SSRI Brain Zaps and ECT.........Connection?

elisa · 07-12-2004, 09:16 PM

Hi you all,

About 6 years ago I had 6 ECT treatments, initially bilateral. then it was changed by the doctor to unilateral. I don't remember very much about them and had to ask how many treatments I had. Since I felt so much worse, I stopped them.

While undergoing ECT, the psychiatrist looks at your toes if they sort of wiggle, move. Then the treatment is considered a success.

About a year ago, I obtained my medical history chart. The nurses had written their observations in the recovery room.

My blood pressure had risen substantially, my airway was blocked on one occasion, but every time it stated that I was moving involuntarely.

Now I wonder if SSRI WITHDRAWL BRAIN ZAPS COULD ACTUALLY BE SMALL AND FREQUENT REAL BRAIN SEIZURES?

I have searched numerous web sites but haven't found the answer. Has anyone heard or read about it?

Thanks.

safarigal · 07-13-2004, 09:55 AM

That's a good question that nobody has an answer to. I would like to know what the zaps really are.

silence4now · 07-13-2004, 11:48 AM

What is ECT? There is a post somewhere on this site where the person actually named the type of seizure. I can't find it now though. But it made sense.

There are other similar things going on like spasms - I can feel them when I lay down at night, especially in my gut. I believe this could be the root of all my pain, because the pain moves around from my chest to my back, to my head etc. etc. and doesn't seem to linger in the same place more than a few days - a week at the longest.

I've tried explaining this to the doctors and they just look at me like I'm a lunatic. The diagnosis is always the same "inflammation."

elisa · 07-13-2004, 05:04 PM

[quote="silence4now"]What is ECT? There is a post somewhere on this site where the person actually named the type of seizure. I can't find it now though. But it made sense.

ECT= Electro Convulsive Therapy= Shock treatments

Seizure induced treatments for depression. I wonder how I even considered it when it was suggested.

Most kids are told never to stick their fingers in an electrical outlet.

That's why I wonder if SSRI withdrawl brain zaps could be similar to ECT treatments. Since everyone is under anastesia and gets a muscle relaxant, no one knows how it feels when it is applied.

silence4now · 07-13-2004, 05:51 PM

I remember my Mother having ECT when I was a child. She was a zombie for a while, but it worked. She didn't try to commit suicide again after that.

I have only had a few zaps, but can't even begin to compare it to what she went through.

silence4now · 07-15-2004, 07:59 AM

I found it described in previous post by KyBobbi - she said her doctor called it:

"Myclonic Seizures...... Why they happen is something I can't describe medically, but it has something to do with the firing of the nuerons in the brain. The serotonin thingie again, comes into play..."

07-12-2004, 09:16 PM	#1
elisa Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 11,509	SSRI Brain Zaps and ECT.........Connection? Hi you all, About 6 years ago I had 6 ECT treatments, initially bilateral. then it was changed by the doctor to unilateral. I don't remember very much about them and had to ask how many treatments I had. Since I felt so much worse, I stopped them. While undergoing ECT, the psychiatrist looks at your toes if they sort of wiggle, move. Then the treatment is considered a success. About a year ago, I obtained my medical history chart. The nurses had written their observations in the recovery room. My blood pressure had risen substantially, my airway was blocked on one occasion, but every time it stated that I was moving involuntarely. Now I wonder if SSRI WITHDRAWL BRAIN ZAPS COULD ACTUALLY BE SMALL AND FREQUENT REAL BRAIN SEIZURES? I have searched numerous web sites but haven't found the answer. Has anyone heard or read about it? Thanks. __________________ On A/D's since 1995, switching due to side-effects on 30 different brands of TCA's, SSRI's, SNRI's, Antipsychotics, Benzo's & Imovane. 6 ECT's. Tapering from 225 mg Effexor XR May 17, 2004. (Equiv. to 60 mg Paxil) Last taper Effexor XR Jan 17, 2006 down to ZERO. Currently protracted withdrawal. Sept 2006: 25 mg Doxepin. March 13/09: 10 mg Desipramine

07-13-2004, 09:55 AM	#2
safarigal Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,891	That's a good question that nobody has an answer to. I would like to know what the zaps really are. __________________ Julie Paxil free since Nov 2002! Forum Rules Withdrawal FAQ

07-13-2004, 11:48 AM	#3
silence4now Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE U.S. Posts: 3,422	What is ECT? There is a post somewhere on this site where the person actually named the type of seizure. I can't find it now though. But it made sense. There are other similar things going on like spasms - I can feel them when I lay down at night, especially in my gut. I believe this could be the root of all my pain, because the pain moves around from my chest to my back, to my head etc. etc. and doesn't seem to linger in the same place more than a few days - a week at the longest. I've tried explaining this to the doctors and they just look at me like I'm a lunatic. The diagnosis is always the same "inflammation." __________________ Lisa - Paxil free since May 2004 _________________________________ God's economy is always positive.

07-13-2004, 05:04 PM	#4
elisa Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 11,509	[quote="silence4now"]What is ECT? There is a post somewhere on this site where the person actually named the type of seizure. I can't find it now though. But it made sense. ECT= Electro Convulsive Therapy= Shock treatments Seizure induced treatments for depression. I wonder how I even considered it when it was suggested. Most kids are told never to stick their fingers in an electrical outlet. That's why I wonder if SSRI withdrawl brain zaps could be similar to ECT treatments. Since everyone is under anastesia and gets a muscle relaxant, no one knows how it feels when it is applied. __________________ On A/D's since 1995, switching due to side-effects on 30 different brands of TCA's, SSRI's, SNRI's, Antipsychotics, Benzo's & Imovane. 6 ECT's. Tapering from 225 mg Effexor XR May 17, 2004. (Equiv. to 60 mg Paxil) Last taper Effexor XR Jan 17, 2006 down to ZERO. Currently protracted withdrawal. Sept 2006: 25 mg Doxepin. March 13/09: 10 mg Desipramine

07-13-2004, 05:51 PM	#5
silence4now Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE U.S. Posts: 3,422	I remember my Mother having ECT when I was a child. She was a zombie for a while, but it worked. She didn't try to commit suicide again after that. I have only had a few zaps, but can't even begin to compare it to what she went through. __________________ Lisa - Paxil free since May 2004 _________________________________ God's economy is always positive.

07-15-2004, 07:59 AM	#6
silence4now Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE U.S. Posts: 3,422	I found it described in previous post by KyBobbi - she said her doctor called it: "Myclonic Seizures...... Why they happen is something I can't describe medically, but it has something to do with the firing of the nuerons in the brain. The serotonin thingie again, comes into play..." __________________ Lisa - Paxil free since May 2004 _________________________________ God's economy is always positive.

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