OT - PTSD stuff

poet_kelly
on 7/29/12 9:36 pm - OH

I'm sure this is just happening because of all the stress I've been under lately, although nothing has been happening that really relates to my PTSD. At least, I don't recognize a connection. But I am having more trouble sleeping, more nightmares, and more problems with being afraid of the dark. I go through times when I'm scared of the dark and times when the dark doesn't bother me at all. Geez, a week ago I was going out and walking a mile or two in the middle of the night, in the dark, obviously, when I couldn't sleep. Now, in the middle of the night, I sit in the living room with the lights on, having to pee but afraid to walk down the dark hall into the dark bathroom.

I'm just complaining. Thanks for listening.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

bugsmommy
on 7/29/12 9:50 pm

Hope everything gets back under control. I go through phases, when I was younger (20's) I couldn't be alone over night, I needed someone in the house. When I'm stressed I have horrible insomnia and I jump and every little noise and see stuff in the shadows. To the point where I've gone outside to make sure there wasn't someone there. Don't ask me what I was going to do if there was, I'm not sure.

Cherie

mat0174
on 7/29/12 10:15 pm

RNY on 05/14/03 with

I dont know what else you've been through, but with the dark, you're not alone. Sometimes I'm ok, othertimes I fall asleep holding a baseball bat. Even as a teenager, a very strong capable teenager and co-captain of tje varsity football team, my dad used to get pretty upset because he'd come in at 2 am and find me sitting on my bed with all the lights on, passed out holding my bat, he never understood. I have a droid phone and have found the flashlight app on that to be a Godsend, my son always wants to sleep in my bed, so if I have more light on than that it wakes him up. If you saw me today, you'd wonder why I would be afraid of anything, after surgery, I really got into body building. But even the strongest rock has a weakness, thank-you for sharing that, I needed that and know your not alone.

Cherokeesage
on 7/29/12 11:58 pm

RNY on 02/24/12 with

Do you have a dog? If not, would it help?

Banded Oct 2008: 290
RNY Feb 2012:        245
Dr's set goal:    170 reached Oct 11, 2012
My goal:                     160 reached Dec 1, 2012
Today :                     142-145

poet_kelly
on 7/30/12 4:25 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

I do not currently have a dog and yes I think that would help. I am actually planning to get a service dog that will be trained to perform tasks to assist me with my disability. One of the tasks will be turning on lights in dark rooms for me. I am currently waiting to hear from a program that trains and places service dogs; I spoke at length with the program director on the phone and she is supposed to be sending me some paperwork that I need to complete but I have not received it yet. However, she indicated that I could receive a service dog from that program in a little under six months.

If things do not work out with that program, I am planning to adopt a rescue dog and train it, with a whole lot of assistance from a person trainer. It would be cheaper and quicker to get a service dog from the program, though. If I have to train a rescue dog, it could take a long time just to find a suitable candidate for a service dog, and then it would take more than a year to fully train the dog.

Right now I have cats. Which I love, but they are not so protective.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

Cherokeesage
on 8/3/12 8:33 pm

RNY on 02/24/12 with

I find that I really like having my "protective" four legged family member with me when I am home alone. We have a lady in our Woman's Club that trains service dogs. I love seeing her bring them to our Friday luncheon program. She starts bringing them when they are young and it is amazing how fast they change into the perfect service dog. I think they have all been labs. I wanted to train my dog to make hospital visits but she is to nervous when there is a lot of people and doesn't want strangers touching her. She doesn't warm up to men easily but loves my husband. As soon as he gets home from work, they play catch. We always go to our yearly Rescue the Animals Furr Ball. She is the first dog that we've had that doesn't like to go. John took her out for a potty break and she honestly sprawled out on all fours to keep from going back in so we don't subject her to these situations. We have a new animal play park that I'd love to take her to but I know she will not get along with the other dogs. She's the first dog we've had that acts this way so we started taking her to training at a year old and she was great in class but reverts back once out the door. We kennel her when we have a party if it is to hot for her to stay in John's workshop. She loves the kennel so we are lucky there. Our last Shar Pei hated the kennel and wouldn't eat so he traveled with us or stayed with one of our grown kids (he grew up with them). I'm glad you are open to having a dog. I know you will love the company and quickly become attached. Ours always are a part of the family. I will be praying you get your new family member sooner than you think.

