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Brain "zaps" Vs. Brain "swooshes" - Is There A Difference?


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#1 Ramona80

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Posted 22 August 2015 - 02:11 PM

I remember reading at some point that there is a difference between swooshes and zaps, but don't recall seeing the description of how they differ.

 

When I was first in withdrawals (in April), I experienced a sudden swoosh sensation in my head when I moved my head or eyes. Most of my life I have had these same head swoosh feelings when I'm having a change in hormones (usually PMS related), and I've also experienced this when I get a fever. No idea why. 

 

While what I've experienced is a "swoosh," it also could be described as having a "zap"-like quality.

 

So could anyone enlighten me as to how a zap differs from a swoosh, if it does?


#2 gail

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Posted 22 August 2015 - 03:40 PM

Hi Ramona,

Can't help you, never had any brain zaps or swoosh.

Curious to know what is a swoosh. What does it feel like?

#3 Ramona80

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Posted 22 August 2015 - 03:48 PM

Sort of a feeling of sudden movement inside the head. Almost like if air or fluid suddenly was rushing, and then stops almost as suddenly as it started.


#4 FiveNotions

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Posted 22 August 2015 - 04:45 PM

Gee Ramona, that's a question I can't answer ... Are you still having these sensations, even when not in PMS?

 

I had the sensation that my brain was rolling around loose in my skull ... for example, if I turned my head, it would seem like my vision / brain turned at a different speed, either faster or slower ... and my field of vision would sort of turn into a mush ... colors and images would seem like they ran together for an instant ...

 

I also had sensations of sort of electric shocks in my head, without the sense of being "shocked," just brief sort of "explosions" ...

 

I think these symptoms lasted a few weeks, gradually fading away ...

 

I chalked it all up to serotonin levels in my brain being whacked out ... it's interesting that you have "swooshes" in connections with PMS ... I'm past that point in life, so I never researched this, but is serotonin involved by any chance in PMS?


#5 Ramona80

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Posted 22 August 2015 - 05:37 PM

Well, according to what I've read, estrogen and serotonin are linked, but it's not completely understood how. After you give birth - your estrogen level plunges, and the serotonin level can plunge with it. That can cause post-partum depression (which I had). And I know that the estrogen level drops during PMS, so maybe the serotonin drops with it then, too. 

 

I'm not still having the withdrawal "swooshes" (those were happening all day long when I was in acute withdrawal, but resolved when I went back up in Cymbalta dose), but I have been having them a little during PMS.


#6 Carleeta

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Posted 22 August 2015 - 09:17 PM

Ramona, I might be able to help here between the swoosh and the zaps. My zaps were actual feelings of little vibrations going up the back of my neck to the top of the back of my head.  Where as my swooshes were more of a pressure feeling. These swooshes were actually very fast and felt like a rush up and down my head.  My swooshes were definitely related to pressure and come on more when the weather changes and my sinuses are about to act up.  Sometimes these swooshes come without any sinuses issues attached.  I found out my swooshes were definitely related to the air pressure outside.  I also experienced these swooshes when I was young.  About the PMS, I truly never made the association, although its possible.  Hopefully this helps


#7 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 22 August 2015 - 10:14 PM

Just for clarification.

There has not been any concrete proof that low serotonin levels cause depression. It has been a presumption made because although they cannot test the serotonin levels in a live person's brain, those who were known to be depressed had their serotonin levels checked post mortem and some have low serotonin but even that isn't proof positive now is it as not everyone did.

They further push this myth by using the example of the people who respond positively to SSRI and SNRI meds even though no one stays feeling well and most end up depressed again with long term use of these drugs.

 

As to the other, I get swooshes when I am sick and trust me if you get a brain zap you will know the difference.


