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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Gee on December 2, 2005, at 18:06:03
I've been on 225 mg of Effexor for about a year now. Since about last March or so, I've been noticing I've been getting these really weird brain zap, dizziness type things. My doctor can't figure it out. She gave me some med to take to stop it, but after awhile it stopped working. I found that an NTI device for teeth clenching worked for a while, but not anymore.
It's not super bad anymore, but has anyone else experience this? It's so weird. Like dizziness and then a super fast shooting type thing into my hand and it goes tingly. Any my short term memory is gone. Absolutely gone. I'll study and study and study for tests, but get into them and not be able to recall the right words. Or I'll go grocery shopping for a few things and not remmeber what I'm there for.
Any one else find this? Anything help it? I'm getting desperate here!!!!!
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 3, 2005, at 7:25:46
In reply to brain zaps and memory loss --effexor, posted by Gee on December 2, 2005, at 18:06:03
Hello!
Brain zaps are very very common on Effexor, particulary when you are tapering off it. I don't think anyone knows what they are really all about, including the doctors! They are certainly weird! But don't be scared - many others have had them (including me!) and they are nothing serious.
I can't remember if the Effexor tread is still going, but there is a section of this site that just deals with Effexor. Dr Bob will probably redirect this tread there. He likes to keep things tidy!
For reassurance and to hear others' take on brain zaps I would try searching the archives. Typing in "brain zaps" (with the inverted commas) would be a good place to start!!!
Good luck!
Meri :o)
Posted by Gee on December 3, 2005, at 10:49:13
In reply to Re: brain zaps and memory loss --effexor, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 3, 2005, at 7:25:46
See, the crazy thing is that I'm not tapering off. They come at the weirdest times... like when I'm exercising or something
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 3, 2005, at 10:55:20
In reply to Re: brain zaps and memory loss --effexor, posted by Gee on December 3, 2005, at 10:49:13
Hey! I used to get mine when i turned my head, they just got worse when I was tapering off.
Posted by ed_uk on December 3, 2005, at 15:11:56
In reply to brain zaps and memory loss --effexor, posted by Gee on December 2, 2005, at 18:06:03
Hi G
'Brain zaps' can occur when the blood level of Effexor is low. You can deal with this problem by taking Effexor in divided doses eg. 112.5mg (three 37.5mg caps) in the morning and 112.5mg in the evening. Alternatively, you could take 150mg in the morning and 75mg in the evening - but this might not work as well.
Regards
Ed
Posted by Phillipa on December 3, 2005, at 22:35:05
In reply to Re: brain zaps and memory loss --effexor » Gee, posted by ed_uk on December 3, 2005, at 15:11:56
It has happened to me on all the SSRI's when going off them. The answer is cut back slowly or switch immediately on to another one. Good luck Gee. Fondly, Phillipa. ps paxil was the worst one for me I thought it was my hypothroroidism.
Posted by Phillipa on December 3, 2005, at 23:29:40
In reply to Re: brain zaps and memory loss --effexor, posted by Phillipa on December 3, 2005, at 22:35:05
I never shop without a list which I misplace anyway. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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