@johnbishop
I developed PTSD in 2015 that resulted in developing anxiety/panic disorder.
I was in Vietnam I was radar specialist in AWAC. We flew missions in combat zone over Vietnam. It seem to not bother me but I remember the screaming over the guard channel the most. I was a police officer and involved in a deadly force scenario that gave me nightmares but did not associate with PTSD. Then in 2015 my ICD/Pacemaker went off 5 times in 24 hours.
The ICD shocks were traumatic I could hear myself screaming as ICD shocked me. I was put in hospital for 5 days. I told my medical providers in hospital how afraid I was but nothing was done for my mental state of mind. When went home from hospital I immediately had my first and only anxiety/panic attack. God was that scary. Called EMS as had no idea what was happening and was put in hospital again. Released 3 days later.
I would not leave home fearing getting shocked and what it would look like laying of floor and screaming. I was a patient at Mayo Clinic and asked for help. I was referred to psychiartic department and a medication specialist. I went through a lot of test which showed I was at the top of the number than indicated diagnosis for PTSD. And confirmed I had and have a anxiety/panic disorder.
Consultations brought up Vietnam and deadly force incident. I remember in Vietnam hearing the screaming over the guard channel as ground forces were overan. Being chased (AWACS) by Migs, taking emergency manuavers to avoid ground fire but it was the screaming over the guard channel that I remember the most. Then the deadly force sceanrio and what I remember most was the screaming. So when I heard myself screaming with each ICD shock all those other screamings remembrance came back.
I was put on escilitilopram (spell), XANAC, and trazodone to sleep. Consultations were cognitive to make me understand why I got PTSD and anxiety/disorder. Slowly, and I mean slowly, my confidence came back I could go out into public. However any time I heard someone scream (most of the time a happy scream) I would immediately feel the PTSD and would need to escape as the anxiety/panic disorder coming back.
I have tried to stay away from crowds. If I do a exercise class I will pick a spot by door or in front not trapped in back. It has helped deal with the anxiety. The medication for xnac and trazodone went from every day to as needed (rarely take now) but the Escilitopram I was told would neet to take for life.
I have a lot of empathy for those with PTSD and/or anxiety/panic disorder. It is hard but found ways along with medications to deal with it and have some restrictions on my lifestyle but never really over it.
Seeking mental health is just as important as physical health. Both have tremendous affect on each other.
@johnbishop
I developed PTSD in 2015 that resulted in developing anxiety/panic disorder.
I was in Vietnam I was radar specialist in AWAC. We flew missions in combat zone over Vietnam. It seem to not bother me but I remember the screaming over the guard channel the most. I was a police officer and involved in a deadly force scenario that gave me nightmares but did not associate with PTSD. Then in 2015 my ICD/Pacemaker went off 5 times in 24 hours.
The ICD shocks were traumatic I could hear myself screaming as ICD shocked me. I was put in hospital for 5 days. I told my medical providers in hospital how afraid I was but nothing was done for my mental state of mind. When went home from hospital I immediately had my first and only anxiety/panic attack. God was that scary. Called EMS as had no idea what was happening and was put in hospital again. Released 3 days later.
I would not leave home fearing getting shocked and what it would look like laying of floor and screaming. I was a patient at Mayo Clinic and asked for help. I was referred to psychiartic department and a medication specialist. I went through a lot of test which showed I was at the top of the number than indicated diagnosis for PTSD. And confirmed I had and have a anxiety/panic disorder.
Consultations brought up Vietnam and deadly force incident. I remember in Vietnam hearing the screaming over the guard channel as ground forces were overan. Being chased (AWACS) by Migs, taking emergency manuavers to avoid ground fire but it was the screaming over the guard channel that I remember the most. Then the deadly force sceanrio and what I remember most was the screaming. So when I heard myself screaming with each ICD shock all those other screamings remembrance came back.
I was put on escilitilopram (spell), XANAC, and trazodone to sleep. Consultations were cognitive to make me understand why I got PTSD and anxiety/disorder. Slowly, and I mean slowly, my confidence came back I could go out into public. However any time I heard someone scream (most of the time a happy scream) I would immediately feel the PTSD and would need to escape as the anxiety/panic disorder coming back.
I have tried to stay away from crowds. If I do a exercise class I will pick a spot by door or in front not trapped in back. It has helped deal with the anxiety. The medication for xnac and trazodone went from every day to as needed (rarely take now) but the Escilitopram I was told would neet to take for life.
I have a lot of empathy for those with PTSD and/or anxiety/panic disorder. It is hard but found ways along with medications to deal with it and have some restrictions on my lifestyle but never really over it.
Seeking mental health is just as important as physical health. Both have tremendous affect on each other.
