Hey All....

[Shovelryder]

Hey there. First off, thanks to you for this place. My name is Rich, from MN. I deployed to Mogadishu Somalia in October of 93 and was there for about 7 months. I got out in 95 and did just fine for a long time. I started having real issues in 2008, and have gotten progressively worse. Its just a lot of baggage to carry around......I am working now with the VA to put some of it down I hope. I was diagnosed in 2012 after about 10 hrs of sleep in a month and a half breakdown. Put on phsyc meds that I took myself off of shortly after(Lol.....affected my sex life too much!)....Anyway, thanks again for having this place.

 

[RTO]

Welcome Home!

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey buddy, welcome to the forum.

We had a bloke by the name of Willis who was a Somali veteran. It doesn't matter though, PTSD is PTSD, it bites the same regardless of where you go.

 

[Shovelryder]

Thanks much.....Yeah, we were on rapid deployment status and our tanks were wheels up as the pilots were being drug through the streets on CNN. I was gung ho til I got there.LOL!

 

[atilla]

Welcome to the forum Brother. Skinnies, Haji's, its all the same...lol. Welcome home. Lot of great people and advice here.

 

[Shovelryder]

Im looking forward to these folks for sure. Ive only ever dealt with it on my own alone, or with a little help from alchohol once or twice a year........Drink, cry, and good to go for a while. Gotten worse lately, and Im just not into drinking that often to self med. I went to an initial meet at our local VA to get an appointment. Let me tell ya, it surprised me how at ease I was letting go around folks that understood. Thanks.....

 

[Friday]

Smart move with the alcohol. I drink from time to time, but it's a dangerous way to find oblivion. Few beers, no worries. Kick back, relax, excuse to be silly when nothing else is on. When things are bad, though? Removing inhibitions when the only thing holding me together are the last shreds of my self control? Seriously bad news. Gee...how can I make a f*cked up situation even worse?...Oh! I know! Oy.

Welcome, brother.

 

[Sleeping Dragon]

Welcome Brother,

Keep in mind that you're on a journey that doesn't end. Each day you have to pick your path to avoid wrong turns. You'll be amazed at how many little things can get you headed in the wrong direction.

The good news is there are just as many things that'll get you to a better place. But, they don't show up on their own. Ya gotta look for them. The more you look the better you'll get at finding that better path. So, read lots and post often.

SD

 

[dutchiedelta]

Welcome Shovelryder.

 

[Spock]

Welcome. 10 hrs a sleep a month! Damn. That will certainly break down your physical & mental coping ability. Peace!

 

[Spock]

if you have not already, check out the media section for some good primers, starting with this video ~
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Again, Welcome Home

 

[Shovelryder]

Thanks much to all of you. Looks like I have a full day of appointments April 6th at the VA...... Hoping all goes well.