Does anyone have this feeling? I don’t know what the heck is going on. I feel like I could actually light a light bulb with the tip of my finger if I wanted. My head’s buzzing and my legs and arms are buzzing. I’ve never had this before and don’t know what’s causing it.

I met my new pdoc on Friday. I was a nervous wreck so by the time I went in I felt a panic attack coming on and I’ve been feeling anxious ever since.

We started out slow with the usual intros and she asked me why I was there? I was floored and couldn’t think what to say so I said I’m bipolar and I need help controlling my feelings whether by meds or just somebody to talk to. After I got those words out I froze because I realized what I had said. I said I was BIPOLAR. I think we’re going to hit it off because she let me talk about what I wanted not like the other guy I had. I talked about my mom for 45 minutes are she urged me to keep talking. Yes I cried a lot but she said it was okay to let it out and I needed that.

My meds have been changed so maybe it’s one of those? I wasn’t taking anything except Effexor since I walked out of the other pdoc’s office. Now I have Depakote, Lamictal for depression, Seroquel to help me sleep and Klonopin. But all I’ve taken is the Depakote (750mg) about 3 hours ago. Or maybe I’ve let it go too long???

Hi BJ,

I'm glad you like this pdoc better. Sometimes it seems the woman docs are more receptive to me.

befuddled2

Dear Me BP,
When did the buzzing start?
Have you started the new batch of meds?
Call the pdoc tomorrow or Monday and let her know. She should be able to tell you what it is.
In the meantime, try not to worry about it.
Mari

Mari it started around 4:00 this afternoon. It's an odd feeling and one I never felt before. It just feels like my whole body is charged. I can't think of a better word to say but buzzing but that's what it feels like. I was supposed to take Seroquil but I'm afraid until I call her. I'm going to give it a few more hours and try to sleep. But I don't think that's going to happen.

hi there,
sorry about the buzzing..that must be a very strange sensation.
Does it hurt?
Placing a call to your pdoc on monday is a great suggestion.
If it really bothers you then call the on call doctor.
I do think you should follow what your new doctor has prescribed and the lamictal should be a small dose right 25mg to start, very low dose...and the seroquel will help you to sleep as well as helping to slow your thoughts down, this can also help with anxiety. These are really good meds and very helpful to control our symptoms...they just take time to get in our systems to start working for us.
You could also call a pharmacist to see if the tingling/zapping is side effect in the "PDR" the bible/reference for medications.
The only time I have heard of this is when someone was withdrawing off of benzodiazapines.
I can't remember how long you were without meds?
This could be from the discontinuing of effexor?
wishing you well.
(((HUGS)))
bizi

Hi,
A wild guess says that it could be paresthesia --
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/p...aresthesia.htm --
And that the Depakote is causing it. But I am not a pdoc.
The pdoc will know if this is a good reason to go off the med or if you should stay on the Depakote and see it if goes away after a while.


Most of the time, the side effects of these, while frightening, are harmless. As long as you let the pdoc know what is going on, you will be ok.

This is the hard part about trying new drugs.

Someone on our forum once told me to only try new meds in the MORNING -- not in the evening before bed.
That way I could monitor myself, call the pdoc, be able to call a friend to come over for example, or go to the hospital if that became necessary.

By the way, I have not heard of many people going to the hospital for short time side effects.
I'm trying to calm you down.....not sure if I am.

Here is what you can do:
1) call and get someone on call, perhaps wake up your pdoc.
2) call pdoc at a reasonable time in the morning (even if the side effect has passed/lessoned by then
3) call any pharmacist at an all night drug store and ask them to look up the side effect profile for you of Depakote and the other meds you have started.

I am sorry that you are going through this.
Maybe by now, you are sleeping. I hope so.
Check in on Sunday and let us know what is going on if you don't mind.
Mari

MeBP,
Back to what Bizi brought up --
When did you stop the Effexor? Is the Effexor withdrawals part of what is happening?
mari

I wish I was sleeping but my net went down at it just came back up.

I started weaning off the Effexor yesterday by half. I started on 25 mg Lamictal, 750 mg Depakote and I haven't taken the Seroquel yet because I'm afraid.

It doesn't hurt or anything it's more of an annoying thing. I almost feel like something is under there and my mind is racing terribly. I haven't slept at all because of the buzzing in my head and just being afraid. I'm afraid I'm getting manic again and my last one was terrible. I don't want to be like that again.

I didn't call my pdoc because I didn't want to disturb her, wanted to get off on the right foot. The pharmacy opens at 9AM and I'll call there and see what they have to say. Then if need be I'll call her.

For me the buzzing is from my FM and other nerve problems. If I remember you have FM too right? If not sorry if I confused you. As for the BP, I don't have the physical manifestations like that.
I do have a question for you, I just started on Depakote last week, how is that working for you?

Hi Wendy it's nice to "meet" you but sorry about the circumstances. As far as having fibro, it's one of the things that has been kicked around but no definitive diagnosis yet. My primary suggested I see a rheumatologist but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I go through periods where I hurt from head to toe but that could also be depression so I'm not sure yet. I just need to get my meds straighted out and then I'll make that appointment.

As far as the Depakote I just started it yesterday so the verdict is out. I'm not sure if this buzzing is from that or not. This is a new pdoc, I fired my other, and I've been off meds for a while except for Effexor which I'm weaning off now. What a messed I've caused.

Time to call CVS. I hope the pharmacist is in.