Having nightmares after injury...is this post traumatic stress?

AngelaA · 08-30-2003, 01:42 AM

Last summer I was crossing over some boulders when one flipped as I stepped on it. I end up with left ankle twisted sideways trapped by the rock and came slamming down on my right leg breaking it. I was alone in the wilderness and had to crawl to my car then drive 45 minutes to the nearest clinic. I think I might have been in shock because my temp was 95.0 when I arrived at the clinic, but I was not treated for shock. Anyway I had nightmares for several months about falling on the rocks.

Yesterday I went cave exploring. I've been in caves before, am not claustrophobic. This cave was hard to get in with .5 mile of boulders to climb over at the entrance. The rocks were slippery from the rain & silt. I got really worn out after 3 hrs being underground and as I was using all my strength to climb up the boulders to get out I started having like flashbacks or something of getting hurt last summer. I was cold and tired but froze clinging on the rocks and started crying. I wanted out of that place so bad! I was so afraid of falling. I kept aggravating my ankle injury from the strenuous activity and think that served to keep reminding me of my injury and fact I have not fully healed physically from the fall 12 months ago. It seems I have not healed mentally either. I had nightmares last night of climbing those rocks in the cave that seemed to never end in the cold darkness. What is wrong with me??

[This message has been edited by AngelaA (edited 08-30-2003).]

Tigre · 08-30-2003, 11:55 AM

Hi,
Yes it can be PTSD. I was diagnosed with PTSD after a head injury in January. My neuro-psychologist just informed me (well a couple of weeks ago) that I have that. The nightmares are a sign of it. Although i have to give you kudos for going back to your activities. I still refuse and always will refuse to go to the store where i was injured. There are quite a few good sites that explain PTSD..i found a good bunch of info on it in the Zoloft site. Zoloft is an antidepressant that is used for PTSD and im sure i will be put on it soon. THey have alot of info on symptoms of it. If you have those symptoms than i would highly suggest seeing a psychologist or something so they can get you the help thats needed. PTSD is nothing to play with and its also "not all in your head" I wish the best of luck to you.

AngelaA · 08-30-2003, 07:23 PM

Tigre thanks for responding. I'm not sure where to go for help. My employer offers a mental health service where you call into some 800# for help and if they think you need serious counseling they refer you to someone locally. I worry whatever I say to counselor will be shared with my employer.

Besides the leg injury last year that I still have nightmares about, I had a head injury about 12 yrs ago that left me with a concussion. I didn't have insurance at time so received no treatment for it. Ever since I feel like I don't reason as well, you know I just don't think as fast or as logically. So I worry it did some damage to my brain.

The bad thing about freaking out in the cave was it was my first date with a new person. Today I was told we won't be going out ever again.

[This message has been edited by AngelaA (edited 08-30-2003).]

Tigre · 08-30-2003, 08:00 PM

Hi again,
After seeing that you have had a head injury some time ago and you havent felt "right" since, well now i suggest that you see a neurologist. I had an EEG and thats when they seen that i have partial complex seizures. Pull up about them and see if maybe they pertain to how you feel. I would go to the neurologist and explain about the head injury and then the other accident. Request and EEG and an MRI. The neurologist should refer you to the other docs needed. It was my neurologist who referred me to a neuro-psychologist. As for the part where it was your first date, wow, im so sorry about that. Alot of people get freaked about things that they dont understand. There are people out there who will though. Took my husband awhile and many trips to the doc to understand what im going through. He does now and is my rock when i get real "down"...I hope that you find someone like that, i find myself lucky. Take care and please keep posted to whats going on.
God Bless,
Tigre

AngelaA · 08-30-2003, 09:45 PM

Tigre,

Your husband sounds really great! Yes you are very fortunate to have an understanding spouse. I have several health problems though none of them overly serious ...asthma, food & latex allergy, hypoglycemia, hypothyroid, CAH plus the leg & head injuries I am apparently still dealing with. I've found everyone I dated in past two years scared off by my health problems even when I don't tell that right off the bat.

My dr sent me for brain MRI after I told her about the head injury 12 yrs ago plus having my head smashed by a toybox lid at 9 months old. The MRI showed two tiny spots on right hemisphere. I was referred to neurologist who said I didn't have anything seriously wrong and it might just be scar tissue from that karate kick to the head or even from a virus. He tested my reflexes and so forth and dismissed me. I didn't tell him, have not told anyone, about how I feel something has changed in my brain since being kicked. I had a problem with seizures or convulsions between 9-10 yrs old. Pediatrician had no explanation and told my parents not worry. I haven't had a convulsion since then.

I'm not sure who to go to. I think the neurologist left town because I can't find him in phonebook anymore as I referred a friend to him then discovered he was gone. He is/was only one in town. Nearest big town that actually has such a specialist is 300 miles away.

PS: What's an EEG?

[This message has been edited by AngelaA (edited 08-30-2003).]