General Shortest Shutdown To Date

[amethist]

Last night my husband had a sudden shut down, due to my being ill over the past week. He was OK one minute then came down stairs from the bathroom, grey, drawn, shaky and almost out of it.

I sat him down, made him a mug of tea, told him to slow everything down, breathing thinking action everything, then explained why this had happened. I simply and calmly explained it was because I had been so ill and he had done so much to help me, that it had maybe suddenly caught up with him, now he knows I am OK.

He listened and we talked about how much and how well he done over the last week. He has had a mild part of what I had, but luckily no stomach issues, which made it easier for both of us to deal with it all. he has even made jokes about what was happening to me, as he would have before PTSD hit.

Within 1/2 an hour he was back to near normal, colour back in his face, shakes just about gone and no need to go to bed with aromatherapy oil.

Up until last night this has usually meant he has had to go to bed with the oil, and sleep for a few hours while his mind settled again.

He was surprised himself how quick and how easy he came out of it. That happened around 6.30pm and he did not go to bed until gone 9.30pm a good 3 hours later and only because he was tired and his meds had kicked in.

He now even understand the importance of slowing every thing down and talking through his issues as they happen if possible, to stop them escalating.

Amethist

 

[anni]

Amethist,

I have to think that the icing on the cake must be that you also completely do not become at all reactive, but just totally validate his entire experience plus his initial capableness in having taken such lovely care of you.

I hope that is not an incorrect reading of what you wrote, but as a sufferer with a carer who reads me beautifully also it seemed recognizable. I never like it if my husband isn't well in any way but it's awfully nice to be able to do things for him for a change. It'll throw me for a loop too, but he'll talk me down as always, and it keeps getting better the more I get used to it for whatever reason.

Anni

 

[amethist]

Thanks anni

It has taken me a long time to be able to not react in a a way that could make him worse. Learning as we go like everyone else has to is what has got us to this point, as well as not relying on any expert help even when needed anymore. We seem to find a way to get over every hurdle as they appear, no matter how high they get.

Sounds like your husband is good at picking up even the slightest changes in you too, it helps a lot to be able to do that. We can then try and do small things to stop an escalation of symptoms, sometimes without you even noticing.

Riding this crazy roller coaster together is hard, but it can be done.

Amethist

 

[Nicolette]

Well done S and Amethist....both of you are doing great work in handling the PTSD monster. Great stuff!

 

[godhelpusoneandall]

Amethist, you mentioned that your husband went to bed with oil...that he utilizes aromatherapy to help him calm down or become centered? What oil is it? I am very familiar with all the oils, but is there one that really seems to work for him? Thanks, Kat

 

[Nicolette]

Kat, I think you will find about the oils Amethist uses in her blog.

 

[amethist]

Hi Kat

Thanks for showing an interest in this Kat, as Nicolette mentioned, there is a lot of info in my blogs, not yet completed as there is so many useful oils that it is taking me ages to post it all up.

The oil I use for my husband when he is on his way into shut down mode, is a special blend I found when first researching for alternative ways to help him over 2 years ago. He prefers it to using the strong meds prescribed by the Dr's, as it does not leave him with the chemical hangover when he wakes up.

I have not as yet added it to my Aromatherapy blogs, being ill myself for the last few weeks. I will do my best to post it up over the next few days.

Amethist

 

[disconnect]

I love reading your posts, Amethist. You really 'get' the symptons and seem to know what to do in a crisis moment. It's so nice to hear that the 'shutdown' episode has decreased in time. Slowly as we go!
D/x