Me And The Va

[Misera1013]

You are way too sweet thank you a bunch for chatting last night.

 

[Steph_F]

No problemo! :) with my Vet turning away (or against) me, I have been up late every night anyway. Docs say that I also have PTSD, but I believe it's actually Secondary PTSD cuz I myself have never really been traumatized. It only really affects me when HIS PTSD is controlling our relationship. I have horrible nightmares every night, panic attacks during the day, I an very irritable and have no patience for anything that bothers me, I'm scared all the time, I either feel EVERYTHING or absolutely nothing I am so...removed from my normal life. I get really super edgy at bedtime because I am afraid to asleep. I have kolonipin and minipress which knocks me out cold, but I don't take them unless I absolutely need them cuz I have my kids here. Anyway, so I up anyway, and I really like chatting with you and others from this site because I can't share any of this with anyone else really. So thank YOU! :)

 

[Ted Moen]

Hey Misera1013 ... it's good that you have a friend that is 100% and knows the processes at the VA. I am 100% for ptsd too and it's a challenge working through the system but it's worth the time and frustration. A patient rep is a good person to know. You need to start with an intake interview with mental health. The result of that interview should be a diagnosis and being assigned to a qualified therapist, probably a clinical psychologist, and if you are already on medication being assigned to a psychiatrist to review and manage your meds. Then you need to get a service rep and file for benefits with the benefits side of the VA. They are very sensitive to missed appointments, but the patient rep can help you get past that.

Ted