Supporter Daughter Of Namvet Seeks Info On Ptsd Nightmare Treatment

[Namdaughter]

Hello! My father is a Marine who served in the Vietnam war. Like most veterans he has suffered with PTSD. Specifically recurring nightmares. Recurring as in every night. He was prescribed Prazosin by the VA hospital, which in my opinion is poison. It helps only sometimes with his nightmares but the side effects are awful!

I would assume that part of the point of this medication would be to help him sleep. It doesn't. He wakes all thru the night with an overwhelming urge to vomit. He is dizzy and nauseous all day every day on this medication! It's basically the lesser of 2 evils, he either takes the meds and can't function or is plagued by terrible nightmares every night.

Can anyone give any input? I was curious if something like hypnotherapy would work? Any information is greatly appreciated...I can't stand to sit and watch my Dad suffer!!!

 

[rainy_daze]

I don't know anything about that medication or hypnotherapy, Namdaughter, but has your father or have you spoken with the hospital that prescribed him the medication? It sounds like a change of medication would be a good idea if it isn't doing what it's supposed too and he is experiencing awful side effects. It would be good if you could speak with the people who are looking after his care (medication wise) and let them know it is physically making him ill. I hope you can find out more information on how to help your father here or from the VA hospital.

 

[safenow]

Hi namdaughter.

Welcome to the PTSD Forum. Your dad is in a tough spot, as are you. I'm so sorry that the Veterans Administration (VA) has bunch of idiots in it. It has gotten worse over the years, rather than better. At least, from what I've seen with many of my friends.

Since he is having side effects, he needs to get off that medication. Now remember, this is just my opinion. I am not a doctor. Hypnotherapy could work. Also EMDR might work. Does he have any other insurance other than the VA?

You will find a lot of good people here, and you might want to have your dad check out our sister site: mycombatptsd. You can find a link below this thread. You can't go there, but he can. Lots of good people over there.

 

[Namdaughter]

Rainy_daze and safe now, thank you so much for your input. I am just starting out on my quest to try and find some help for my Dad and this was my first stop. He is now in process of weaning himself off the meds but the problem is that as soon as he starts this process his nightmares come back and seem to be getting progressively worse. This is something that he has kept from us (my mom and sister) for many years.

I feel awful that I'm just now learning of it. Just a few days ago I asked him how he was feeling and he said he had a nightmare that took him back 40 years. Do you know how hard it is to watch your father fight back the tears over traumatizing nightmares? It is truly heartbreaking.

He has been to the VA many times and all they have done is try and lower his dosage but to no avail. Here's the real kicker, my dad should've been rated at 100% disabled a long time ago but he keeps getting screwed around so now he is applying once again and what the DAV is telling him is that he will probably have to go back on this medication in order to prove that he cannot function like a normal human being.

What a crock!!!! It is a disgrace the way our veterans are treated.

 

[intothelight]

Hi Namdaughter,

Welcome to the PTSD Forum! :)

I am sorry to hear that your father is struggling with sleep and nightmares. The way that our veterans are treated is disgraceful, and no one should have to suffer without proper treatment.

I hope that you find the information and support on this site helpful.

Take care.

Debbie

 

[safenow]

Print this out, and you and your dad go over it together. It just might help.

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/how-it-all-began.30110/page-10#post-499347[/DLMURL]

I agree with you about our veterans are treated. Disgraceful.

 

[KP the nut]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

DAV

We have members from around the world. Please could you explain DAV?

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Welcome to the forum. :)

 

[rainy_daze]

Please could you explain DAV?

I think it might be "Disabled American Veterans", which I quickly googled.

I feel awful that I'm just now learning of it. Just a few days ago I asked him how he was feeling and he said he had a nightmare that took him back 40 years. Do you know how hard it is to watch your father fight back the tears over traumatizing nightmares? It is truly heartbreaking.

I do not know what that is like but not shocked that you feel awful. It must be an emotional rollercoaster finding this out after all this time. I hope that this forum has managed to give you some ideas about how to get your father the help he needs. I think it is good he at least has you now in his corner to help him.

I am not sure if you have been to the supporters section (or my combat ptsd, as safenow suggested), but that might be a good place to go and share the feelings you are having since finding out; I assume some people on other parts of the forum may be able to share their experiences about the DAV as well.