Can PTSD really make you this sick?

[user27357]

YES, definitely.

As a past firefighter EMT, I know how to spot and how to respect as real what I know are psychosomatic systems. Really basic example of how mental state can affect pain: two of the same injuries on two different people on the same day. One a high school football player psyched up for the Friday night game, the other a mother carrying groceries in. Both fall hard against a solid object, one another player and the other a concrete step. Both break their tib/fib bones. Football kid is practically spinning a hole in the turf and wincing so hard he can't breathe. Mom wants me to shut her front door first so her cat doesn't get out and if possible turn off the engine lights so as to not disturb the neighborhood. I treat the kid like his pain is so intense he truly needs some oxygen, mom gets her hand held and we share some stories waiting for the ambulance.

But I didn't recognize it in myself after a psychological trauma a year and a half back. I was in so much pain I couldn't walk at times. My head hurt like fire most of the time, hard to breathe, intestinal distress, on and on. I had a full set of cat scans, wore a heart monitor, the whole panel and every poke and prod they had. I was given strong opioids because my pain was debilitating.

What worked? I'll let you know when something does. the pain went away mostly after I dropped the opioids, I was probably feeling psychosomatic pain so I would give myself my next fix. I am treating what has advanced from pre-diabetes to full on injection dependent diabetes and I am seeing a psych and a counselor trained to help me see that my pain has a good chance of being a direct result of my trauma. Possibly a re-up from past physical traumas as well.

Yes, PTSD can hurt so bad it lights the night.

 

[Sideways]

My ptsd can make me depressed. But the only time my mental health has had me functionally bed-bound is when I’ve also been in a Major Depressive episode.

Regardless of what name your doctor wants to give your condition, the important question they need to answer is “How am I going to help you recover?”. Because, regardless of what’s causing your condition, the part you’re interested in is what the heck do you do about it?

 

[Cypress]

Chronic fatigue is very common after cancer treatment, particularly a treatment that included both chemotherapy and radiation.

Are you going to physiotherapy?

 

[EveHarrington]

Were you tested for gluten issues?

 

[grit]

Yes. Untreated trauma can cause a lot sickness and reactions and worse as one gets older.

 

[Deanna]

Everything is bound up in my stomach now. Stomach cramps. I haven't eaten glutten. I'm on all the right meds. Just stressed out. Did not want to go to work today. Mentally, not into work but don't have much choice. Some people just don't get it. But that is okay.. Let it go. ( for me)

 

[AnnieMae]

I totally get it! My life went down the drain and I wake up that way every day! Every morning I wake up in a panic and puke because my life has gone down the drain so much!

 

[blackemerald1]

Chronic fatigue is very common after cancer treatment,

^Maybe this, maybe ptsd or not.

@Sideways is so right. No point having a diagnosis of ptsd or anything else unless it is leading to a treatment plan.

I reckon a counsellor may be able to help you to understand yourself better.

Also maybe a exercise physio because you must be seriously unfit and our bodies play up when we don't look after them and that includes our mental fitness too.

 

[LuckiLee]

When my guy is symptomatic, depressed or has a bad therapy session he gets flu like symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, migraine, hot and cold flashes, aches and pains, no appetite etc. This usually lasts 2 to 3 days.

He always says it's the flu but I know better. Who gets the flu 10 to 12 times a year?

 

[Deanna]

YES, definitely.

As a past firefighter EMT, I know how to spot and how to respect as real what I know are psychosomatic systems. Really basic example of how mental state can affect pain: two of the same injuries on two different people on the same day. One a high school football player psyched up for the Friday night game, the other a mother carrying groceries in. Both fall hard against a solid object, one another player and the other a concrete step. Both break their tib/fib bones. Football kid is practically spinning a hole in the turf and wincing so hard he can't breathe. Mom wants me to shut her front door first so her cat doesn't get out and if possible turn off the engine lights so as to not disturb the neighborhood. I treat the kid like his pain is so intense he truly needs some oxygen, mom gets her hand held and we share some stories waiting for the ambulance.

But I didn't recognize it in myself after a psychological trauma a year and a half back. I was in so much pain I couldn't walk at times. My head hurt like fire most of the time, hard to breathe, intestinal distress, on and on. I had a full set of cat scans, wore a heart monitor, the whole panel and every poke and prod they had. I was given strong opioids because my pain was debilitating.

What worked? I'll let you know when something does. the pain went away mostly after I dropped the opioids, I was probably feeling psychosomatic pain so I would give myself my next fix. I am treating what has advanced from pre-diabetes to full on injection dependent diabetes and I am seeing a psych and a counselor trained to help me see that my pain has a good chance of being a direct result of my trauma. Possibly a re-up from past physical traumas as well.

Yes, PTSD can hurt so bad it lights the night.

When my guy is symptomatic, depressed or has a bad therapy session he gets flu like symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, migraine, hot and cold flashes, aches and pains, no appetite etc. This usually lasts 2 to 3 days.

He always says it's the flu but I know better. Who gets the flu 10 to 12 times a year?

Weak immune systems. I tried that Airbone but my stomach doesn't like it. I take vitamon C every day and you'd think that would help but, "No"! rollingeyes

 

[Friday]

He always says it's the flu but I know better. Who gets the flu 10 to 12 times a year?

Me! Mememememeeeeee :woot:

To be fair... the feeling IS so damn similar that I ended up in the ICU with the actual flu because I didn’t realize I was sick-sick instead of stress-sick :bag:

<cough> Also “migraines”. :whistling: Hey. It’s light sensitive, sound sensitive, nauseating, gooooo awaaaaaaay. I’m just going to sit here. Alone. In the dark.

 

[shatter eyes]

Hello. I've been severely unwell for years with no diagnosis. All my scans and blood tests come back normal. A doctor has now suggested that I have PTSD. Could it really make me this unwell? I am 41, too weak to stand for more than a few minutes, pain in muscles, Ringing in ears, dizzy, severe chronic fatigue. I am bedbound and too unwell most days to even look after myself and I need a carer. Could this be PTSD?

Did the blood test check for heavy metals, cortisone and inflammation ESR?as mentioned it can be many things causing this even mould exposure can cause the symptoms you describe.

Unaddressed trauma can manifest into physical illnesses. It takes a toll on hormones, immune, endocrine, psyche, etc.

Hope this helps