Howdy all !
Was wondering if anyone else is dealing with this ?
I am and it seems like it is getting worse, changed to 3 or 4 different meds and sleeping pills and can't seem to get a handle on this thing.
How are y'all dealing with it ?

BOS

Mike I think your main problem is being married to a redhead that can beat you up hehe. Anyway you got a friend here buddy.

She has been threatening to whoop me for 25 years, I keep telling her she is to short to get her leg up that high.
Anyway thanks for the offer, just having a hard time dealing with some of the issues assosiated with this right now, one of them being VA .

Thanks
BOS

i hear ya bos and know what ya mean not that i would ever admit anything,it can stop ya from buying guns, but its an odd one that a person has to work thru and we all have to find our way, no cure all. if ya wanna talk about it several of us hear would listen but i know from myself its more of finding the right person to talk too.

Look into Prazosin, seems to help PTSD and high blood pressure.

Thanks y'all.
Just tired of being told that this new pill will take care of it, or here take this sleeping pill and it will help.
Tired of having to use meds to make it through a day or night and then it don't work.
Yeah finding the right person to talk to is kinda hard especially when you are in an area where nobody wants to hear it or your VA councilor basicly okee dokes you for 30 minutes and gives you another new pill to take.

BOS

yeah getting meds is like getting a gas mask while standing in a pile of poo it seems to make things better til you take it off,
just hides the problem til ya stop em, need to take enough to get by and find what works, take a nice big brain dump.

Have been going to the "mental health clinic " for almost 3 years and in that time have seen the Dr. 2 times, always the councilor who then consults with the Dr.
I hate the meds and them not working, if I stop them or miss them I get so messed up I can't really be around folks until I get back on track.
Thanks.
BOS

Our VFW has PTSD meeting weekly - check into a local chapter. Or call you nearest VA clinic - got to be a case worker up there. Good luck

For me it's a 120 mile trip to the VA in Amarillo, the VFW here isn't anything I would want to be assosiated with, and other than that it's pretty much nothing here.
I talk to a few VETS here localy, when I need to, seems to help for a while.

Thanks
BOS

mboswell is right about the VFW in Childress. As for as I have ever seen, its nothing but a club with the VFW name on it.

Most of us don't have a clue what you are dealing with. Prayers are with you. Thank you

I take buproprioin sp? Works wonders for me, but I still am an [censored]!

I see a psychologist once a month and definatly see the difference. I had the same problem the "well how does it make you feel" and "okey dokey" responses until one day I called her out on it. Basically told her if what I felt was accepted as the norm I wouldn't be here talking, and I would get worse if I didn't start getting hard core help.

She got the message and instead of asking if the meds are working she asks if I'm f$%king any chicks to ease my mind and if I bought any new guns!

Yeah I am about ready to start calling the office geeks to the carpet for some serious answers !
Oh heck no I ain't ever gonna answer the form question so I can't buy gun's...lol
I can't even remember the names of all the meds I have been on.
Anyway will keep plodding on.

Thanks
BOS

Thanks for the prayers !!!

Went back to the VA psych Dr. today, and guess what another new pill.
Was supposed to see the Dr. but what I got was a PA student that was on her last bit of training.
Ended up going through the whole intake process again for the students benifit, and then she had to consult with a NP who decided I needed to be on a new different med.
Was so pissed when I left there that I didn't know what to do.
Anyway , that was my day.

BOS

sorry to hear that Bos. there should be some support groups in the area. I do know that S&W hospitals offer free PTSD counseling, so you might check that route.

It takes time to get the demons out. My FIL suffers from his ordeal on the USS Forrester, and that was many years ago.

Good luck to you, and I really hope you can find teh peace you deserve

Howdy TreeBass, how's it going there ?
What is a S&W hospital?
New meds got me so messed up last night I couldn't sleep and just wandered through the house for a few hours.
Hopefully will get something that works.
I feel for your FIL my wife's step dad was on that ship.
You haven't smoked up all the stogies yet have you, has Maj.B graced you with his presence for one yet...lol
Anyway will keep putting one foot in front of the other and see how it goes.

Thanks
BOS

Sorry, Scott and White Hospital, and no, the Maj will not grace us with his presence

Hey Bos we need to get together when I get back from Abilene. Howd your pics of the fawn come out that we came up on the other day

LOL tell the Major that you have ebay and skor toffee bars for him, he will show up then!
Yeah G-man holler when you get back.

