I used to dread waking up every morning in benzo withdrawal. Besides the terror and anxiety that waited for me to open my eyes, I had to cope with what I called the “bee stings,” painful tingles that started at my waist and went all the way to the bottom of my feet. My hands also tingled and burned. They felt as if they would explode. These are common benzo withdrawal symptoms called neuropathy. Neuropathy simply means, “problems with the nerves.”
There are three types of nerves that can be affected by benzo withdrawal: sensory, motor and autonomic. Sensory nerves control sensation. Problems with them would cause tingling, pain, or numbness. Motor nerves control movement. Problems with them would cause weakness. Problems with the autonomic nerves that control the body’s systems would cause changes in heart rate, sweating, and blood pressure. Most of us in withdrawal experience some nerve problems.
We all discover things that make our neuropathy worse. For me, I had a surge in the tingles after every meal, no matter what I ate, but salmon and garbanzo beans were exceptionally strong triggers. The tingles are one of the symptoms that remain after my cold turkey off of clonazepam June 23, 2011. There is healing slowly taking place, and I expect more healing over the coming years. My neuropathy doesn’t slow me down, and it’s not painful as it used to be. Like my tinnitus that is 24/7, it just an annoyance. If you have neuropathy, know that over time, it will get better.
As with most things in benzo withdrawal, there are no cures or procedures that will cure neuropathy. Doctors who are uneducated about benzo withdrawal like to prescribe Neurontin (Gabapentin) or Lyrica for the tingles or pain. However, we know from reports of people in withdrawal who have taken these medications that they often do not help, they often make things worse, and they have a rather nasty withdrawal syndrome as well. The Z drugs, (Zolpidem) can make neuropathy worse, as can anything that works on GABA receptors. Valerian, Kava Kava. Chamomile, Phenibut (Kavinace) Progesterone, etc. have all been reported to increase benzo withdrawal symptoms.
What can we do when we have pain, tingles, and weakness in benzo withdrawal? We practice extreme self-care. We eat healthy foods, and we avoid medications that will either flare up our nerves, hamper our healing, or create yet another chemical dependency. We take warm baths, apply heat or ice, get soothing massages, rest, and avoid stress. Like everything else in withdrawal, the best way to cope with neuropathy is with acceptance, patience, and distractions. Find ways to take the focus off of your problem nerves and you’ll feel better immediately.
Jennifer, WOW, after reading this I am glad that, so far, I have not had these effects, but I have been experiencing sore muscles. This withdrawal is horrible on so many levels. Dan
Jennifer,
I too was prescribed Gabapentin. The psychiatrist that was treating me was not very familiar with benzodiazepine withdrawal. If you,like me, live in a smaller metropolitan area it’s going to be difficult to find competent help. Therefore anyone reading this post that has these issues may have to travel aways to get help. Don’t let this deter you because help is available.
Hmmm. I always find it odd when I have not experienced some of the more common symtoms of withdrawal, like feeling bee stings, burning skin, or crawling skin. Either they may be coming, or I can thank my lucky stars I have escaped a common one. Tinnitus, mostly in my right ear, and the sense of ‘white noise’ or buzzing in my head are the most constant symptoms. At this point, it’s just annoying, though I know some people have it crashing 24/7. The days of crushing fatigue that leave me bedridden, I have just learned to lean into it and deal until they pass. It is what it is. There is no choice but to go forward. Even on my darkest days, I remind myself that going forward is the only option.
My thoughts are with you all to not only survive, but thrive where you can.
UGH, I forgot to mention my latest, possible effect – no matter what I eat, or how much, I get a stomach ache, a bad one. Does anyone else have this? Dan
Funny you should mention this, Dan. Just this week, I had a bad stomach ache. It was a legitimate ache not like the twisting, craping, muscle contracting benzo belly wich has been unrelenting. I felt I was going to throw up, which hasn’t happened since the first 30 days post taper. I tried some stretching and activity, as I’ve been more sedentary during all of this. I finally broke down and took some Pepto Bismal. I try not to take any over the counter medicines. I do have plain Greek yogurt most mornings for the probiotics, avoid anything too spicy or acid-ey. I drink water mostly, some milk, and o.j.
Hope it’s just a belly ache, and you feel better soon!
Lissa
Lissa, thanks for the reply! This withdrawal is amazing in the way that it affects so many things. As I say to my wife, it hard to believe how evil benzodiazepines are! Every day I think about all the people who are enduring this horror and it breaks my heart.
I do as well. I can’t imagine doing a rapid taper or going cold turkey. My heart breaks for the people out there who are having to hold down a job, care for children, or do not have compassionate support. There is no way I could have cared for a plant! And I wouldn’t be here, I’m sure had it not been for my husband, who works out of the house and has had my back, every minute.
I’m on my 8th day of cold turkey. I had to find a new Dr, mine retired. I was taking 2mg of klonopin every night for rls. New Dr never said anything about withdrawls or tapering off. I just found out why she gave me a prescription for gabapentin, she never told me a thing. I googled klonopin withdrawal, that’s when I read about why I was feeling so crappy. I’m not giving into my withdrawals, I will beat this. Because I’m mad ass hell that nobody told me this would happen, not my Dr not my pharmacist, I had to Google it. I’ve been taking care of my 3year old granddaughter all week, luckly I didn’t have any severe withdrawal, yet. I really wish there was more compitant Dr’s out there that knew what they are doibg. Needless to say, I won’t be going back to that one.