Sharing with other caregivers

[FauxLiz]

I was wondering how much others share about their ptsd with caregivers other than their therapist and pdoc? An issue that my t and I struggle with getting on the same page as is my permitting him to speak to my primary medical doctor about my ptsd or anything at all related to therapy. PCP knows that I have a t and that I see a pdoc for psych meds.

But the reason that this came to mind today is that I had an appointment with my headache specialist. He was giving me a run down of meds that we could try next trying to come up with meds that I haven't tried without reviewing my entire record and the subject of Prazosin came up. I explained that I had tried it before with no help for my headaches but didn't use it for headaches so he started listing its other uses and I finally had to tell him is was for nightmares.

He seemed surprised which surprised me as his practice had me see a pain psychologist as part of my treatments in the past 8 months or so. The pain pdoc immediately picked up on my ptsd and put it in my records so I presumed that he was aware. I didn't say anything about my diagnosis but it was rather awkward.

 

[deeplyloved]

My therapist and I have talked about this, too. I got triggered at a specialist appointment and, as a result, could not let him examine me for a serious concern. My therapist thinks it would help me receive better care if I let all health care providers know I suffer from PTSD and need trauma-informed care. I don't know if i can be that brave and bold. I did have one positive experience with this, though, at the dentist. They just assumed I had generic dental fear. She asked if someone had scared me and I knew she meant a dentist but I just said yes. They were all so empathetic and caring and kind. It went really well. But I didn't have to risk any awkward questions. I'm not sure how it would translate to other providers.

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm wondering why a therapist would need to speak to a PCP?

All my docs know about my ptsd.

 

[FauxLiz]

@EveHarrington his logic is that he could provide my PCP with insight on how to treat my other conditions with the idea that they are impacted by my ptds. I waiver back on forth on that idea and right now it is something that arises about every 6 months and then we drop it.

 

[ladee]

I tell all my providers that I have PTSD. It's not anything to be ashamed of, it at least not to me... I am also a recoverig addict and alcoholic.. I tell them that also.... that is for self protection... I will never be tempted to try and run a scam on any doctor for meds I didn't need....

My Pain Doc did ok with me telling him I was an addict... but didn't know what to say when I said I have PTSD... I told him that was so that I could inform him when certain symptoms were present, so that he would understand me better... He settled in with that....

 

[EveHarrington]

Gotcha.

I didn't think of that sine I don't have any ptsd/trauma influenced physical maladies.

 

[Crow]

I tell all my providers as well. I cancelled a surgery last year when I tried to discuss panic attacks coming out of anesthesia. The ophthalmologist didn't seem to believe PTSD was real. She just rolled her eyes and dismissed my question.

My dentist even knows and takes extra accommodation for me.

If a provider discounts it, I fire the provider.