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Ptsd

MaggieD

MaggieD

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When most of us think of PTSD, what do we think of? Soldiers. First thought. I’d just like to remind people that PTSD is by no means related just to combat and serving in combat zones.

It can be caused by a serious automobile accident, an assault, a near-death experience, a house fire, divorce, death of a loved one...myriad events that impact our sense of well being. And, naturally, there are differing degrees of PTSD.

My doc explained it to me. He diagnosed me with it about six months ago. Some of you know what brought it on, but that’s not important. I’m sure it effects everyone differently. In my case, it was absolutely relentless self-talk. Hashing, rehashing, shoulda woulda coulda thoughts that simply would not shut up. A high level of anxiety... a sense of dread... colored my entire world.

Until I told my doctor I couldn’t STAND it anymore.

He prescribed Xanax. Self-administered. A half pill any time those thoughts took over for more than thirty minutes. I probably took two half pills a day when I wasn’t busy. Busy? Brain occupied? No problem. Quiet, relaxing (joke), alone? Wham! All that destructive self talk that made me miserable.

Xanax took that all away within 15 minutes. I thought of it as a reboot. It only lasts about four hours, but after it wore off? I was fine for a long time after. Not tired, not effected in any other way. Just stopped the mental masturbating that had become my life.

I am very well aware that Xanax is an often abused drug. But it is also a miracle worker when used as intended... or at least it was for me. My doc gave me one nonrefillable prescription for 30 tablets and refilled it for me once. I have plenty left. I don’t take it anymore. Don’t need it.

Interestingly enough, the doctor told me I could expect my particular PTSD to linger for about six months. I stopped using it after five... and needed it less and less often as time went on.

So why am I posting this? Because real anxiety is a terrible affliction. It colors one’s world black. For those who have it? The world is a hopeless place. Know someone? Are that someone? Talk to your doc. Your life can change virtually overnight. Maybe not with the medicine I took... but there is help out there.

I hope this isn’t violating any rules. It is only meant to describe my successful experience with it. And to let others know there’s help out there...
 
Thank you for this, Maggie. I too have days where terrible anxiety grips me and drags me to a very dark place, for very different reasons that what I know you've been through. I've never taken Xanax, or any anti-depressant or prescription medication, in my life. However, things have gotten to the point that I should probably consider having that same conversation with my physician. He offered me such an Rx a little over a year ago, but I was too wary of addiction, or the potential I might do something foolish with it, that I declined.

Your post has helped me reconsider. *hugs*
 
MaggieD said:
When most of us think of PTSD, what do we think of? Soldiers. First thought. I’d just like to remind people that PTSD is by no means related just to combat and serving in combat zones.

It can be caused by a serious automobile accident, an assault, a near-death experience, a house fire, divorce, death of a loved one...myriad events that impact our sense of well being. And, naturally, there are differing degrees of PTSD.

My doc explained it to me. He diagnosed me with it about six months ago. Some of you know what brought it on, but that’s not important. I’m sure it effects everyone differently. In my case, it was absolutely relentless self-talk. Hashing, rehashing, shoulda woulda coulda thoughts that simply would not shut up. A high level of anxiety... a sense of dread... colored my entire world.

Until I told my doctor I couldn’t STAND it anymore.

He prescribed Xanax. Self-administered. A half pill any time those thoughts took over for more than thirty minutes. I probably took two half pills a day when I wasn’t busy. Busy? Brain occupied? No problem. Quiet, relaxing (joke), alone? Wham! All that destructive self talk that made me miserable.

Xanax took that all away within 15 minutes. I thought of it as a reboot. It only lasts about four hours, but after it wore off? I was fine for a long time after. Not tired, not effected in any other way. Just stopped the mental masturbating that had become my life.

I am very well aware that Xanax is an often abused drug. But it is also a miracle worker when used as intended... or at least it was for me. My doc gave me one nonrefillable prescription for 30 tablets and refilled it for me once. I have plenty left. I don’t take it anymore. Don’t need it.

