New Here From Ohio

[CombatSoldier11B]

Hey guys,
First off my name is Ben, and I am currently out of the Army, I did 3 years in Active Duty. I joined but in 2005 and was in Fort Lewis. I deployed in 06-07 in Mosul and Baghdad for 15 months and was with a Styker unit . My MOS was 11B. Getting out in 2009 and in 2010 I served with the National Guard as an 11B for 4 years but did not deploy. Also getting out I went through a pretty bad divorce ( normal huh? lol) , but I guess that didn't help things out either. more stress and anger right there.
My main reason on joining this group is because I have been having some pretty vivid, messed up dreams over the 2 years , but over the last 10-12 months it is getting worse it seems each night, it is worse than the night before. Some has to deal with my time in Iraq and others just has to deal with a lot about shootings on things in a daily life that harms me, or I am defending myself. I have not talked to anyone about this or seen a counselor or a VA rep. Is it normal to be dealing with this things after 7 years of a deployment? I also I have been taking Tylenol PM's to see if that will put me to sleep and not have these dreams, so far it is not helping.

Anyways that is my intro and hope to learn a few things while I am here.

-Ben-

 

[combatgoldfish]

Welcome.

There's folks that haven't seen combat since Nam and are going through the same shit us IRQ/AFG vets are dealing with now. PTSD is just one of those odd things that can effect anyone at anytime and can even lay dormant for a number of years as well.

It's been 3 years for me and I still have issues. Days where I wanna lash out, and nights where I can't sleep or wake up in a panic. I did my time in Baghdad as well, there's a couple other brothers in arms that did some time there as well.

 

[Sarg]

Welcome, Ben. This is the best site on the net for Combat PTSD. I would suggest watching the videos, as they are right on the mark. Hang here, learn, participate and get better.

Sarg

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Welcome Ben, your in good company at this forum. As CG said there many guys, like myself, who didn't figure it out for almost 40+ years. Your here now so settle in and get to reading.

Ba

 

[CombatSoldier11B]

Thanks for the welcomes and some positive feedback and I will be checking out the other areas of this page as well.

 

[bemental]

Greetings Ben. I was a long-time lurker on the site before I finally posted an introduction, needless to say I've had quite a "me too" or "ah-ha" moments while perusing through the forums.

Welcome.

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey guys,
First off my name is Ben, and I am currently out of the Army, I did 3 years in Active Duty. I joined but in 2005 and was in Fort Lewis. I deployed in 06-07 in Mosul and Baghdad for 15 months and was with a Styker unit . My MOS was 11B. Getting out in 2009 and in 2010 I served with the National Guard as an 11B for 4 years but did not deploy. Also getting out I went through a pretty bad divorce ( normal huh? lol) , but I guess that didn't help things out either. more stress and anger right there.
My main reason on joining this group is because I have been having some pretty vivid, messed up dreams over the 2 years , but over the last 10-12 months it is getting worse it seems each night, it is worse than the night before. Some has to deal with my time in Iraq and others just has to deal with a lot about shootings on things in a daily life that harms me, or I am defending myself. I have not talked to anyone about this or seen a counselor or a VA rep. Is it normal to be dealing with this things after 7 years of a deployment? I also I have been taking Tylenol PM's to see if that will put me to sleep and not have these dreams, so far it is not helping.

Anyways that is my intro and hope to learn a few things while I am here.

-Ben-

First of Ben, there is a reason the first word of PTSD is 'POST'. It could happen anytime. I know of a First Sergeant in your forces who fought in Vietnam and a couple of other places who did not get any symptoms until the year 2000, so for you it might be early warning signs.

Link Removed

Link Removed

Link Removed

and watch these videos

Link Removed

Link Removed


Now if they tick all the boxes and you feel you may have PTSD, don't go taking Tylenol PM's, if they worked we would all be on them. Go get some proper advice. You might be lucky and it not be PTSD, I hope so for your sake, but if you do have PTSD, shrinks from the VA can prescribe you with the stuff that does help and also get you psych help, ways to deal with anxiety and depression.

Welcome to the forum mate.

 

[Spock]

Welcome Home Buckeye Ben!

 

[steve1]

Welcome Ben. Many of us suffer from sleep problems. There are a number of meds that help; all prescription. Presently, I take Mirtazapine, Topomax and Prazosen at bedtime and my "crazy" dreams are under control. I still wake up frequently, but I can get back to sleep with minimal effort. You should talk to someone about getting help. I lost a decade because of stubburness, denial, self-medication and random shit. Don't make the same mistake. There are so many resources available for Vet's now. Explore past threads on this site. You'll see lots of things that may help you.

 

[Woodsman82]

Welcome Ben, I'm new here as well and have quickly found out how great this place is. I deployed to Afghanistan with the Ohio Guard, but it was my time in Iraq 8 yrs. ago on active(11B also) that screwed me up. Like you some stuff really started acting up again. Drop your ruck, and bitch away it will help.

 

[CAFTT0607]

Welcome

 

[vikingr12]

Ben,

I am living proof of dormancy in PTSD. I was mustered out with bad legs and a poor disability rating since the leg injuries were 4 feet from my heart. Back then PTSD was unheard of. I muscled my way into college and went onto graduate work. Played soccer for years in a men's league. Never got hurt once.

Then my father retired and the combination of stress from work and them getting sick took its toll. Doctor to doctor. Psych to psych. Finally one young psych who was filling me so many drugs I was worried about driving, asked if I ever thought about battle fatigue. I remember my father long ago saying I had it. He had it so he knew.

He was right. The world has been half desert, half wonderland since then.

And 11 Bravo is a good MOS. Be proud to have it.

Welcome....