u/Wise-Pattern6916

Heyeveryone,

I want to share what I’m going through because I really need advice. I was on 25mg Valium for 10 years, and after I was suddenly taken off cold turkey by my doctor, I got worse each day. Eventually, my neurologist saw what was happening during an appointment and told my GP to reinstate the Valium, which helped stabilize me mentally. But physically, I’m still really suffering.

The worst part is these akathisia-like full-body symptoms—restlessness, shaking, pain, numbess, burning. The list goes on. They come in waves, and they break me down every day. Feels like my CNS is hypersensitive

I’ve been on Sotalol, a beta blocker, because of past cardiac issues, and I kept taking as per doctors advice. I was happy too try this purely due too its adrenaline blpcking properties. Something I rely on since I can’t work or leave the house and only find peace when i play my xbox. The beta blocker did help some, but now I realize it’s barely touching these physical symptoms. My mind is calmer, but my body is in constant unrest, the shaking, the pain. You all probably know what I mean. I’m desperate for relief today. Im so hypersensitive to the tiniest of things can set of these physical pain issues that seem like akatisia or closest I can describe.

Has anyone tried Gabapentin or Pregabalin for this kind of akathisia or nerve hypersensitivity during a benzo withdrawal? Its my biggest issue right now.

I play xbox daily, and i cant play longer then a couple hours before my pain symptoms over take my body. Its causes such severe pain from my CNS i cant describe it

I emailed my doctor’s clinic, my Dr is away for 4 weeks but there is another Dr that works with him and will speak with them today, but I really need to hear from others who’ve been through this.

Whats should I say? What can I do nedication wise. I am so desperate....

Also for context im on Serequel for insomnia which has helped me sleep so well thru the withdrawl symptoms even tho i dont like rhe medication. I was going a week without sleep. I understand this can cause akathisia. I was already feeling akathisia or hyperarousal of my nervous system before i started serequel. So I dont think there is any issue with Serequel for me

Anyone used either of these meds and have they helped?

Or any other advice?

Thank you so much.

Gamesir G7 Pro Settings?

I play Apex Legends

I run 4-3 Linear - No deadzone

Been using Xbox Elite 2 controllers for 6 years. I want lmake sure when im setting it up that its pure linear, no extra adjustments. Just a simple swap from the Elite 2

Am I right in just putting sticks and triggers too 0 deadzone and circular for sticks? Linear curve

Also which bit rate?

8, 10, 12?

Coming from a Xbox Elite 2 on loosest stick tension

Playing on Xbox Series X. My aim is just where I want it! So I really dont wanna mess with it. I just wanna enjoy this G7 Pro and the sticks!

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Cheers in advance

finally decided to move on after 24 replacements of the Elite 2 Xbox controller. I loved that controller, but enough is enough, so I ordered the GameSir G7 Pro. I just need two back paddles, and this design is perfect. Once it arrives, I’ll set all dead zones to zero, keep the response curve linear, and ensure it’s circular. After that, I’ll remap the paddles, and from what I’ve seen, there’s not much else I need to tweak. I play 4-3 linear No deadzone on Apex Legends, and this wont change. Is there any other gamesir nexus app settings I must change other then what I mentioned? Or am i good to go once it arrives? Super excited to try it out

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I play on Xbox Series X

Hey everyone, I wanted to ask about your experiences with Seroquel & Mirtazapine for insomnia. I was on Seroquel for six weeks, and it worked great for sleep, but i dont like the drug and the side effects + i just dont want to be on a Antipshycotic for insomnia. Now I’ve just started Mirtazapine (15 mg), and I did fall asleep fast last night on my first dose of Mirtazapine and slept 7 hours straight. Pretty happy with that. I dont feel groggy compared too Serequel. Still could nap tho. It wasnt a issue for me tho as I am medically Retired anyway. If you’ve tried either, what’s your long-term experience been like? I just want to make sure I’m making the right call as I am dealing with Afib, Arrythimias and also BIND or Protracted benzo withdrawl. So sleep is important or my symptoms flare up if i dont sleep enough

Appreciate your experiences. Was I right in thinking I wanted off Serequel and was Mirtazapine a good switch?

