Part 2 Coping with PTSD? by Buddha

Whoa ... can barely move today. Over did it BIG TIME!! Should not have stayed all day. Going to try a hot bath ... if you don't hear from me presume I drowned and hold a nice Irish wake.

Buddha,

Glad you did not drown in tub but I am sorry to miss the Irish Wake I love Bailey's Irish Cream on the rocks although I only have it maybe once a year.

The muscle pain reminds you of what a great job you did at the mission.   Kudos to you.

Kitt

It was so unselfish of you to give
your time and caring to the shelter
It is definitely needed

I told you you have
made alot of strides and
great steps

Sorry you are in pain my friend

......LYN

Back is feeling better, rolling around last night I heard a crack but this one felt good. (Thankfully.) Now I brace for the backlash, flashbacks and panic attacks. Read somewhere chronic pain was one of those factors that made PTSD prognosis worse especially when the pain is left unmanaged. Can't deal with both at the same time. Still not walking too well.

I have no idea what to do today?

Buddha,

Isn't wierd when your back decides to crack itself back in the right direction? I wish our brains could do that same. Snap! I'm cured! lol. It sounds to me like a great plan to go down to the mission on friday (and yes much thumbs up for doing that my caring friend)

At this time in your recovery it's probably best to keep taking small steps and this is a good one. In time, I'm sure a path will open up to you and you will think AH this is what I want to do

It took me a few years but I'm on my path now. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and one day you'll be thinking how in the name of ??? did I get so far!

Hugs,

Meg

Buddha,

Sorry you are having such a high anxiety day. They are pure

Do you get the flashbacks often in public? I'm not very familiar with PTSD, I can imagine it must be very scary to suddenly be "back there". I think you are amazing for getting out and doing all you are. Stay in the positive. You are one brave soul.

Hugs, Meg

I'd be getting a new hypertension med. I'm not a health professional but those sx do not sound good. So these flashbacks just come along when they like eh? Sounds a bit like panic attacks. Nasty buggers. I try and remember that they are "seperate" from me. I have panic attacks, but they are not the sum total of me. Don't let them define how you think of yourself. I know you have a wicked sense of humour. You certainly keep me laughing my friend.

Is there anything you could do on weekend that might make them less painful? I remember when I gave up alcohol (not so long ago) weekends where torture for me...I didn't know what to do with myself if I wasn't having a beer or recovering from a beer to many. It took me time to learn to plan ahead, getting DVD's, checking out movie times, going to the library etc so that my weekends didn't seem so daunting. Now, like most people, I actually look forward to them.

Now please let us know how you are going and stick around here for the weekend. We can chat and keep you distracted!

Hugs, Meg

Hello Meg and Kitt,

I did my volunteer work (real volunteer work not the draft service mandate by the STATE). Oh the glorious pain, I'm set for the weekend, I really pushed myself, not only losing my balance, bladder is leaking nicely. Cramps will no doubt pay a visit too ... never mind they are here. No way those nasty flashbacks are bothering me this weekend. I wish I could come up with a different way to get through the weekend. Can't really get around too well on the weekend the buses run hourly to every two hours. No money for anything. I'm having trouble reading as much as writing these days. I don't have any interest anymore ... funny I use to be interested in very thing. The Mission is about the best idea I could come up with.

I'll start that Zoloft tomorrow even if it does make me more suicidal, I doubt I'll be in any shape to do anything about it. What!? I'm looking on the positive side! :-/

Took my BP at the store tonight 160/143, pharmacist says I better talk to my doctor. That reading was after a very long bus ride, I wonder what it was before that? Pain + Stress = Killer BP When the ARNP prescribed the drug she said it was a new one and I said what kind? She said calcium blocker and I you mean like that Norvasc? [The conversation was not that fluid, I was having a panic attack but that's the jest.] Sometimes I think I surprise them and that does not instill hope in me.

I think I'll be fine this weekend but I'm worried what kind of repercussion there will be down the line. Lets face it I can put off the mental crap but like spinal stenosis you pay eventually I bet.

To bed I go.

Hi Meg,

I've gotten as far as my computer chair, I'm trying to get to the bathroom.

Yes, it does feel good to give back ... those people that run the mission work 24/7 sometimes and for just about nothing ($15 a week I think). They serve as many meals as the Salvation Army and they do it on a shoe string and a prayer. I'd go down more often on my own time but I think it would literally kill me. LOL

I've got some serious chest pain today, think I will try calling the clinic today. [I'd better throw the phone over to my bed while I'm sitting here ... LOL.]

A very gentle hug, (Oh I hurt)
Buddha

PS. Great I'm hAVing a panic attack ... I guess all this was for not. Guess there's no hiding ...

Hey Buddha,
Sounds like you're having a bad time.That's a lot of c-ap to put up with.I have hypertension too,but my meds have been sorted(fingers crossed),after a few tries with stuff that would make my B.P. crash suddenly-------once on the bus,and once on a train(some 60 miles from home).That was scary--fortunately my husband was with me,and after a few minutes antics(legs raised,people looking on open-mouthed) it righted itself.Now things seem settled,and I hope you manage to get your meds re-assessed as soon as possible.
I've never been on Zoloft(must be one of the very few anti-depressants I haven't had over the decades),but I've looked it up (bet you have too),and the site I looked at said the instances of people on it developing suicidal thoughts/intentions was possible,as with all SSRI's,but this hasn't happened enough for them to have the data to work out the risk,and it stays a controversial thing.
There's a thread elsewhere on this board where someone was talking about Prozac making them feel worse,thoughts of self harm etc,and I had just the same.I guess you may have been on various pills for your PTSD/depression already----I hope this one works out for you.It's so hit-and-miss,psychiatric medication--some people say Prozac changed their lives for the better,but NO WAY could I take the stuff.I hope Zoloft does the trick.
You have one whole lot of nasty stuff to contend with.I'm glad you have access to this board----I can feel how much people would love to be able to make things right for you,and you can count me in on that.
Wishing you peace of mind,and a pain-free life.You do people good,and you deserve that back.To be doing your volunteer work when all this is going on---well,you impress me.Think of the good you do(yes,I know we keep telling you that),because it's TRUE.

Morning Buddha,

I'm glad you are feeling a little better. You make that appt now okay? I know that it may be hard to belive that a pill can make you feel better re stress and pain, but it's certainly worth a try. Many members here are having positive results, and if you can weather the first couple of days (I'd go get more pizza rolls my friend!! - dizziness) then it may just improve your quality of life. Surely you have nothing to lose by giving it a whirl. I wish you all the best.

Hugs, Meg

Hey Buddha,

 

You and I are starting the Zoloft ride together.... I start it on Wednesday.  What side effects are you getting?  I'm waiting until Wednesday because I don't want to be dizzy or drowsy when I go to the hockey game Tuesday night!  Hahahaha... Yeah, I'm a die-hard NHL fan. See where my priorities are!

 

Hope you're doing okay. I'm seeing a counsellor for PTSD too.  Next Monday.  I sure hope this helps us! 

Ginny

Also, do you recommend taking it at night or in the morning?  I already take a benzo (for seizures), and very low dose Amitriptyline at night.  Those alone make me a just a little sleepy, not bad....Thanks!