Interestingly enough, the doctor told me I could expect my particular PTSD to linger for about six months. I stopped using it after five... and needed it less and less often as time went on.

So why am I posting this? Because real anxiety is a terrible affliction. It colors one’s world black. For those who have it? The world is a hopeless place. Know someone? Are that someone? Talk to your doc. Your life can change virtually overnight. Maybe not with the medicine I took... but there is help out there.

I hope this isn’t violating any rules. It is only meant to describe my successful experience with it. And to let others know there’s help out there...
Click to expand...

This would be a miserable and expensive world without legal drugs to make our lives better. And you deserve a good live, uncluttered with bad events of the past.
 
DiAnna said:
Thank you for this, Maggie. I too have days where terrible anxiety grips me and drags me to a very dark place, for very different reasons that what I know you've been through. I've never taken Xanax, or any anti-depressant or prescription medication, in my life. However, things have gotten to the point that I should probably consider having that same conversation with my physician. He offered me such an Rx a little over a year ago, but I was too wary of addiction, or the potential I might do something foolish with it, that I declined.

Your post has helped me reconsider. *hugs*
Click to expand...

Oh! I am so happy to read your post! The doc first offered me anti-depressants. I just wasn’t keen on them. As I know you are, Mr. Google and I are good friends, and I didn’t like some of the things I’d read about them. So his second suggestion was Xanax taken as he carefully described. He is my hero.

Good luck!!!
 
MaggieD said:
Right you are. Better living thru chemistry. Believe it. ;)
Click to expand...

Ya and you know a lot of Zen Masters gave Alan Watts a lot of **** because of the drugs he did and all that he drank, but Alan was never apologetic, he said that the road used to get the mind and the heart to the right place was the least important thing, that what mattered was that we knew the right place to be, and that we go ourselves there.

I am sure that he would have appreciated Paris Hilton and Miley Cyrus.
 
Hawkeye10 said:
Ya and you know a lot of Zen Masters gave Alan Watts a lot of **** because of the drugs he did and all that he drank, but Alan was never apologetic, he said that the road used to get the mind and the heart to the right place was the least important thing, that what mattered was that we knew the right place to be, and that we go ourselves there.

I am sure that he would have appreciated Paris Hilton and Miley Cyrus.
Click to expand...

I’m not quite sure if you’re being sarcastic, my favorite TV character. ;) I’ll assume you kinda are.

There is a very big difference between taking something like Xanax for real purpose and taking it recreationally. I don’t know enough to understand how people get addicted to some of these wonder drugs that do so much good, but I assume it comes from very troubled people looking for a buzz. And most certainly people who are taking their meds much differently than a doctor recommends.

Frankly, I don’t know how anyone WOULD become addicted to Xanax. I most certainly got no buzz from it, not in the slightest. And my doctor, I promise you, monitored how I was using it and how long it had been since my FIRST script to the time I asked for a refill.

There are millions of alcoholics out there that use alcohol to medicate THEIR anxiety away. And since our livers learn to detox faster and faster when we begin over-indulging for that purpose, or because they so love the buzz, not only do they begin to drink more and more to get the same buzz we got six months ago, but we destroy our livers in the process.

Morphine is a miracle drug for the treatment of pain. If used for that purpose, and that purpose alone, there is no addiction. (A side effect of morphine is a wonderful one... it also relieves air hunger for those with very severe breathing problems.) It can be safely used for the purpose it is intended, or it can be abused by those who are looking for much different effects for much different reasons.

Getting addicted to something like Xanax, in my opinion, would take purposeful intent. Doctor shopping, lying, ER hopping, buying it on the street. No one should avoid this or other wonderful meds on the grounds that they might become addicted. Use Xanax, my example, as directed and for real purpose and it can change one’s life.

I know. Ive been to that horrible place anxiety takes us, lived there for what seemed like an eternity and came right back.



To all. You know I have no particular medical knowledge. I am simply relating my own experience. Sharing what I sincerely believe is very good news for those suffering from anxiety so severe they’re not sure what to do to put joy back into their lives...
 
