[HD7970GHZ]

Hi community,

I feel physically ill since my trauma... I have PTSD and I am hurting all over. Chest pains, breathing issues and sore throat, tense and sore muscles, stomach issues. Now I am feeling weak and exhausted.. Even acne!! Grrrr.

All flare up whenever I am triggered by PTSD.

Any suggestions about how to combat the physical symptoms? I have tried intense exercise and it helps for a very short period of time but it comes back. I am so angry that I feel this way I can't relax!

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

[Fresia]

I have physical symptoms with my PTSD that it is hard separate when I am actually sick and when it is stress related to the PTSD. I primarily use stress relief techniques now to help with it like progressive muscle relaxation and myofascial release done by someone trained in it, and it has been helping.

Perhaps this and these other suggestions might help too:

Relaxation techniques: Try these steps to reduce stress - Mayo Clinic

https://www.massageenvy.com/massage/...scial-massage/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/p...cal-trauma.htm

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional...cal-health.asp

I noticed your mood said you are exhausted. It is good you are exercising because it has always been hard for me to sleep when I do not get some exercise everyday.

Perhaps you need something to help you sleep. I have some physical pain and when I get overtired the pain kicks in. I alternate between 3 things, Gabapentin, Xanax and Diphenhydramine (cheap, OTC allergy medicine)--I try to only take the Xanax every 4th day because it is so addictive--I know I am playing with fire--but I also have to function, need relief. Have you spoke to your doctor about a medication to help you sleep?

I hope you get some relief soon.

[HD7970GHZ]

Thank you both for the responses. I will look into those websites. I have tried Progressive Muscle Relaxation but did not do it for long. I will try it again.

I was on a very small dose of seroquel for sleep awhile back. Sleeping isn't as bad now as it was, however, every now and then I will get wake-less nights and ruminations. For me, the exhaustion is not only physical it is mental. I think it is the constant rumination and intrusive memories that make it difficult, that is exhausting me because it brings up all the physical symptoms and then I am in pain.. Grrrr.

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

[Fresia]

The other things that help with the mental aspects, especially things like ruminations and dealing with the distress of flashbacks was DBT: Dialectal behavioral therapy; it offers skills to cope with things. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) too offers some similar skills as DBT as it incorporates skills from CBT and other places, so CBT can be helpful as well. If you can find someone trained in either of these, they can beneficial to help with the mental side.