1. Posted by ladyvalarie on Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 10:06 pm PDT

i have PTSD yes it happen's night-mares from him druggie me, then waking-up to find him on top of me, try to fight off a man that is on drugs, himself he raped me. held me hostage for 3 wks; i had no 1 to call for help. he even threatened my sons, went so far as to control my daily habit's. when he went away for a trip with a friend i took the next bus out of town. his mother, she was my patient you see i couldn't scream if i wanted too he would kill her and my sons. i'am always on watch still dream about him since have become a butcher in a factory. which gave me strength, and knowledge of animals. no man will ever do this again to me. he will have to kill me first. that was in 1999 in texas cops dont care there. if your a care taker living with an elderly out of state. i tried cops in texas do not care about women i know first hand. i can still smell, hear, him coming, even if it is day or night. i always watch day or night moved to my home state. no treatment worked, there is nothing except for time. your drugs, kiss my a????????????????????...................

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2. Posted by ladyvalarie on Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 10:07 pm PDT

i have PTSD yes it happen's night-mares from him druggie me, then waking-up to find him on top of me, try to fight off a man that is on drugs, himself he raped me. held me hostage for 3 wks; i had no 1 to call for help. he even threatened my sons, went so far as to control my daily habit's. when he went away for a trip with a friend i took the next bus out of town. his mother, she was my patient you see i couldn't scream if i wanted too he would kill her and my sons. i'am always on watch still dream about him since have become a butcher in a factory. which gave me strength, and knowledge of animals. no man will ever do this again to me. he will have to kill me first. that was in 1999 in texas cops dont care there. if your a care taker living with an elderly out of state. i tried cops in texas do not care about women i know first hand. i can still smell, hear, him coming, even if it is day or night. i always watch day or night moved to my home state. no treatment worked, there is nothing except for time. your drugs, kiss my a????????????????????...................

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3. Posted by TLCDaisy on Thu, Apr 03, 2008, 6:20 pm PDT

In June 2007, The VA via the Clinician's Trauma Update Online reported that the SSRI - Zoloft (Sertraline) was "...reported to be ineffective for treating PTSD in VA patients." It also stated that ..."these medications may require augmentation with other treatments among VA patients who have chronic, long-term PTSD." Be it a War Vet or a Civilian...PTSD is treated by one's symptom's. Despite the trauma endured...many PTSD'ers experience PTSD very similarly...and once meeting fellow PTSD'ers...they feel not so alone in their Journey to Heal. PTSD has a VERY physiologic basis, that seems to be often overlooked. That is why Prazosin is being used to help treat trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist that used to treat high blood pressure and problems related to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). According to the Va's Clinician Trauma Update Online, June 2007 edition, "This study suggests that prazosin is a safe and effective method for promoting improved sleep in PTSD." Another great med showing great results is Propranolol (Inderal). Propranolol is a Beta-Blocker and is typically used to treat high blood pressure as well. Adrenaline has been shown to 'run' at higher levels in PTSD'ers. So, including Propranolol into the med regime helps to block Adrenaline. Physiologically, Adrenaline causes our heart rate and blood pressure to increase...and is involved in the fight or flight response. It's important to note that extended-release Inderal (Propranolol) is NOT effective for PTSD'ers. PTSD'ers need the immediate effect of Propranolol, and small doses, possibly divided throughout the day, are effective. It helps with anxiety in this approach as well. Propranolol has been used for years for 'stage fright.' To remove the stigma of the name 'Anti-Psychotics', such as Geodon or Seroquel to treat PTSD...it may help to refer to them as 'Major Tranquilizers.' PTSD'ers are NOT psychotic. But, the meds are used to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Careful consideration of the Neurotransmitters being affected by the meds being given to a PTSD should also be carefully considered. This is an area of study that deserves more attention. B/C some neurotransmitters can make PTSD worse. PTSD is an anxiety-based disorder, yet highly physiologic. It's best to find a well-versed PTSD Psychiatrist or Neuro-Psychiatrist to treat one's PTSD. EMDR has also shown promising results as a therapy. www.EMDR.com In another recent study by the Cincinnati VA Center, it was shown that Cognitive PROCESSING Therapy (CPT) worked better than Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In my opinion, this crosses over into the civilian community as well...though it is hard to find a therapist that performs a processing type therapy. Many therapist's are CBT based, and as a sole basis for treatment, in my opinion, is not enough. It is also important to find a therapist that is very experienced in PTSD, ask questions...don't be afraid. Healing takes time, maybe even a long time...and they say it gets worse before it gets better. More research needs to be done into PTSD, and am glad to hear the VA stepping up to research it, as it benefits us Civilians with PTSD as well. One more thing: PTSD is NOT CURABLE, but it is HIGHLY TREATABLE.

