new and not sure - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Message Board

craftygirl3 · 12-11-2008, 12:32 AM

I have PTSD and it is causing physical side effects, am I in the right spot?

maybecrazy · 12-11-2008, 12:42 AM

Hi Craftygirl3 and Welcome to the PTSD board,

yes you are in the right spot, you can come here and talk about whats worrying you and see what other people do to deal with their symptoms - I hope you find the answers you want here

MBC

craftygirl3 · 12-11-2008, 12:54 AM

I'm not sure what to do. I am doing some very intense therapy work and it is, causing me to wake up screaming, (I have always had nightmares) flash backs where I wake up throwing up, and getting sick in the shower due to flash backs. last Thursday The Drs thought I had a heart attack, I have other issues but it wasn't and all things point to stress, the PTSD and chronic vomiting(other issues). I have had three new flash backs in the past 2 months, I feel like I am drowning and my chest hurts all the time. I saw my therapist today and her latest advice for the showers is to wear clothes or take them at like the gym or such. I am desperate, and I have all of my medical team stumped. they know how hard I am working. any suggestions?

maybecrazy · 12-11-2008, 01:43 AM

I am sorry that you are having so many problems at the moment - I think of ptsd as being like a storm - sometimes you are stuck in the middle of it and it takes over your every thought how to survive and other times you are in the eye of the storm where it's quiet waiting for the storm to start again.

this may sound like a dumb suggestion but if showers are a trigger can you take a bath? showering at the gym sounds like a good thing to try if the shower at home is a trigger for you - can you shower with the shower curtain back so you can see the room - play music to distract you? take your shower at different times of the day ? try the clothes on thing your T suggested you never know what will work til you try it.

for nightmares I turn the light on - get up walk around - read before I go to bed or after I wake up scared - check that my flat is safe - even watch tv until i calm down - remind myself if this is a flashback that I survived the event and that its not happening now its just my brain trying to work it out and put it to rest - that i am ok now - its not happening now so i can get through this- are you on any medications? I am on an antidepressant that helps me sleep. MBC

craftygirl3 · 12-11-2008, 07:50 PM

no bath tub. I have tried zofran for the nausea, music, singing, having someone else in the bathroom, having to shower curtain open, sucking on ginger and rescue remedy pastilles. all different times of the day and night,
nightmares are deal-a-ble, they are like my arm, always there, period.
the bottom line is I *have* to stop throwing up. it is emotional, but it is causing horrible side effects. they think there are now serious problems with my esophagus, which I will deal with in the digestive section.
How do I keep from vomiting if it is emotional, due to my PTSD. I am so lost here and I don't know what to do. any ideas?
I am taking a ton of psych meds, chinese herbs, and alternative medicines.
I don't respond well to most of the meds or I am allergic to them.
I have been in the mental health system almost 25 years.
I am doing the DBT pod on interpersonal effectiveness, which is setting boundaries, ending hopeless relationships (which started the recent waking up screaming, and waking up vomiting, due to new flash backs, I have has 3 new flash backs in the last 2 months, one in bed, two in the shower) saying no, etc... Problem is I has abused in the shower allot, and when I start getting sick it is when I get my head wet and when I go to wash below the waist.

I have to shower, I do sponge baths and wet wipes allot. I am very heavy, so I have to keep clean. and I have to stop vomiting.

I am doing everything I can think of and whatever anyone else can think of. I hit the health food store and I am going to try some stuff they gave me.

If anyone has any ideas no matter how bizzare (if they work) please, please!