Pain And Ptsd

[Zipperhead]

After 9 sessions at the chiropractor, I'm in better shape then I have been in years. No, not physically, mentally. To think that the pain has had that much bearing on my reality for so long boggles my mind. Oh, I still have anger, anxiety and all the rest. But it's focused now. To the most part it's focused at the military. How could they let me live in that constant pain for 6 years when 9 one hour sessions was all I needed to become human again? Okay, the Canadian Military says Chiropractors are quacks and there for won't allow treatments. But they didn't offer any viable alternatives either. I am beginning to wonder exactly how much of this was the pain, and how much was PTSD.

So the next step is to start rebuilding so I can be productive again. I still can't sit for very long. Are there exercises for that? I need to keep the weight off the left side when I'm standing. Any ideas? I may still not have a viable plan, but now that the pains under control, I want one. This is the best I've been doing since I got hit. And the chiropractor didn't even ask me how I felt about that.

 

[Sarg]

Excellent news, Zip. And a lesson for me as my Doc is trying to get me into physical therapy.

Sarg

 

[Ned]

Zip mate I had similar problems when my left side was buggered. Main thing is gentle movement and now start to build up muscle strength & tone. Cycling (road or gym) is great because there's no impact but you are using legs, hips & back.
Yep, getting a bit of command back is great.
Incidentally, I had a Stu McDonald working in my section who really did suffer from a bad back. And he was no shirker. Army did shag-all for him but when he got fed up and went to see a civvy chiropractor - Ping!, sorted!

 

[JarHed]

Hey Zip

Happy to hear that your recent sessions have helped and you're feeling better. When you're hurting in one place you hurt all over.

If I were going to suggest a form of exercise that would help in the areas that you're having problems I'd recommend TaiChi. If you can find a good local school with an experienced teacher it would be a general benefit to your entire body. The movements are learned slowly and methodically and they help to strengthen your legs, back, the entire body and greatly improve your balance.

Most of all, find something that you can do and can continue doing. I'm happy for ya' Mate.

Jar

 

[Jimmy1]

I am hearing you Zip. Over here I get trigger point massages to relieve stress. It hurts like hell, but a couple of days later I feel so relieved and the tension is no longer between my shoulder blades.

DVA do not recognise massage therapists so won't pay a cent. Screwed hey.

 

[Anglesachse]

WTFG Zip, chuffed to f*cking bits for you (y) Having that reduction is so good.

But not to put a downer on it, You have to get stable, like Ned said, low impact sports help a load, but remember even when you are stable there will be a day you twist wrong, stumble or whatever, and that old pain will say hello, and it will feel worse than before. Just remember though it goes away again.

I got a private insurance last year to cover my bills that the usual Health service doesn`t offer because they say it is "Bollox". cost me 7€ a month so doesn`t break my bank, but they pick up 70% of my bills.

You guys should look into it, when the VA or whatever doesn`t offer the service that helps.

 

[Zipperhead]

I have a person doing up an exercise plan for me. I really do need to start slow. Biking is not part of the plan. First off, this is Canada. Within a month we will have enough snow to close down most American cities. We call that flurries here. But more importantly, I can't sit for extended periods (more than 5 minutes) and standing while pedaling puts the impact back in the motion.

I'm not in a position right now to afford a gym membership, or formal sessions like Thai Chi. But I have a hill out back, a floor in the living room and a hundred different ways to kick this. More importantly, I have started reaching out looking for help. A lot easier to think about tomorrow when one is not curled up in a ball. Amazingly I have gotten a warm reception from The Royal Canadian Legion, who seem genuinely interested in what I have to say and want to work with me to create awareness within the Legion hierarchy of PTSD Issues and perceptions. The National Secretary, Membership Chairmen and Service Bureau Chair are all interested in working with me to educate their respective offices on the issues faced by todays veterans.

I still haven't gotten a response worth mentioning from VAC yet, but at least I am calling them again, reminding them I'm still here. Eventually they will get tired and deal with me I'm sure. For too long I have been sitting back saying poor me. It's time to move on. Okay, I need a plan, but at least I'm starting the Battle Procedure here. Before I was waiting for the O-Group. Now I'm sending out spec fire. I know no one else is going to start this but me. I've been waiting for 2 years now for them to say something. Done. Gentlemen, Orders.

This euphoria of hope will eventually wear of. Eventually I will forget what the pain was like and let reality creep back in. But hey, if I can ride this to a better place before that happens, wow. Sure beats self pity and self loathing.

 

[Ned]

Well said Zip

 

[Sarg]

Outstanding Zip! Better physically and mentally. And well done with the legion, you'll make a real difference for your fellow Vets. I was all in a fetal position in a dark corner of the room for too long myself. Got off my duff and got a lot done today. Doctor stuff, I've been putting off for way too long. Did find out I had four broken ribs I never knew I had!

Sarg

 

[Zipperhead]

4 ribs you didn't,,,,,,,,,, wow. That must be some good happy pills you've been hogging there Sarg. How about some of them there airborne smarties for the rest of us, heh?

 

[Sarg]

No pills. Just brain dead from the neck up. Don't know what, (VA meds???), but my ability to feel pain has been lessened to the point, I hardly feel anything. Case in point...not too long ago, I was working on the car with a seal pick (point like an icepick) and my hand slipped and I shoved the pick all the way through the palm of my hand. I stood there, looking at it and thinking, "shouldn't that hurt?".

Didn't hurt coming out either. So, I really have to be careful around power tools or I could really mess myself up.

Another thing it could be is I've learned to live with the arthritic pain for so long, maybe it masks all pain. Don't know.

Sarg

 

[Zipperhead]

There is something to be said for losing the sense of pain. How's is going down south there Sarg? You ever get t5hose young guys to open up?