Well, At least I THINK its the zaps. My doctor doesnt seem to be concerned. Neither did the pharmacy. they both just said it seems I am metabolizing the medication faster than most.

What happens (this happened once in a while before I started taking the Effexor XR, so i dont think its the meds though I think the meds may be worsening it) Is if I take my meds and then dont take them at the same time or shortly before the same time th next day (even sometimes when i do for about two to three hours before that same time) When I shift my eyes UP and to the right, I get a few short bursts of heart palpitations. AND I get several muscle spasms in several specific patches of muscle - I can do it right now, and it seems to be on the outside of my left arm, a patch of muscle about 3 inches by 3 inches, A patch on the left hand side of my lower spine,about the same size and a patch on my chest (not near the heart)

It is DEFINETLY triggered by the eye movement. Nothing else will make this happen. It has been getting worse and worse over the last few years, though I mean it really doesnt seem to be dangerous - I havent died from it yet. FOr a while too when I started the effexor I got single limb seizures in my sleep. Everyone says its nothing, and again im not overly worried, but Im curious as to if this would be a side effect(where it happens outside of the meds too) or if it is something neurological.

any ideas?

[SleepsWithButterFlies]

Rainbowzz I don't know but I hope Larry Hoover sees this..I would think? its neurological and seeing a neuroloist could not hurt but heck..I dunno....this is a gray area ..the eyes and the brain are sooooo connected and I am not sure a regular doc or pharmacist would know the answer to this question....so my guess would be you are ok but see a neurologist

[SongBirdandDaisy]

weird, not you, the condition provoked

Hope it gets better for you.

SonbBird

[BTinCT]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but saw your post and had to respond. I have something similar to this when my meds are not taken on the 24 hour schedule the doc recommends. Particularly, the eye movement and heart palpitaions. I did some research and found others who describe the condition as "brain shivers", there is a whole group of postings about it on the About.com . Not sure if this helps but you're not alone with some of the side effects you are experiencing.

- BTinCT

Hi, thanks. I think I know what they are talking about. I have experienced what is described. However, it doesnt specifically mention anything about the palpitations or spasms(i guess thats the closest thing to call the little seizures happening in certan patches of muscle) Still, great information nonetheless!! thanks!!

[Larry_Hoover]

Interesting phenomenon. My gut reaction is that I wouldn't worry about it. Everybody has quirks. Sounds like a quirk to me.

The best advice I've got is to not "shift (your) eyes UP and to the right". That should take care of it.

Hugs,
Lar

rainbowzz..........i experience this too

[cherybery]

Hey Rainbow! Well the way I see it is the eye is part of the nervous system so there could be some correlation to how you feel with the eye movement. Since you are taking meds that effect your brain it would make all the sense in the world how it all could play a part on some of the symptoms you are having. When we sleep we have REM or NREM and our eyes are still working even when they are closed. The part of the brain that process all this is the cerebrum.
The largest and most prominent part of the brain, the cerebrum governs higher mental processes including intellect, reason, memory and language skills. The cerebrum is divided into 3 major functions:
You have sensory which is the part that receives information from a sense organ like your, eyes, ears, taste, smell, feelings, and translates this information into a form that can be understood.
Then you have the Motor functions which would be all your voluntary movement and some involuntary movement. Which may cause the arm seizures you were talking about.
Then you have the intellectual Function - responsible for learning, memory and recall. When you think about all of this and taking meds that work on your brain it all makes sense as too why someone may have some types of symptoms. Hope this helps!
HUGS
Cher

[cherybery]

I just wanted too add one lil bit too this. Have you ever heard of someone's equilibrium being "off" when they have an ear infection or water behind the ear drum. Or people who have a seizure disorder can be effected by light or a particular sound? Same type of concept. It's all part of the same body system.

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Larry_Hoover said:
Interesting phenomenon. My gut reaction is that I wouldn't worry about it. Everybody has quirks. Sounds like a quirk to me.

The best advice I've got is to not "shift (your) eyes UP and to the right". That should take care of it.

Hugs,
Lar

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Thanks larry!

oh, and larry thankfully I was able to get furter assistance with my meds for the time being thanks to salvation army

Larry, yes, I definetly am not overly concerned, its just really weird?

Chery,

yeah, that makes alot of sense when you think about it that way.

[SongBirdandDaisy]

"Hey Doc, it hurts when I do this . . . . "

You made me laugh, Lar. But good advice.

SongBird