[SandyWeb]

I can't get them to stop. Not just one event, but all of them. I hear, I see, I smell. I remember. And there are so many of them, and it's driving me crazy. They won't go away. If it were just one event, fine.....I'd deal as best I can. But this is all of them.

When I go to bed, I'll sleep for 2 hours with clonazepam, and then lay there for an hour trying to sort things out. Then I have to get up because I don't want to be in the bed. Afterwards, back to bed for another 2 hours. I don't want to hear and see this stuff anymore. I want it all to just please go away. Most of these things are from years ago.

Sorry for interrupting.

Sandy

I been thru that and I'm sure it will be back... it is sooo exhuasting.. isn't it??

I have found and it sounds kinda strange,, especially when you already are in the midst of this..

that having a rocking chair helps... the motion is soothing.. and it helps make the thoughts calm down...

Don't know if that would help for you..

I also at times go on a combination of trazadone and ambien - the ambien puts me right out and the trazadone keeps me there...

[heyjoe]

I really dont think anyone gets better from PTSD, you hopefully learn to control it, at least thats my goal.....of course im no where near it, as a matter of fact i need a telescope to see a vague outline.

same here,smells set me off, iam triggered by men who look like my abuser, same accent as him, places i went, still live near. dreams are the worst. sorry you are going through this sandy. like joe i think you have to learn to cope, it doesnt go away.

pm me any time, jinnyann xoxoxoxoxoxo

[Rio_]

Don't have anything useful to say, but...

(((((SandyWeb))))) I hope you feel better soon.

[Larry_Hoover]

There's a whole new pharmaceutical treatment approach that seems to be having quite a lot of success for some people. From what you describe, it sounds like it might be ideal for you. It's a well-known drug, one used for many years to control blood pressure, the beta-blocker propranolol (Inderal).

Apparently, one of the experiences that makes PTSD so difficult to manage is the very nature of the experience of being triggered. The brain experiences the triggered event as a new trauma, which can reinforce the older experiences. We all know what that's about.

However, if the beta-blocker is taken while the triggered experience (or a new trauma, for that matter) is still active, it suppresses the brain's ability to store the activated experience. The physical calming effect of the med gets stored along with the new memory, so it suppresses the activation in future.

Propranolol is often used by people with stage fright, or those who have trouble giving speeches. Many people who used to need this drug to perform find that they don't need it any more, and the explanation has always been that all they needed was experience without consequences. It seems it's more than that, though, as the absence of physiological activation is a big part of retraining the brain.

Lar

P.S. Propranolol is very inexpensive.

[SandyWeb]

Hi Freewill,

You're not far off with the rocking chair idea. I find when something is really bothering me....a sight I had forgotten about or parts of events that really disturbed me....(and I have to be at home alone to do this, or they'd rush me off to the nutso factory)....but I'll sit down cross-legged, close and cover my eyes with my hands, and just rock myself. I can concentrate on the rocking, and I'm not sure why I cover my eyes. I guess I'm trying to block the images in my head. That part doesn't work, but I do it anyway. It just all seems like a natural reaction, and it gets me past the worse part.

Thanks for rocking like me!!!!!!!!

God bless,
Sandy

[SandyWeb]

Hey my sweet Joe,

I absolutely agree with you in that the PTSD will always be with us and we'll never be quite the same person we were before.....that our stress level won't be as high before we could break. And yes, we have to find our own individual ways in which to cope with the images and the memories. If it means playing with your sheep in your Granny panties, then so be it.

And what have I told you about that telescope? Get yourself a magnifying glass. Oh my goodness, look how GOOD you're doing. Don't be looking way back in the distance, but get a good strong grip on TODAY....and what matters and will help you with this day....because that's all you've got right now is "the moment".

I believe in you, Joe. It may not go away, but it will not always be your focal point. And go get that magnifying glass, you silly man!

God bless,
Sandy

[SandyWeb]

Hi Jinnyann,

We haven't talked before, and I'm sorry that you went through some sort of abuse. I was in a 12-year marriage of abuse, and I still find myself worried at times that he'll come and get me....he seems to think I'm his property.

Yes, dreams are awful because when you wake up....you'll find yourself consciously thinking about it. When I'm having problems like that, I usually get up at some unearthly hour, and go on the computer and just see if anyone's around or just write an overdue email. Something that takes my mind away from the thoughts, and typing a lot on the computer tends to make me tired! ZZZZZZZZZZ Much easier to get back to sleep.

Thanks for inviting me to PM you. I'm sorry you're hurting.

God bless,
Sandy

[SandyWeb]

Oh Rio,

It's good to hear from you. I hope you're doing better. We tend to lose touch with other people on this site when we take some days or months away from it. Sometimes it's just good to take a break from all the problems in the world, but it's great to hear that us Whackos still haven't lost our sense of humor!!

Thanks for the hug. One right back at you, sweetie. ((((Rio)))))

Getting excited yet for the beginning of the new phase of your life? ENJOY it.

God bless,
Sandy

[SandyWeb]

Hi Larry,

I was on Inderal LA for about 2 years as part of my daily regimen. 80mg twice per day to help with the physical effects of stress. I really liked it, but then the manufacturer stopped making the sustained release version. I did horribly on just the regular version. It ran out way too soon. I need something that is always in my system. So now I'm on Lopressor SR, and I was taking it twice a day for a long time. Then I added Effexor XR, and guess what? I only take one Lopressor SR now. I also have clonazepam in 2mg doses (twice a day, plus 4mg at night....which allows me to sleep for about 2 hours).

I've tried to tell everybody about beta blockers. If it doesn't do anything else, it's a cardiac protector!!

Thanks for the info. I'm sure people will start wondering about beta blockers now.

God bless,
Sandy

[Rio_]

Thanks, it's good to hear from you as well! I am doing better...not perfect, but hey. True!

No problem.

Not really. But that's probably just because I've got no idea what to expect. I don't even know where I'm staying yet! Accommodation people are using the excuse of a new computer system to delay telling us what halls we get...we were supposed to hear in April or May.