To be worried about these 'brain zaps'

[hardtimescomeagainnomor]

I remember as a kid having what I can only describe as 'brain zaps' - it feels like this electric current in my brain that kind of shocks my brain and makes me dizzy for literally a second. It's not a nice feeling but it's not sore. I used to get them as a kid when I was really ill, so like really bad cold or d and v. I also get them as an adult when I am unwell.

However, the past few days I have been getting a 'brain zap' every 15 minutes, especially bad when I am walking about. I am not Ill, I haven't stopped or started any new medication. I have no pain. But I'm worried as I've never had these for no reason before.

Does anyone get this and should I be worried?

When I have one they make my eyes go wonky for a second as well, like really fast side to side whilst I'm experiencing it.

I've had this but only when I've been having withdrawal symptoms from coming off sertraline after many years. I would definitely speak to your gp if you just get them at random

Came here to also see if you were on sertraline. You said nothing new but DH gets them when he’s forgotten to take for a day or two. He’s also epileptic but we don’t think it’s linked. Any auras?

Oh I used to get this randomly when I was a child! I used to describe it as a fizzy drink being poured over my brain. No idea what caused it - it had no correlation with being unwell, and hasn't happened for years now. I think my mum did take me to the GP about it once but he looked at me as if I had two heads, and had no idea what I was going on about. I'd completely forgotten about it!

I've never experienced this! Always best to check with GP.

I'm on fluoxetine and metformin for my diabetes. I haven't missed any days at all and have been on them a while and never got these before just randomly. No auras etc.

I also had them coming of sertraline. They came back about two months after stopping completely which was a bit odd. But gone again now.

Fluoxetine does that to me when I come off it.

That sounds worrying.
I get ‘exploding head syndrome’ which sounds similar but only when falling asleep.
Sorry not to be more helpful but maybe someone with medical experience will post soon.

Thank you! Oh I have had that once and I got such a fright, I thought I had heard an aneurysm pop or something!

I got those when I started on Citalopram, I've been off it for years but I still get the occasional one even now.
I think if I were you I'd be running it past a GP if you can if they are getting more frequent.

Yeah, coming off Sertraline was my immediate thought!

I've had something similar for about 15 years. I told the GP I had "brain electricity" and was given a very concerned look and asked whether I see or hear things that other people don't etc. Once I satisfied them that I wasn't insane, I was sent for a scan of my neck and told it was likely a nerve firing off due to "wear and tear".

Could be trigeminal neuralgia. I've had it for years. The pain is indescribable. Only lasts for a max of 10 seconds. If it was any longer, I'd throw myself off a tall building. It's literally unbearable.

No pain with mine whatsoever

Well likely not TN then.

I get them sort of at the back up the side of my neck and back of my head. Feels like they come from the base of my neck to the side and shoot up? Does that sound similar it's absolutely horrible, very intense and paralysing for a second like a bolt of electricity.

I used to get them with anti-depressant withdrawal.

Now my body has it down as a symptom of high anxiety.

Hate them.

Eyes moving quickly side to side can be a focal seizure. As can 'a strange feeling like a ‘wave’ going through the head'.

Have a read of epilepsysociety.org.uk/about-epilepsy/epileptic-seizures/focal-aware-seizures

Have you ever mentioned to GP? If you've had since childhood then it's unlikely to be medication related (assuming you weren't on the same meds during childhood!).

Anxiety?