BOS

Hey Mike is that where all them cases of skor toffee bars went that your wife sent when you were over there lol

Hey Bos, I feel your pain, I was evaced from afghanistan in 07 from an IED hit and the first folks I had to see was the clinical social worker, she asked how I felt and I said fine, I got my bell rung and had 18 in of guts removed but other than that I was good. She said I seemed a little aggrivated, and I was not, it is just my personality, I am very dry and to the point. She asked what I had for hobbies and I said I hunt and fish, train dogs. she asked if I had hobbies that did not involve firearms, I said NO. The first thing they did was Med, they put me on Thorazine, anti pshycotic, mellows you out real bad, loopie and I could not take it. She had told me I had to but I have a wife and 4 kids I am responsible for so I did not, I refused the meds and stopped taking them, Had to do a lot of counseling and it worked, I could say what ever I wanted as long as I did not drop the big S word. comming home from a bad afternoon overseas, how are you suppose to feel and then all they want to do is cover it up with Happy meds, No deal, I have not been diagnosed with it, but who know, I know I am not the same as when I left, I have been to combat several other times but this was very different. I feel your pain and if you ever want to just vent let me know my number is open 24/7 to any and all troops, I am still in have probably been in a similar situation and I have a good ear. So if needed you just PM me and I will give my number to you..

Kevin

Hey bird I appreciate the offer, and may take you up on it sometime.
My whole world is wake up take meds, go to bed take meds, hard to function like I should, but if I don't then I am an absolute turd to deal with and be around.
Hey G-man never got any cnady in the box last time like that, and the Major hoards his toffee, broke off a little piece and gave it to me.


BOS

Find some way to get into group PTSD therapy with the VA. Just make sure there are no REMF's or wannabe rear commandos. You need to talk with people that saw the chit not those that just talk the bull chit. If by chance you get into a group full of rear commandos you might as well take the meds. all the rear commandos will do is aggravate the situation.

The VA hospital is 120 miles or so away from me, so going to the group is not going to happen.
Have dealt with the REMF'S , once you tell them their full of hot air they usualy find someone else to piss off and pester.
Wife is a good listener , but again it's hard to talk to someone who wasn't there and have them understand.
On a good note, I woke up on my own this morning, and I didn't pee on myself during the night...lol

Thanks
BOS

Best wishes in dealing with PTSD. MHMR in Vernon used to have some traveling community counselor that put on programs. We used them for our employee in dealing with loss and injury post tornado of 1979. Just give MHMR a call and discuss with them. Maybe they can lead you to some help. Good luck, and thanks for your service.

Thanks

Mike I understand about not being able to talk to your Wife about this. I was supposed to go to Saudi in 1991 but an idiot didnt know how to work an all terain fork lift and dropped 500 lbs of pipe on me so I didnt go. But since being on the Fire Dept here in Paducah, most of the deaths I have worked, I have known personally, including kids I have know all their lives and who grew up with my kids. I can not talk to my Wife about what I have seen but I can share it with the Other Firemen. But I will be in Childress soon and we will just hang out and shoot the bull a while. See ya soon and tell Red I said hello again.

Prayers sent brotha

PM sent

Marshall

PM answered !

Hey brother how are you doing? Haven't herd from ya in a bit.

I'm making it.
Dealing with the endless VA system and multiple Dr's
Thanks for asking
BOS

Well we will get it taken care of on our trip on the 30th lol. Figure since I have to be there at 9 and you at 10 I may pick you up around 6:30

Time and patience. There are some good medical providers out there and some not soo good. I work in Bethesda at the Navy Hospital. If you need someone to talk to the VA is a good start. There are several groups who can help. Being in Desert Shield/Storm, OIF...one day at a time brother.

Yeah that's the only way to deal with it.

Went to Amarillo Va yesterday with FOF, saw the big cheese psycho DR.
He told me you got this condition bad and he didn't understand why VA is saying I don't.
Told me to request another C&P for it and he would do his best to make it happen for me on my claim.
Hopefully it goes through this time.
BOS

boswell DO NOT attempt to get compensation alone. Get an advocate like Texas Veterans Commission. That's part of the reason why things are fubar for you.

Also you can't request a C&P exam. After your records are reviewed the determination is made whether they need more info or not. 99% of the time you will get an appointment.

Oh yeah, my FIL at the VFW in Abilene is my middle man.
He is pretty good at fighting with the VA.
Was told the other day that once Waco has a claim they have to request the C&P not me.
Anyway, hope it all goes well.

BOS

BOS checking in with you to see how you have been, I got busy with a move to Fort Hood and just got settled in for the most part. How have you been.

Last 3 nights have been worst I've had in a long time !
Go on the 10th for a C&P on my ptsd, hope the powers that be will approve it this time, and hopefully at a rating that is enough I can leave the prison job.
Thank God for an understanding wife !
Anyway hope your move went well and you get a chance to some good hunting.

Thanks
BOS

Birdranger his last three nights were the worst because he called his wife by another name dont let him lie hehe. Sorry Mike I just cant resist after that text you sent me lol.

