PTSD, thought I was beating it.

Howdy, George Hill. The "eye movement treatment" is one I've heard of-- and worth trying.
For whatever it's worth, I walked into hell and came back a few times, long, long ago, and no, I won't tell about it. But...
...I still wake up screaming.
Thank God I married a good woman who'll shake me out of it...
But you aren't abnormal a-tall.
Good luck-
JR
 
Don't know much about this kind of thing, but if you or your family ever need anything let me know. I'm serious. We don't live that far away.
 
Haven't been in military combat just some fairly hairy stuff at home that doesn't bother me...so far. My nightmares come from working the emergency department. I can handle the adults fairly well even the major traumas but the kids are another matter. I've spent many a night in a nightmare where I'm walking the empty halls of my hospital with a dead two year old in my arms. The worst thing about it is that I don't wake up from it-I'm stuck there. George, talking with others who have been there also will help. Lord knows I talk with the other emergency nurses a lot about the things that happen that give me the willies.

------------------
Byron Quick
 
Be thankful that you have good people to talk to. Alcohol does help, but it doesn't last nearly long enough.

Good luck to you and your wife.

------------------
When Reason Fails.....
 
I've not personally experienced PSTD, but I've grown a bit familiar with it.

Others here have suggested that alcohol helps, though only temporarily. I'd like to suggest that God helps, and His help is a lot more substantial than alcohol. Try reading Psalm 91 until you almost know it backwards as well as forwards.

Hebrews 4:12 says "The word of God is living and active." When you begin to have flashbacks, dreams, etc, begin quoting the Bible. Any portion you've memorized is great; Psalm 91 can be particularly encouraging. Quote it out loud, preferably. That living Word of God occupying center stage of your focus really pushes back the trauma. It really can help.

I'm not claiming that it will solve everything all at once, life is a process, but it really can help. And reciting Bible passages is a lot cheaper than alcohol--and there's no hangover, either. :)

George, if talking to a relative stranger would help, remember that my husband and I are local in SLC. And we love to talk. :D

--Denise
 
George,
Don't know if there is anything I can do but cross my fingers, wish well, and speed it on the wings of prayer. Be assured that you aren't alone and there are a lot of folks who wish you well.
Strength, wisdom, faith, hope

------------------
Those who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules.Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
 
I was fixing to go to the Murry Bldg here in Oklahoma City the morning that McVeigh exploded his bomb.
I feel guilty because I was going to park in the area where he parked the truck bomb. I keep wondering if I had gone down there and parked in that space if he would have parked someplace else or skipped the whole thing entirely. I guess I will never know.
I dream sometimes about what might have been and about the times I stopped and watched the little kids playing in the day care area.
When the bomb went off I was working on a project for the Murray Bldg that I was going to take down and discuss with them. I still remember what the concussion felt like when it hit while I was working at my desk on the project.
That combined with other things that have happened to me in the previous 8 years makes my sleep not very restful at time.
 
Drinking in the context of trying to deal with PTSD symptoms is very dangerous.

You will when then become dependent on alcohol to deal with the problem which hasn't be treated anyway. So as the problem gets worse, as it might, you will drink more and more.

This happens to guys who don't seek help but hang with their buddies - usually with drinking.

So talking to buddies is good but NOT with alcohol around. Personally, I think the best advice is to find a specialist in this stuff
as treatment is successful.

Used to do some counseling way back when and that's was said.
 
Get a large dog. Dogs have the ability to find out when you're not
that fine, and they also know when you have nightmares. Happens to me
from time to time after my first really nasty motorbike accident
five weeks hospital and months on rehabilitation). They know when
your backache returns and more often than not, I find myself awake
with my German shepherd standing right next to the bed as it would
want to keep all evil from you. Also, when I wake up from a bad
backache or a nightmare, the dog is usually putting his nose on the
pillow right next to me and licks my face until I start sleeping.

It looks to me as Jaffi is never asleep. OTOH, when they want to go
out, they have their way to do it. SLOBBER. :)

A girl friend is another thing, but mine works at night as nurse.
 
George: THANK YOU for your service to our country.

From some of the things i have seen and dealt with as a police officer i have some insight into what you have been through and in some small way know what your feelings are.

If there is anything i could do for you; i would be glad to offer any help i could.
Charlie. aka 12-34hom
 
Guys,
You have all already helped a great deal.
PTSD is not fun - but its not the end of the world either. I'm overcoming. This has been a tough week - but everything is getting undercontrol again.

Thank you again.
All the support really goes to prove the TFL Family concept.
 
George Hill (and others):

Speaking as an American, I'd like to express my sincere appreciation for the events you went through, which resurface with PTSD.

You evidently felt that your sense of duty was more important than your attachment to safety... and for that, Sir, I salute you.

It is a far cry from the people today who all too often look at military and law enforcement service as merely marking time and rousting teenagers.

Best wishes, and quiet safe sleep to you all.

Sincere regards,

Robert Teesdale
robert@teesdale.com
http://www.teesdale.com
 
Regarding alcohol and PTSD: my cousin went to Vietnam in '65. He saw some heavy fighting and turned to booze when he got out. He died from the booze earlier this year. Not the answer to any problem (I say this as I open my second beer).

Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
 
Came home in'66 . Stayed pretty much drunk until '68 . Must have had 15 jobs . Got hired mostly by vets because I was one . One night I was standing outside a bar in Astoria New York . I was talking to 2 brothers that I had known for years . Their little kid brother was hanging around there also .
Their dad came out of the bar and got mouthy with me . He was too drunk to know me so he throws a punch . I wrapped my arm around his and punched him in the face . I punched him in the face A LOT . His sons started crying and asking me to stop . They were begging but would not even dare to get in arms length of me . As I realized that they loved their father but feared me even more I just stopped . All the fear and rage that I had brought home came out that night . I ran away to an old lot where we used to drink as kids . It was dark and I was alone . I must have cried all night . Mostly due to shame and some for not having the sense to know that poor man did not deserve that .
I woke up the next morning . Dirty and with a really bad headache . I went home and cleaned up . When my mom asked me about it I told her what happened . She said " Maybe you won't jump up 3 feet off the bed in the middle of the night and waking everyone up ."
I guess it jumped out that night and I have never again had any problems like that . I also have never gone back to see those guys or their father . I am still too ashamed .
My dad who was on the 'Canal in WW2 said he had to control problems himself . He said that until he realized that he was home and safe he was a problem also . I knew I was home but safe was the sticking point .
I think 2 things contribute to the problems that we have or had . One was the fear that we felt . It affected our self confidence . We felt inferior because we were so damn scared . The second is the things that we did or did not do . The " Kill 'em all Let God sort them out " sounds very cool on a T-shirt but when you zap people that turned out to be innocent it takes a toll . Pure fear drove many of us most of the time . Those people did not deserve what happened to them but it's too late now .
I think that if you are truly sorry for these things you can go on with your life . It's done . It's over . You're home ......you're safe now . God Bless .

------------------
TOM
SASS AMERICAN LEGION NRA GOA
 
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