Please Tell Me What Medications Work For You

[shari]

I have a Doctor's appointment next week. I am so sick of the symptoms of PTSD. I take prazosin at night and it does help with the dreams.
I take Lexapro which I don't think works at all.
I wonder if anyone has anything that they has found works for them.
I am sick of panic, anxiety, hyperarousal, intrusive memories, fear (since my abuser reaches out over email to deliver verbal back hands in the midst of supposedly discussing our child) and I have got to do something besides therapy and EMDR to take the edge off. If at all remotely possible.

 

[Nicolette]

Hi Shari....I don't have PTSD so cant help you. Have you tried reading the other threads on the forum in relation to medications as I have seen there are many?

 

[Deleted member 541]

Shari,

The biggest problem with meds, is that what works great for one person, may be awful for another.. It's hard to get the right drug or combination of drugs that work well for you. Kind of a hit or miss thing.

I tried so many stinking drugs in my lifetime that when offered to try another I balked. Then things got bad 4 yrs ago so I gave in and tried Cymbalta. It was the best drug I had ever taken for my issues. Unfortunately the price tag forced me to stop it last yr. $130 a month was just overwhelming.

So it may be that you have to try several more before you find the magic one that works for you...

 

[pandora]

Can you block him from your email or just close that account, develop another and give it to your friendsÉé (sorry my question mark is not working)

I have tried ativan and it works awesome for panick attaccks but it is addicting.

I know there are people here that have been on propanolol or inderal, it is a beta blocker and it helps with the shaking and nightmares. I was on atenolol which is another beta blocker and has the same affect. If you have blood pressure problems you cannot take this. I also only took it steady for about a year, Now if I know I am going to a stressful event..I will take one, for me it really stopped the shaking.

I was on effexor, I think it was working when I was on a huge dose. I also use immovane for sleep...if you do nightmare...you donèt remember the nightmare it has an amnesic affect.

I also have had cbt and am doing emdr right now, have been on the forum for over a year. I no longer require steady or daily doses of any of these but there are still bad days and then I use them. I donèt feel depressed, i think the cbt helped. If your ex is
being a jerk...which only increases your stress level...have a mediator deal with him or get the police to read the emails and speak to him. I really do not know your history, just a few suggestions. If you constantly have to be and are reminded of your abuser and he is still abusing.....It is going to be near impossible to heal, that is just my opinion though. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[shari]

He is the police. It is beyond awful. If I dont' answer his abusive emails then he says I am refusing to co-parent. He threatens me with police department enforcement, arrest and even says he will prosecute me. But he can't. Only the prosecutors office could do that and I havn't broken any laws. You are right. I cannot heal from domestic abuse while it is still ocurring and I am working with a domestic violence agency to find a way out of this nightmare. However, people with PTSD dont make very good witnesses on the stand. I just need some relief.

 

[kers]

Your psychiatrist is in the best position to recommend new medications, but I encourage you to be proactive and persistent if you feel your current regimen is ineffective. I think the common thread that has helped me is not one specific medication or therapy approach, but a combination, with an emphasis in all areas on helping me feel more in control.

For example, I disliked my psychiatrist and I selected a new one, who listened better to my concerns. My counselor helped me set rules for our therapy sessions that helped me feel like I was running the show, so to speak. I began limiting the contact I had with my family and abuser. I began noticing when I was getting guilt-tripped and I learned how to *not* respond to it.

I tell you this because often the root of PTSD is feeling out of control. So I challenge you: what are ways you can take control of your treatment or things in your life to help you feel more secure?

 

[pandora]

OMGoodness that is a terrible situation. Does a lawyer have any suggestionsÉ UUUGGGHH stupid question mark.

I am so glad you have an agency supporting you....search out EVERYONE you can get for assistance. They can help you and your children.

I truly hope you get some relief soon! A psychiatrist is the best to prescribe and alot of times it is trial and error when it comes to psych drugs, along with my personal PTSD hell, I am a nurse.

Please try to keep us informed and I am sure you will get great support here, I have. Let us know and take good care of youself.

 

[kers]

Sorry, as I posted, you were posting and I missed it! What a difficult situation with your ex being in law enforcement. I hope that you can find a lawyer to give you effective, practical advice to protect yourself and your child.

 

[cyndi]

For me: Klonopin as needed. I got the lowest dose, a pill cutter and have halves and quarters I take depending on how I feel (good check in with myself) or what kind of day I know I'm up against (family dealings get a full half. lol) It is addictive, but has gotten me through while pursuing a lot of facing my reflection and reassing the way I live my life, releasing and facing my traumas. I really don't know if I'd gotten as far as I have without it to help me be able to see straight without being a tweaky freak. (my nickname for myself when I'm super neurotic) It's not the long term answer, I believe adapting to a better way of living with this is and getting healthier, but it is helping me be able to make those steps. My ex's best friend was SWAT team, he tried to pull crap and I think got him out of the hospital early. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I agree, get a mediator to take his messages. Maybe your therapist can recommend one that can edit out unneeded info.? Hugs.

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

Hi Shari!

Yikes, my thoughts go out to you! The being-stuck-feeling is the worst for me. The meds that help me the most with immediate symptom management are Klonopin and Ativan (I only take Ativan if the Klonopin does not provide relief) as others have mentioned. However, from personal experience I know that the benefits of the medications are limited if you are confronted with a PTSD-provoking situation (in contrast to 'just' a memory). The meds help to calm me down when memories or triggers happen, but I theoretically know that I am safe. I would agree with what others said about contacting a lawyer. In DV situations I have often heard of all communication going through the lawyers (including co-parenting). I realize that this may be expensive, but sometimes the money is worth the peace of mind. Keep us updated!
Deaf Global Nomad and 4 Paws

 

[becvan]

To be honest, there is no medication on this earth that will work to the degree you want while still dealing with ongoing domestic violence. It won't matter what you take. If you are still unsafe, being harassed and threatened, then no medication can calm you enough to reduce the symptoms. YOU HAVE TO BE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FIRST.

It really is as simple as that. I would focus on managing your symptoms with coping techniques and try to get the mess your Ex is creating dealt with.

I hope you can get this resolved quickly. Hang in there.

bec