LOL thanks G-man !

Hey Mike did you know there is a guy on here with the sign in name of G-man lol

No I didn't, will try and stop calling you that !
Today is the long day at VA for bone scan and C&P for PTSD, not looking forward to it.
But will get to go to Furrs and Gander while there so it's not a total loss.

haha I went to Gander Mountain before we got there to the VA and saw you, thus why my shirt had drool all over it lol. Then after we left from the Appt. we went to Furrs lol

By the way thanks for the help with the Veterans Service Guy while I was tied up at the Audiology Dept.

Well the VA strikes again !
Appt was at 1pm at 1:20 pm I get into the office for my C&P and tell them I have an appt at 2pm.
Anyway got the C&P done and then down for the bone scan.
Stupid Psych Dr's keep asking the same questions for every new Doc.
Hope this time it's approved and SOON.
Hey FOF anytime I can help and not stuck doing something else I'm there.

Like I said I need someone to hold the sheetrock up while I put it up on the ceiling in the Hunting With Soldiers House

Thanks. Do you know anything about texturing?

nope but I wanted to volunteer anyways.

Your welcome any time

This weekend?

Wish I could but my Son has a Scrimmage football game in Silverton Saturday. Going school Clothes Shoping the next weekend but im open for the next. I guess thats not anytime is it lol. I sure do appreciate all the help I can get though.

tbi, degenerative upper extremity neuropathy, and ptsd here. total disability since 2004. now in voc rehab program and back to work as outdoor journalist and adaptive fly fishing instructor, and hunting outfitter. i've spent the past 3 years working with wounded warriors teaching fly fishing and tying and taking them fishing as part of their rehab therapy programs around the country through army, navy, and va hospitals.

if anybody wants to talk, email me @ info@adaptiveflyfishing.com

Thanks !

Hey Bos sorry I haven't been on in a bit but work calls, I do hope all is well, The thing about calling the misses the wrong name wellit happens, I hope things are getting better for you, I know it is a long painful process and my heart goes out to you with what you are dealing with. You keep strong and fighting.

As for the hunting well it is slow and HOT darn HOT, I am Pig hunting for the first time ever and with a bow, No luck at all, but I have lost about 12 pounds of sweat, just like in the sand box.

Keep it real and Honest brother you are gonna make it through the darkness.

Hey , hope all is well with you and yours !
Still pluggin along here, waiting for the VA to decide my claim.
It's really hot and humid here, will be so glad when the fall and cooler temps get here.
Bow hunting is a kick in the pants, I love it.
Thanks for the encouragement !

BOS

Yes. Try going to a civilian therapist. I am using one here and just started meds. All together seems to be "helping" not making it better but helping.

Yeah understand about the meds, have been on several different ones and they don't really do much.
All I can say is never give up, never give in !!!

I still love all my brothers in camo, with a flag or without.

Today is one of those days when I wish the meds were stronger. It can really effin suck sometimes

Know the feelings, have them almost everyday.
Just can't give up and let it win !

those are excellent days to: hit the gym when nobody else is there, go for a long walk, go fishing, split firewood by hand, weed/brush-clearing ops, tear down and remove an old shed or fence that's needed it for some time, re-roof an old widow lady's house, or virtually anything else that will 1) get you out of the house 2) keep you out of trouble 3) get your mind occupied with the hear-and-now and 4) get the endorphines churning in your brain the natural way.

Yeah do that also.
But somedays even that don't help, but I go out anyway.
Just never give up.

Dang kenmorrow I need more of you here lol. Just keep on keeping on ken. Remember the good Lord will never give you more than you can handle.

Fellas, you will always see "blue people", you will always have panic attacks that get worse. You really have to have a reckoning before the weaken.

Just keep an open mind and a good sense of humor.

BEWARE of P-Sikes with an agenda, they do more harm. They also have no problem handing out drugs but that AIN't the way my friends.

Some of the best healing I can tell you is a loving family, lying on the floor and crying, and writing down your feelings no matter what the point of veiw.

You also need to listen to a voice of reason and develop a signal for them to give you if you go off. Visual distractions work well.

Don't let them fake the funk, there ain't no cure.

Stay out of places like the VFW and other joints where "Posers" hang around whinning and crying. Why, most PTSD folks stay to themselves and ruin their family life. That VA pamphlett with the Knight in it called the "Armor of PTSD" is SPOT on.

God Speed and I'll share anything you want, just not on a thread.

JOHNNY "LOCO" USAF Retired, Disabled

Hey thanks for the info and encouragement.
Have done all the things you mentioned, except the safe word thing, where I work most of the people wouldn't do a damn thing except maybe look at me funny and talk smack afterwards.
Anyway some of the best Therapy so far has been working with FOF and the huntingwithsoldiers program, keeps me from thinking about myself to much.
Thanks FOF !