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MaggieD said:
When most of us think of PTSD, what do we think of? Soldiers. First thought. I’d just like to remind people that PTSD is by no means related just to combat and serving in combat zones.

It can be caused by a serious automobile accident, an assault, a near-death experience, a house fire, divorce, death of a loved one...myriad events that impact our sense of well being. And, naturally, there are differing degrees of PTSD.

My doc explained it to me. He diagnosed me with it about six months ago. Some of you know what brought it on, but that’s not important. I’m sure it effects everyone differently. In my case, it was absolutely relentless self-talk. Hashing, rehashing, shoulda woulda coulda thoughts that simply would not shut up. A high level of anxiety... a sense of dread... colored my entire world.

Until I told my doctor I couldn’t STAND it anymore.

He prescribed Xanax. Self-administered. A half pill any time those thoughts took over for more than thirty minutes. I probably took two half pills a day when I wasn’t busy. Busy? Brain occupied? No problem. Quiet, relaxing (joke), alone? Wham! All that destructive self talk that made me miserable.

Xanax took that all away within 15 minutes. I thought of it as a reboot. It only lasts about four hours, but after it wore off? I was fine for a long time after. Not tired, not effected in any other way. Just stopped the mental masturbating that had become my life.

I am very well aware that Xanax is an often abused drug. But it is also a miracle worker when used as intended... or at least it was for me. My doc gave me one nonrefillable prescription for 30 tablets and refilled it for me once. I have plenty left. I don’t take it anymore. Don’t need it.

Interestingly enough, the doctor told me I could expect my particular PTSD to linger for about six months. I stopped using it after five... and needed it less and less often as time went on.

So why am I posting this? Because real anxiety is a terrible affliction. It colors one’s world black. For those who have it? The world is a hopeless place. Know someone? Are that someone? Talk to your doc. Your life can change virtually overnight. Maybe not with the medicine I took... but there is help out there.

I hope this isn’t violating any rules. It is only meant to describe my successful experience with it. And to let others know there’s help out there...
Click to expand...

Thank goodness for modern medicine, eh? You're right, Xanax is abused by many people. But I'm glad it's helped you out, Mags.
 
I did not need any accident to get the wheels in my head turning. I was fine in the military. It was a few years after getting out of the military that the stress of work and life itself would keep me up all night. I did not believe drugs were the answer because I had already been using alcohol to go to sleep. While it worked short term I realized a permanent long term solution was needed. I went to a psychiatrist that taught me relaxation techniques over several months that have permanently solved the problem. I can use the techniques any time or anywhere I need to stop anxiety. Plus there are no side effects except for a restful nap or great nights sleep.
 
PIPEWRENCH said:
I did not need any accident to get the wheels in my head turning. I was fine in the military. It was a few years after getting out of the military that the stress of work and life itself would keep me up all night. I did not believe drugs were the answer because I had already been using alcohol to go to sleep. While it worked short term I realized a permanent long term solution was needed. I went to a psychiatrist that taught me relaxation techniques over several months that have permanently solved the problem. Plus I can use the techniques any time or anywhere I need to stop anxiety. Plus there are no side effects except for a restful nap or great nights sleep.
Click to expand...





I do Jiu-Jitsu, Slap hands then simulate murder and choke people. Very relaxing.
 
ReverendHellh0und said:
I do Jiu-Jitsu, Slap hands then simulate murder and choke people. Very relaxing.
Click to expand...

As long as it works for you I am all for it. I do tense and relax muscles on an individual basis along with breathing. It is great exercise and the concentration on isolating muscles seems to distract the mind from what it was focusing on.
 
DiAnna said:
Thank you for this, Maggie. I too have days where terrible anxiety grips me and drags me to a very dark place, for very different reasons that what I know you've been through. I've never taken Xanax, or any anti-depressant or prescription medication, in my life. However, things have gotten to the point that I should probably consider having that same conversation with my physician. He offered me such an Rx a little over a year ago, but I was too wary of addiction, or the potential I might do something foolish with it, that I declined.

Your post has helped me reconsider. *hugs*
Click to expand...


