Change In Ptsd Meds

[Kellygirl]

My hb has had PTSD since 2005 and has been on & off meds. Finally about 3 years ago, I'd had it with his crazy behavior and demanded couples counseling. Counselor referred him to a new psych that gave him Xanax, Klonopin and Zoloft, which worked great. We recently PCS'd to a new duty station and the psych here refuses to give him the Xanax and Klonopin. They prescribed him lorazepan, atavax, and a couple others that I can't find the names of right now. Hb says they don't work and I agree; he is so much worse than before. He is constantly agitated and combative, and this has been going on for months.

I spoke with his psych & he said the Army Surgeon General is not allowing Xanax & Klonopin to be prescribed because "they" decided that it doesn't help with PTSD. The psych also told me that he did not agree with the Army Surgeon General, but that there was nothing he could do. I told the psych that the Surgeon General needs to spend a week in my house with me, my husband and our 8 yr old daughter & how crazy it is. Homework time is torture bc he is so hard on her for no reason. She ends up in tears. Just craziness.

I have sucked up the craziness of being an Army wife through seven deployments. I've heard all about AFTB and FRG....if the Army is about taking care of the family, well then they are failing this one miserably. They are destroying my marriage.

Does anyone have any advice of what to do?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I don't have any advice for you as I'm not familiar with how the Army works in terms of medications and such, but this is the first time I've ever heard of something like this happening. There are a lot of medications out there which are not specifically approved for PTSD, yet PTSD sufferers do quite well on them nonetheless.

Do you have the option of seeing a non-military psychiatrist?

And to be honest, I'm kind of surprised that Xanax and Klonopin are on the no-no list while Ativan is allowed. They are all in the benzodiazepine family and work in similar ways, one of the main differences being time it takes to work and time it lasts in your body.

 

[cherryblossom]

I'm with ScaredOfLonely, in that I have no idea how the army works.

Is there any chance of seeing a non-army doctor? Or can you ask for a second opinion?

The other questions arising in my brain - Is you husband undergoing therapy to address the underlying issues. Medications aren't a long term solution for PTSD. Is he learning skills to manage his symptoms? I assume he is still employed in the army? Is his role conducive to managing PTSD?

 

[stormyweather]

I agree, therapy is the long term answer, medication just helps you do the therapy.

In the meantime, may I (gently) suggest that you protect your daughter from her father's cruelty more vigilantly? This is making a life-long impression on her. You need a break from it as well. Yes, he's sick, but you don't have to endure abuse because of it.