Chronic Shoulder Pain & Ptsd Flashbacks

[devildoc130]

Hi!

So I had shoulder surgery about a month ago and I've been off ptsd medication for about 6 months. Well, I've been having really bad pain obviously in my shoulder. This seems to have triggered severe flashbacks and disassociation. I'm still going to therapy but it doesn't seem to help. I work as a navy surgical tech and I can't focus on my job or anything around me. Everyday has been a struggle. I did read that chronic pain and PTSD go hand in hand. Just seeing if anyone else experienced this before. Any answer would be greatly appreciated. Take it easy and I will check back tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a descent day. Doc B

 

[cherryblossom]

Hi,

Are you taking effective pain relief for your shoulder?

Are you certain that it is the pain that has triggered your flashbacks etc and not something else?

 

[Hashi]

I think there are three things that could be going on, maybe all three of them at once.

One is the surgery on your shoulder. Surgery is invasive and even if the reason is not to do with your trauma, any kind of surrending power to someone else, like an anaethetist or surgeon, can be difficult as a trauma survivor.

Two is that I don't know whether your shoulder injury is directly related to your trauma.

Three is wheher it's indirectly related to the trauma.

I've had a lot of trouble with shoulder pain - both literal pain and PTSD-related reactions, and that's because:

A) My shoulder was directly injured during trauma.
B) My shoulder was indirectly affected by the trauma - I held it very tense and stored a lot of emotional energy there.
C) Having treatment on my shoulder - which could have been treatment for any part of me - opened up a whole can of worms about being physically vulnerable.

Could you/do you want to say a bit more about therapy? Have you seen your therapist for a long time and do you have a good relationship? What sort of therapy is it? Have you tried talking about this and if so, what happened?

 

[Abstract]

I agree. The other possible contributing factor is increased stress and I think surgery is a stressful experience for those with a trauma history because of the reasons Hashi mentioned.

Have a look at the following to see how this could contribute. https://www.myptsd.com/threads/the-ptsd-cup-explanation.13737/

 

[devildoc130]

Thank you everyone for your quick replys. Appreciate it. And I don't feel comfortable explaining myself Hashi. I'll check out the link Abstract.

 

[devildoc130]

I'll be heading over to my Therapist today. Let you all know how it goes.. this talk will be geared towards extensive anger outburts and flashbacks.. These two symptoms have been very bad the last month. Let you know how things go. Ill write once I have more time. Sitting at work now.

 

[devildoc130]

@Hashi I don't really have a great relationship. I'm in the military and I found out one has to just deal with whoever they get. It's tough switching, it's more of a hassel and extremely frustrating. I've been going for about 1.5 years. He is my second one. And it's just normal therapy..nothing fancy. I just talk about my problems and he's just like yep oh okay. I honestly don't think its working.. I had a better relationship from my old one, but he left my base. Today I will talk about it with him. Everyone take it easy. Will post after my appointment.

 

[devildoc130]

So... I ended up not going. Please close this thread. thank you.

 

[cherryblossom]

The thread won't be closed. You never know when you, or someone going through similar might find it useful again.

You're clearly having a tough time. We'll still be here if you ever want to talk. Take care.

 

[Physiotherapy]

Pulsed Electromagnetic field Therapy is used to cure this pain. The main reason behind inventing this method is very simple that it ensures less pain and at the same time it also takes the responsibility to cure a patient to every aspect.