#8 FiveNotions

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Posted 23 August 2015 - 12:14 PM

Good point, LadyNancy ... regardless of whether serotonin levels are related to depression, crapalta screws with serotonin levels ... and that, in and of itself, is a problem ... because serotonin is an absolutely essential neurotransmitter ... and is thus deeply involved with almost every bodily function ... not to mention, mental functions ...

 

Who the hell knows what these drugs really do to us? They're tested on rats ... and rats aren't known for being particularly helpful in terms of verbal feedback ... the idiot scientists just watch their behavior ... and then move right on to giving the drugs to humans ... :angry:


#9 Carleeta

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Posted 23 August 2015 - 05:56 PM

Goof point Lady Nancy and FiveNotions

#10 kmrekl217

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Posted 05 January 2016 - 02:11 AM

I remember reading at some point that there is a difference between swooshes and zaps, but don't recall seeing the description of how they differ.

 

When I was first in withdrawals (in April), I experienced a sudden swoosh sensation in my head when I moved my head or eyes. Most of my life I have had these same head swoosh feelings when I'm having a change in hormones (usually PMS related), and I've also experienced this when I get a fever. No idea why. 

 

While what I've experienced is a "swoosh," it also could be described as having a "zap"-like quality.

 

So could anyone enlighten me as to how a zap differs from a swoosh, if it does?

When I tried weaning off Cymbalta, I experienced mostly swooshes where it felt like I was upside down on a roller coaster. Every once in a blue moon, I'd get a slight electrical zzz feeling in my head. So I do think there's a difference. The swooshes were much more debilitating for me.


#11 silverseed72

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Posted 18 February 2016 - 02:39 PM

When I tried weaning off Cymbalta, I experienced mostly swooshes where it felt like I was upside down on a roller coaster. Every once in a blue moon, I'd get a slight electrical zzz feeling in my head. So I do think there's a difference. The swooshes were much more debilitating for me.

 

I know this is a month old, but I had to speak on this. The "brain zaps" to me is like hitting your funny bone but it's in your head.


#12 kmrekl217

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Posted 18 February 2016 - 08:54 PM

I know this is a month old, but I had to speak on this. The "brain zaps" to me is like hitting your funny bone but it's in your head.

 

Hitting your funny bone is a good way to describe the zaps. The brain swooshes were what I had constantly. Neither was fun, that's for sure.


#13 Bumblebee27

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Posted 18 July 2016 - 01:08 PM

 I have moments that my brain feels like it kind of flips over.  Dizziness assails me and I feel like my inner gyroscope has come off balance.  I have learned that if I will just sit very still, close my eyes and practice deep breathing I can help lesson the fear and anxiety brought on in these moments.  It has never lasted for more than a few minutes and the self induced calmness helps me to refocus and move on past the moment.  I really thought that this was just me and that I was the only one experiencing this.  I am so sorry the rest of you are going through this too, but I am so glad that I am not alone. 


#14 FiveNotions

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Posted 18 July 2016 - 04:52 PM

Bumblebee, are you taking any supplements ? We recommend Omega 3, chelated magnesium (be careful, it causes anxiety in a tiny % of folks), multi-vitamin, and B supplement ... plus lots of water, herb tea, etc... and try to avoid caffeine and alcohol ...

 

The magnesium and Omega 3 seemed to help me a lot with the brain rolls, sloshes, and zaps ... that, and time ... I think that stuff faded for me after about a month... 


#15 Carleeta

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Posted 18 July 2016 - 08:25 PM

Don't know much about the sloshers, although I did have the brain zapps.  They only happened for a fraction of a second, although they sort of scared me a bit.   Never knew what they were until coming to this forum.   


#16 Raven72

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Posted 19 July 2016 - 09:03 AM

I for one have not really thought about it, but I think that I may have also experienced the swooshes.  It's almost like vertigo but way worse. As for the zaps, with me they seem to affect my entire body. Causing sudden jerks when I least expect it. It's still an issue to date, so to me there is a distinct difference.


#17 CNA

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Posted 19 October 2016 - 03:09 PM

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