Introduction

[gmoe240]

Introduction

Another newbie to the forum, my name is Gary. I came across this site while searching combat PTSD. I have been deployed to the sandbox three times since 2003, and was diagnosed with PTSD by the VA last year.
Like others have found, they have mainly been trying to throw medications my way. After refusing them for months, I finally agreed with the doctor to try them for a while and see if it helps.
I came back the last time and really alienated my wife from me, and my older kids to some extent. Trying to patch things back together with them, but it is a long process to undue the damage done.
I am glad to have found these forums to learn from others.

 

[BioHazard]

Welcome Gary! The guys here are great, and very supportive. Anthony especially knows his stuff when it comes to this disorder, and can usually point you in the right direction for an explanation to something, or even an answer to a question.

I completely understand about the VA. It took me going through a couple of docs before I got one I could see eye to eye with, but things are steadily improving now. Usually the want to try you out on different meds as a sort of buffer between the world and you, so that they can safely diagnose you and begin some type of treatment. Of course, some docs think that if you come into the hospital, you must need drugs. It's kinda like "Ok, just back a truck up to the pharmacy, and we'll load you up on stuff that may or may not help whatever is wrong with you." Somewhere around here, I still have two bottles of medication for peptic ulcers, which I have never had, to my knowledge, but my GP thought I would probably develop acid reflux and peptic ulcers due to stress from PTSD. It used to be a running joke in my house that I was going to take a list of wierd symptoms to the VA and see what I came home with ( I would not actually do this, but it seemed funny at the time). All the way up until my sister tried to convince me to tell my idiot GP that I thought I may be pregnant.

Your wife might be able to find some help learning about this disorder in the carer's section over at http:\\www.ptsdforum.org which is also run by Anthony(Generic). That site seems to deal more with PTSD in general, where this one is geared toward soldiers with Combat related PTSD.

Again, Welcome to the forums!

 

[anthony]

Hey Gary, welcome to the forum mate and good to have you here.

 

[crashtruckchuck]

Gary,
Welcome here, I hope you can find the help and support you need here. We are all here for each other to help get through the shit that clouds our minds

 

[raydarluvr1]

Hey Gary! Welcome. I look forward to seeing your posts. :)

 

[gmoe240]

I really appreciate all the warm welcomes, it means a lot to know there are others out there that understand. I have put the medications away, I don't like the way they make me feel. I am planning on going to the local Vet Center to start talking to someone, I am hesitant basically because I don't know what to expect. Lately, it seems that I am constantly making those around me crazy with my lack of motivation and forgetfulness, especially my wife. I also come across to her as uncaring and not listening to her needs and that is not what I mean to do, it just comes across that way.

 

[gmoe240]

Kind of a re-introduction of sorts because I've been away from the forum for some time. I am now rated 70% by the VA after endless appeals and return visits for evaluations. My VA psych doc has me on Trazadone for sleep, Xanax that I only take rarely when I just absolutely am not coping with the stress, and just today put me on Lexapro. Not starting taking that yet but it is probably necessary to start on something again. I have taken several different meds to try to reduce the symptoms and some work and some don't, some of the side effects cause me to stop taking them. I am a Navy Corpsman and did three tours in OIF, two of those as an IA with Army units. I still have not brought myself to the point of going to the Vet Center or the VA for counseling, although I know that I probably need to. I did see a therapist at the Vet Center for a few months, but I was convinced that he didn't know what he was doing so I stopped going.

 

[Grizzly]

Welcome back.

 

[atilla]

Welcome home Brother. Check out the media section, and the rest of the forum. Welcome aboard the HMS ptsd..grab a bucket and start bailing Bro.

 

[Deleted member 43454]

Welcome back Gmoe240.

Miss my 240b now. :cool:
Went from 240 to 420. :confused:o_O

 

[Spock]

Welcome back brother

 

[Jimmy1]

Welcome to the forum Gary