your mood and your experiences?

4. Are you taking any other medications?

We are not medical providers here at Mayo Clinic Connect. We do try our best to offer support to our Connect members. My questions are meant to give me a little more information so that I can suggest where you might get help.

based on what i have read on the useful links here youve provided, the symptoms of brain zaps dont seem to match what is happening. i was hoping they would.

i have been on 40 mg for about 3 months now and have taken 20 mg for about 3 years.

i guess the best thing i can do is just keep documenting and reach and run some tests. thank you all again

i do recognize some of the voices, sometimes i don't. the voices are familiar, like a loop (the same person) it changes. and ur right is unsettling, im not seeing a in-person mental health therapist or psych due to cost my gov insurance only covers virtual sessions, im not taking any other meds or psychoactive drugs.

thanks for the help. thanks for your time

@rdalton95

There is more to read about the impact of taking fluoxetine and your symptoms…

1. https://www.longdom.org/open-access/fluoxetineinduced-atypical-serotonin-syndrome-with-hallucinations-masquerading-as-a-parkinsonian-syndrome-10631.html
2. https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/jnp.23.4.jnpe14
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899303023679
4. https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0042-1748133
5. https://wellwisp.com/can-prozac-cause-hallucinations/

@rdalton95 You are very welcome.

Are you residing in the U.S. ? If yes, are you referring to Medicaid insurance? If so, then depending on the state where you live Medicaid covers medical costs of psychiatry. It is difficult for anyone including people who have private insurance through their workplace or even pay cash to get in to see a psychiatrist.

Since you are hearing voices I will suggest that the fluoxetine is not working for you. I will encourage you to go back and see your prescribing doctor (your primary care provider?) and discuss what the next step should be. Can you be referred to a psychiatrist? Is there a low-cost mental health clinic in your area where you can see the doctor there?

I am I have florida blue HMO, maybe it would be worth switching to medicaid thanks for the suggestion