Can I recommend speaking to a psychiatrist? Your GP can prescribe the meds well enough, but psychiatrists specialize in exactly this sort of thing. They can also show you other ways of managing anxiety without psychotropics if you'd prefer to try that first.

Unfortunately the stigma over tending to our mental health stubbornly still exists. But it's slowly steadily fading. Seeing a psychiatrist really isn't a big deal. And anxiety is by far the most common mental health issue we have. Good news is that it also happens to be the most treatable.
 
Prescription meds work for a lot of people. I have had some success with them but limited.

I never did a single illegal drug until I retired from the Army. Once I retired I found that marijuana helps me cope with PTSD better than any prescription drug ever did. MDMA, for me, completely eradicated my symptoms for a week or so but it isn't the kind of drug you can safely take more than a few times a year. I would love to see more research done with it, though.

But marijuana has saved my life without doubt. Please note that I am not recommending its use, I'm just stating my personal experience.
 
MaggieD said:
When most of us think of PTSD, what do we think of? Soldiers. First thought. I’d just like to remind people that PTSD is by no means related just to combat and serving in combat zones.

It can be caused by a serious automobile accident, an assault, a near-death experience, a house fire, divorce, death of a loved one...myriad events that impact our sense of well being. And, naturally, there are differing degrees of PTSD.

My doc explained it to me. He diagnosed me with it about six months ago. Some of you know what brought it on, but that’s not important. I’m sure it effects everyone differently. In my case, it was absolutely relentless self-talk. Hashing, rehashing, shoulda woulda coulda thoughts that simply would not shut up. A high level of anxiety... a sense of dread... colored my entire world.

Until I told my doctor I couldn’t STAND it anymore.

He prescribed Xanax. Self-administered. A half pill any time those thoughts took over for more than thirty minutes. I probably took two half pills a day when I wasn’t busy. Busy? Brain occupied? No problem. Quiet, relaxing (joke), alone? Wham! All that destructive self talk that made me miserable.

Xanax took that all away within 15 minutes. I thought of it as a reboot. It only lasts about four hours, but after it wore off? I was fine for a long time after. Not tired, not effected in any other way. Just stopped the mental masturbating that had become my life.

I am very well aware that Xanax is an often abused drug. But it is also a miracle worker when used as intended... or at least it was for me. My doc gave me one nonrefillable prescription for 30 tablets and refilled it for me once. I have plenty left. I don’t take it anymore. Don’t need it.

Interestingly enough, the doctor told me I could expect my particular PTSD to linger for about six months. I stopped using it after five... and needed it less and less often as time went on.

So why am I posting this? Because real anxiety is a terrible affliction. It colors one’s world black. For those who have it? The world is a hopeless place. Know someone? Are that someone? Talk to your doc. Your life can change virtually overnight. Maybe not with the medicine I took... but there is help out there.

I hope this isn’t violating any rules. It is only meant to describe my successful experience with it. And to let others know there’s help out there...
Click to expand...

Thanks, you may have helped someone today. God speed in your recovery.
 
Skeptic Bob said:
Prescription meds work for a lot of people. I have had some success with them but limited.

I never did a single illegal drug until I retired from the Army. Once I retired I found that marijuana helps me cope with PTSD better than any prescription drug ever did. MDMA, for me, completely eradicated my symptoms for a week or so but it isn't the kind of drug you can safely take more than a few times a year. I would love to see more research done with it, though.

But marijuana has saved my life without doubt. Please note that I am not recommending its use, I'm just stating my personal experience.
Click to expand...

One thing that happened is that the uses for medical marijuana has just been expanded in NY to include both PTSD (signed last week). NY had the most restrictive requirements for the use of medical MJ, but the conditions that are allowed for it to be used for have been expanded. Cuomo is going at it cautiously.

Currently, I don't have any condition that would qualify for the use of medical mj, but it's nice to know that option is there if I do start getting chronic pain again.

