He finally went to get help at the VA - PTSD

Macsgirl · 01-03-2008, 11:24 AM

I posted an into a couple weeks ago and havent posted much...sorry, but now I have the internet at home so I have more online time

Anyway, db fianlly decided to go to the VA to get help for his ptsd. He is actually there right now. It took alot for him to go up there so I am very proud of him. He actully went about a month ago b/c he thought he was "loosing his mind" and he started saying things like he wanted to kill himself(which I know he would NEVER do, he is just so depressed) and was so emotional so he went up there right away and saw someone. They prescribed him some meds (Celexa and Trazodone to be exact) but the Celexa made him so sick and he was vomiting so much and the Trazadone didn't help him sleep at all (he has insomnia) so he stopped taking those after about a week and they are just now seeing him again to do labs, orientation and hopefully see a doctor. Anyway, I don't really have anyone in real life to share this with.....so I thought I come here. I just want to be here for him and hope that things get better soon

BJo · 01-03-2008, 11:39 AM

Was there any way that these meds would eventually not make him so sick? Good for him for taking the nessecary steps in helping with this. I am sure you are doing all that you can to stand by him and be supportive!

Germanchick · 01-03-2008, 11:47 AM

That is wonderful that he finally decided to look for help.

Macsgirl · 01-03-2008, 11:56 AM

Thanks! Yes, I think if he could have held out thru the side effects may-be the meds would have worked, but when he started getting sick he called the Dr who prescribed them and he said to stop taking them?

Well he just left there and called me and it didn't go well

He said basically he was there 4 hours just to piss, give blood, get an AA directory and stuff with benefit info. He saw a counselor and they guy basically told him he needs to go to AA which is CRAZY! He said he asked him a bunch of questions like have you ever thought about touching somebody in a sexual way that was inappropriate or been sexually abused yourself? GOSH, I am so mad! He spoke to him about 30 min, he said it felt like he was on a stop watch and was really pushy to get him out of there!! He said he made him feel ashamed for coming to get help and that all he needs to do is go to AA

Now he seems even more frustrated and upset than before he went!!

BJo · 01-03-2008, 12:14 PM

I don't know if he has actually had a drinking problem but AA can help in so many other ways than just alcohol abuse. Yikes, those questions are uncomfortable but hopefully in the end it will all serve its purpose.

Germanchick · 01-03-2008, 12:39 PM

When DH went in for his first appointment it was more of a 'meet and greet' as well. The doc asked him all kinds of questions (including the one your db was asked). If he has never been seen there it is pretty normal to have to go over all kinds of questions. The doc won't be able to help him unless they talk about what is going on. And if he does have an alcohol problem, AA would be a great resource for your DB to use. If the doc didn't think it would be helpful for him to go to AA he wouldn't have suggested it

Macsgirl · 01-03-2008, 12:43 PM

I hope so! I didn't realize that about AA...I just thought of it as being a place alcoholics go to get help. He does drink a few couple times per week and I know he does use it to help self medicate so I guess you could say he does have a drinking problem? But he has another substance issue that he deals with since being home, but with this being a public forum I am afraid to say too much...

thanks for the replies

Germanchick · 01-03-2008, 01:02 PM

I sent you a PM!

Macsgirl · 01-03-2008, 04:38 PM

Got the pm, thanks!

I tried talking to him that maybe it wasn't that bad etc.. explained how it's more of a meet and greet. He is still pretty mad moslty b/c he said he called him an alcoholic, but who knows, db could be exaggerating..... but he is going to his next appt...so hopefully that one will go better

jeepgirl · 01-03-2008, 05:07 PM

good luck, AA is good for all kinds of addictions....
at least he took the first step....
good luck, keep us informed

