Question:
"KJ" <KJK…@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:rQOKa.1867$p8.81217@newsfeeds.bigpond.com… > Hi everyone, > I am surrendering….i give up trying to fight this PTSD demon. Whats hard > is though that I have a lot of pride and I don’t ask for help. I think I > am going togo and see my doc and finally admit that I need to get on some > kind of meds.
Admiting that you need help is not surrendering, not at all! You are distressed about taking medication yet are willing to see it as an option. That’s a lot more brave than some so-called tough people I know. I actually felt like a failure when I asked for medication. I did not tell many people about taking meds. Now I see it as being the most effective tool I had to help reach some level of normalcy. I am taking Celexa, it seems to be popular now. Sure there were some side effects, I decided they were easier to deal with than PTSD. Once my doctor found the right dose I began to feel different, like I could use my own coping skills to manage the reduced sensitivity to my environment. The side effects are very minor now. Some people have more difficulty finding the right meds, maybe my case is special. Anyway, I hope that heartens you a bit in your decision. snaffleken
Response:
Hi Kim, Welcome! Sorry about your recent circumstances. They sure are familiar to me even though the causes are different. Sorry you seem to fit right in here. But, welcome, anyway! It’s really good that you are open to whatever it takes and that you have a doctor you can comfortably work with. You asked what we do in the way of meds. I can only speak for myself here. I was diagnosed with ptsd in 1989 at a hospital by a team of doctors who were familiar with the disorder. My treatment has involved a combination of things, including meds. I’m not sure that I can even remember all the different combos that were tried on me til the right combination clicked. What I discovered was that what worked for two years would suddenly not work and I’d have to patiently (and sometimes not so patiently – hehehe) try other groups of meds, and the cycle would repeat itself. I learned to be vigilant about taking the pills. I’m still dealing with this as I oten forget if I took them and I have to look at the calendar and count all the pills to see if I have taken what I’m supposed to or not. I do a lot better when I take my meds when I’m supposed to take them! Seems so obvious, but sometimes it takes tremendous effort to stay on top of this. My thinking now is that it’s really helpful to work closely with both a doc who can monitor the meds and talk therapy with a good therapist who understands ptsd. It goes without saying that other things help too — nutrition, exercise, 12 step programs if needed, and for me –learning my limits and when to say no. I’m right now reconsidering a job in October where I would be under a lot more stress and it might make me sick. I can do most of my work these days teaching part time and doing commissions for people where I never have to actually meet them, but performing in public for 1,200 people may not be a wise choice for me now. I never feel guilty if I place my recovery first. I’ve learned not to freak out if I turn something down. I’ve learned to listen carefully to that inner voice and take how I feel very seriously. The specific meds I’m on now are helping me but I’m due to get evaluated again in a month and I’ll find out more then. I’m on the highest dose of Lexapro and a high dosage of Welbutrin. There’s lots of literature out there that might be helpful to you, too, and to others who care about you. I especially like Aphrodite Matsakis’ book, "I Can’t Get Over It" Well, good luck with your appointment with the doctor. Remember, you’re not alone, Kim. Take care, Anne on the prarie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi everyone, >I am surrendering….i give up trying to fight this PTSD demon. Whats hard >is though that I have a lot of pride and I don’t ask for help. I think I >am going togo and see my doc and finally admit that I need to get on some >kind of meds. >My next assignment at school is to stand up and give a seminar for 20 >minutes to a class of about 27. I can’t do it. Even now just thinking about >it my heart is racing…..thoughts are running wild again. And it isn’t for >another month. I havent been to class in a week and my sons are noticing >that im trembling a lot more than i usually am. Its just over 12 months >since I was diagniosed with major PTSD following a fatal car crash but >suddenly I feel like im back where I was then…not coping. >What meds are there out there that work in killing the anxiety and >depression? What are you guys on and what should I avoid? >Im worried about side effects but they can’t be as bad as living like this >every day. >Thank you in advance, >Kim.
Response:
Hi everyone, I am surrendering….i give up trying to fight this PTSD demon. Whats hard is though that I have a lot of pride and I don’t ask for help. I think I am going togo and see my doc and finally admit that I need to get on some kind of meds. My next assignment at school is to stand up and give a seminar for 20 minutes to a class of about 27. I can’t do it. Even now just thinking about it my heart is racing…..thoughts are running wild again. And it isn’t for another month. I havent been to class in a week and my sons are noticing that im trembling a lot more than i usually am. Its just over 12 months since I was diagniosed with major PTSD following a fatal car crash but suddenly I feel like im back where I was then…not coping. What meds are there out there that work in killing the anxiety and depression? What are you guys on and what should I avoid? Im worried about side effects but they can’t be as bad as living like this every day. Thank you in advance, Kim.
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