Just the last few days I've had a really strange (to me anyway) symptom. If it's been more than 7 or 8 hrs w/o a hydro, I get this weird sensation in my brain, kind of feels like it's going "chingy ching chingy"...sort of a sound, sort of a feeling. If I stay still it stops, but if I move at all, it comes back, but abt 45 min. after taking 1 10/325 hydro, it goes away...for 8 hrs or so, then creeps back.

I've been on hydro 2 to 6 a day, for about 2 yrs, but with some breaks, using tramadol, sometimes get the usual (fairly mild) w/drawal symptoms, but never anything like this, never heard of such a thing, and can't find anything about it. (Which, considering I can't even really describe it, makes sense ).

I just got a clean bill of health (including liver, yay!) from my PMD a month ago; she knows I take hydro (although not quite how much), and suggested I go on tramadol, gave me a scrip, which I was planning to do, after tapering my last fill.
The only thing different is, she put me on a trial (samples) of Cymbalta, which I took 30 mg for 2 weeks, 60 mgs. for 1 week, then quit, because I haven't gotten to the only cheap drug store in my area, which is quite a ways. There is nothing in the package insert about this, and it started at least a week after no Cymbalta.
(Oh, and while I was taking the Cymbalta, didn't "feel" the hydro quite as much, but pain level stayed ok.)

I'd rather ask y'all first; my doc and I have a good relationship, partly based on "don't ask; don't tell"...she's been quite frank about that. But this is really freaking me out. Any suggestions, esp. if anybody has had something similar happen, would be deeply appreciated.

The only thing I can think of is some kind of seizure-like condition? Would that make sense? I've never had a seizure in my life, even when (naively) c/t-ing from Xanax. I don't even get dizzy or faint, ever, and nobody else in my family does.
Sorry to ramble on like this, but it's got me both worried & confused. Thanks again.

I'm trying to figure out a medical reason for answering your question, but what the heck is Cymbalta? I've never heard of this with Hydro w/d, but no idea about the other med. Seizures are rare, to none with hydro w/d, but what about the other med, mixing the two? Have you stopped taking hydro before without this effect, but are having it now, could be the other. Wish I could be of more help. Keep us posted. K.....

im not sure but i have heard of peeps having what they call " head zaps" after stopping SSRI's, my hubby is battling cymbalta now, he takes 60mg a day and if he forgets a dose he has terrible w/d's like sucidial thoughts and more... wondering if this is the SSRI and the hydro is masking it?

The sounds and sensations you are having can come from withdrawal from meds. Years ago, no one knew that
I have experienced those "whooshing through the head and eye movements symptoms." I do not want to frighten
you but tell your doc' asap about that and it is important to figure out which med is causing it. Paxil
the wonder drug, showed the world what it could do-the symptoms you are having happened to Paxil
patients going through WD from just even tapering off the stuff. Do not hesitate.--J ps: I posted a long ugly story tonight and it involved the WD symptoms from a particular med, I know what you are talking about, you can
feel it and hear too, no matter which way you look or turn your head there is the "whooshing" almost
electrical zapping??? If that is how you feel get back to me quick.--J

I used to chat with an attorney regarding the class action suit against GSK for the damaging effects
of Paxil. I was included in the suit, but it fell through...just my luck. The guy I chatted with told
me he would take Paxil forever, because he cannot stand the WD from it. Take heed. Please.

Wow, thanks for jumping on this so fast! Beachgirl, Cymbalta is the lastest, greatest anti-depressant, combines both seratonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, instead of just seratonin. (And therefore hideously expensive, which is why I was waiting 'till I could get to get to Costco to fill the scrip, being among the uninsured rabble.)
Yup, Warthogg, I was wondering if this was the infamous "brain zaps" I've heard about but never had. That's terrible about your husband, but gives me something to think about, and for that I thank you...hydro possibly masking Cymbalta-withdrawal head zaps is brilliant! I knew I came to the right place!

Even tho' my PMP is not a shrink, of course, I trust her more than one, and she has prescribed me other ADs...(my life in general has gone to hell lately, and I let the depression creep up too close before dealing with it), and I do trust her, so maybe I do need to ask her. hmmmm. Thing is, I really liked the Cymbalta; felt a bit better after only those 2 weeks, which is short for me, and NO side-effects while on it.

