General Not Sure What To Do

[KAS]

My lifes partner has pstd. I am trying to cope the best I can.I really need to see his counselor also.
Thats not my question though. I also feel he has a problem over medicating. I have tried taking control of the meds but he seems to hurt so bad I give him extra. If I dont he gets nasty and last week I told hin I didnt want to be the keeper of his meds and more. The next day he was all up and jovial and having a good day. The next was a bad one and then I realized he did all the neds I gave him back.
I have noticed he will do his months script in a few days and be doing real well then when he's ran out he hurts, has bad dreams or just has a bad day. This lasts till the next month when he gets his next RX.
I tried to talk to him about it and he got all mad and on the defensive. Im not sure weather to tell his counselor about it or how to handle it myself with out upseting him and him threatining to leave

 

[2quilt]

If your partner gets meds from the veterans administration, I would tell you that the probability of overmedication is very high. I am a veteran, and the VA is notorious for piling on the meds, without any regard for drug interactions. The VA's medications put me into the emergency room more than on one occasion. I don't go there anymore.

 

[Jet]

No matter where he is getting his scripts from if he is taking a whole months worth in a few days time he is over medicating. Any idea why? My guess would be that for whatever reason they are no longer working for him (so he pops more in order to feel better). He needs to talk to his doc about it and possibly get them readjusted (that is pretty common from what I have heard by the way)

Leaving aside the fact that his symptoms increase when he goes without his meds the bigger issue is that he may cause himself harm (as in overdose or other side affect type issues) by taking too much at one time.

While I do not always think that a person should go to their partners doc and spill the beans (so to speak) in this case you may have to. However I would be honest about it and give him the opportunity to do it first.

My advise would be to say something like this....This may make you angry and if it does I am sorry but I love you and I am worried about you. This is what I have noticed....You need to speak to your doctor about this about possibly needing to readjust your meds. If you do not do it by... (yes, give him a realistic time limit) I will.

 

[Deleted member 541]

The biggest problem with people that have PTSD...We would rather self medicate than actually tackle our problems. It's easier, we get numb and don't have to deal with the shit in out heads.


You can talk to him, tell him how much he means to you, tell him how concerned that you are, and possible print out the side effects, and warnings to all of his meds. The bottom line is.....Until HE decides that he wants help, and that he is ready to face his trauma and get better....He will probably still self medicate.

You need to take care of you first and foremost.

 

[void]

:hello:KAS, welcome to this site! You are in the right place!

The behaviors of you life partner are consistent with that of a substance abuser. I see these behaviors in my brother-in-law everyday the binging, the defensiveness when he is questioned and so on. You have been pulled into an unhealthy spot by handing out the med's. I would suggest that you follow your gut and get therapy for yourself. His pain is deep and he is binging for relief--none of us can blame him for wanting relief but obviously his choices will not lead anywhere healthy.
It sounds like you could use a hug:Hug_emoticon: and just know that many of us understand the pain you are both in.:smile:

 

[KAS]

Thank you Jet and She Cat for your support. God knows I will need alot of it before things get better here.
Im pretty convinced it is substance abuse but will have to tiptoe my way around the suggestion of it to him. I was going to keep a ledger of his consumption and show him after a few months in hopes in black and white he could see better. Then if not talk to his counselor.

 

[greenscousegal]

I may be off base here and i hope that I am corrected if so. i would not
be inclined to let the drug abuse go on for too long. Addiction might only compound the issues of PTSD.
In the meantime BIGHUGs from me:kiss:

 

[KAS]

His days are getting better lately even though his meds ran out and cant be refilled till the 21st. He has actually been up and doing things the past few days. Tonight his stomach hurt real bad again and thought here we go again. Usually when this happens we do a trip to the hospital for shots and a script. He went to bed and all seems well.
He called the VA about his counselor appointments and the told him they have nothing for him this week. He is supposed to be seeing his counselor 2x's a week. Is this a common occurrence the VA screws your appointments up???