Sir, The chances of an "outburst" in a familiar or controlled environment is usually slim to none.

Its really deeper than just some movie type of PTSD sterotype.

It can happen at the jiffy lube or a camp ground...trust me. Its then you need that "voice of reason" the most before someone ends up dead.

Most PTSD suffers test with what they call a "deep V" profile and they say its "V" for "volcano"

Just remember, any VA pay stops when you are incarcerated.

A Benadryl and a fan work about as good as any professional sleeping medications. Silence don't cut it.

Anytime Mike. You know better to go off at home anyway, Red would whoop the crap out of you hehe

ok va pay does not stop upon lock up but is dramatically reduced, but thats a neg and dont focus on them things.
been dealing with my own crap lately, and yeah the va psych people like to pass out the drugs for sure. they gave me lorazapham which seems to do what it is supposed to but they wanted me to take it daily, which i wont do as it is addictive, and i do work similar to what you do.
they tried to give me other drugs and i tried them made me feel worse so i took myself off them. they eventually concurred. its a long road back, but we can make it.
what is your work schedule like i just got back to days the nights where the worst to much time to dive into myself.

Generally, true PTSD patients don't continue their meds anyway.
Why? Because they don't trust anyone, they are more likely to self-medicate.

You'll have to Reckon with the fact that this is part of you. Dealing with it is no different than brushing your teeth. You have to develop a routine and a way of handling it so that it becomes an auto response.

You fellas better start now.

I really suggest you learn a little about the matrix
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachypsychia

Its here you must control and use the force young Skywalkers.

It can be done but not by most of the head-shrinks

I work days, but my night are really bad sometimes, got a good wife who listens, but mostly I don't talk about anything with anyone who hasn't been there done that.

What worked for me may not work for anyone else.. but my therapy was an old wooden rowboat that was broken beyond repair. Kinda like me at the time. I spent a lot of nights in the shop with hand tools and a radio. No power tools, that would have been cheating. Think I replaced every damn board in that boat. I fixed it just like the guy that built it. Sanded it, varnished it, stripped it and started over more times than I care to count. Finaly gave it away 7 years later when the wood got so thin I was about to sand it thru.
Anyway, three boats, 14 handmade knives, 6 sets of baby furniture, and four classic cars - I'm still doing it. Just take me longer to complete a project because I sleep most nights. But then... it's about the journey

i think that's the hardest part for a lot of folks w/ptsd: they keep looking for the "end"...striving for a "cure." it's like the quest for the holy grail. it only leads to disappointment, disillusionment, and frustration. all of that just makes the ptsd worse. a happy person w/ptsd really ain't that bad. a miserable person w/ptsd is pretty wretched...and sometimes dangerous.

you're right. it's about the journey. the quest is the grail. it took me quite awhile to learn that the best way to avoid the demons of the past is to stay focused on the present moment. even anticipating the future causes one to look in the rearview mirror, for prediction and planning are functions of logic based upon information gleaned from past observations and experiences. and the only thing we actually have is right now. the past is already gone and the next minute might not come. so i try to enjoy the current one for what it is worth. a good sense of humor is one of the greatest assets any disabled person can have. and if you don't have one, GET ONE. there is humor, beauty, ugliness, and pain in almost everything. aside from the chemical imbalances, we choose what we focus on.

I try and stay as busy as I can on my days off, usually outside farting around doing anything.
I just try to go day to day.

All that therapy and stress reducers work great for depression, constant sorrow, human Boo-Hoo feelings, and conscious decisions. The problem comes in when the switch gets flipped and you have no regular conscious control and you are operating in the Matrix. Its there you need to be prepared for.

You might do well for years, but a time will come and that’s what “TRUE” PTSD is all about. I suggest you start working on an “off” switch now.

A journey to peace and happiness are only outside factors and have nothing to do with fixing the propensity for a PTSD episode

That's the ticket, keep doing it. I think the trick is not just doing any old thing but finding something you love to do or think you would love. Don't do it all the time, but mostly reserve it for when you need it. Basically you have to replace a bad experience with a good one. If you can't do it - read about it. I knew a guy whose thing was fly fishing. When he couldn't fish, he would tie flies and buy and fix old rods and reels. When he traveled, he always had a book about hunting or fishing with him. Last time we talked he had gotten bored with it and decided to learn Acient Greek. To each his own.

Anyway the road is winding, rocky, doubles back on itself, and leaves you thinking WTF? But it does get smoother the more you walk it. What's at the end? Dunno, let know know when I get there.

Very true !

johnny, why don't you dial down that "true ptsd" rhetoric about a thousand, bud? nobody is interested in "the only guy who really knows the truth"...cuz he's actually delusional or psychotic. and you don't have some sort of patent on post traumatic stress disorder. it comes in lots of different sizes and shapes and colors.

