Help Is Coming. Or Is It?

[reddevil1111]

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/...verriding-painful-memories/?intcmp=latestnews

somewhat interesting. Those of us with older PTSD are still screwed it seems but those with newer PTSD might get some help. Then again, it is new and only rats like it so far.

Either way, its something. maybe. kinda sorta. well....you know.

 

[fwduff]

hell they may as well give those to us now we are lab rats after all gulf war1 vets will remember the NAPS/BATS tablets.

 

[JarHed]

So, what they're suggesting is giving a chemical that will physically change the structure of the brain. Our brains are already restructured due to the trauma that we experienced. No one can predict what doing something like that will do to the people given that chemical in the long term.

I would say stick with what we currently know will work which is therapy and limited use of psych drugs. Those drugs are bad enough. It just sounds line someone is trying to sell something.

I would also say that in the long term there is no way to know whether the people that would be given such a drug would turn out to be blithering idiots or maniacal killers.

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Time seems to be the variable in the application - maybe for the newer vets sometime down the road there is hope.

There will be years of studies and us old "Nam Farts" will be at room temperature before it is realized (if ever). I hope they do more research then they did to kill some foliage years ago. Opps... did I say lab rat?

Ba

 

[Anglesachse]

senior author, Li-Huei Tsai, the director of MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, told Counsel and Heal. “What happens is the brain becomes more plastic, more capable of forming very strong new memories that will override the old fearful memories.”

SO the idea is give guys the drug and watch new memories overwrite old Traumatic memories:

F*cking A, until the guy goes back into Theatre and witnesses a traumatic event!!!

WTFG

 

[JarHed]

Our brains, along with our bodies, are in a constant state of change. All changes are specific to all the factors that affect us; environment, diet, drugs we take, genetics, ect., and of course our experiences. A single traumatic experience will change the structure of the brain, so one can imagine what constant trauma over the long term such as combat does to us.

Drugs is a multi-billion dollar industry. Over 70% of Americans are using some prescribed med. So the drug companies would love something like this.

I think that ever now and then someone comes up with an idea for a research grant and gets the money to try it out. If it were to eventually work it would be a very long time before it would go into use. Although there are a lot of very desperate vets that might give it a shot as they feel like they have nothing to loose. Perhaps that's the part hat I find the most disconcerting.

 

[Sarg]

Hey! I resemble the "blithering idiot" remark!

Way back in the dawn of cyber time, we used to watch as the VA came out over and over with miracle drugs that would cure PTSD. And much later they would find that the drug was worse than the disorder. It has happened too many times to remember. The only way to cure PTSD is either kill the patient or turn him into a vegetable.

Sarg

 

[JarHed]

The only way to cure PTSD is either kill the patient or turn him into a vegetable.

I think there's a third option. Most of us here have opted for that; therapy of some kind and meds as needed. I think the complexity of both us, humans, and of the condition will preclude any ' cure all'.

 

[Spock]

Nice summary Jar

 

[Sarg]

I see where I was misunderstood. I meant that was the VA's attitude in treating PTSD. I agree with you, Jar, there are other ways but one must look past the VA to find the answer.

Sarg

 

[reddevil1111]

I would say the VA can help. But the help is very limited and the scope of the support is less than ideal. And I also think any opportunity they find to conduct research or experiment we become the rats in the maze. It is not the best solution that's for sure.

 

[JarHed]

To quote Woody Allen; 'My brain is my second favorite organ'. Kind of a laugh here but it's truly deadly serious business.Vets have been put in harms ways to 'test' out many things. Most of those were dangerous beyond explanation.

This idea is something that's way off in the future in terms of being able to do anything useful in regard to PTSD. No one knows or can possibility know what the future holds where treatment for any physical or mental problem. Look where we were only 40 or 50 years ago and where we are now. It's amazing what can be done today, but it pales in comparison with what will be out there in 50years. For me, I know the things that I need to do and try my best to do them. When I do, in general, I have a better quality of life. It's always going to be a struggle for us and I think we know that and at some level eventually accept that so that we can move forward and have some semblance of a life for our selves.

One must always be proactive about our care and look with a weather eye on any of the treatments that our doctors prescribe for us. Gotta' be involved. Being here is a big help as so many are extremely knowledgeable in so many area and are constantly looking to help us all with new ideas. Kudos.

Jar