Author Topic: Lving with PTSD  (Read 2872 times)

Offline Hawco

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Lving with PTSD
« on: February 15, 2007, 01:41:16 PM »
Hi guys
I'm wondering if there's anyone else out there in O club cyberspace living with  this condition also?
I'd be interested in  finding what works for you and what doesn't? I know there's  a few other vets that post on here and thought if there's a few of us we could maybe set up some sort of support group/ discussion group on here?
I  have one of my buisness partners in the same boat as me, he's from the Vietnam era and is really good to talk to now and again.
Just thought I'd throw this out here and see what happens.
Please- no smart prettythang one line responses from any of our more childish posters- they're not funny and not clever
Cheers boys
Hawco

Offline Wolfala

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« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2007, 04:54:38 PM »
Pretty hard thing to live with, let alone admit to. I remember my experience was sort of akin to being numb. I wouldn't remember how a week would go by, but suddenly i'd realize "hey, its friday - i get to sleep in." This went on for a good 6 months. But then, a change and I sought out people with relevant experiences and either found those who 'got it', and on the flip side was very dismissive of those who didn't.

There was a mix of frustration, anger & resentment. But what got me back on a more normalized path was simple: I got up, said I am going to do my best to make this day a good day. More and more you start to believe in it - and your behavior changes noticeably. I became more focused on my teaching and flying and service then ever before.

7 years later and i'm better - I've got a great wife and group of friends around who get it. Though these are sometimes when I get choked up - scenes from certain movies (Sum of all fears - post detonation; rescuing the president saying "its the marines to take you home sir) or looking through certain photos from friends in the towers or Iraq.

There are some wounds which don't heal - but you do yr best to soldier on and be a good example to those around you. In time, by talking - you find those who get it and I find comfort in that.

Wolf


the best cure for "wife ack" is to deploy chaff:    $...$$....$....$$$.....$ .....$$$.....$ ....$$

Offline Ball

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« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2007, 04:57:00 PM »
I don't, but i wish you the very best with yours Hawco.

Offline Hawco

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« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2007, 05:59:02 PM »
Mines usally starts with getting really angry and then p$$D off, then I start to get all nervous and really jumpy. my hands start to shake and I can't think coherently.
I got prescribed drugs to take on a regular basis, one that I have to take 3-4 times a day to keep myself calm, usually take one in the morning.lucnhtime and then dinnertime, then I got one that stops me from dreaming at nightime, I usually read a book first to settle down at nighttime and it kicks in and I'm good till the morning.
I had to take extra the other day, one of the idiots I work with was watching all these videos from Iraq on youtube or whatever it's called and getting kicks out of the explosions and death somehow, I got it real bad and had to leave and get home ASAP.
My wife is real understanding though, she now knows that my irrational behavoiur is caused by this, I think friends and family are real important too.
Some of the physical injuries I got can upset me too sometimes, I wish I could go and ride a bike like she does or go for long walks in the countryside, Kind of embarrising sometimes when you have 21 years old kids asking if you are ok going up stairs or down stairs and stuff like that.
It's like I can see them looking at me and saying to themselves " how can a 40 year old man, hobble around like that"
Or when I go into pyschical therapy and there's these hot chicks working in there looking at me like some basketcase.
AS a footnote, I thought about taking the easy way out by buying myself a rucksack and sleeping bag and then just hopping around on trains, that lookd real atractive a while back, nothing to worry about, just sleep under the stars like I used to do, but I never, I faced up to the pressure of having a house and a business and giving a *****, stuff like yardwork, counter tops in kitchens etc And now I try and live the best life I can and within my limits.
PS Any of you boys ever pushed someone out of your life relising that it's you and not them but done it anyway? I did that all the time, one ex wife, numerous girlfirends and some other friends too, I also fond out quickly that drinking and recalling stories is not a good mix when your feeling like you do sometimes.
Helicopters and snarling dogs seems to be my biggest triggers
« Last Edit: February 15, 2007, 06:14:43 PM by Hawco »

Offline wrag

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« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2007, 05:59:36 PM »
Have you tried the Vet Center?

They can help.

Was diagnosed with PTS around 1984.  Sadly I had it since 1968.  Lost allot in my life and of my life due to it.

When I got back from over seas I stayed drunk, or did crazy things in sportscars or on motorcycles, or all the afore mentioned.

Was addicted to the high you get from being in combat.  Was a sure enough action junky.

Was warned I should NEVER take up skydiving because I was the type that would probably keep waiting to the last possible second to open my chute and eventually I would open it too late or NOT at all.

Also lost, or quite, allot of jobs.  Couldn't keep a girlfriend, part of the time I didn't want one.

Anger, deep saddness, resentment, jumpy jangled nerves, NIGTMARES, wake up ina cold sweat and can't remember why, I would stay drunk so I wouldn't dream!

Was really bad for me in crowds and the sound of a helo seemed to always bring back................. something.

4th of July was bad for me too.