Why would I want to do "dial it down" Ken? My only agenda is to encourage folks to find comfort. Hopefully, not a broken marrige or family life, drugs, alcohol, or worse.

(deleted)

Ken, thanks for all you do but you really should consider your tone. It very well might be keeping away that "one" that needs help the most. Ken, I believe you are a good guy and I hope you can live with my rebutal.

Show me an "expert", I'll show you someone with an ego and super-ego problem.

Here is the cure for "True" PTSD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ0epRjfGLw

I find it awesome when a person finds peace and relief through self discovery and education. I'm glad some of you fellas are finding that peace. I personally feel the more folks with "credentials" a PTSD sufferer can keep out of the process the better off they’ll be.

May the peace of the Lord, be with you all.

Please don’t consider this preaching, my only purpose is to possibly assist in a greater understanding of PTSD and to share my knowledge. I am not making any recommendations, just providing information. What you do with it is completely up to you.

PTSD is considered and anxiety “disorder”. I put the term “disorder” in quotes because it is actually a learned/conditioned response, which is NORMAL. Remember learning about Pavlov’s experiment with ringing a bell and then giving the dogs food? Eventually the dogs would begin to salivate expecting food. However, after repeated trials of ringing the bell and not feeding the dogs, they stopped salivating (a process called extinction) This classical conditioning is the same learning model through which PTSD forms. Take for example, large crowds. A common theme among combat Vets is that large crowds are dangerous and unpredictable, which is true while serving in a combat zone. Therefore, they often avoid crowds or smaller areas even after they return as they have been conditioned to do this. This could also be swerving around potholes on the freeway to avoid “pressure plates” as this is what they have become conditioned to do while in combat areas. Whatever situation it may be, the initial, classical conditioning is the same. However, with PTSD the event is so significant that it does not take repeated trials, only one is needed.

So how is this response maintained across the life span? Negative reinforcement. This is best explained through this scenario. A man is driving his car to the bank, he get in an accident at a busy intersection and is sent to the hospital with severe injuries. After he recovers, he is driving to the bank again. As he approaches the same intersection, his anxiety begins to increase to the point of a panic attack (negative reinforcement), he turns off the road, AVOIDS the intersection, and takes the back streets to the bank. Once he turned away from the intersection his anxiety decreased. Now just thinking about that intersection and his accident causes his anxiety to increase (negative reinforcement) so he AVOIDS all intersections and takes the back streets to the bank, grocery store, and to pick up his kids. Eventually the thought of even getting in the car produces anxiety and he stops driving, limiting his life experiences, no social interactions with friends, family, and everybody that cares for him.

To cope with PTSD the natural and easiest method is avoidance. Avoiding situations that cause anxiety works, that is why people do it. However, as one gets older, they begin avoiding more and more. They don’t go to movies, football games, or dinner with the wife. Maybe they drink/use drugs so they can sleep or “numb out” leading to a life of addiction. There life gets smaller and smaller because it’s “just easier” to stay away. There is less risk for an angry outburst, tearfulness, or in an environment where they can be “triggered”. While this method is somewhat effective it has a significant negative impact on the person’s quality of life and those around them. Whether it is through isolation or a lifetime of drug/alcohol abuse.

The point I am trying to get across is that PTSD will be with a person for the rest of their life and often times; it will increase in severity as they get older. You cannot take away the memories. It may decrease in severity in the middle years as one becomes busier with their life, kids, or job. But that it can come back with a vengeance in the retirement years. They live a productive busy life but when they retire, have more time on their hands, reflect upon their lives, and the PTSD comes back ten fold.

So what is the solution? It is necessary to understand that PTSD will be with you for the rest of your life. Like I stated before, you cannot take away the memories, but one can learn to cope with the symptoms more effectively. Additionally, the anger, hypervigilance, and avoidance can be significantly minimized with the proper treatment. Meds only treat the symptoms, not the cause or foundation of the problem. Trazadone for sleep, Ativan for the panic attack, Lexapro for depression, Depakote to control the mood swings. On and on, there is an endless supply and doctors that are more than willing to prescribe. Once again, only treating the symptoms, not the root of the problem.

For some, the best way to get through this and treat the root of the problem is in therapy with someone who specifically treats and has been trained in PTSD. This isn’t going to the Psychiatrist for meds but usually with a Psychologist (Ph.D) and sometimes a Social worker. There are people who have been extensively trained at the VA for PTSD and can help improve your quality of life. There is a significant amount of empirical evidence for certain therapeutic techniques for the treatment of PTSD. Unfortunately these people may not be available at the CBOC’s, but at the major medical centers. It may be a long drive for some of you guys, but if you’re SC then the government will pay for your travel.

