Ptsd question?

[Cbys]

Cbys: I am new to this site and came crossed it by chance.. My family and co-works think I have suffered from PTSD since 2006 or earlier. I think they are wrong. I was forced by my wife to go to to my doctor about it and he took to long so I left. My wife went and she came back with this 10 page questionnaire for me to fill-out. In 1992 I was in the Military and suffered heat exhaustion/heat stoke, which turned into pneumonia and spent two weeks in the hospital . They even called my family to report the incident to them. I still have flashbacks s and night sweats sometimes, especially when i smell burnt rubber. I often remember the co pilot yelling at me telling me not to close my eyes. I am currently in Law Enforcement and in 2006 I had an incident were i was diagnosed with rhabdomyalisis (My Ck level was 175,000) I was told i wouldn't make it. I lost 65% of my skeleton Muscle mass. It took me over 8 months to walk again. I have had body tremors, anxiety and high blood pressure , to include anger episodes. This is the first time I have talk about this and was wondering your thoughts if I should really got to this doctor or just skip it. I don't socialize with anyone outside of work. Your thought please?

 

[LuckiLee]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, go get the help you need and deserve. You're lucky to have such a supportive wife. IME both partners need to be involved in the healing process.

Good luck on your journey!

 

[Cbys]

I still don't think I need the help. Do you think these are symptoms could be related to PTSD?

 

[scout86]

What kind of doctor? Rather than starting with a GP, it might be a better idea to start with someone (like a psychologist) who deals with PTSD and is familiar with diagnosing and treating it.

It sounds like a possible diagnosis, but no one here can really tell you for sure, online.

 

[Friday]

Is PTSD possible? Sure.
Does that mean you have it? Nope.
What's the value of finding out, either way? Working smarter.

Wanna catch22? Part of the PTSD diagnosis / symptom set is Avoidance. The harder you push against not ruling it out? The more likely it is that you do, in fact, have it. Doesn't mean you do. It's not that kind of bullshit. But the impulse to lock shit away, dammit I'm fine, is really central for a lot of us.

ETA... I think of PTSD a lot like diabetes. I can be managing well with diet & exercise alone, for years. Not even knowing I have diabetes, my lifestyle just keeps it in check. Or I can be sick for years and not know why. In either case, sooner or later, something changes and I end up needing to be doing more than what I used to do, or my life goes to hell. Maybe change my diet & lifestyle. Maybe blood glucose testing & insulin shots. Get my diabetes managed, and voila. My life is back to normal. Still have diabetes, but once again, it's managed. Not WANTING diabetes? Doesn't really enter into the picture. If I've got it? I've got it. And the sooner I can lock this shit down, the better. Not by refusing to treat it, but by facing head on what's in front of me. That's what works. PTSD? Exact same thing. Maybe you've got it. Maybe you don't. No one here can tell you. If you do, ignoring it isn't gonna make shit better. If you don't? Just wastes time to not rule it out. If the doctors appointment was for a diabetes screening... Would you skip it?

 

[LuckiLee]

It doesn't matter what we think. You're struggling right now and need some help. You KNOW that or you wouldn't have found this forum. Glad you did.

 

[Esterio]

I have had body tremors, anxiety and high blood pressure , to include anger episodes. This is the first time I have talk about this and was wondering your thoughts if I should really got to this doctor or just skip it. I don't socialize with anyone outside of work. Your thought please?

Hi thereCbys
You should go to your Doctor and tell them the truth about what is happening. That way you may find out what is troubling you it may or may not be PTSD.
I think it would be better to know and get treatment therapy to help you than do nothing and avoid it for years until it gets so bad you have nothing left as many of us have done.
The longer you hold back the harder it is to heal just the little bit that i have quoted you is enough of a reason to go and find out. Don't let it get bad and you may have an easier time to heal.
Peace be safe

 

[ladee]

I just want to add to what has been said... having PTSD is NOT a sign of weakness, or fortitude, and we aren't crazy. We feel crazy sometimes, or a lot of the time, depending on what's going on.... but untreated 'anything' only gets worse, not better...
We can't convince you to get your answers, but if you do have PTSD, the symptoms will certainly, eventually , cause you to go get help....

Your issues may be physical which in turn is causing you a lot of problems.... but I will tell you, again, it is not a sign of weakness... we are some of the bravest , strongest people you will ever meet in your life... not one of us is weak.... we are tired, we aren't sleeping, we sleep too much, we get anxious, we shut down, we have lousy memories of what happened two days ago, and wish we had no memories of years ago.... We cry, we get angry, we get confused, we don't like people a lot of the time, or beat our self senseless trying to be 'normal'.....

So, since you dropped in here, hope you take us seriously about finding out what is going on.... if it's physical, I hope you get the help you need to heal... if it's PTSD, we'll be here to help you get the help you need and give you a hand up and support while you are here....

Either way, glad you found us, in case you need to come back... we'll keep the light on for ya'...

 

[scout86]

the symptoms will certainly, eventually , cause you to go get help...

Or, they might kill you first. Or, just totally mess up your life. Checking it out is a good idea.

 

[Cbys]

Thanks to you all. I appreciate your comments and advice. The doctor called yesterday and he wants to see me first thing this afternoon. I asked my wife to come with me and she has agreed. She knows i have panic attacks when i go to the doctors because of my long stay in the hospital.Again thanks, i am taking my first steps.

 

[LuckiLee]

That's great @Cbys. Good luck. We're here if you need us or have any more questions.

 

[Esterio]

I asked my wife to come with me and she has agreed. She knows i have panic attacks when i go

I think it can be good for you and good for her to be involved in your care and get care for her self so she can learn about PTSD. I wish you all the strength and luck you will need to go on this journey to better mental health.
Peace be safe