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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cmac on February 6, 2007, at 12:24:09
I have now been off of cymbalta for 5 days. My blood pressure and temperature are fluctuating still but within more normal limits.
My big problem is the "Brain Shocks" ..
Lying still with my eyes closed I can feel them. Of course moving my eyes causes a shock.
Does anyone know what this is and/or what helps it.
I do suffer with migraines but these brain shocks are not subdued by the migraine meds.
Please help.
Posted by Phillipa on February 6, 2007, at 12:24:09
In reply to Brain Shocks, posted by cmac on February 5, 2007, at 12:27:14
Did you taper? Brain shocks usually happen if you just stop a med. Love Phillipa
Posted by cmac on February 6, 2007, at 12:24:09
In reply to Re: Brain Shocks » cmac, posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2007, at 12:55:44
> Did you taper? Brain shocks usually happen if you just stop a med. Love Phillipa
Thanks for responding.
I went from 60mg to 30mg for two weeks then 30 mg every other day for 6 days then stopping. But I have had these before just didn't realize what they were until I read a different post. So I know the withdrawal from the cymbalta is probably making it worse now.
But would like to find out what causes it at other times.
any suggestions ?
Posted by notfred on February 6, 2007, at 12:24:10
In reply to Re: Brain Shocks, posted by cmac on February 5, 2007, at 13:12:07
ativan totally stop brain shocks, for me.
Posted by yxibow on February 6, 2007, at 12:24:10
In reply to Brain Shocks, posted by cmac on February 5, 2007, at 12:27:14
> I have now been off of cymbalta for 5 days. My blood pressure and temperature are fluctuating still but within more normal limits.
> My big problem is the "Brain Shocks" ..
> Lying still with my eyes closed I can feel them. Of course moving my eyes causes a shock.
> Does anyone know what this is and/or what helps it.
> I do suffer with migraines but these brain shocks are not subdued by the migraine meds.
> Please help.
They're due to serotonergic activity (or lack therof). I get one of the stereotypy of shocks when heavily excercising and/or turning my head, on Cymbalta; got the same from Luvox, and from Remeron.
It sounds like a withdrawal period and the only thing I can say is that it will reduce over time. If you discuss it with your doctor you might want to reintroduce a 20mg dose and then taper from that but sounds like you did a fairly thorough taper. Cymbalta has a half life of about 12 hours though it can be longer, so it should be out of your body in about 3 days, but it could still be around. The withdrawal period may last a bit longer.There's always trying propranolol and clonidine (if anything stabilizing blood pressure), or xanax/ativan to see if they may help but I can't really think of anything else.
Posted by Gee on February 6, 2007, at 12:24:10
In reply to Brain Shocks, posted by cmac on February 5, 2007, at 12:27:14
I've been having the same problem over the past few days, but mines a result of effexor withdrawal.
I've found that Benedryl really really helps. I'm just taking the no name brand stuff, but it still helps for a bit. It helps me get through classes. Just watch out because it can make me VERY sleepy. If I take half a tablet then I can stay away.
I hope this helps
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 7, 2007, at 14:03:55
In reply to Brain Shocks, posted by cmac on February 5, 2007, at 12:27:14
The standard practice for treating this is to give fluoxetine (10-20mg) once. Norfluxoetine, its active metabolite, has a half-life of something like five weeks, so that's usually enough.
My withdrawal from buprenorphine was less debilitating overall than withdrawal from SSRIs, as it was only about 4-5 days of mild "opium flu" instead of weeks of parasthesias and wildly fluctuating emotions.
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 19, 2007, at 23:11:24
In reply to Re: Brain Shocks » cmac, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 7, 2007, at 14:03:55
ick! I got brain shocks LOTS last week. this week though none so far (X = crossed fingers)
I'm doing taper down from cymbalta now too. can't wait for the next round to begin...
Posted by jeninco on February 28, 2007, at 22:25:25
In reply to Brain Shocks, posted by cmac on February 5, 2007, at 12:27:14
I thought taking fish oil was supposed to help with brain shocks. Like everyone else was saying, make sure you did a slow enough taper. Don't be in a hurry! Benadryl is recommended, and I took 2 fish oil pills twice a day. Seemed to help withdrawing from zoloft and remeron. Good luck!
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