@jc76, I also have a lot of empathy for those with PTSD and other anxiety/panic disorders. My tours in Vietnam were aboard a Navy destroyer providing support for ground troops and my duty station was range finder and radar operator on the MK-37 director on top of the ships bridge. I try not to think about the memories but they do pop up from time to time. Sorry to hear that the ICD brought on the PTSD. My daughter also developed PTSD from a similar situation with her S-ICD over a few years of random shocks for false readings. After working with the Mayo cardiologist, she had them remove the S-ICD and replace it with a pacemaker that is monitored. She went through a pretty tough time also but is now doing well.
You are so right about mental health being just as important as physical health. Thanks for sharing your experience.
@johnbishop
Wow another radar operator. Yours on the sea mine in the air.
I am on a lot of groups in MCC. I see a lot of posters suffering mentally from their physical health. I have learned that mental health is really going to affect your physical health and vice versa.
I think what you mentioned about not thinking about your time in Vietnam was like me. I just was not conscious about me thinking about it nor the incident when I was a police officer. It all came together when the shocks sent me into total panic and could hear myself screaming. Oh did the memories of the screaming I had to endure (nothing I could do to help) of those ground troop under attack or down pilots with viet cong coming at them. My screaming just triggered suppressed memories.
I don't see a lot of post on PTSD. The one above was dated 2017. I think a lot of individuals don't want to admit they have it. But that is part of recovery knowing you have it and addressing it. Same goes for anxiety/panic disorder.
In return thanks for sharing your experience and your daughters as well.
@johnbishop
I developed PTSD in 2015 that resulted in developing anxiety/panic disorder.
I was in Vietnam I was radar specialist in AWAC. We flew missions in combat zone over Vietnam. It seem to not bother me but I remember the screaming over the guard channel the most. I was a police officer and involved in a deadly force scenario that gave me nightmares but did not associate with PTSD. Then in 2015 my ICD/Pacemaker went off 5 times in 24 hours.
The ICD shocks were traumatic I could hear myself screaming as ICD shocked me. I was put in hospital for 5 days. I told my medical providers in hospital how afraid I was but nothing was done for my mental state of mind. When went home from hospital I immediately had my first and only anxiety/panic attack. God was that scary. Called EMS as had no idea what was happening and was put in hospital again. Released 3 days later.
I would not leave home fearing getting shocked and what it would look like laying of floor and screaming. I was a patient at Mayo Clinic and asked for help. I was referred to psychiartic department and a medication specialist. I went through a lot of test which showed I was at the top of the number than indicated diagnosis for PTSD. And confirmed I had and have a anxiety/panic disorder.
Consultations brought up Vietnam and deadly force incident. I remember in Vietnam hearing the screaming over the guard channel as ground forces were overan. Being chased (AWACS) by Migs, taking emergency manuavers to avoid ground fire but it was the screaming over the guard channel that I remember the most. Then the deadly force sceanrio and what I remember most was the screaming. So when I heard myself screaming with each ICD shock all those other screamings remembrance came back.
I was put on escilitilopram (spell), XANAC, and trazodone to sleep. Consultations were cognitive to make me understand why I got PTSD and anxiety/disorder. Slowly, and I mean slowly, my confidence came back I could go out into public. However any time I heard someone scream (most of the time a happy scream) I would immediately feel the PTSD and would need to escape as the anxiety/panic disorder coming back.
I have tried to stay away from crowds. If I do a exercise class I will pick a spot by door or in front not trapped in back. It has helped deal with the anxiety. The medication for xnac and trazodone went from every day to as needed (rarely take now) but the Escilitopram I was told would neet to take for life.
I have a lot of empathy for those with PTSD and/or anxiety/panic disorder. It is hard but found ways along with medications to deal with it and have some restrictions on my lifestyle but never really over it.
Seeking mental health is just as important as physical health. Both have tremendous affect on each other.
I learned a couple years ago that I was handling my anxiety attacks from my PTSD all wrong. I was closing my eyes and trying to block out the noise. I got a handbook when I volunteered at a Veterans Stand Down and it said NOT to close your eyes but to keep them open so that you won’t get “stuck” in your flashback or attack. What a difference it’s made! I kept the booklet long enough to teach myself what I needed then gave it to a fellow “sufferer”.
I still get anxiety attacks but now I have better tools to deal with them. I also have bipolar II disorder with hypomania. I take the minimum amount of medication necessary to keep me functional and a nice person. 😉 I don’t like feeling slow or confused, but I do “sundown” in the evening or if I’ve had a stressful day.
I’ll see if I can find the name of the booklet but check with tour local VA. That’s who published it.
I learned a couple years ago that I was handling my anxiety attacks from my PTSD all wrong. I was closing my eyes and trying to block out the noise. I got a handbook when I volunteered at a Veterans Stand Down and it said NOT to close your eyes but to keep them open so that you won’t get “stuck” in your flashback or attack. What a difference it’s made! I kept the booklet long enough to teach myself what I needed then gave it to a fellow “sufferer”.
I still get anxiety attacks but now I have better tools to deal with them. I also have bipolar II disorder with hypomania. I take the minimum amount of medication necessary to keep me functional and a nice person. 😉 I don’t like feeling slow or confused, but I do “sundown” in the evening or if I’ve had a stressful day.