New York Gov. Cuomo Signs Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana For PTSD « CBS New York
 
This can be a serious situation. Especially when a spouse is diagnosed with "normal pressure hydrocephalus" . Their normal proclivities, i.e. control OCD, bullying, emotional abuse, threats of violence, destruction and death become daily stress situations for family members, state and local governments don't step in until someone is actually dead. There simply is no half-way house for those who are at the mercy of an individual who is out of his/her mind, threatening to murder the person they blame for every wrong thing that has happened to them. A family is slaughtered, a house is burned to the ground, everyone is gone except the abusive. insane individual who blames everyone else for his crime. But of course, it's never his/her fault; a couple months of therapy and they're all good. The dead are still dead, but at this point, no one cares about the victims.

Thanks, and goodbye.
 
DiAnna said:
This can be a serious situation. Especially when a spouse is diagnosed with "normal pressure hydrocephalus" . Their normal proclivities, i.e. control OCD, bullying, emotional abuse, threats of violence, destruction and death become daily stress situations for family members, state and local governments don't step in until someone is actually dead. There simply is no half-way house for those who are at the mercy of an individual who is out of his/her mind, threatening to murder the person they blame for every wrong thing that has happened to them. A family is slaughtered, a house is burned to the ground, everyone is gone except the abusive. insane individual who blames everyone else for his crime. But of course, it's never his/her fault; a couple months of therapy and they're all good. The dead are still dead, but at this point, no one cares about the victims.

Thanks, and goodbye.
Click to expand...




What does "normal pressure hydrocephalus" have to do with PTSD????
 
Skeptic Bob said:
Prescription meds work for a lot of people. I have had some success with them but limited.

I never did a single illegal drug until I retired from the Army. Once I retired I found that marijuana helps me cope with PTSD better than any prescription drug ever did. MDMA, for me, completely eradicated my symptoms for a week or so but it isn't the kind of drug you can safely take more than a few times a year. I would love to see more research done with it, though.

But marijuana has saved my life without doubt. Please note that I am not recommending its use, I'm just stating my personal experience.
Click to expand...

I am not convinced marijuana is safe and has no long term side effects that children and young adults should avoid or limit its use. I see no reason not to use it to relieve symptoms in a medical aspect. We currently use opiates and lots of other drugs which are much more dangerous with clear side effects that kill lots of people.
 
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ReverendHellh0und said:
What does "normal pressure hydrocephalus" have to do with PTSD????
Click to expand...

Among the symptoms are signs of increasing dementia, which leads a person with abusive, bullying tendencies to become increasingly irrational and violent. That causes a great deal of anxiety and stress on his/her family and those who interact with them.

I've never claimed to have pstd; I've only empathized with and understood dealing with extreme stress and anxiety on a daily basis, and things one cannot control that can cause that stress.
 
MaggieD said:
When most of us think of PTSD, what do we think of? Soldiers. First thought. I’d just like to remind people that PTSD is by no means related just to combat and serving in combat zones.

It can be caused by a serious automobile accident, an assault, a near-death experience, a house fire, divorce, death of a loved one...myriad events that impact our sense of well being. And, naturally, there are differing degrees of PTSD.

My doc explained it to me. He diagnosed me with it about six months ago. Some of you know what brought it on, but that’s not important. I’m sure it effects everyone differently. In my case, it was absolutely relentless self-talk. Hashing, rehashing, shoulda woulda coulda thoughts that simply would not shut up. A high level of anxiety... a sense of dread... colored my entire world.

Until I told my doctor I couldn’t STAND it anymore.

He prescribed Xanax. Self-administered. A half pill any time those thoughts took over for more than thirty minutes. I probably took two half pills a day when I wasn’t busy. Busy? Brain occupied? No problem. Quiet, relaxing (joke), alone? Wham! All that destructive self talk that made me miserable.

Xanax took that all away within 15 minutes. I thought of it as a reboot. It only lasts about four hours, but after it wore off? I was fine for a long time after. Not tired, not effected in any other way. Just stopped the mental masturbating that had become my life.

