Finally!

[Sarg]

Man, I've been lookin for a place like this for a very long time. Some of us Vietnam Vets would geta little site going and be able to cut loose with folks that know exactly what you're going through an then they wouldjust fade away. Hope I can get help AND possibly be of help.

I'm 63, I was a Loadmaster on C-130s and had a penchant for volunteering for everything that came down the pike. Was dianosed with "anxiety reaction" by the VA and sent my merry way. Been in the VA medical system for nearly 40 years and just recently started private treatment.

I'm not gonna whine about how rough it's been, but ain' it for everybody. Lost my career, my 33 yr. marrige (she passed after a long illness), and now I'm about to lose the one thing I have left, my dog.

Depression sucks, but the anxiety is eating my lunch. Feels like someone is pounding on me constantly. Wears you out.

If I can help anyone regarding the VA, I've had a long history with them. I've also had/have experience with the Vet Center (outstanding outfit - combat veteran counselors!)

Sarg

 

[Steph_F]

Sarg - welcome, glad you are here! There is so much companionship and understanding within this forum it's amazing!

So sorry to hear about your dog. Pets are family. Keep us in the loop!

Also, I may sometime take you up on the offer of VA advice! I'd like to learn as much about the VA and treatment of PTSD so when (praying for very soon) my guy decides it's time to try treatment, I might be able to help him. I'd ask him questions directly but somehow I know this is NOT the time to offer to help him. So maybe I'll get some questions together and bounce them your way!

Anyway, whereabouts are you? I'm in the upper midwest. :) Again, welcome!

 

[Ted Moen]

Welcome Sarg!! I'm also a Vietnam Vet. Mech Infantry in IV Corp, sinking our tracks in the Delta ;) I was medically retired for ptsd and am 100% T&P at the VA. I've only been on this site for a month or so, but it seems like a good place to be.

Ted

 

[Ted Moen]

Hey Steph, try VA_PTSD_INFO on twitter. It will give you linkes to educational sites and videos put out by the National Center for PTSD.

Ted

 

[Jimmy1]

Welcome Sarg, mate we can always do with new people. Someone can tell you something over and over and you just don't hear it, yet, someone new comes along and bingo you get the message. Hope this makes sense.
I deal with a lot of Vietnam Vets down at my local gym. There is a program run by exercise physiologists paid for by the VA here in Oz. But you know what, Combat PTSD is the same no matter where you saw service.

I am hearing you on the anxiety issue. Most days, I can deal with life and am not really depressed. I managed to wean myself off the anti depressants, but the anxiety chewed me up and spat me out. And those anti depressant drugs were the best for anxiety too. I am going to wait till after my back surgery then am going to try and change meds.

Hope we can be of help mate.

Jimmy

 

[Mockingbird13]

Welcome Sarg,

You are among a great group of people .

 

[nomedic1]

welcome Sarg

 

[BV101]

Welcome Sarg. People on here are a great help. Especially me. Most (actually thats everyone) of the others on here are just your basic standard idiot. Not me though. Just turn directly to me with anything.

 

[Sarg]

Thanks for the great welcome! Very glad to be here. Steph, I'll address what you said....the VA can be very intimidating to folks not really interested in seeing Docs., tests, ect. I am a strong believer in the Vet Center. It is part of the VA but mostly just funded by it. You don't see Docs, take tests, blah blah. You do meet other combat Veterans, your counselor is a combat Vet. If you go the group route, you're sitting around discussing problems about PTSD from other guys that suffer from it. The Vet Center was best move I ever made. I went from no one that understood what I went through to a whole gang of brothers that knew exactly where I was at.

I moved and had to leave the group but everytime I'm able to go and see them again, the guys cheer and slap me on the back a welcome me like a long lost family member. Luckily, the Vet Center has started up sessions up here, so I expect, with a little time, I'll have a family of brothers up here.

So, Steph, at least tell the hubby about the Vet Center. Do a little research online and find one near you. You and HE won't regret it.

Jimmy, you nailed it! But my fear is that the (please forgive me but I refer to our fighting men and women these day as "kids") "kids", with tour after tour after...are going to have a much deeper-seated, far more difficult to treat PTSD than us Nam Vets. I've known Nam Vets that did multiple tours and most were fried. I hope very much that I am wrong. One thing they do have that we didn't is understanding. They get counseling in-service and immediately after combat. Basically, we were kicked to the curb.

To the rest, thanks, again. Hope I can be of service.

Sarg

 

[sisu]

Alan, you are so freaking hilarious!!

Welcom Sarg!! Glad you are here with us! Lot's of really amazing people on here.

 

[Jimmy1]

Sarg, you nailed it. I was just talking about this with my fiancée, and her best friend who's father is a Nam Vet.

The problem here in Australia, is that we are one of the best paid forces. The guys that go overseas have all their wages tax free, and on top of that receive additional money.

East Timor used to be called the 'Dilli Dash For Cash'. is stupid, but we only have a very small defence force and have taken on so much responsibility over there. So some of our guys have done 5 or 6, already. After all it has been going on so long.

There was meant to be a period of down time between tours, but they get around that by claiming 'Operational Need'.
Arseholes.

What you said about the Vet Centre over there, we have a similar one here. Its actually the PTSD unit. And usually there is an 8 week course running all the time. I feel safe going there now for just a chat.

There is a thread somewhere about 'Would you have gone if you had know about PTSD'. I might start it again.

Jimmy

 

[Sarg]

Jimmy, the really sad thing about me, is I probably would have gone anyway. I was a military brat, raised on military bases and about as flag-waving as they come. In that environment, you automatically respect the flag, the C in C, the whole bit. It was a given I was going. I was, I did and a "beast" followed me home.

I'm thankful for the good things that have happened to me after the war, but I wonder how much better they would have been without the beast.

Worth it? I would have to say yes.

Sarg