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4. Posted by TLCDaisy on Thu, Apr 03, 2008, 6:21 pm PDT

In June 2007, The VA via the Clinician's Trauma Update Online reported that the SSRI - Zoloft (Sertraline) was "...reported to be ineffective for treating PTSD in VA patients." It also stated that ..."these medications may require augmentation with other treatments among VA patients who have chronic, long-term PTSD." Be it a War Vet or a Civilian...PTSD is treated by one's symptom's. Despite the trauma endured...many PTSD'ers experience PTSD very similarly...and once meeting fellow PTSD'ers...they feel not so alone in their Journey to Heal. PTSD has a VERY physiologic basis, that seems to be often overlooked. That is why Prazosin is being used to help treat trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist that used to treat high blood pressure and problems related to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). According to the Va's Clinician Trauma Update Online, June 2007 edition, "This study suggests that prazosin is a safe and effective method for promoting improved sleep in PTSD." Another great med showing great results is Propranolol (Inderal). Propranolol is a Beta-Blocker and is typically used to treat high blood pressure as well. Adrenaline has been shown to 'run' at higher levels in PTSD'ers. So, including Propranolol into the med regime helps to block Adrenaline. Physiologically, Adrenaline causes our heart rate and blood pressure to increase...and is involved in the fight or flight response. It's important to note that extended-release Inderal (Propranolol) is NOT effective for PTSD'ers. PTSD'ers need the immediate effect of Propranolol, and small doses, possibly divided throughout the day, are effective. It helps with anxiety in this approach as well. Propranolol has been used for years for 'stage fright.' To remove the stigma of the name 'Anti-Psychotics', such as Geodon or Seroquel to treat PTSD...it may help to refer to them as 'Major Tranquilizers.' PTSD'ers are NOT psychotic. But, the meds are used to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Careful consideration of the Neurotransmitters being affected by the meds being given to a PTSD should also be carefully considered. This is an area of study that deserves more attention. B/C some neurotransmitters can make PTSD worse. PTSD is an anxiety-based disorder, yet highly physiologic. It's best to find a well-versed PTSD Psychiatrist or Neuro-Psychiatrist to treat one's PTSD. EMDR has also shown promising results as a therapy. www.EMDR.com In another recent study by the Cincinnati VA Center, it was shown that Cognitive PROCESSING Therapy (CPT) worked better than Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In my opinion, this crosses over into the civilian community as well...though it is hard to find a therapist that performs a processing type therapy. Many therapist's are CBT based, and as a sole basis for treatment, in my opinion, is not enough. It is also important to find a therapist that is very experienced in PTSD, ask questions...don't be afraid. Healing takes time, maybe even a long time...and they say it gets worse before it gets better. More research needs to be done into PTSD, and am glad to hear the VA stepping up to research it, as it benefits us Civilians with PTSD as well. One more thing: PTSD is NOT CURABLE, but it is HIGHLY TREATABLE.

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5. Posted by whirlingwhitewind on Fri, Apr 04, 2008, 6:56 am PDT

I have PTSD. No "official" diagnosis, as my MD is neither qualified nor interested in taking the time, I can't afford a psychologist or psychiatrist, never mind finding one who specializes in PTSD. I do have access to counselling, therapy groups and support through community mental health and sexual assualt outreach. Of course, they don't have degrees (just lots of direct experience and education), so aren't taken seriously by anyone, and certainly can't prescribe meds. I really don't want to take meds, nor believe it's a good idea without proper, accompanying therapy, but at the same time I find it frustrating when people try to tell me how to "fix" myself (regards sleeping, eating, being in a severely depressed state, etc.) and I tell them it's not that simple with PTSD - because I am not seeing a shrink, or on meds, some people treat me like I am being overly dramatic and exaggerating, or a hypochondriac, instead of trying to educate themselves on what PTSD is. I accept it and expect to deal with it all my life so I want to to so as best I can, but that means letting people close to me know too. It's no different than an epileptic or diabetic letting people know in case something happens. The problem is that other people think you should be able to fix it, control it, get over it.

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6. Posted by whirlingwhitewind on Sat, Apr 05, 2008, 6:53 pm PDT

Hi TOA! You are so right about the issue of drugs. While some people are really helped by them, too many are just given the pills and that's it. "Mask the problem, don't fix it" treatment. It can take a lot of work, time and energy to heal from serious trauma, but it needs to be encouraged and supported - it seems sometimes that the prevailing attitude is often "take a pill so I don't have to deal with your pain anymore". But I do also think that a lot of people get discouraged or triggered into severe deppressive episodes because they expect to be permanently "fixed". So when they do well but then have a flashback or down-cycle, they feel they have done something wrong, or failed to "achieve healing". There needs to be more understanding and acceptance of the fact that PTSD and related issues may be lifelong BUT decresed in terms of frequency and impact, managed and coped with. I believe true healing is accepting who you are, getting on with life, and working with and around any impairments, whether they are physical, mental/emotional, financial, environmental... My opinion, of course.

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7. Posted by Angel on Fri, Apr 11, 2008, 9:00 am PDT

Muscle tension or sleep problems? The answer, stress, this is a very common but not very well understood terminology. For all of us, "STRESS" is a common element of our life that we have to face, it doesn’t matter that we like it or not, just we have no other option than to live with. As a matter of fact we all know than stress is not a very pleasant partner, but do we really realize how unhealthy is, and how stress can reduce the quality and expectation of our life. Certainly not. www.oomphdrink.com

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8. Posted by ebwscw@att.net on Fri, Apr 25, 2008, 9:42 am PDT

My wife diagnosd with PTSD many years ago from being molested as a child has had some treatments to help her overcome the fear that stays inside her mind. She continues to take anxiety meds and anti-depression medications to help ease the suffering she experienced so long ago. As her husband the one thing that makes me upset is the molester is still running free today, and has no remorse for what he has done to her, and how the situation has effected her life from childhood and adulthood. If it was me, I would have him totally exposed for the trauma he caused her and probably others too

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9. Posted by gil_in_cary on Mon, May 05, 2008, 8:11 am PDT

Glad to learn that the VA & US Army is recognizing this condition (PTSD). This was not so during and immediately after WWII. So we were left to struggle on our own.

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