Can anybody describe 'the zaps' for me?  ,or how this happens or why?

Also, question on Zyprexa vs Remeron.

I just switched from Zyprexa to Remeron. My doc likes zyprexa because it works on 3 meathods.  I looked it up when I was prescribed it, and saw that is was for bipolar, and in higher doses, for scitzophrenia. That was a while ago, I'd been on it for some time now for only depression with anxiety. I still have depression and so wanted to try something different and something that wouldn't classify me as bipolar or schitzo on my medical reacord for future medical insurance issues. So, I wanted to try Remeron, seeing as it's similar and is for depression from what I looked up. And it's not listed as an antipsychotic. at least from what I saw.
  I am also taking Paxil.
 This is day 3 on Remeron. The first day, I slept great for 9 or 10 hrs. The second day I didn't sleep as well. This third day I hardly slept at all, and even took half an ambien after midnight, then the other half after 3am. Still no sleep.
The depression is ok, not worse, not markedly improved yet.
    Today I am having a mild version of 'the zaps' ... which could be due to lack of sleep, or the change from zyprexa to remeron.  Has anybody else had 'the zaps' from getting off Zyprexa, or from starting Remeron without getting off something else?

Also, does anybody here take Zyprexa for only depression with anxiety?  I might consider going back to it.  The doc says he has several patients who are on zyprexa that are not bipolar or schitzophrenic, but I haven't seen anything on the web about it and worry about being classified as that by my insurance company.

Thanks for reading my post. I appreciate everybody here. Thanks DF for having this place for us to ask these questions.

I've had the zaps from anti-depressants when I forgot to take the meds at the same time every day, or was switching from one ad to another.  I guess it's from your brain chemistry changing.

I think it could be described like a mild shock without the pain.  The only time I ever had this senastion with when I pulled a neck muscle.  Kind of a tingling sensation.  It does effect my vision for a second.  I wish someone could tell me exactly what this was too, as lots of people have this on SSRI'S.  It seems like I've heard people on Paxil complaine of this, but I never had it on Paxil, only on Lexapro and Cmybalta....

Hi, Ajax,
I take Abilify for depression/anxiety. It's also considered an anti-psychotic, like Zyprexa, but I don't worry about labels much. I don't respond well to any of the traditional ADs, and this is a not uncommon off-label use for the antipsychtics: they have anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and mood stabilising qualities. If your diagnosis isn't for schizophrenia, it shouldn't be on your medical records.
Let us know what you decide to do.
Wishing you well...

Thanks for writing Jkm and lizard.
  This is day 4. I got some sleep last night, but did wake several times, then woke early with bad thoughts of work worries.  I did not take any Ambien & don't think I will take it ever again. Sonota was what the doc suggested, but I think I'll just stay away from any sleep pills for now.

The 'Zaps' are still going on, but mild. Nothing like when I stopped taking Zoloft with nothing to replace it. Back then, those 'Zaps' were severe and caused pain in my neck & under the arms, and made me disoriented.

Lizard, Thanks, I guess I won't worry about the records then. How is the Abilify working for you?   I,too don't respond very well with traditional AD's. My brother tried Abilify briefly and said it was "evil". ( his words.) He didn't really expand on why he said that, he killed himself recently, so I can't ask him anymore. Before he did that, we talked on what he was taking & therapy, etc. Just that I didn't press questions on Abilify. He was also trying to ween off of anxiety meds. I had gotten myself off those already. So far, anxiety is quite mild for me right now, but I do still have some to take if it hits hard. The Zyprexa was working for me and I might go back to it. The doc said I will have to wait 2 weeks before switching back.
 From what I saw looking it up, Abilify sounds like it works similarly to Zyprexa: dopamine (reduction?), seratonin (reuptake blocker, thus increase?) , and noradrenaline ( up, down? )  , and Remeron works on seratonin and noadreline ... but my doc said it works similarly so I figured it must have other methods that weren't mentioned on the two places where I looked up all these: medicinenet.com & medlineplus.  I'll look around here more to see what I can find out, but basically I'm not a scientist or doctor and don't really understand how these all work. I'm interested in 'how' , but when look up chemical makeups, I find my eyes glazing over and thinking I'll need to take some college classes to really know, and maybe they don't either completely.
   Anyway, Thanks, and I'll keep you posted. Things are going fine, and I'm feeling okay in general. Thoughts like everybody else here has, but I'll be fine.
   Wishing you also
Ajax

I had zaps when I came off Celexa at one stage (I was tapering very slowly under my pdoc's guidance).  I don't know why they happen.  I had read about them here before I experiences them - all I can say is that you know they are happening when they happen - just a weird and uncomfortable sensation in your head that can't really be described.  Fortunately, in my case, they didn't last too long (3-4 days)

I get the zaps off and on, especially in the morning, if I'm a few hours late on my dose...I'm on Paxil CR for anxiety and Wellbutrin for depression.  They're very mild, and I don't mind them much.  I found they intensified a little when I added Wellbutrin and switched over from generic paxil at the same time.  Seems my brain isn't so hip to change, but like I said, not too worrysome, and not painful.

They're actually kinda cool sometimes.  Wild what your brain can do . :Oo:

Must have something to do with the serotonin level, my guess.  If the meds aren't in the right balance, maybe too low, you get the zaps.  Like a mild electrical reminder that your meds are working, or not.  Things docs don't tell you.......   :idea3:

I don't understand the Zaps too much, nor do many doctors or pharmacists.  However, I know exactly what you're talking about.  Those really brief "electric shock" sensations in the head and/or upper body that last a split second and sometimes lead to a slight jerking almost like a myoclonic seizure.  I experienced them when I quit Paxil four years ago and have had them ever since--never had them while I was on Paxil or prior to taking taking it.  Apparently they are very common during SSRI (especially Paxil) withdrawal as well as withdrawal from other meds such as Effexor.  I unfortunately seem to have been cursed with them for much longer than is normal.

The Zaps occur pretty much at random, but occur more frequently and/or intensely when I am a) sleep deprived, b) stressed or anxious, c) sitting at the computer or inactive for long periods of time or d) any combination of the above.

I believe the Zaps are caused by an electrochemical imbalance in the brain and probably has to do with the serotonin and/or dopamine receptors and the response of neurotransmitters, but that is only an educated guess from extensive research on how antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds work.

I think that some anti-anxiety meds and possibly anti-seizure meds can help reduce the severity and frequency of the Zaps, perhaps eliminate them altogether.  I have been on Klonopin (an anti-anxiety and anti-seizure med) and that has helped with both the Zaps and anxiety.  I am also on Wellbutrin and Ritalin to help with ADD/ADHD and mild depression.  In general, the combo has worked fairly well for me.

I'm under lots of anxiety about upcoming medical testing, and I had the zaps going on for hours this afternoon.  I got so tired, I finally took half an ativan.  I'm seeing my doc Tuesday, and a thorasic surgeon Wednesday and will ask both of them what they think causes it.  I don't like the feeling, but would like to have this responded to by a physician.  

zaps suck.

i've been having them since coming off lexapro. for me, they come in clusters for maybe ten minutes at a time. usually about 3-4 days after the last mini-dose. then i'd have to take another few crumbs to stop them. they got further apart tho...

come to think of it, i haven't had them for the last 24hrs, since starting my new med, prozac. it's been a week since the lex. probably not a coincidence...