I also have been experiencing acute pain in and under my tongue that wakes me abruptly during sleep. It first happened last summer and has been happening more frequently over the months. I grind my teeth, clench my jaw, and even bite my tongue at night so, I have attributed my pain to something related to bruxism/tmj. I now know I must go to a specialist. Does this ring a bell with anyone. I need help and am scared at the possible causes.

I've been living with this for years. Only today did I do a goggle search. I have no grinding, clenching issues. The pain is always on the sides of the tongue but not on the edge - about 10mm from the edge. The pain feels like I've bitten my self but the area of the pain is too discrete like a needle inside the tongue. Recreation would be with the molers but they are too large to create. Also, my tongue has 'cracks' or fissures around the front and center but not near the site of the pain. I've just bookedmark this site and I'll read the links...

Oh wow, good to finally find others with the same issue!
I have been experiencing this over the past 2 months and until now I always thought that I bit my tongue during sleep. However the last time I experienced this was during a light nap and I conscious enough to realize my teeth were not to blame. Also, as per the previous comment, the location of the pain is too offset to be attributed to tongue biting.

The pain is indeed as though someone stuck a needle in your tongue - a needle with electric current running through it. I have jumped from sleep several times in shock due to the severity of the pain.

I also clench my jaws during sleep so I guess we all have this in common.

I'm 30 years old and the only change to my health has been the addition of Welbutrin to my daily dose of Paxil.

Anyone else taking any similar meds? I'm very interested to finding the cause and of course a solution to this problem!