Supporter Helplessly Watching My Navy Vet Unravel

[Sharon C.]

Confused, frustrated, angry, and greiving. Don't know where to turn for help (for myself). Engaged to the most wonderful man who is now almost paralyzed by PTSD. He returned from his 5th deployment to Iraq over 3 years ago, a different person. He is not in treatment, other than anti-depressants (whose effectiveness continues to diminish). I know there is help for him but he won't get it. I've pushed way too much, I know. But it is torture to continue to watch him self destruct and not be able to do anything to stop it. For my own sanity, I'm hoping this forum will provide some support for the "supporter".

 

[Eleanor]

Hi Sharon, welcome to the forum!:)

I am sorry you and your guy are in a bad way. Come on down to the supporter's section - read everything. Read all the stickies at the top of the forums, lots of information you need to have (and he does too). This is the place to find folk who know what you are going through.

Wishing you both peace and healing.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Welcome to the forum. :)

Eleanor gives some great advice. The only thing I would add is start by reading the 'sticky' threads at the tops of the forums.

Take care.

 

[ProudWife99]

Welcome Sharon. I have no additional advice to offer, but just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

 

[sisu]

Hello Sharon and Welcome. My guy has combat PTSD too. There are lots of great supporters with lots of knowledge and experience. Ask lots of questions and read as much as you can - knowledge about PTSD will help you understand him better. Take care!!

 

[Barberian]

Welcome to the site, I hope it is helpful for you.

Anthony also runs a Combat PTSD site <---- link for those who were in service AND in a combat zone. Your hubby might find help and support there. I use both this and the other site and post where the topic is most relevent. The other site is a great place for vets. No offence to civilians, but there is a culture in the military that only military people "get".

 

[step2]

Sharon, I know exactly how you feel. If you can get him to see a medical dr, ask them to test him for vitamin, mineral, hormone, and amino acid levels.

I had been on meds for anxiety and depression because he had me convinced that I was the problem before he was diagnosed. He was on many meds for anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and inability to sleep or even rest well. Through hours and weeks and months of reading and searching for answers to various symptoms, I started to understand how trauma actually changes a person body chemistry.

I weaned myself off of pharmacuticals and started trying various natural alternatives and have had tremendous success. The VA psychiatrist my husband sees refused to even discuss trying natural options with him. So with the help of his primary care dr. he began weaning off of the pharmacuticals and started trying specific vitamin, mineral, amino acid, and homepathic alternatives.

He is now only taking pharma for hypothyroid and adhd and blood pressure. Specific vitamin deficiencies have been found in countless people with "mental problems" including PTSD and many had almost unbelievable improvements with targeted supplementation.

I go with him to his primary dr now and I always have a list of things to discuss with her and she is willing to test him. Several deficiencies have been discovered this way and supplements have made a real difference.

I don't recommend trying anything without having a dr supervise. Many are not open to this avenue of testing and treatment but there are some that pay attention to emerging data and research into on this and are willing to try.

I know this area of testing and treatment has given my husband a great deal of relief and we are going even further with hair mineral analysis. I would never suggest anything that would cause my husband harm and these nutrition and supplement programs are individualized and supervised by specialists.

<Edited for basic grammar>