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Virtues

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So I went back to see the psychiatrist yesterday. I decided to give him 1 more chance before I requested another doctor. I told him the dope I was on wasn't working and he needed to put me on some new meds. He started me on Celexa and is weening me off of Zoloft. He also put me on Trazadone. I was on Trazadone as a mild muscle relaxer prior to my back surgery and outside of having an increased libido I didn't notice any undesired side effects. Hopefully this mix will help.

I also talked to the psychologist while I was there and took the advice I got here (thanks Spock) and asked for help in writing up a comprehensive recovery plan to give to my command. Something to show them that I've been proactive, as well as that I'm not giving up, and still have goals. He is also going to gather information about inpatient facilities and we are going to talk about them when we meet at the end of the week.

I went against what I said and drove. I had a few rage episodes again, but it wasn't as bad as before. I had an appointment 30 minutes away that my wife couldn't take me to. I set out consciously to get from A to B without having an "episode". Clearly I can't be driving right now, but I was impressed at the amount of restraint I could sustain when I focused all my energy towards it. Anyways, I thought I was having a good day until I left the psychiatrist and went to the pharmacy to pick up my meds.

backlog: Last week I got into a fight at the pharmacy and had a "code gray" called on me. The only reason I am not in the brig is I was unaware that the MPs were called and I left on my own accord before they got there. My command and the pharmacy tech's command both decided to handle it on the lowest level.

Anyways, the same pharmacy tech that saw me last week, saw me again yesterday. All of a sudden the anxiety kicked in to overdrive. I could feel it take over my body, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I wanted to kick the living shit out of the guy. I just kept telling myself "...stay calm, don't say anything, just get out of here with your meds and you'll be fine..." Here is where it gets weird. This woman comes up from my peripheral vision. She is wearing a trench coat, and her behavior is very erratic. She is walking around peeking into the pharmacy windows, and she just looks very nervous, but she isn't talking to anyone. Something just isn't right about her, then I notice she is wearing paper booties. I instantly start walking towards her, but just then a doctor starts talking to her and takes her up to the pharmacy window. It hits me then. I was going to tackle this poor woman. I don't know why. She didn't do anything. I don't know what the hell it was about her, but she scared the living shit out of me.

Has this ever happened to anyone before? It was like a hallucination, only I wasn't hallucinating, it was real, for some reason I perceived this woman as a real threat. I have no idea why. It was scary.
 
Hey Florian

I was on Celexa for about a year quite a few years ago. I found it to be helpful and easy for me to tolerate. It does have a sexual side effect which will go away after you're off the med.

One thing I can say is that PTSD is a roller coaster ride. You will be doing good for a while and then literally out of the blue something like you've described will happen. I'd suggest not trying to figure out the whys and wherefores of what happened but to see it, deal with it and get through it the best you can. For me the analyzing and over analyzing really didn't help and wasn't constructive. In time, perhaps, they will lessen. Stay the course, you seem to be on a good track.

Jar
 
I started it last night. I slept a lot better on it. I only took a half dose, and still a half dose of the zoloft, but I didn't even make it to my bed. I fell asleep on the couch. Which, I'll take that. I haven't had a good night of sleep in a long while.
 
Florian,

Congratulations! More sleep and your successful driving without loosing control are very encouraging. Each bit pf progress leads to more progress.

As for your question about experiences similar to yours with the lady in the pharmacy, the answer in my case is yes. Those types of reactions are part of my post traumatic stress.

My first was on a sand bag filling detail to China Beach while I was still in country. I went along for extra security. A guy was killed there a few days before our trip.

As I sat in my jeep one of many hookers came over looking for some action. She wouldn't take no for an answer. After my third NO she pushed inside and landed in my lap. By the time I realized what was happening I'd nearly killed her.

Like yours it was a very scary experience because it showed me just how fast the Dragon could take control. As a result I go to great lengths to avoid surprises. When they occur I depend heavily on the 123s I described earlier.

It's amazing to me how much things slow down when the Dragon is awake. I have plenty of time to go through the steps. In all this time I've never made it past 6.

SD
 
Holy Shit! Luckily it didn't get that far. It was f*cking scary though.

Right now, I just want to hide away from the world as much as I can. I know I can't do it for ever, but it's too much for me all at once right now. I know it's only a matter of time before I snap.

I walked into work yesterday, after everything, and my supervisor was talking to 2 others of the same rank as him. Conversation came to a dead halt when I opened the door. (You know when you walk into a room and you know people are talking about you.) I bit my tongue because I was still a little shaken up by what had just happened, but I know if I hadn't of just had that experience, I would of had words with 3 people who out rank me.

I ended up just laughing, shaking my head, walking into my office, and slamming the door. What can you say to someone who doesn't understand and doesn't want to understand?
 
You'll find that many times there's nothing to say, at least nothing that will make a positive difference. But, walking away is extremely difficult.

You're not alone. Sarg, Jar, Ba, Spock, Jimmy and many others have pulled me up short, and told me to quit fighting battles that were not mine to win. I struggle with the problem regularly.

SD
 
...I also talked to the psychologist while I was there and took the advice I got here (thanks Spock) and asked for help in writing up a comprehensive recovery plan to give to my command. Something to show them that I've been proactive, as well as that I'm not giving up, and still have goals. He is also going to gather information about inpatient facilities and we are going to talk about them when we meet at the end of the week.

I went against what I said and drove. I had a few rage episodes again, but it wasn't as bad as before. I had an appointment 30 minutes away that my wife couldn't take me to. I set out consciously to get from A to B without having an "episode". Clearly I can't be driving right now, but I was impressed at the amount of restraint I could sustain when I focused all my energy towards it...

I'm gonna PM you my med treatment plan so you have a draft to start with, it was specifically created to help me avoid rush hour commutes.

Good effort with the road rage...it won't happen overnight, baby steps will lead to new skills and habits. The focus was great on your part!
 
Thanks SD & Spock

I already feel disconnected from the military and I'm still in it. I'm glad you guys have been here the last couple days. Thanks. I can't help but wonder if, when the military started their drawbacks and slowly but surely all the guys who put boots down in the desert slowly started disappearing, coupled with my injury/lim-du and all the neuro meds and steroids they were pushing in me didn't trigger this.

I know you're all going to tell me a million more times to stop analyzing it. I've just been feeling alone/disconnected and I want to look towards a future where I can connect to someone/something positive again. I need my Sherlock Holmes/Wyatt Earp my counter ballast.

It's kind of a catch 22 being stuck here. I hope the meds help level the playing field. Even if I don't stay in the military, I need meaningful work in order to be happy, and I'll never find meaningful work in the condition I'm in. Time will tell. Thanks for watching a madman throw punches in open air.
 
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