I am very well aware that Xanax is an often abused drug. But it is also a miracle worker when used as intended... or at least it was for me. My doc gave me one nonrefillable prescription for 30 tablets and refilled it for me once. I have plenty left. I don’t take it anymore. Don’t need it.

Interestingly enough, the doctor told me I could expect my particular PTSD to linger for about six months. I stopped using it after five... and needed it less and less often as time went on.

So why am I posting this? Because real anxiety is a terrible affliction. It colors one’s world black. For those who have it? The world is a hopeless place. Know someone? Are that someone? Talk to your doc. Your life can change virtually overnight. Maybe not with the medicine I took... but there is help out there.

I hope this isn’t violating any rules. It is only meant to describe my successful experience with it. And to let others know there’s help out there...
Click to expand...

I experianced at least a mild case of it after an bad auto accident five ago. I had a few flash backs, dreams and largely avoided heavy morning traffic on the interstates for about a year. I avoided medications. I just eventually forced myself to face fears of traffic as my job requires alot of travel.
 
MaggieD said:
When most of us think of PTSD, what do we think of? Soldiers. First thought. I’d just like to remind people that PTSD is by no means related just to combat and serving in combat zones.

It can be caused by a serious automobile accident, an assault, a near-death experience, a house fire, divorce, death of a loved one...myriad events that impact our sense of well being. And, naturally, there are differing degrees of PTSD.

My doc explained it to me. He diagnosed me with it about six months ago. Some of you know what brought it on, but that’s not important. I’m sure it effects everyone differently. In my case, it was absolutely relentless self-talk. Hashing, rehashing, shoulda woulda coulda thoughts that simply would not shut up. A high level of anxiety... a sense of dread... colored my entire world.

Until I told my doctor I couldn’t STAND it anymore.

He prescribed Xanax. Self-administered. A half pill any time those thoughts took over for more than thirty minutes. I probably took two half pills a day when I wasn’t busy. Busy? Brain occupied? No problem. Quiet, relaxing (joke), alone? Wham! All that destructive self talk that made me miserable.

Xanax took that all away within 15 minutes. I thought of it as a reboot. It only lasts about four hours, but after it wore off? I was fine for a long time after. Not tired, not effected in any other way. Just stopped the mental masturbating that had become my life.

I am very well aware that Xanax is an often abused drug. But it is also a miracle worker when used as intended... or at least it was for me. My doc gave me one nonrefillable prescription for 30 tablets and refilled it for me once. I have plenty left. I don’t take it anymore. Don’t need it.

Interestingly enough, the doctor told me I could expect my particular PTSD to linger for about six months. I stopped using it after five... and needed it less and less often as time went on.

So why am I posting this? Because real anxiety is a terrible affliction. It colors one’s world black. For those who have it? The world is a hopeless place. Know someone? Are that someone? Talk to your doc. Your life can change virtually overnight. Maybe not with the medicine I took... but there is help out there.

I hope this isn’t violating any rules. It is only meant to describe my successful experience with it. And to let others know there’s help out there...
Click to expand...

I think you have been dealing with a lot lately. I don't know what caused it, but it's not your fault.

I was diagnosed with PTSD when I was a teenager. I have had struggles with it on and off, but it's mostly under control right now. I also had the non stop thoughts, lack of peace, nightmares, fatigue, etc. I developed patterns to help me feel safe. That ended up becoming a OCD issue which is actually another level of restlessness and inability to be at peace, and I was told that many people do that frequently. I would tell you to watch out for that, but it sounds like you are doing fine.

I also read a really good book with exercises in it called Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel Amen, MD.
 
DiAnna said:
Thank you for this, Maggie. I too have days where terrible anxiety grips me and drags me to a very dark place, for very different reasons that what I know you've been through. I've never taken Xanax, or any anti-depressant or prescription medication, in my life. However, things have gotten to the point that I should probably consider having that same conversation with my physician. He offered me such an Rx a little over a year ago, but I was too wary of addiction, or the potential I might do something foolish with it, that I declined.

Your post has helped me reconsider. *hugs*
Click to expand...

There are things you can try that is non addictive. I take a medicine like that
 
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