Meds To Cover Other Symptoms?

[bug]

Hi there. This is my first post, so hear with me.

I'm going to give you all the full (albeit abbreviated) run-down, if that's alright. I've been stalking these forums for awhile now, and want to get in on some of that insight you all seem to have!

I was diagnosed with PTSD four years ago, but I've experienced symptoms since I was nine or ten. I'm eighteen now. I spent two years in residential treatment, and three years in outpatient. Other than PTSD, I deal with recurrent major depression, general anxiety, and a restrictive eating disorder. The only medication I'm currently taking is Zoloft (sertraline).

My PTSD is in response to childhood physical and sexual abuse, and since I returned home from rehab to the home 'where it all began', everything seems to trigger me. I mainly experience regular nightmares and hypervigilance, flashbacks, and the feeling that I have an abbreviated lifespan--so what's the point? (Cue suicidal tendencies.)

Lately, I've been feeling very disconnected from myself, like I'm not really a person. My entire body shakes, even if I've taken my medication and haven't had any caffeine. I walk around with wide eyes and stare off into space pretty consistently. I don't....feel anything. I don't even have thoughts about anything, it seems, like I'm on autopilot. I've never felt this way before now, so I'm not sure what it is. Dissociation, maybe?

Anyways, I am wondering if anyone has had a positive experience with medications other than Zoloft,
specifically dealing with hypervigilance, nightmares, and potentially dissociation? My psychiatrist suggested Tenex (Guanfacine), but because it's an ADHD med I'm scared it'll make me hyper-focused on trauma! I used to take Trileptal, because my PTSD was initially misdiagnosed as bipolar, and it made me very suicidal. I'm wary about taking another mood stabilizer for that reason.

Though I know you aren't all medical professionals, and that I should leave it to my psychiatrist to suggest what's best for my specific set of disorders, I was wondering if anyone had any experiences with meds that might be beneficial. I want to be as informed a patient as I can, especially following longterm inpatient, where it really didn't matter what we thought we needed.

Whew, that was long. If you got through all this, thank you so much. There seems to be a level of support and genuine care here that I haven't seen anywhere else.
(Also! I'm in the US)

 

[Deleted member 33052]

Welcome, bug. I'm sorry that you have gone through such difficulty in your life. I'm glad you found us, though. We're a very supportive bunch.

I have tried a number of medications - effexor, cipralex, abilify, and now sertraline and bupropion. We discovered after a lot of trial and error that for me, a sertraline/bupropion combination works best. So far...

I hope that helps. Good luck in your healing journey!

 

[EveHarrington]

I believe you're symptomatic because you are in an unsafe place where your trauma began. Your body is actually reacting as it should to keep you safe. The best thing you can do to further your healing is to get out of that house. Meds can dampen your symptoms but they won't fix anything. I don't know of any drug that fixes dissociation. Can you use your grounding skills?

 

[joeylittle]

If you were to identify the strongest, most disruptive symptom you're having - what would it be, and how does it specifically interfere with your daily functioning and recovery?

 

[bug]

I believe you're symptomatic because you are in an unsafe place where your trauma began. Your body...

Hmm you're probably right. Unfortunately, I am unable to drive and entirely financially dependent on my parents (because I'm still a senior in high school) even though my dad is the first source of my trauma. I am looking to move out, but here in California, rent costs are unbelievably high. And I can't go back to treatment again, my parents would support/fund it. Thank you for your kind words, and for listening.

 

[bug]

If you were to identify the strongest, most disruptive symptom you're having - what would it be, and...

Probably how easily startled/hypervigilant I am. I always sit in rooms so that I can see/get to a clear exit, I am constantly focused on potentially life-threatening situations, and I have sensory overload (from paying attention to everything all the time). Does this help? Thank you for taking the time to answer so thoughtfully!

 

[bug]

Welcome, bug. I'm sorry that you have gone through such difficulty in your life. I'm glad you foun...

Thank you for sharing your med experiences! Unfortunately due to my ED history, my psychiatrist would never let me take bupropion because they don't want me to lose any weight.

I'm looking into SNRIs, and I will definitely bring them up at my next session, thank you!!

 

[Deleted member 33052]

I wish I had more to offer you. It sounds like for the time being, you're stuck in a place that aggravates your symptom. Bug, sometimes just getting it out helps. We are here for you if you ever feel the need to talk. (( hug.)) if you accept.

 

[joeylittle]

Probably how easily startled/hypervigilant I am.

Your psychiatrist is clever, I think. Guanfacine makes sense, and you should give it a try. It's not a stimulant; overall, it should slow things down. Is your psych someone who does children/adolescents? I'm guessing they might, given what you mentioned about yourself still being in HS - anyway, if so, it's probably a drug they have experience with. You can ask them, but I believe it is relatively fast to kick in, so if you are going to get a symptom spike from it, you'll know right away, and coming off will go quickly - this is unlike most antidepressants, and so it makes sense to try it before you move on to other SSRIs or SNRIs or mood stabilizers.

Also, it's a short-term low-dose medication. The majority of people can stay at 1mg, and it's not really meant to be used more than a few months. The idea is that you can practice management skills while on it more effectively, and then still implement them when you are off of it.

I've never taken it - but it's definitely not a stimulant, so I'd be shocked if it made you hyper-focused. Worst case is probably that it will make you drowsy or foggy, and you won't be able to tolerate that, and will want to come off it.

Anyway - I'm not a doctor, this is just my opinion from what you've written and what I know/have researched about the med.

 

[bug]

Your psychiatrist is clever, I think. Guanfacine makes sense, and you should give it a try. It's no...

Thank you! I'm 18, but I've been working with him since I was younger. He's very very clever, I think. And I definitely think it would be better to try something that could "slow me down" over SNRIs--if nothing else, for the withdrawals!

I wish I had more to offer you. It sounds like for the time being, you're stuck in a place that agg...

Thank you. I really appreciate all the support I've received since I joined, I definitely feel less alone, which makes living at home more bearable.