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These Brain Whooshes (Jumps,Zaps) from soda are depressing.

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Posted 12/11/2011 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Ever since I took this supplement Ginseng Extract for reasons I cannot otherwise include on here
because it's not appropriate because of the ages on this forum, I have been getting these zaps.
Im on medicine for my anxiety. But everytime I have soda I get zaps. They went away when I stopped drinking the soda,
but started slowly creeping up on me and my brain when I had the soda again.
Sometimes I feel faint, and nasuea and just overall anxiety, but I know they are not hurtful I just want them to go away
when I have caffeine. Or is it due to the caffeine. Someone please help.

-Jeff
Posted 12/11/2011 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Jeff, welcome to the Depression Forum,

Not to be smart-mouthed, but if the reactions occur when you use
caffeine and disappear when you stop caffeine, you might assume that it's the caffeine which is causing it.

Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system and can cause all kinds of reactions in people who are sensitive to it. See ruthwhalen.com/caffeine to learn more about it.

Gingsing can cause headaches, nausea, changes in blood pressure

and induce mania in those who are subject to it.  Please check

Gingsing.com on the internet for more information.

I.G.

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 12/11/2011 11:01:12 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/11/2011 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jeff,

I agree with IG. It sounds like the caffiene. You may be sensitive to it.

I hope you can find something else to drink. I drink water. Put lemon wedges in it sometimes too. Tastes good....

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/11/2011 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Really about the Ginseng?
Posted 12/11/2011 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
For how long do these effects last? Just curious becuase its been out of my system for a month and a half now.
Posted 12/11/2011 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
It could be the caffiene alone that is doing this. Not yuor medication that you stopped. But it does take a couple of months to go out of your system. I hope that you feel better soon. Have you had your blood pressure checked lately?

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/11/2011 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
I notice that you are bipolar type I. Caffeine and alcohol make bipolar illness worse.

One person on the Bipolar Forum tried something with caffeine in it after removing it from her diet and wound up in the emergency room at the hospital for a severe condition related to caffeine. Everyone who is bipolar would probably not react so strongly to it, but I use this as an illustration to let you know how sensitive your brain is to caffeine as a bipolar patient.

Since you are bipolar please remove both caffeine and alcohol from your diet for improvement in feeling tone.

I.G.
Posted 12/12/2011 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Ok got it. But will the zaps go away? Thats my main focus
Posted 12/12/2011 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
If it's caffeine, it can take up to a year to recover from its effects if you have used caffeine for a long period of time.

In regard to the zaps, I can't answer that one; you'll need to discuss that with your psychiatrist. 

Some information is online about zaps, but it is inconclusive about what causes them and what to do to correct them.  It could be related to your med schedule. References suggest that it may be related to dopamine release. 

Stopping the SSRIs seems to have an effect on zaps for some.  What are called "recreational drugs" may be relevant, as well.  As a starter, I would recommend that you take only the prescribed medications by your physician and drink water--and plenty of it.

Have a good week ahead.

I.G.

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 12/12/2011 6:25:30 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/13/2011 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Ok but where are you getting these opinions/data from that it can take up to a year to recover? Most internet sites don't help because their not accurate enough so tell me what website you got this from. Ive recovered before just fine and everything and all.

I can't drink too much water it's genetic. Because of water intoxication. So I'm in a pickle.

Dr. Chen my psych can't find out whats causing the zaps only when I have soda they happen again. I don't have enough dopamine so thats prolly it.

I take my meds sometimes at 10:45 pm sometimes 2 in the morning but not lately. I need to get on a basis of taking my meds on time. sometimes I take them in the noon and not at 9. So most of the time its been at noontime.
Posted 12/13/2011 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Im on Blood pressure medicine which makes me go to the bathroom a lot.
Posted 12/13/2011 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
The information on caffeine came from my psychiatrist and additional data on caffeine from ruthwhalen.com/caffeine.   If you

always recovered quickly by eliminating caffeine, you were obviously not a long-term user.  Ruth Whalen explains what happens in long-term ingestion of caffeine.  (For one thing, it is not excreted as many substances are; it can be stored in the organs--brain, especially.)

Information on the zaps is available on numerous places on the internet.  Try looking up Zap causes.com and read several articles regarding thoughts about the origin and reduction of zaps. Read

Psychology Today.com for brain zaps.  Indications there are that zaps are related to SSRIs use and/or withdrawal.  (I have the

feeling that the carbonated water in soft drinks may play a minor

role in electric activity in the brain; it does lower calcium levels in

bone density, but has helpful benefits as well.)

We are not doctors so all that we can give is what our psychiatrists have told us is the truth or what we have experienced.

I'm sure you understand what our purpose is: we are here to encourage you to better health, but you should always verify what is appropriate for you with your physician.

Another take-charge thing you may do is to go online to every  website for each of your meds and read all of the side effects to  see if they interact with any other medications you take.  Advise your physician if you find the problem.

Good luck,

I.G.

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 12/13/2011 8:31:08 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/13/2011 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
True that!
Posted 12/13/2011 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Word up on that.
Posted 12/13/2011 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
I miss my mom even though shes in the kitchen. I have bad Add. So sometimes I may not even know shes here when she is I'm happy...
Posted 12/13/2011 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
It is comforting to know that you are happy when your mom is there. I hope that this is a good day for you. Keep posting and know that we all care.

Hugs, Karen
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