I’ll see if I can find the name of the booklet but check with tour local VA. That’s who published it.
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@johnbishop
I developed PTSD in 2015 that resulted in developing anxiety/panic disorder.
I was in Vietnam I was radar specialist in AWAC. We flew missions in combat zone over Vietnam. It seem to not bother me but I remember the screaming over the guard channel the most. I was a police officer and involved in a deadly force scenario that gave me nightmares but did not associate with PTSD. Then in 2015 my ICD/Pacemaker went off 5 times in 24 hours.
The ICD shocks were traumatic I could hear myself screaming as ICD shocked me. I was put in hospital for 5 days. I told my medical providers in hospital how afraid I was but nothing was done for my mental state of mind. When went home from hospital I immediately had my first and only anxiety/panic attack. God was that scary. Called EMS as had no idea what was happening and was put in hospital again. Released 3 days later.
I would not leave home fearing getting shocked and what it would look like laying of floor and screaming. I was a patient at Mayo Clinic and asked for help. I was referred to psychiartic department and a medication specialist. I went through a lot of test which showed I was at the top of the number than indicated diagnosis for PTSD. And confirmed I had and have a anxiety/panic disorder.
Consultations brought up Vietnam and deadly force incident. I remember in Vietnam hearing the screaming over the guard channel as ground forces were overan. Being chased (AWACS) by Migs, taking emergency manuavers to avoid ground fire but it was the screaming over the guard channel that I remember the most. Then the deadly force sceanrio and what I remember most was the screaming. So when I heard myself screaming with each ICD shock all those other screamings remembrance came back.
I was put on escilitilopram (spell), XANAC, and trazodone to sleep. Consultations were cognitive to make me understand why I got PTSD and anxiety/disorder. Slowly, and I mean slowly, my confidence came back I could go out into public. However any time I heard someone scream (most of the time a happy scream) I would immediately feel the PTSD and would need to escape as the anxiety/panic disorder coming back.
I have tried to stay away from crowds. If I do a exercise class I will pick a spot by door or in front not trapped in back. It has helped deal with the anxiety. The medication for xnac and trazodone went from every day to as needed (rarely take now) but the Escilitopram I was told would neet to take for life.
I have a lot of empathy for those with PTSD and/or anxiety/panic disorder. It is hard but found ways along with medications to deal with it and have some restrictions on my lifestyle but never really over it.
Seeking mental health is just as important as physical health. Both have tremendous affect on each other.
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Hug
8 Reactions@jc76, I also have a lot of empathy for those with PTSD and other anxiety/panic disorders. My tours in Vietnam were aboard a Navy destroyer providing support for ground troops and my duty station was range finder and radar operator on the MK-37 director on top of the ships bridge. I try not to think about the memories but they do pop up from time to time. Sorry to hear that the ICD brought on the PTSD. My daughter also developed PTSD from a similar situation with her S-ICD over a few years of random shocks for false readings. After working with the Mayo cardiologist, she had them remove the S-ICD and replace it with a pacemaker that is monitored. She went through a pretty tough time also but is now doing well.
You are so right about mental health being just as important as physical health. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@johnbishop
Wow another radar operator. Yours on the sea mine in the air.
I am on a lot of groups in MCC. I see a lot of posters suffering mentally from their physical health. I have learned that mental health is really going to affect your physical health and vice versa.
I think what you mentioned about not thinking about your time in Vietnam was like me. I just was not conscious about me thinking about it nor the incident when I was a police officer. It all came together when the shocks sent me into total panic and could hear myself screaming. Oh did the memories of the screaming I had to endure (nothing I could do to help) of those ground troop under attack or down pilots with viet cong coming at them. My screaming just triggered suppressed memories.
I don't see a lot of post on PTSD. The one above was dated 2017. I think a lot of individuals don't want to admit they have it. But that is part of recovery knowing you have it and addressing it. Same goes for anxiety/panic disorder.
In return thanks for sharing your experience and your daughters as well.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI learned a couple years ago that I was handling my anxiety attacks from my PTSD all wrong. I was closing my eyes and trying to block out the noise. I got a handbook when I volunteered at a Veterans Stand Down and it said NOT to close your eyes but to keep them open so that you won’t get “stuck” in your flashback or attack. What a difference it’s made! I kept the booklet long enough to teach myself what I needed then gave it to a fellow “sufferer”.
I still get anxiety attacks but now I have better tools to deal with them. I also have bipolar II disorder with hypomania. I take the minimum amount of medication necessary to keep me functional and a nice person. 😉 I don’t like feeling slow or confused, but I do “sundown” in the evening or if I’ve had a stressful day.
I’ll see if I can find the name of the booklet but check with tour local VA. That’s who published it.
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2 Reactions(Your local VA)
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1 Reactionhttps://www.ptsd.va.gov/publications/print/index.asp
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2 ReactionsYest this did post.
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