01-03-2008, 11:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Macsgirl Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 32%	He finally went to get help at the VA I posted an into a couple weeks ago and havent posted much...sorry, but now I have the internet at home so I have more online time Anyway, db fianlly decided to go to the VA to get help for his ptsd. He is actually there right now. It took alot for him to go up there so I am very proud of him. He actully went about a month ago b/c he thought he was "loosing his mind" and he started saying things like he wanted to kill himself(which I know he would NEVER do, he is just so depressed) and was so emotional so he went up there right away and saw someone. They prescribed him some meds (Celexa and Trazodone to be exact) but the Celexa made him so sick and he was vomiting so much and the Trazadone didn't help him sleep at all (he has insomnia) so he stopped taking those after about a week and they are just now seeing him again to do labs, orientation and hopefully see a doctor. Anyway, I don't really have anyone in real life to share this with.....so I thought I come here. I just want to be here for him and hope that things get better soon __________________

01-03-2008, 11:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
Macsgirl Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 32%	Thanks! Yes, I think if he could have held out thru the side effects may-be the meds would have worked, but when he started getting sick he called the Dr who prescribed them and he said to stop taking them? Well he just left there and called me and it didn't go well He said basically he was there 4 hours just to piss, give blood, get an AA directory and stuff with benefit info. He saw a counselor and they guy basically told him he needs to go to AA which is CRAZY! He said he asked him a bunch of questions like have you ever thought about touching somebody in a sexual way that was inappropriate or been sexually abused yourself? GOSH, I am so mad! He spoke to him about 30 min, he said it felt like he was on a stop watch and was really pushy to get him out of there!! He said he made him feel ashamed for coming to get help and that all he needs to do is go to AA Now he seems even more frustrated and upset than before he went!! __________________

01-03-2008, 12:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
Macsgirl Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 32%	I hope so! I didn't realize that about AA...I just thought of it as being a place alcoholics go to get help. He does drink a few couple times per week and I know he does use it to help self medicate so I guess you could say he does have a drinking problem? But he has another substance issue that he deals with since being home, but with this being a public forum I am afraid to say too much... thanks for the replies __________________

01-03-2008, 04:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Macsgirl Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 32%	Got the pm, thanks! I tried talking to him that maybe it wasn't that bad etc.. explained how it's more of a meet and greet. He is still pretty mad moslty b/c he said he called him an alcoholic, but who knows, db could be exaggerating..... but he is going to his next appt...so hopefully that one will go better __________________

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01-03-2008, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
BJo Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Your mom Posts: 25,363 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 11% Longevity: 39%	Was there any way that these meds would eventually not make him so sick? Good for him for taking the nessecary steps in helping with this. I am sure you are doing all that you can to stand by him and be supportive!

01-03-2008, 11:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
Germanchick MilitarySOS Jewel Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 36,619 Blog Entries: 4 Classifieds: (3) Activity: 49% Longevity: 94%	That is wonderful that he finally decided to look for help.

01-03-2008, 12:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
BJo Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Your mom Posts: 25,363 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 11% Longevity: 39%	I don't know if he has actually had a drinking problem but AA can help in so many other ways than just alcohol abuse. Yikes, those questions are uncomfortable but hopefully in the end it will all serve its purpose.

01-03-2008, 12:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Germanchick MilitarySOS Jewel Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 36,619 Blog Entries: 4 Classifieds: (3) Activity: 49% Longevity: 94%	When DH went in for his first appointment it was more of a 'meet and greet' as well. The doc asked him all kinds of questions (including the one your db was asked). If he has never been seen there it is pretty normal to have to go over all kinds of questions. The doc won't be able to help him unless they talk about what is going on. And if he does have an alcohol problem, AA would be a great resource for your DB to use. If the doc didn't think it would be helpful for him to go to AA he wouldn't have suggested it

01-03-2008, 01:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Germanchick MilitarySOS Jewel Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 36,619 Blog Entries: 4 Classifieds: (3) Activity: 49% Longevity: 94%	I sent you a PM!

01-03-2008, 05:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
jeepgirl MilitarySOS Jewel Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Veteren Posts: 746 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 7% Longevity: 34%	good luck, AA is good for all kinds of addictions.... at least he took the first step.... good luck, keep us informed