Symptoms
Introduction
Like everything else concerned with benzodiazepines this topic is not clear-cut. There is a wide range of possible symptoms (see below) but it is important to realise that any one person will not experience all of these. Indeed some people may experience withdrawal symptoms with which they are able to cope quite well, depending on circumstances. In general, the longer you have been taking the drug the longer it is going to take you to come off it.
You may have experienced some symptoms and want to know if these might be due to the drug. See also the information leaflet which should come with your particular product. If a symptom is listed but its possible cause is still worrying you, then don't hesitate to check with your doctor.
A typical pattern is for an individual to experience several of the symptoms in the list but to find one particularly troublesome. Sometimes this may relate to the problem that caused the drug to be prescribed in the first place. Other users may not experience this symptom at all or may be able to cope with it. To add to the confusion, the symptoms experienced by a particular person at different times may vary both in type and intensity. There seems to be no way of predicting this.
Other people, who have no direct experience of taking the drug, may find it difficult to understand the problems that you are experiencing. One advantage of a support group is the chance to compare notes with others who are in a similar situation.
See withdrawal advice for the best way to minimise symptoms when withdrawing from the drug.
Common Symptoms
Fear
General anxiety
Panic attacks
Phobias, especially agoraphobia and claustrophobia
Lack of confidence
De-realisation
De-personalisation
Sleep
Sleeplessness
Disturbed sleep
Nightmares
Mood
Depression
Anger
Aggression
Anxiety
Over-excitement, restlessness
Lack of concentration, poor memory
Lack of interest
Minor problems appear bigger
Sometimes suicidal thoughts
Sensory
Enhanced sensitivity to sound, light, taste or smell
Blurred vision
Tinnitus
Giddiness and sense of movement
Tingling or burning sensations
Sensation of insects crawling under the skin
Numbness
Feeling unreal
Physical
Exhaustion, inertia
General aches and pains (muscle tension)
Weakness in arms and legs (Jelly legs)
Muscle twitching
Stomach and bowel problems, irritable bowel syndrome, hiatus hernia
Influenza-like symptoms
Jaw pains, toothache
Sweating
Feeling too hot / too cold, sometimes in rapid succession
Trembling
Palpitations
Headaches
Rashes
Extreme symptoms (after rapid withdrawal from high doses)
Convulsions
Psychotic symptoms including hallucinations and delusions
Delirium
Confusion