Need Some Help/advice

[Drgnner]

I have had two panic attacks in my life. One was heading into an LZ and a 51 opened up on me. I froze and could not move. I did not get hit! I dont know why I did not get hit, but I didnt. (March 1971)

The other time was in my car. (May 1998). I froze and could not move again. I was sweating like crazy both times. When the second attack happened, I mentally overcame it and drove straight to the VA emergency room. I told them what happened. This was my first exposure to the VA. It was the beginning of me getting some help.

Both times I was under a lot of pressure and stress.

Why did I go to the VA? A guy I did not know had made contact with me and was telling me I had PTSD. Of course I told him that he was full of shit, but when the attack happened, I remembered the one I had in Vietnam. I did not waste another minute. I had already wasted enough time.

I just hope more people do not waste decades struggling, just surviving, trying in vain to control everything, etc and go get the treatment.

IMHO It is vital to real sustained survival.

Good luck to you and welcome home.

 

[steve1]

Josh, Don't wait for an appointment if you can help it. I waited for years and suffered needlessly as a result. Your civilian Dr. prolly has little or no experience with PTSD, so a VA Dr will be better/faster to get help. Remember the old adage "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Call the VA hotline & get help.

 

[Sarg]

Drgnner,

Anything .50 cal and above was a big concern to us. The entire bottom of the fuselage and out most the wings was fuel tank. We could take anything smaller and it was supposed to self seal. .50 and above we have this nice long vapor trail of JP-4 just waiting to be set off by the engines. They say you never feel it when she explodes, glad I never had to find out.

Sarg

 

[Drgnner]

Altitude is a good thing. We flew pretty low. 1500 feet and below. The thinking was they can see you through the canopy if you are too high up, but if you are zipping at tree top level at 80-100 knots, they can hear you but you are gone so quickly they couldnt get off a shot. I felt safer at a couple hundred feet up. LL was the most fun. :-)

 

[Drgnner]

Josh, Don't wait for an appointment if you can help it. I waited for years and suffered needlessly as a result. Your civilian Dr. prolly has little or no experience with PTSD, so a VA Dr will be better/faster to get help. Remember the old adage "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Call the VA hotline & get help.

AMEN! I squeaked loudly.

 

[Lee C]

Welcome