Help with Brain Zaps / Head Shock

Hi
Been on Cpap for many years and it is currently very well controlled. I suffer from insomnia and have been taking Trazodone for many years. Now when trying to fall asleep, I get head shocks or zap that keep me awake. They seem to happen just when I start to drift off to sleep. It a cycle that keeps me awake and is very terrifying.

At first I thought is was my Apnea with obstructive events waking me. However, I don't see any correlation with Oscar data. It's hard to tell form my experience, but I think I am breathing fine when this happens. The night before last, I have 7 or 8 head shock events that kept me awake in my first hour or so in bed, so I got up from bed. I loaded the data into Oscar and for that time frame, my data was clean. No RERA, FL, OA, CA, PB, etc. I suppose I need more data to conclude its not obstruction related.

I know I sometimes get RERAs and FLs that wake me in my REM sleep, but never in the initial stages and never this severe. I am currently not reducing and/or adjusting any medications, so I assume its not caused by withdrawal.

As far as I have read, Trazodone is positive for sleep architecture. However, perhaps it is screwing me up, and I need to change to a different medication.

Any input appreciated

SSRI's are known to cause 'brain zaps/shivers' when going through a 'withdraw syndrome'. But you are still taking the trazodone. The only thing I can offer is to search for SSRI brain zaps. I experienced that myself many years ago when stopping the medicine.

Talk to your DOCTOR.
I had a jaw/neck tic during high school, which was like a zap of electricity about once every month or so.
Mine was stress, and went away; but yours could be something else--maybe even serious.

sephiro499 wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:32 pm

SSRI's are known to cause 'brain zaps/shivers' when going through a 'withdraw syndrome'. But you are still taking the trazodone. The only thing I can offer is to search for SSRI brain zaps. I experienced that myself many years ago when stopping the medicine.

Technically Trazodone is not an SSRI, but is very close in nature, some I will assume the same applies. There is evidence to support it happens to people while still on these medication. Perhaps not clinically, but I see lots of anecdotal stuff and experiences.

I can start by switching brands. Also, Mirtazapine might be an option.

Thanks

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:41 pm

Talk to your DOCTOR.
I had a jaw/neck tic during high school, which was like a zap of electricity about once every month or so.
Mine was stress, and went away; but yours could be something else--maybe even serious.

Ya, under tremendous stress these days.

JGA wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:44 pm

sephiro499 wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:32 pm

SSRI's are known to cause 'brain zaps/shivers' when going through a 'withdraw syndrome'. But you are still taking the trazodone. The only thing I can offer is to search for SSRI brain zaps. I experienced that myself many years ago when stopping the medicine.

Technically Trazodone is not an SSRI, but is very close in nature, some I will assume the same applies. There is evidence to support it happens to people while still on these medication. Perhaps not clinically, but I see lots of anecdotal stuff and experiences.

I can start by switching brands. Also, Mirtazapine might be an option.

Thanks

I suffer from insomnia as well. What fixes it for me is a supplement called 'cortisol manager' by integrative therapeutics and melatonin. Even had a circadian rythm disorder at one point. No I'm not shilling for this company it's just the only thing that worked for me. I've been on all the pharma options, many times, over many years. I buy it on a popular auction site.

The main ingredient in the cortisol manager is called Relora. You can buy just that but I find that their combination of stuff works best. And I got this recommendation from a functional medicine dr that charges 400/hr. I paid that fee for 9 months while under her care. Consider this advice free!

I had insomnia for 12 years and had brain zaps for the last few years of it. I wasn't on anything at the time, certainly wasn't withdrawing from SSRIs. No doc (GP, neurologist, sleep doc) ever had an answer for me about the cause, but I believe in retrospect that it was just extreme systemic stress from being unable to sleep.

My GP gave me gabapentin as a best guess about what might help (it's an anticonvulsant) and it stopped them within a few weeks. This stuff was a lifesaver to me, I highly recommend trying it. Sorry you're struggling with brain zaps - they are awful!!!

Thanks for the recommendations. I will check for the Cortisol Manager on Amazon.

Hi, I'm a newbie.
Long story on apnoea but I've been on CPAP for 16 weeks.
Finally got the last week I've slept and important home back to sleep when I wake
Hooray.
For weeks when I woke, which was a lot settling to the mask, my brain was zapping mildly. Now I don't notice that but with getting better sleep I know I've got a brain all day. Not a headache, like it's reconnecting.
Also not being aware I had apnoea I fell apart last August, speech and balance awful. Speech is not as bad but not fluent, balance I've resorted to a walker. Brain just doesn't function.
GP and technician had no answers.
Saw a sleep physician and he says he's never seen these issues.
So back for another sleep study, mask on and a neurologist.

I've found articles on line about these apnoea issues.
Has anyone got them and found some help.
I'm so over being unwell.