Thank you

Hey everyone, I really need to share what happened today because I’m in shock. I was on 25 milligrams of Valium for over 10 years, and it’s been about six months—maybe a bit less—since I was cold turkeyed off it. I’m still experiencing full withdrawal symptoms now, often worse than I did initially. I even had to be reinstated on Valium by my doctor after seeing how bad I was—things like akathisia and other brutal symptoms. But today, I saw a psychiatrist for the first time, and he completely dismissed everything. When I told him how I was feeling, he said it wasn’t possible after going cold turkey. I mentioned protracted benzo withdrawal (BIND), and he just scoffed at me. But the truth is, I had to do all this research myself because no one told me what Valium could do. I didn’t have a choice—my doctor just cold turkeyed me, and I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I could switch to medical cannabis and id be fine. Id cold turkeyed before and was fine, but that was years ago and was a alcoholic back then. So any symptoms i problaly didnt feel due too being drunk. Now sober 2 years. I held on, despite awful symptoms for months, and they’re still with me. Now, after being reinstated, things are a bit better—temporarily, at least—while the dose is active. I do plan to taper again, but I just couldn’t handle the cold turkey anymore without risking my life. I’m left with this feeling of being completely dismissed—like I’m at fault—when I’ve just been trying to follow the right path. I know my symptoms. I know what I’m going through. And for a psychiatrist to tell me it’s all false, it was really disturbing. I just needed to share this, and I’d really appreciate any support or advice from those who understand this journey.

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out because I’m going through a really complicated health situation, and I’m hoping to connect with others who might have experienced something similar.

About two years ago, I had a thyroid storm, which was caused by me over-replacing my thyroid medication—this was my mistake. That event triggered ectopic beats, PVCs, and eventually AFib. I was under the care of a cardiology team at the hospital for two years, in which we booked a ablation but on the day they found none. They had previously found them as high as a burden as 23%. After my thyroid levels normalized, I noticed my heart was a bit better, but I still have these persistent symptoms: palpatations, a fast heart rate (controlled by a beta blocker - Soltalol,, and a kind of akathisia or vibrating feeling and literally every symptom there is that comes with Cold Turkey Valium withdrawl. After being on 25 mg of Valium daily for 10 years, I was completely cold-turkeyed six months ago and switched to medical cannabis (My choice as i wanted of the Valium and i have cold turekyed my alcoholism and had no problems—something I didn’t fully research at the time. It took about six months before protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms hit me hard. Once they kicked in, it was unbearable. I’m now on a beta blocker called Sotalol, which is a medication I’m staying on throughout this process, even as I figure out the neurological side. After my reintroduction of Valium, some symptoms have improved—like the akathisia—but they never fully went away. And the chest palpatations and nervous system symptoms still stay with me every day. Even a small argument or stress flares up my nervous system so badly that I can’t describe it. Has anyone else gone through this—where it’s all so tangled, and you don’t know which cause is driving which symptom? I know my hyperthyroidism was the original issue, and that’s resolved, so I think the cardiac problem is mostly sorted—but now these symptoms feel like benzodiazepine withdrawa im guessingl. I’m just really looking for others who might have felt this or any advice on how you got through it. I’ve been seeing doctors for so long, and I just need some answers. Thanks so much.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share my experience and see if anyone can relate. I was on long-term Valium—20 mg daily for 10 years—then my doctor abruptly took me off cold turkey six months ago. During that time, I developed severe protracted withdrawal. Akathisia, Anxiety, and heart issues, like PVCs and AFib. I actually had AFib and ectopic beats even before the cold turkey, so it was a separate underlying condition. Recently, my doctor put me back on 20 mg Valium and also prescribed Panadeine Forte again. I had taken it for years, stopped during withdrawal, but now, since I restarted it, the codeine is really calming my chest feelings i get from the Afib etc. Im on Soltalol which is a beta blocker and while that helps, Panadiene forte removes any feeling of my heart beating. Its not ideal, but literally nothing else provides me relief to the point i can sit and be ok with myself other then panadiene forte. I know this can be risky, but it’s the only thing that’s helped so far. Has anyone else had a similar journey, balancing relief with safety? I just want to make sure I’m not missing something. Thanks so much.