In a nutshell, PTSD is a NORMAL/ conditioned response to a traumatic stressor. If left untreated it can increase in severity as one gets older. It will never fully go away. Medications only treat the symptoms not the root cause. There are people who have been specifically trained in the treatment of PTSD and who are available to Veteran’s with this condition. These services are available, while they may be difficult to utilize due to distance issues or scheduling around a work schedule.

If you have any questions, want tell me I’m an idiot, or anything else, please feel free to PM me.

All good info, folks one person's info is something that may have worked for them so it works FOR THEM, no need for any bad words or name calling !
Like I said what works for you may not work for others, but it is info to be taken in and as Quack said used how you want.
For me being outdoors and helping FOF has helped a lot, but being outdoors may not be what works for others.

I was mainly addressing the propensity to go into a subconscious episode usually bourne from hyper-vigilance as mentioned by Mr. Smokingquack. Usually not in a routine or familiar setting.

I would hate for anyone to be fooled into thinking they were ok just because they found Sinatra music, and Pottery class.

You need an off switch before, or if, it ever gets turned on.

Whatever you folks decide to do, I hope you seek help and keep actively involved in the process.

Godspeed

excellent post, smokingquack.

and a much better post from you, too, johnny. i only took issue with the "real ptsd" phrase you've been using lately.

had a doc explain it like this" using the drugs is like using a gas mask while standing in a pile of crap." it hides the symptoms but when removed you are still in the pile." not saying not to use the drugs by no means, they help just try not to depend on them.
i like the way he looked at it.

I'm not trying to offend anyone.

the problem for me a lot of days is getting motivated or having the initiative to do anything then I feel even crappier for not spending enough time or doing anything with my boys.

My friend, try to live for those who can't.

I am not a doctor, just sharing my personal experience as I have had depressions and anxiety for sometime. The best way to get over anxiety and depression is to take a break from your regular schedule, go out, and take good sleep. This helps in clearing the mind and try consulting a specialist who can suggest you as how you can get over your problem. There are various prescription drugs to get over anxiety and depression, but these should only be used in accordance with the instruction of a physician. Rather than going on drugs, one should look for the reason behind there problem . Keeping your self busy and changing the schedule also helps sometimes to get over stress and depression.

ptsd has a whole lot to do with our emotions...how we "feel" about things. fear is an emotion. depression, anxiety, and agitation, and anger are all emotional states heavily associated with ptsd. if you allow your actions to be dictated by how you feel you are losing the battle. i suggest you work on breaking this negative cycle by acting before feeling...or in spite of feeling. the cool thing you will discover about this is that when you act 1st, the feeling you were lacking usually results from the action. so instead of "i don't feel like taking a walk," you take the walk and after the first 100 steps or so you're really enjoying it. after the walk, your spirits are completely lifted and you feel like you do on 1 of your "good days." so you go on to have 1 of those "good days."

+1

Basic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Yes, it is. But it's also the Nike marketing motto: "Just Do It!" LOL

Hello and I am new to the forums here. I deal with PTSD daily and am on edge alot of times. I get short tempered and shoot my mouth off at my family sometimes. I have thrown things when I get so frustrated I do not know whate else to do and just release my tension. Sleeping I understand as I take sleeping pills and still know how to wake up in sweats. Dreams suck! Like it was said I have been to some counseling however the VA near me is overloaded and I am a waiting list for group counselling and I work for the VA so no getting around the list.

Yes I feel like staying in a small habitat and avoiding alot of people is good. I am not happy about being this way and I need to find more hobbies. Currently I fish with family and a couple of friends. Hunting is one thing I love to do but am recovering from my 2nd surgery to correct leg, ankle and foot damage now with a third on the way. Life sucks laying on the couch and doing nothing all day. I doze on and off and do not sleep well at night.

Thank the family and friends in your life who assist and support you, talk to those who you feel really comfortable with. Talking is hard and thinking about some things is harder, I know and I keep it inside. Hang in there and time better heal all wounds.

this is a time when the meds are a good thing. you can't do much about your sleep cycle problems when you're confined like you are.

listen, this is solid from the head of neuro-psych at texas tech med school here in el paso, who is my pdoc, and has proven 100% accurate for me: topomax simply wipes out the nightmares and flashbacks with zero side-effects with almost 100% reliability in patients w/ptsd. i take 1 small dose right before bed and it works. i sleep 6-7 hours uninterrupted...no nightmares. and i've had zero flashbacks since i started it. talk to your docs.

