Viibryd - What are brain zaps?

29 Aug 2012

Hello,

Brain zaps are basically withdrawals they are not possible side effects (possible side effects occur when you start taking a medication, now, you may or may not experience them) which one experinces during discontinuation or dose reduction of antidepressants.

Common withdrawals: electric shock-like feelings, dizziness,
insomnia,sweating, nausea, tremor,vertigo , nightmares, and confusion.

All the best,

maso.-

29 Aug 2012

Brain zaps, lightning strikes, or whatever are a sign that you missed a dose. They are a withdrawal symptom. They were not reported while starting the medication and I have never had them unless I missed my dose or took my dose very late in the day two days in a row (I normally take it with breakfast).

As far as how they feel; I have had two types; one feels neat, the other hurts. The neat one starts above both ears and feels like I am shooting lighting out the top of my head or towards the front above my eyes. I feel like I have a super power.

The other feels like a huge pressure in my head followed by a 'bolt of lighting just hit me' feeling. Not fun at all.

If you are just starting, pick a time when you eat regularly and take Viibryd at that time everyday and you should have not problems at all.

For me the stuff is made of magic. I hope it works for you.

RonMan

3 Sep 2012

For me, the sensation was very different. It felt like my ears were on fire - not on the outside but deep within the ear canals. It is almost as if both my ears have become plugged at the same time. It does not hurt, it's just an odd sensation. It lasts maybe a minute or less, but it does make it difficult to hear while it is happening. With both ears "plugged" it gives a floaty type feeling. I hope this helps.

3 Sep 2012

I am so sorry for all that have this side effect. Sounds awful. I must report that I had brutal headaches when I first began it. But they have stopped after about a month of being on it. I am still bruising and craving sweets, but I am careful about eating and have not gained weight. And, the best of all, my depression is essentially gone. So hang in there. Side effects do subside.

9 Nov 2012

I can tell you first hand what a brain zap is because I got them when I took Viibryd. It did not happen if I missed a dose or as a withdrawal symptom, as some have suggested. It was a side effect that happened randomly while I was taking this medication.

It happened when I was laying down. I would feel dizzy and then it would feel like a small electric shock in my head. It made me jump. It did not hurts but made me feel very uncomfortable and uneasy about laying down.

I am getting off Viibryd now because there are too many side effects and I am not OK with the "brain zaps." The withdrawal, even though I've been slowly getting off it for two weeks now, has been uncomfortable. I stopped taking it completely two days ago and have since been dizzy throughout my entire day.

I've been on a number of anti-depressants and this one is by far the worst. I'm going back to Wellbutrin now which has worked the best for me so far.

Good luck to others who are trying viibryd. However, I would NOT recommend it to anyone.

17 Dec 2012