The Assault on Our Senses: Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms of the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Mouth

Have you heard the term ‘sensory hypersensitivity,’ but don’t really know what it means? Perhaps you should ask someone in benzo withdrawal. Sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells, and tastes can be common. Learn the causes and a few tips on how to cope.

In today’s episode, we talk about the withdrawal symptoms of the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. These include light and sound sensitivity, blurred vision, dry mouth, thrush, difficulty swallowing, and tinnitus among others. We also hear a benzo story from Washington, DC, learn the role homeostasis plays in recovery, and spotlight an amazing documentary film by an Irish journalist.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/the-assault-on-our-senses-benzo-withdrawal-symptoms-of-the-eyes-ears-nose-and-mouth-bfp016

Video ID: BFP016

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

08:59 Mailbag

16:14 Benzo News

19:02 Benzo Spotlight

22:20 Benzo Story

36:38 FEATURE: The Assault on Our Senses

53:13 Moment of Peace

 

Resources

The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein.

MAILBAG

• “The Ashton Manual,” by C. Heather Ashton
• “Benzo Free,” by D E Foster
• “Conversation with a Caregiver,” Benzo Free Podcast Episode #12

BENZO NEWS

• BF BLOG: “It’s Senior Week at Benzo Free” by D E Foster
• BF BLOG: “The Lost Years: A Father, a Son, Benzos, and Aging,” by D E Foster
• BIC: “Do You Want to Share Your Story Publicly?”
• NEW YORK TIMES: “A Quiet Drug Problem Among the Elderly,” by Paula Span
• BF PODCAST: “The Dangers of Benzodiazepine Use in the Elderly,” by D E Foster
• MEDICAL SPECIALTY DIALOGUES: “Once prescribed, 25% of elderly become dependent on benzodiazepines: JAMA, by Hina Zahid
• NPR’S FRESH AIR: “‘Mind Fixers’ Documents The ‘Troubled Search’ For Mental Illness Medication,” by Terry Gross
• FOX SAN ANTONIO: “The pills doctors are calling the next drug crisis,” by Emily Baucum

BENZO SPOTLIGHT

• YOUTUBE: “The Benzodiazepine Medical Disaster,” by filmmaker Shane Kenny
• BENZO.ORG.UK: “Withdrawal Reactions from Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)” by Leo E. Hollister, Francis P. Motzenbecker, & Roger O. Dean, as published in Psychopharmacologia, 1960

FEATURE: The Assault on Our Senses

• “The Ashton Manual,” by C. Heather Ashton
• “Benzo Free,” by D E Foster
• THE TIMES: “Tranquillisers drove me on the brink of suicide,” by Shane Kenny
• MAYO CLINIC: “Oral Thursh”
• JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE: “Atrophic tongue associated with Candida,” by H. Terai and M. Shimahara
• HEALTHLINE: “7 Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth (Plus How to Get Rid of It)”

 

Introduction

In today’s intro, I decided to talk about a TV show. A sitcom that my wife and I watched which triggered an emotional reaction in me, and it didn’t in my wife. It reminded me of how, even if someone was by your side all throughout benzo withdrawal, they still probably really know what it was like.

 

Mailbag

This is where we share questions and comments which were discussed:

• QUESTION: What about homeostasis? “Am I ’tilting at windmills’ or dealing with real underlying health issues?”
• This comment was from Terry in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA. He wanted to know if our symptoms are actually part of homeostasis, our bodies ability to heal and return to normal, or actually some other underlying health issue. I explained to Terry that it’s might be a good idea to get things checked out when you are really concerned, but that in the end, most of the time, it is just your body healing.
• QUESTION: Do you happen to know anything that could help with my appeal for disability benefits?
• This question was from Jill in Alabama, USA. There was a lot more to this question, but it was more than I was able to share on the podcast. My wife, Shana, helped find some information for Jill and sent it to her.

 

Benzo News

We discussed a variety of stories around the benzo community in this section today.

 

Benzo Spotlight

Today’s spotlight was focused on “The Benzodiazepine Medical Disaster,” a film by journalist Shane Kenny which featured full-length interviews with Prof. Ashton and Prof. Lader.

 

Benzo Stories

Today’s story was from a friend in Washington, D.C.

 

Feature

Today’s featured topic: The Assault on Our Senses: Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms of the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Mouth

This was another installment in our 14-part series on benzo withdrawal symptoms. It focused on the hypersensitivity of the senses along with other related problems of the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. These included the following:

1. Blurred and double vision
2. Eyelid spasms
3. Difficulty swallowing
4. Dry mouth
5. Metallic taste in the mouth
6. Oral thrush
7. Sore and dry eyes
8. Sound and light sensitivity
9. Tinnitus
10. Unusual smells

We discussed the underlying mechanisms in play for causing hypersensitivity, took a look at each symptom in detail, and even shared a few tips for how to cope with these hindrances.

 

The Podcast

The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata).

WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com

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YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx

DISCLAIMER

All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

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