PTSD-- does it ever stop

Hi Jojo!

I'm on Celexa, and I feel good. But, I'm one of those people who doesn't get a lot of side effects from medications, so I can't tell you whether you'll do well on it or not. Congrats for starting therapy! I haven't done therapy or "tapping" either. Hope it works for you!

((Hugs))

Hi Jojo - I've had the easiest time with Prozac 40mg. When I was on Tamoxifen I took Effexor and liked it. I didn't have any trouble weaning to Prozac.

I had a couple false starts while trying to dig out of the well. I went off my antidepressant (Wellbutrin) because it thought it was causing my throat to burn. Turns out that was just the anxiety.

Finally, finally, my PCP sat me down and ordered me on Prozac, and klonopin. He said I don't care if you get addicted, you need the klonopin. I took it faithfully that year, and when it came time to wean off I did with no issues.

Do you have a trusted PCP? Mine said he sees the PTSD so often in BC ladies. His counsel helped me tremendously.

Sometime the counselor is not the right fit either. I met a couple time with a psychologist, but had the best results with the weekly Stephen Minister meetings at my church. I really just needed a safe place to talk and someone to listen

As the days get darker here, I can feel myself sliding toward the pit. I think I have SAD. I just ordered a light therapy box. I'm hoping the extra vitamin D will cheer me up.

Jojo - I know it is a struggle. So hard. Plus the ooph throws even more “fun" in the mix. Hang in there. One day at a time.

Jojo~ I've done well on Lexapro.

farmer~ What kind of light box did you get? This might be a good idea for me.

Jojo, has anyone discussed EMDR with you? It has been shown to be very effective with a high percentage of PTSD sufferers.

Also, what meds (in addition to your SSRI) will be helpful depend on which symptoms are giving you the most problems. (for example, the best thing specifically for nightmares is prazosin, which is an antihypertensive). If your regular doc doesn't find the right med/cocktail then sometimes a consult with a psychiatrist is in order. Best of luck!

I have bipolar disorder, so when my anxiety and depression started going off the charts my doctor is quick to get on top of that. I was first diagnosed with PTSD in 2010 after a serious car wreck (flipped our RV and tow vehicle three times. Yowza!)  I took Lexapro for about a year, until I had my symptoms under control.  I don't know why PTSD snuck up on my during BC treatment--having had it before, I knew I was at risk for having it again.  My DH developed PTSD after open heart surgery, so I was well aware that life-threatening illness could cause it.  DH was the one who actually recognized my symptoms first--anxiety, apathy, anhedonia. I was like a lump on a log, just staring off into space all day.  My doctor immediately put me back on Lexapro and this time I only needed it for 6-7 months.  I had no side effects from it and when it was time to go off it I had no withdrawal symptoms. I've been off the Lexapro for a little over a year now and I'm doing much better. 

azrescue,

" But what if the Lexapro makes me a better me?" I'd say, what if Lexapro allowed you to be more yourself (less the horrible anxiety/depression)? Taking any medication should be for a reason (medically necessary) and we, as patients, should be fully aware of possible side effects. Two great things about this particular medication is a) it is a second generation med, which means that they reduced the likelihood of many of the common symptoms of the first generation (Celexa) and b) if you do find that you have side effects, you can stop it without risking your future health (unlike chemo, as you mentioned). I am glad that your counselor talked about how the medicine works, and would likely be a good candidate for helping you monitor for possible side effects/benefits (which is a very useful process). Best of luck!

Tri-lady, if tapping refers to EMDR, that is a type of intervention that is practiced by specially trained therapists. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is a very helpful treatment for people who have suffered trauma. (http://www.emdr.com/) The (very basic) gist is that a light bar (where there is a light that travels across the bar) that you follow with your eyes, or buzzers you can hold in your hands that alternate buzzing between left and right, or head phones where a low sound alternates from left to right is used (I think some practitioners may do more "low tech" things like tap alternately on right or left - although I've never seen this approach in practice). The premise is that experiences that are stored in our amygdala (traumatic memories) can be moved to long term memory where they belong, so that they aren't intrusive any longer, but more like other memories. It does seem to be quite effective in a certain percentage of people and can be used without the person having to actually TALK about their traumatic experience - which for some people can actually be retraumatizing.

EMDR worked wonders for me. I was with my twin sister in ICU when she passed from a reaction to chemo and I had difficulty not going there in my mind. After EMDR, my mind goes there and then flits away immediately. It also helped my daughter when her boyfriend passed away suddenly from an asthma attack. Thanks for the explanation, Montana woman.

TaRenee, I think that if your anxiety started with your diagnostic process, it does not have to be PTSD to be awful. Anxiety can be truly debilitating. I would encourage you to seek a therapist who can work with you to reduce your anxiety. If you want to check out a thread I have that goes through different (more natural) options for anxiety and sleep, read this thread here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topics/855477?page=4#idx_113

it is summer here now in Ok, so I get plenty of sunshine. I think it does help in the winter months. My PCP had a total hissy fit about my weight. He gave me a book called “ Younger next year”. I’m on an all out assault to get fit. In fact I’m on the treadmill right now. Also listening to podcasts by Cookie Rosenbaum. Little room for depression when I’m exercising. Big hug.

Ah yes - sleep. A good night’s sleep. Best. Thing. Ever. Puts everything else in its place.