Some movie get me extremely choked up.  Can't explain it.  Just find myself wiping my eyes and blowin my nose.

I could go on.

BUT the Vet Center helped ALLOT!  Explained many many things that confused me!  And many of the things going on with me made much more sense!

Finally I was told........ I'm absolutely normal for what I went through!
« Last Edit: February 15, 2007, 06:02:28 PM by wrag »
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.

Offline Choocha

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Lving with PTSD
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2007, 06:10:48 PM »
this is a great site for people with mental health issues:

http://www.dr-bob.org/


the music is annoying- just turn it off.

Offline Regular

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« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2007, 10:13:37 PM »
I have it pretty bad(one tour in iraq).

I read these threads with wannabe politicians who probally never pointed a gun at a young boy.

Offline cars

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« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2007, 03:51:01 AM »
Pretty much what wrag said, almost word for word. I was 30 months in country before having to be med-evaced out. After getting out of the hospital and being discharged I got drunk/stoned until the early 80's. I've still got an EXPLOSIVE anger problem, I hate everybody. I don't socialize except for a couple close friends who understand. (lol thanks again for springin me out of the looney bin Aztec. :) I somehow wound up with a great wife who is the sole reason I haven't blown my brains out yet.
 It never goes away. Its 40 years ago but yesterday all rolled into one. I don't mean to discourage you. The vet center didn't do me any good, they're nice guys and all but it really didn't help. Best of luck to you

cars

Offline moot

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« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2007, 07:03:48 AM »
Take it easy Hawco..
Hello ant
running very fast
I squish you

Offline Meatwad

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« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2007, 07:07:18 AM »
What is PTSD?
See Rule 19- Do not place sausage on pizza.
I am No-Sausage-On-Pizza-Wad.
Das Funkillah - I kill hangers, therefore I am a funkiller. Coming to a vulchfest near you.
You cant tie a loop around 400000 lbs of locomotive using a 2 foot rope - Drediock on fat women

Offline straffo

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« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2007, 07:22:34 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Meatwad
What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder

storch

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Lving with PTSD
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2007, 07:23:12 AM »
Hawco, all the best to you sir.  thank you for your service. you have my heartfelt gratitude.

Offline Hawco

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« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2007, 11:37:25 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by cars
Pretty much what wrag said, almost word for word. I was 30 months in country before having to be med-evaced out. After getting out of the hospital and being discharged I got drunk/stoned until the early 80's. I've still got an EXPLOSIVE anger problem, I hate everybody. I don't socialize except for a couple close friends who understand. (lol thanks again for springin me out of the looney bin Aztec. :) I somehow wound up with a great wife who is the sole reason I haven't blown my brains out yet.
 It never goes away. Its 40 years ago but yesterday all rolled into one. I don't mean to discourage you. The vet center didn't do me any good, they're nice guys and all but it really didn't help. Best of luck to you

cars

That gets me sometime too Cars- the explosvie anger thing. i just seem to blow up for the most smaller of things, I'm dreading going to San francisco this weekend for a Valentines thing with the wife, I can't drink and take the medication so I'll guess Ill just get drunk all the time instead.
It's when those studmuffingy punks at the reception desk keep asking the same questions over and over before reclulcantly giving you a room key with a cheesy smile.
And then there's the Aholes you meet in the bars, you know the one's, "Yeah man, lets go and kick bellybutton in "Iraq. I'm going to be a CIA sniper" etc etc and they just don't go away, they stick around telling you all this BS...

Offline AWMac

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« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2007, 12:47:24 PM »
Amen wrag!

Took me along time to face it... always in denial. Still am at a point.  Night sweats and nightmares are the worse. Found it was best to stay drunk and medicated so I would'nt dream.  I don't socialize much except with close well known friends. Small circle. The sounds can bring up anxiety attacks, especially slicks. I avoid even today of going into anything that resembles a tunnel.

Hang in there Graham bro <<>>  give Jack my best.  I'll give ya a call soon and see how yer doing. It's been awhile huh?

I'm finally working again.

Mac

Offline Dichotomy

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« Reply #14 on: February 16, 2007, 12:56:10 PM »
Speaking as someone who doesn't have it but has seen the effects on friends (eg Hawco) and loved ones (grandfather, brother in law, several guys in his unit) it's frustrating because, speaking only for myself, you want to do something to be supportive but you'll never REALLY understand it.  

Bro in law did a LOT of the things mentioned above before redeploying for tour 2 and we spent a lot of nights going to bed wondering if we were going to get a call from a coroner.  

Anybody that doesn't think this is a real problem is as full of !%!% as a Christmas turkey.  

You guys that have it do not have my sympathy cause you don't want it, you can't have my empathy because I truly can't feel it, but you have my gratitude and respect for exposing yourselves to the situations that caused it.

Hawco.. call sometime if you need to talk or just cuss someone out
JG11 - Dicho37Only The Proud Only The Strong AH Players who've passed on :salute