Mixed Ptsd

[UKptsd]

Hi, I was diagnosed with PTSD 2 years ago. The cause was a combination of 2 traumatic events, first was a terrorist bombing where over 200 people were killed, and the second was a serious sexual assault.

I've been getting various treatments for the past almost 4 years. I'm currently getting EMDR. I'm on venlafaxine, and propanalol for the associated effects.

I'm wanting to see what others a on to see if I can suppress some of my symptoms.

Firstly my brain works overtime when I am awake, constantly running over various scenarios, from past events to current day, what ifs etc and secondly I'm happy one minute then down the next, like a constant roller coaster.

Also my sleep is extremely poor, I was prescribed zopiclone but removed myself from this drug after ending up in accident & emergency 3 times.

So what else are you prescribed that could help me with brain overload, swinging moods, and lack of sleep?

 

[nimkekaa]

I'm on Prazosin. It is used for high blood pressure but it helps with getting to sleep, and reducing nightmares for me. There is a thread about this medication if you search in this section.

 

[Doolali]

Hi UKptsd,

I too am so up and down daily. I also dissociate a lot and have panic attacks. My sleep is non-existent without drugs. I am currently taking melatonin to sleep. I find I have less drowsiness the next day and although I'm taking fairly high doses it works within 20-30 minutes. Sadly, I don't think it's available in the UK (I'm in the US, an ex-pat). I also take citalopram (for the depression symptoms) and gabapentin (for the anxiety symptoms). Not sure if citalopram helps, but I certainly notice my anxiety-issues are debilitating without the gabapentin so would recommend that. You can this in the UK (also called Neurontin).

I still suffer with my PTSD symptoms, but I'm learning to cope better with the help of my therapist. I haven't tried EMDR.

Hugs and peace :)

 

[SweetPeaandSunBird]

I've managed to better my sleep, but in the years closest to the most recent assault, I had to take Trazadone (sp?). I'm still on an antidepressant, Cymbalta.

The trazadone helped with sleep, but, it did make we foggy for a couple of hours after I'd get up. To adjust, I made certain I could schedule in a longer period for waking up before commencing with the real work of the day.

Hope you can find something to help you. (((Best)))

 

[MomOfTwo]

I take Zoplicone for sleep and have for a while but my anxiety is so high lately that it does not seem to work. My family doctor prescribed clonazapam up to 2 times a day when needed but I never used it much. However, this new therapist I am seeing who is a doctor (medical) told me to talk to my doctor about taking it regularily twice a day. I hardly sleep and she thinks it may help with my anxiety.

I was worried about getting addicted and she told me that addicts utilize medications for something other then what it is intended for. She said just using it occasionally can make you more addicted then if you used it regularily. I am not sure if I agree.

She as well has me doing Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping therapy) that is supposed to reduce anxiety. If I may suggest that to you I think it does help distract and so many people have nothing but good to say about it. It helps with anxiety. It is supposed to help with racing thoughts as well. It is drug free and you can do it yourself. There are so many websites that show you videos on how to 'tap'.

I am sorry you have been through those things and hope that you do get to a place where you can feel not so anxious.