It was as if I had swallowed a beehive; the tingling and burning felt like hundreds of bees had stung my tongue. Alarmed, I stood in front of the mirror and stuck out my tongue. It looked normal enough. No swelling. No redness. How odd! How could it be that I felt painful sensations yet there was no physical evidence of any abnormality? Add burning tongue to the list of odd benzo symptoms I experienced. It is a benzo withdrawal symptom that affects quite a few people. There isn’t anything one can do for it (like most things in benzo withdrawal). We simply have to wait for it to go away. I chewed on ice chips and big wads of bubble gum to help me to distract from the sensations. I knew when I was overly stressed because the tingling in my tongue got worse. It was my “canary in the coal mine.” I knew when I needed to rest more or to do my best to reel in my emotions.
Formication is another odd benzo withdrawal symptoms that some people experience. It is the feeling that insects (or worms) are crawling under your skin. It’s not usually painful. It’s just creepy and annoying. Rubbing your hands slowly over the parts of your body that are affected is a good way to cope with the sensations. Warm baths or a gentle walk can also be good distractions.
“Teeth twirling” is another strange benzo withdrawal symptom. For some, it feels as if the tooth is twirling in its socket. For others, the sensation feels as if the tooth is being pushed out of the mouth. Nerve pain in a tooth (or teeth), often severe, is reported by many. Needless dental work has been performed on people who experience dental symptoms in withdrawal.
Another odd benzo withdrawal symptom is the feeling that your insides are vibrating. Called “internal vibration,” the sensations aren’t usually painful, just annoying. It can be hard to sleep when your insides feel as if they are strapped to a jackhammer! (I had this symptom for quite some time and I was quite happy when it finally went away.)
There are so many strange sensations that benzo withdrawal can cause. Head pressure, feeling as if you are being pulled down, feeling as if you are being pulled out of your body, burning skin, and uncontrollable body jerks and twitches scare a lot of people when they experience them. What strange benzo symptom do you have? You may be surprised to learn that many other people have the same symptom! In time, all of the odd benzo withdrawal symptoms go away. Patience, acceptance, and distraction are the best tools to use to cope with withdrawal symptoms. One day, you’ll realize that you’ve recovered and you feel normal again better than ever! Keep healing!
Hi Jenn, Like you did, I am suffering from a multitude of nasty symptoms. I have had the tooth throbbing, head felt like it was inflated like a balloon, face feels like it has turned to stone and moving my eyebrows up and down is sore and tight. I have continual squeezing all over my face and head, my tongue buzzes like I’m eating a mobile phone which is on vibration. My right side of my face feels numb and cold. My right eye feels like someone has put a kebab skewer in it and is twisting it. My most obscure has to be that I feel like someone has put their fingers up my nose and constantly pulling me backwards. I feel like something out of Stephen Kings imagination, only it’s reality.
Love and hugs across the Pond
Jackie
Edinburgh
It’s going to be interesting to hear everyone’s obscurities.
Happy healing to all x
I too suffered from burning tongue and dental problems. It was terrible and I was sure I had cancer. It did go away during my taper.
Hello everyone. Have been praying for you this morning Jackie. ..so sorry that you have such a nasty list of symptoms atm. The heaviness behind my eyes and silly wobbly legs with numd/pins and needles in feet are bad for me. .. but not really unusual I guess. The irrational thoughts aren’t great!!! I pray a lot and it helps.Jesus is my closest friend as quite a few others are mostly ignoring me… I get it…I really do. Am just grateful to get through each day . We win this war .we’re healing. I tell myself that the symptoms are my body healing. Much love to all..thanks jen again for your timely encouragement…you’re a star. Xxxx love nicki ( also across the big pond) xxx
I had horrible “electric shock” type pain in my molars. I thought for sure it was my teeth and I went to the dentist. After exam and X-rays my dentist said my teeth were perfectly fine. He was also smart enough to tell me that it was neurological. I now realize it was from withdrawal.
Another weird sensation (formication) was the feeling of water dripping on my arms or legs. But I was not even near water and it wasn’t rain. So strange.
I am also having the burning tongue among so many other painful symptoms. The top of my foot feels like someone is stretching a Eletric cord and it hurts a lot ! Pins and needles on my face and jelly legs ! I am dizzy sad and desperate and only took this poison for 6 months to help with sleep ! 7 weeks withdraw and 21 days without it and I want to die ! Hopeless