P'duck I am a Veteran as well as a Disabled Vet. I never served in Combat so I can not Honestly say I know how you feel. I have been on our Volunteer Fire Dept. for almost 16 years now and since we are a town of 1498 with less than 2000 in the whole County, most of the Deaths I have worked, I have known personally. I have found that it is hard to talk to my Wife about these things because she has never been thru anything like that. She didnt understand until I explained that it was like her talking about losing her Dad. I could sympathise with her but I could not Understand her because I have (and hope I wont for a long time) never lost a Father. I feel it is much easier to talk to the guys that have been thru these things. They understand and we can laugh and cry together. In MY opinion, a Phsychologist is the same as my Wife. Most can talk to you about your problems but MOST have never been thru that and have NO IDEA WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT.

father of 4,

the value of a psychologist/counselor is not that they empathize w/ur particular life experiences on that level. it is that they are OBJECTIVE and CLINICAL, but w/sympathy (sensitivity to emotional realities through training and temperament). they are trained and structured and detached from your maelstrom. they can give you the rationality, objectivity, and structure that you can't reach at the present and help you develop management skills for your condition. that's the good ones, of course. they're just like mechanics, musicians, or dentists...there are good and bad ones.

furthermore, some psychologists/social workers/counselors HAVE had similar experiences. my pdoc has ptsd from combat experience. my last team doc w/the va was a former special forces medic from vietnam who has ptsd.

i think you do a great disservice to anyone struggling with emotional or psychological stress when you make such broad disparaging generalizations.

Ken you have a very good point. But as I was saying it was only My opinion but I do understand what you are saying and again you have a great point.

trust me, i've seen the results of a lot of bad counseling. so i understand where you're coming from. and i believe in the value of mentoring and peer counseling/support groups, too. after all, those things are a huge part of what i do. but i like a box full of good tools. you don't use them all every day. but they all have their proper time and place.

i wasn't really keen on taking a run at you, either. but i felt i had to add a differnt perspective. glad you didn't take offense.

I sure didnt. I never claimed to know everything and its always good to have many views on a subject. Heck im the Mayor of Paducah, if I got offended every time someone disagreed with me I would be a mad son of a gun lol. Thanks Ken

Great info and thanks folks, I will be doing some thinking and trying to continue opening up when I get back to some counselling. Things are not easy to openly discuss as once in a while doing what I had to do was and is done. Time to let it go but for now we hold onto it.

I have zero issues talking about being blown up, shot at, stabbed or anything like that. Simply other things are not as easy, if it happened to me all is good, happened by me is another story as well as other things.

Appreciate the rambling space. You guys and gals are great.

Thank you.

Yeah that's the hard part. Trying to rationalize and reconsile what you did. You know you can't, but that doesn't stop you from trying.

Howdy all good news !
FINALY got my packet from VA in the mail Monday.
I was rated at 70 % for ptsd and got a nice little check yesterday, gonna pay off some bills.
Still fighting with them on stuff, but not giving up on this, thanks to all for the encouragement !

good to hear and that little check is a plus any day of the week

Hey bos checking in on ya and I see thigs are getting better, keep up the hard fight, it will payout in the long run for you for sure. Been getting out at all.

I haven't due to army work schedual and it never ends.

Great to hear about the 70% and the check, any little bit helps.

Glad to hear your rating came through, we have asked for a 30 day decision on my rating. My initial claim was for injuries to foot, leg, ankle, knee, back and shoulder. Once I submitted was just before PTSD diagnosis, so that has to wait until after first claim is complete, however they have the paperwork.

One thing I found out about is that if anyone is off work due to a military disability you are elegible to file for a 100% total temporary disability for the duration of the time off work. I am off work for 6 months and have filed even though mine is in the process still, backpay ultimately catches up with us.

Keep up with the paperwork and keep filing whatever they ask for, I know it is frustrating but it takes time. There are a lot of us in the system and more coming in everyday. Thank goodness for family and friends out there who are supporting us mentally!

Yeah the money is nice !
The papertrail is frustrating, but have been trained well in hurry up and wait !
Taking a Vet out for a chance at some hogs tonight, hopefully will get one and post some pics with FOF and huntingwithsoldiers.
Y'all take care.

BOS

You have to be able to weed through some of the great information folks readily give you. READ the Regulations and KNOW them BETTER than the VA people. The INTENT of the Code of Federal Regulations is to take care of the disabled Vet. When it comes to 100% IU, The intent overrides the small blurps. The blurps most often discourage and are not grounds for refusal of based on the intent.

Most of those Vetern Reps accept things at face value and don't help worth a flip. Your best bet in TEXAS is your COUNTY rep.

YOU MUST regurgitate verbatim the regulation when writing your attachments to the applications. Yes, attachments!

You CAN obtain IU with only a zero percent rating, not likely with less than sixty percent, but possible. I helped someone with thirty percent obtain IU and Soc-Sec because they could not obtain employment and the condition precluded it.