Hey everyone, just wanted to share my experience. I've been on Sotalol for about five weeks, started at 40 mg twice a day, but now my doctor increased it to 40 mg three times a day because i mentioned i dont feel like its fully working as intended. I’m also in protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal after 10 years on Valium, and about four to six months after quitting, symptoms like akathisia and palpitations hit me hard. I also had AFib and ectopic arrhythmias for two and a half years, even while on Valium, so it’s a separate issue. I brought up to my doctor that nothing has given me that same calm relief since, except Panadeine Forte for my back pain. He said we could consider that, but I need to get discharged from medical cannabis first. Has anyone else experienced a switch like this, especially with Sotalol three times a day? I'm worried about adrenal dumps and how sensitive my body is right now. Hoping the increase in Soltalol makes the difference less when my adrenaline try's too dump itself. I just dont see 3x a day anywhere on the Web. Anyone else on Soltalol? Did its symptom control require a dose change after your body got used too it?

I know the benzo part is for another reddit forum but figured its mention worthy

Thank you again everyone for your help on Soltalol/Betapace. There isnt much out there compared too other beta blockers etc

Hey everyone,

I take Sotalol 40mg 2x daily (beta blocker for heart stuff) and I game pretty heavily — usually 6-8 hours a day. I start off fine and focused, but after sitting in one position for a while I gradually lose my focus and mental sharpness. It’s not instant, it just slowly creeps in.

I know the classic advice is to stand up and move every 30 minutes, but that just isn’t realistic for me during longer sessions. Once I’m in the zone I want to stay in it, and breaking every half hour kills the flow.

Gaming is genuinely my therapy and one of the biggest things that helps my mental health, so it’s really important to me to keep doing it at this level without feeling drained or foggy. I know it comes with Low BP/HR. Its ok at the start and my levels are the same....

Has anyone else on Sotalol (or other beta blockers) dealt with this? Any tips for staying focused and comfortable during long sessions? Things that have helped you?

Thank you

Been on Seroquel for sleep for one week because of severe insomnia. I got the relief i needed as discussed with Dr my plans to end the Serequel after 1 week. I've caught up on sleep now but I still have five days until my doctor appointment, so I'm staying on it till then. Even tho id like to call and request a change today

I want off it completely. I don't want antipsychotics, antidepressants, or anything that touches GABA because I'm in protracted benzo withdrawal. Melatonin barely works for me.

What else can I ask my doctor about for sleep that avoids those? Looking for something that just sedates me for sleep without messing with my GABA system and SSRI like meds

Thank you

I've been in severe protracted benzo withdrawal with kindling for a long time. On top of that I've had ectopics and AFIB for 2 years. I was booked for an ablation but it's been postponed due to unstable thyroid levels, so I've been dealing with 3 major conditions at once.

I've also had no more then 3 hours sleep a night in a month. I need something for a couple nights. But what? I cant take anti histamine anything as i get burning tkubge from them. I need something too knock me out for a couple nights

Sotalol 40mg twice a day (80mg total) is the best medication I've tried for blunting my adrenaline spikes. I feel physically really good on it — no dizziness or burning sensations.

The downside is my heart rate drops to 48-57 bpm and my blood pressure sits around 90/55 to 100/70. This is causing really bad brain fog, especially when I'm gaming 6-8 hours a day (which is basically my main coping mechanism and I'm a high-level player).

Important note: I tried Metroprolol 2 years ago, it dropped my blood pressure too low, so this is actually my 3rd beta blocker..... are they just not for me or is it more a dose/trail diff beta blockers situation? ?

Sotalol only comes in 80mg and 160mg tablets in Australia, so 40mg twice a day is the lowest dose possible.

I previously came off Propranolol because of burning tongue, but I'm now wondering if that was actually caused by promethazine I was taking at the time. Most likely. My only problem with propranolol. I get 3 hours relief but have to take it every 6 hours. I am living in hell 50% of the time on it. When it works its great tho and no ER in australia

Has anyone been in this situation? Did you stay on Sotalol and the brain fog eventually improved? Or did you have to switch to something else? Any advice is appreciated.