PTSD Recovery and Managing Autoimmune Diseases

Posted by texasblooms @texasblooms, Jun 19 11:30am

I'm not sure if this is an appropriate support group. I'm a PTSD survivor. When I read about my AI diagnosis', blood tests, and urine tests there's a common thread. The nervous system. My last and worst abuser died at age 97 and I took care of her for the last four years of her life. I was 70, and now 73.
Years of therapy did not improve my confidence. I wanted a mother so badly I couldn't face reality. When she wasn't there to tell me what to think and do it got bad. Nerves on fire. I now see a PTSD therapist weekly. I'm better and find it takes a lot of mental energy to adjust my thought processes to improve my life. At the same time I try to manage autoimmune flares. It's a challenge. I'm focused and strong, and would love to hear about your coping skills.
I journaled every day for ten days, which is unusual. I couldn't get privacy, the best processing was in the shower. Finding legit people to complete small but expensive home repairs is not easily resolved for a senior woman living alone. It's a circus. I don't want to go down a rabbit hole.
At the same time I was coping with a month long flare in my hands and arms. When I was at my limit I asked my friends to come to my aid. It's hard to ask for help. I don't have family.
Yesterday I told my PTSD doctor I made an appointment with my meds MD because I knew my nervous system had been on fire and had panic attacks. She said you didn't have panic attacks, you had PTSD attacks, explained the difference and what was happening in my life that led to a PTSD attack. I never heard of a PTSD attack.
How do you cope with simutaneous PTSD triggers and autoimmune flares that wreak havoc on your nervous system?
Thank you.

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louissc | @louissc | Jun 20 9:42pm

Hi,

I always see antidepressants akin to paracetamol. It makes the symptoms better for awhile, but if you don’t stop and think what’s causing it and how you can make it better then those symptoms will always be there. I’m not a physician but you sound like you need company to make you feel less helpless and more hopeful for the long run.. Is there some community in your neighborhood you can join? Be it church or even some activity group? Many find solace in those.

Cheers,
Louis

law59 | @law59 | Jun 21 9:31am

Hi @texasblooms. Reading your post literally tearing up with such relatable empathy. I see your strength and determination which appears to have found helpful resources and didnt see all prior
posts so hope this
helpful too🤞So understand effects of advocating for yourself and balancing your bodies physical and PTSD …reactions. May I suggest you create photo albums in your phone with your thought of helpful areas of maybe gratitude, nervous system breathing and calming techniques, inspiration of things you can and will accomplish so that when the first inkling starts there is your phone right there to see and hopefully start calming any need right away. Pictures with info notes also seem to help your helpers understand your individual situation better and have found they are easily accessible or sent to provide better understanding to providers and healthcare systems 🤞 Hope this helps in any way on your quickest healing journey possible🌈

kb2014 | @kb2014 | Jun 21 9:33pm

I have ptsd. Had life threatening infection in may 2014..I went into cardiopulmonary arrest. I was given massive IV antibioticd. In a medically induced coma on a vent. Multi organ failure. After surviving at age 53 I was in menopause. No HRT . Neurologisrs said no. Severe vaginsl pain itching. 3 months ago diagnosed with lichen sclerosis. Now what neurologisrs told me was wrong. Current neurologist said yes to vaginalnHRT. Also use clobetasol. Lichen sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder. My immune system was overloaded. Sepsis. Iv antibiotics. Definitely auto immune issues and trauma are linked. I have pelvic floor dysfunction GI issues. So I have to watch my diet. Sweets milk ice cream cause flare of GI issues and lichen sclerosis..Definitely needed to get at root causes of trauma plus any other needed medical treatment life style changes. I had 5 years of treatment after my illness with allergist- immunologust. Many prescription meds depresribed under medical supervision. Helps me to meditate have quiet time read books country sampler magazine etc.
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texasblooms | @texasblooms | Jun 22 12:07am

Thank you, it’s touching to hear from someone with a relatable vulnerabilities. We all have challenges, and it’s nice to find someone who has been in the same place as me.
I’m busy and like to do fun things. Good friends understand my limits. Soothing short stories cut through the noise. Miss my hard workouts and naps. Those were good outlets.
I read my journal and realize a lot was happening at once. When I’m having a flare it’s harder to handle decisions that would be hard for someone without the pain. Glad I reached out for a little help from my friends.

mimikat9 | @mimikat9 | Jun 23 1:34am

I was diagnosed with autoimmune and nerve disorder that -according to my neuro-psychiatrist- was caused by multiple traumatic events in my life.
I am now nearly 68 and find the “brain storms,” as I call them, nearly unbearable. I was instructed to use a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist but could not find one who will accept my Medicare supplement. I then resorted to a very old-fashioned remedy-walking in nature, barefoot even. It helps a bit. Meditation sometimes helps; taking Trazodone helps get me off to sleep, but when the big nerve storms come it doesn’t touch it. It’s like a lion clawing my insides out. The body-wide spasms usually stop about 4am, then I sleep in half the next day.
With this, I just endure it-maybe try to walk in my house, do housework, anything to keep my mind off the pain. Then head back to bed. A Trazodone and ibuprofen combination help on those nights/days.

I take it one day at a time. It’s not a great life because people don’t understand chronic pain and have little respect when you must cancel any plans with them. Nothing is certain every day, so I have learned to live in the moment, whether it is painful or one of those blissful times when my body feels low grade pain enough that I can function.

I hope my small piece of experience helps you find peace and healing. Blessings to you.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