Of course not everyone loses it like I do, just wanted you to be careful for I nearly lost my life and
destroyed my entire family in the process. What damage is done cannot be fixed, I sincerely hate that
I did not have any chance of winning my suit. The second firm who called me, well, it was good until
he asked what other meds was I taking while on Paxil, and I said Klonipin and he said...they say
that drug can cause suicidal tendancys too.....bummer. I am crippled and my son does not really have a
Mom I hate this. Please be careful.--J PS: with some people the zaps lasted for months and months
which is what drove them to homocide and suicide

I was prescribed Cymbalta a few months ago as well. I was told I acted like a total zombie while on it and pretty much felt like one too. I stopped it after only a couple weeks because a concerned family member actually called my doctor and reported my "odd" behavior out of concern and his office called me and told me to stop taking it immediately. I have also tried zoloft and lexipro with no real difference that I could tell and no side effects when stopped (a joke indeed, my pocket books still laughing... at me ). I will never take an SSRI again though. My brother freaked after taking effexor for a few weeks and had to stop taking it. Those SSRI's are dangerous IMHO. I think part of the problem is they are being prescribed with ease at the mention of the word depression to people who may not need that kind of help. I did have some strange w/d symptoms that my doc called in some klonapin to help with (although I was going through other things at the same time so it's hard to say exactly what caused what), so I agree you should call your doc and let her know what's up with the Cymbalta. If the meds help the depression and don't make you weird when taking them, like they did me, then I would read up on them some more and discuss any concerns you may have about coming off them later. As long as your doctor is available to help you when the time comes to taper off you should be fine, just don't miss a dose or stop again without letting the doctor know, it's not one of those meds you want to just take a break from once in a while.. you either take it full time or not at all. I hope this helps. If you have any further questions feel free to PM me anytime, I'm glad to help whenever I can!

Take care and be careful with the Cymbalta,
-Gem

I have taken antidepressants for years.
Whenever I forget to take my pill for a day or 2, the zing-twang behind my eyes reminds me to take it.

I even went to the eye doctor for it, I could tell he thought I was a ding dong. It wasn't until I began reading these boards that I realized what was causing it.

I also can vouch for the weird anti-depressant wd's. You know, its probably completel possible that other meds do the same thing...like the hydro for some people. Me and my friend called the Paxil withdrawls the "zits". It feels like someone is inside your brain with a little cattle prod and you can hear/feel the zap. Good luck to you Lvs! I hope it all works out, and soon. BTW, very cool that you are tapering, well done!

-Sugar Bunny

I was one that had to go back on Paxil SB. Just to rough w/o it and too rough trying
stop. I'm on it for life, it is the right drug for me..It does the job.
Good night,
Alpha

I took Lexapro for a short time, was okay until the doctor upped my dose. I didn't like the way I felt and went back to the original dose. Well, just from tapering to that dose, I had those weird, disturbing head zaps. It scared me so bad I went off the Lexapro and took my Zoloft I had previously been on. The Zoloft stopped the zaps, but I imagine if I now go off that, I will get them back.

camt

I've been taking Paxil for about 2 months now and so far so good. I'm only on 20mg a day, up from 10mg and it is helping me sleep better but the migraines for which it was prescribed are still present. Didn't know about the "zap" side effect if stopped and glad to have read these posts...now I know. Doc did tell me to not stop taking it without his supervision. Thanks for the info.

Thank you all so much! This is such a relief to know this is fairly common...in fact, I feel kinda dumb now, since I'd read about the "zaps" really causing a lot of trouble, just didn't occur to me, since I'd been on other ADs no prob, but they were all plain SSRIs, which Cymbalta isn't. Was a little better today (not just a placebo effect from all your good vibes, honest), so I think I'll just wait till I see a psych doc, which I already had an appt for next month.
Here's a cartoon I just found that kinda sums up a lot of my feelings about "professionals" right now. I'm so grateful to have all you good, knowledgable fellow cyberfriend sufferers!