It does get better, but only if the person themselves want it too. PTSD is not curable, and as such will never go away completely. The difference is, is learning what is happening within yourself, learning how to identify certain triggers that react you, and learning techniques to apply when these symptoms raise their ugly heads. In itself, that sounds easy, but in actual fact often takes years to truly learn and master. If your husband has only just started to get these signs and symptoms, then they are going to be around for quite some time, as its his bodies way of telling him, things just aren't right within himself.
PTSD will take over and consume a person, there is no doubt about that, but the difference is, is that the person has to make an active decision in fighting it or not. Allowing PTSD to take over will often lead a person to depression, then suicidal thoughts and possibly suicide itself, hence why it must always be treated either medicinally or through knowledge, or combination of both can often work the best. Every sufferer of PTSD must eventually learn the illness, learn what each symptom is about, and how to combat one symptom at a time, as medication by itself is generally only a bandaid, and what happens is the body gets used to the medication, then PTSD begins coming out stronger, so medication is bumped up, and again, PTSD will begin fighting the medication and coming through again. Doctors then change the medication because of these known traits, fool the PTSD symptoms a bit longer, then they return again, stronger than ever ready to fight or flight. I have seen it so much over the past few years in Vietnam veterans, who are constantly changing medications every year or so because their body adapts to the medication, and does little to treat the symptoms. This is where many of them are now learning that knowledge is the key to beating PTSD, and this is more illustrated in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is the leading therapy for PTSD, which is really structure learning, releasing trauma and group discussions about what goes on within oneself, and the effects that individual trauma plays.
I think the key role LaVonne, is that you support your husband as much as you can, ensure you take time out for yourself to release any problems you begin to take on dealing with him, frustrations, etc, and possibly even you also seek counselling, as his generally actions will tend to cause a buildup of frustration or sadness, which you need to release. These simple things that you already point out, being the unwillingness to get motivated and get going to do things you used to do, not enjoying the situation your in now, etc etc, will eventually frustrate you to a point where you need to vent. Basically, you need to talk about all these issues as much as Terry needs to talk about his PTSD itself. Spouses often are assimilated a form of PTSD when dealing with their partner who is a sufferer, because they tend to wear the brunt of everything PTSD related, though simply these actions that you have mentioned here already. You may begin getting distressed over his morning shakes and jitters, or irritated as you are sort of implying already that he can longer stay up with you and enjoy your company of night, as the symptoms of PTSD physically wear him out during the day.
Please ensure you get some form of professional counselling also. Forums such as this is great for relief, discussion and support, especially with other spouses who can directly understand what you are going through. This is definately a part that counsellors tend not to be experienced in unless they have a partner with PTSD (which is very rare).
Just remember this LaVonne, both you and Terry both need support, as you both suffer from the one persons illness. A person with PTSD is no different from a person with Cancer, in that the family, friends and people around them all wear some sort of effects from their illness, and need just as much support as the person with the illness. Definately ensure you get you time... which I know you may not be used too, but will definately become apparent over the years.
