[cattamika]

Hi. I've had PTSD for at least 10 years, probably longer. I was just diagnosed last year. My main concern right now is that I've just had two surgeries since April and it seems the PTSD has gotten worse. Any else experience this? Any help will be beneficial! Thanks!

[hillbunnyb]

cattamika, Hi, welcome to PC. Not knowing much about your circumstance, I can assure you that stress will elevate symptoms of anything, let alone PTSD. Having surgeries would be stressful to me.... I would be toast if I was in your shoes.

Do you have a therapist? Meditate? Walk? Deep breath?, stuff like that, to help you calm down? Live where you feel safe and there is peace and quiet, to give you time to heal?

I hope you find relief.

[bipolar_bear]

I just wanted to say hi and that you are not alone. I guess I really can't speak of your exact circumstance but I hope there are others here who can. Do you have a t or pdoc you can talk to? That really was a help for me.

I have never had surgery but my husband did. I absolutely fell apart as it triggered similar events in my life.

It went something like this...

Click here.

I was also in a bad car accident and that spun me into orbit. Not sure why, just a panic reaction maybe, but I went into full-blown PTSD mode.

[(JD)]

Welcome to PC! I am sure if you read the threads in this forum, you will see many of us suffer also. TC!

[Evangelista]

Welcome Cattamika to PC...being a patient...make us very vulnerable..its turned into a phobic type of issue for me..you dont disucss the PTSD triggers in detail, but I know for myself its the vulnerability issue..being out of control of ones body..

I am sorry your symptoms are exacerbating...be gentle with yourself as you process all this..take care...

[FaithisAlive]

welcome.. I can't offer any advice but I wanted to say hi anyway...

Peace...

[alisandria]

Welcome to the group. I suffer from PTSD as well. I agree with all of the above, and additionally when your body under goes surgery the stuff administered to you can "fiddle" with your brain chemistry. So many of us that suffer from anxiety disorders, whatever their origin or process, have some sort of imbalance. For me having a novacaine at the dentist throws me for a loop for some time, and contrary to what some insensitive dentists feel, it has nothing to do with needle fear, lol!! I can watch my blood be withdrawn...sooo!!! ya know!!!

Take it one day at a time right now, and realize this is a bump for you. You will get over this. Just because today, and yesterday were a little jumbled or off, doesn't mean now, and tomorrow need follow suit. PTSD is really hard to cope with, but finding some centering, and over riding our faulty wiring and triggers can be done. We might not ever be completely "buzz" free (as I call it, cause I almost feel like an overloaded circuit at times), but we can learn to deal with it.

(((hugs))) look me up any time you need help, hugs Lisa

[cattamika]

Thanks to all who wrote back. I had a hysterectomy follwed by ovary removal, so not only was I dealing w/the pain killers - but am going through hormonal upheaval as well. Just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience and how she got through it all. I'm not sure if it's the drop in estrogen or fatigue or my body's just worn out, but things sure get loopy at night when it's past my bedtime! As for a doc to help me out - no I don't have one. I can't afford it financially nor publicly (single mom and all) so I've done my own self directed therapy. I do meditate - when I remember to!

[Speeddemon]

I have this exact problem, I had surgery this summer, again, and now I can't go into a hospital at all without feeling like I'm on the edge of a panic attack. Things will get better though, I belive we just have to be patient.

[alisandria]

hee hee I love when I get forgetful, just came in to wish you a warm welcome, but I see I already did. LOL...oi vei, I swear the change is sumthin else...

[(JD)]

There are many herbal remedies to the changes in hormones, if the scripted meds won't work for you... yes, that in itself can cause emotional changes! TC

[kimmydawn]

Hi and welcome!

My mother's PTSD flamed after a surgery. She wasn't dx'ed until then, in fact.

I think there's something proven about the experience in combination with the stress and the anesthesia that can trigger PTSD episodes, and even bring out PTSD that wasn't previsouly known to be such because it brings out so much.

There's several of us here who live with PTSD and will listen whenever you need to talk.

Again, welcome.

KD

[(JD)]

I know you said your PTSD flared after surgery...to share with how stressful surgery is, imo... I think ppl could have had many traumas or even one big one and not develop PTSD...but add the traumatic event of surgery and voila, they develop PTSD. It's a big deal. Of course they tell us about all the things that could go wrong etc etc but it's in a calm, collected voice... when really, our minds are screaming OH NO!!!

The main thing is to reach out for help. It's common, but it's something you shouldn't have to deal with alone.