You do not have to be out of work for six months.

You can also meet soc-sec requirements as long as you CANNOT OBTAIN OR SUSTAIN (SUBSTANTIAL) EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF A MENTAL OR PHYSICAL PROBLEM.

You can do a lot in twenty years active service and shoving regs down officer throats was one of my specialties. I also wrote regs. One of my muntitions shipping regulations for maritime was 10.0000 pages, yes 10K!

If you wanna get paid, learn these regulations!! Its your new job and you should be the best at it.

Your money, second home, your tax free property, your children and spouses paid education, and peace of mind, depend upon your knowledge.

You should also know periodically an in-house memo is sent throughout the Veterans Affairs telling them not to help Veterans with information concerning ratings.

Did you know homeless disabled vets get a per diem for living under a bridge?

Goodluck Fellas!

Did you know homeless disabled vets get a per diem for living under a bridge?


I wonder if I could move into an RV and live on land in the Hill Country? Technically an RV is classified as being homeless, and some of the RV's are nice.

Do any of you know what constitutes a "multiplier"?

Theres a lot of info in those CFR's and the VA ain't gonna tell you a feather dustin thing to help you.

READ!

Bos, Give me a status report how ya doing buddy??

Doing good I guess !
Staying busy helping FOF run the hunting program and hunting with some old farts up the road...lol

Folks I will say right here that if it werent for mboswells help I wouldnt know what to do. He is one great Friend.

Well that is a great deal, you keep busy and help FOF out with the hunting, keep busy, I have been hunting Fort Hood and doing very miserable, way to many hunter and some trash your stuff, I just had it happen to me, but keep doing what you are doing sounds like a great support system to me.

SFC Kevin Wylie

The 2 old farts up the road are Viet Nam Vets, great to hang out with a nd listen to.
They also got me into reloading .
Have been looking for the hogs and not having any luck, just not there at the right time.
The program is great, had fun with the first bunch of guy's and looking forward to the next group.
FOF you got a good thing going, I'm glad to help !

would love to find me some place like this, a place to spend my time.
bos glad your doing ok,its a rough road back.
like i tell people we dont all wear our scars on the outside.

70% PTSD - Iraq 2004. Had to give up my lease this year with the down turn and kid on the way. I come by the site and take a look when I can.

As for PTSD: the big thing for me was not giving up and not being satisfied with my current life - too much booze, meds, not working, depressed, suicidal, etc...

I just started with something and tried to fix that - together all my problems were too much. But I first worked to cut the booze. Then worked on going to VA meetings, got my meds going, tried a bit of work... just slowly, slowly, one thing at a time you can put it back together. I was in the black hole for 18 months.

No you are not going to be the same old person you were before. But you can be better than you are now - and that is not doped up on drugs, that is only to get you through the really down parts.

There is another side to this journey - you are not stuck being down and depressed and feeling worthless forever. You have to work through it, but you can come out and be a normal productive, happy person again.

hummmm

Yea man, Im dealing with it too, have been for a while now. I was given Paxil, it works pretty good, but my nightmares of the warzone still get me from time to time. Just remember its a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Talking about what bothers you will help a little.

Are you seeing anyone about it?

Danny, if you ever come to Paducah with me you'll me this guy. He is damn good people!!!

Sounds good to me man, you know im down to go, just depends on work.

Yeah seeing the VA Doc's for all the good that does.
Had a couple of bad nights this last week, woke up not sure if I had actualy acted out or just dreamed I did.
Bothered me until I asked my wife, and she told me I slept all night.
Grey when you gonna bring your skinny behind back here where you belong and do some more hunting ?
As far as good people, maybe that was my other personality !
Y'all come on and getcha some !

Wanting to head back up there between now and June, but started my med board and not sure how fast its going to go. I'll let you know, brother.

Take care of your business, we will see you when we see you, I ain't going nowhere .

Yep, still dealing with it, and I see one of the best pharmacopsychiatrists in the country (located in Spring, TX). The meds help some, as does controlled exposure to triggers (only works on some things).

However, my best hope is training a psychiatric service dog. You might want to look into it. I got my candidate pup two weeks ago, and we have begun training. It's going to be a lot of work, but even the work is helping me by keeping me focused on her and our future.

Some things PSDs can do for their partner: "watch your back", "cover you", check for intruders, wake you from nightmares, break a dissociative spell or flashback, turn on the lights in a house, call an emergency contact to help you, make sure you take your meds on time, act as a barometer for hallucinations (visual or aural), and just about anything else you can think of.

In fact, there is legislation in Congress right now to get the VA to begin a program.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about it.

Hadn't heard of that, sounds like a good thing and I hope it works out for you !
Take Care

Mike you would make that Dog as fat as your other two lol. That does sound like a good deal though.