[MissCathryn]

But I'm getting them alot!

Took 2 weeks to ween off Lexapro 10mg. I expected some brain zaps. Well, I've been off it completely for like a week, and I'm still getting them. When I shift my eyes or move my head. Any idea why?

Also, I just started back on Zoloft a few days ago. Could it be a combo of ending Lexapro and Starting Zoloft?

I've been on SSRIs forever and I don't remember them lasting this long.

Thoughts?

[Icare dixit]

That sounds awful.

I don't know it. I never used any antidepressant.

Maybe you can use some herbal remedies that work like antidepressants. But it might be due to a serotonin receptor that is blocked with Zoloft and not with Lexapro, if I remember correctly. Blocking a serotonin receptor is unusual, but it's why atypical antipsychotics are also (like) antidepressants. It's the weight gain 5-HT receptor (probably).

Edit:
I didn't remember correctly: the above is about Prozac, not Zoloft.

I literally got the same withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro. Like you, when I moved my eyes left or right, I got a zap! So you're not alone.

I'm still on Lexapro because when I tried to wean myself off it, I got those awful symptoms. Plus, my pdoc and I realized it was actually helping my depression.

[Icare dixit]

But are you on a therapeutic dose of Zoloft now? If not, there's your problem. But it might also just be some other difference between the two. Sertraline withdrawal is probably the worst of all antidepressants or at least among the worst.

I don't understand why there isn't a near overlap of therapeutic doses of one and the other. Three to four days should be enough to switch from one to the other (with some overlap at lower doses). Probably because it's poison; the risk of serotonin syndrome and death. But it can be done.

Three weeks is not enough for your body to recover from years of antidepressant use.

I had brain zaps for YEARS after stopping Paxil a few decades ago. I asked my doctor if this was possible and he said "apparently it is for you". When the internet came around I found others who had the same issue...some dealing with the zaps for decades after stopping. I hope they pass for you soon. When they happen to me, my equilibrium goes out and I feel like I'm passing out a little or for a quick second. It's all very scary feeling. Good luck.

[spotofbipolar]

Lexapro is horrible to withdraw from.

Even with tapering and then stopping I think it took me a further month for the zaps to stop. Best wishes with it.

[winter4me]

The same thing happened to me coming off fluoxetine (Prozac)....so I have stayed on ....hopefully can do a very very slow titrate once I can work less....at a lower dose than before....

[AlittleUnsteady]

I only felt brain zaps when I was on Pristiq, which is an SNRI. It was very miserable. Even after 1 day of not taking it, I would feel the brain zaps along with an upset stomach, sweating, light headedness, dizziness. I'm not sure why this happens though.

[bioChE]

I had brain zaps coming off Pristiq and Lexapro. Both sucked.