Banded Oct 2008: 290
RNY Feb 2012:        245
Dr's set goal:    170 reached Oct 11, 2012
My goal:                     160 reached Dec 1, 2012
Today :                     142-145

kidnamedtoad
on 7/30/12 12:23 am

WLS on 12/02/11 with

Honey you have been through a lot lately. If you need to leave some lights on for a while then by all means do it. I think we all go through periods like this. I wish I could help you. Hopefully this will come to pass. Have you changed living arrangements yet?

Toad Starting weight: 249 Day of surgery wt: 217 GW: 109 CW 149

poet_kelly
on 7/30/12 4:26 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

No, and I don't think living arrangements will be changing for a while.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

avivaps
on 7/30/12 2:45 am

RNY on 02/28/12 with

Times of change and upheaval are prime for setting of anxiety-type symptoms. I know u have shared on here some of the stressors in your life at present. Do u think that could be a trigger for these symptoms? What has helped in the past to get these symptoms under control? Any way of finding professional help at the moment (counselor, your PCP, support group)?

Im sorry you have this added burden to deal with. I hope things settle soon.

Andrea

poet_kelly
on 7/30/12 4:38 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

I need to make an appointment with my therapist. I will probably see her next week. I also see a psychiatrist and am on medication.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

Kat1313
on 7/30/12 3:08 am - Jacksonville , FL

RNY on 04/08/13 with

Don't feel bad...I cannot sleep in total darkness, just creeps me out and I'm an older person but have been this way my entire life. I finally just accepted the fact that I needed a small light on and that's just the way it is. I don't worry about whether or not it's "right".....it's just what I have to do. And I have an alarm system in my home, go figure.....

Nightmares.....yes, they come and go. And much of the time they are the same ones, over and over. Don't know what triggers them, don't know how to get rid of them, but they are distressing.

You've been thru a lot lately, try not to be so hard on yourself. If you need a light on right now, that's fine. If the hallway is dark, turn the light on to go to the bathroom or get a big flashlight. For those with anxiety disorder, these fears tend to come and go, depending on what else is going on in our lives. Maybe try to just accept the current "status quo" and try not to worry too much about it. You are fine....you will be fine. You are NOT losing it. Hang in there, things will improve.
Kathy

poet_kelly
on 7/30/12 6:48 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

Oh, I might have already lost it. Thanks.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

Larry Wassmann
on 7/30/12 6:15 am - Lacey, WA

RNY on 05/09/12 with

Kelly I am sorry. I have never heard of that problem. I love the dark and get out of bed most nights and sit in the dark media room. I love to listen to the sound outside and the house sounds. I did not know there was a condition like you have. Yes I think getting a dog even a non service dog would help. When you do get a service dog you can have both. If you are scared, your dog will know that and stay by you and love you no matter what. Hope it works out for you soon.

Visit my Blog at http://www.lwassmann.blogspot.com/

poet_kelly
on 7/30/12 6:47 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

I like the dark, too, when I'm not scared of it. I realize that probably doesn't make sense. I have post-traumatic stress disorder due to childhood trauma. I think you're right that a dog, even if not a service dog, would help. I can't really afford two dogs, though, so hopefully the service dog will come through soon.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

hopeforweightloss
on 7/30/12 6:30 am

Maybe you could get a night light for the bathroom/hallway area? They have ones that come on automatically when it gets dark. That way there would always be a little bit of light in those areas.
Or possibly get the "clapper" you know that thing they advertise close to the holidays, for your bedroom, you could just "clap" the lights on in your room when you wake up from a bad dream. Clap on, Clap off, the Clapper....

poet_kelly
on 7/30/12 6:45 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

Now I feel silly. I don't know why I didn't think of a night light. I actually have one around here somewhere, if I can find it. I used to have one in the bedroom. Lately I just leave a lamp on, a night light isn't enough light for me to sleep, but it might make the hallway and bathroom easier.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

hopeforweightloss
on 7/30/12 7:45 pm

I hope you can find your night light and that it helps you feel better. Best of luck!

Michelle V.
on 7/30/12 6:54 am - Livonia, MI

RNY on 12/14/11 with

Kelly, Are things any better between you and your partner? Or are you still needing to move?

poet_kelly
on 7/30/12 7:01 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

Well, we are not getting back together. I am actually feeling less anxious about it, I think, although I'm not entirely sure I'm not just blocking out feelings right now. At some point I most likely will be moving but at this point, I am hoping not to have to do that any time soon, for a number of reasons. Because I am on disability, I qualify for subsidized housing and I did submit an application for that last week. There is a very lengthy waiting list, however.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

Mal
on 7/30/12 7:03 am

Kelly first off you need a huge ((((((HUG))))))!!!!

Second, get in to see your therpist soon. I'm just starting a new one this week (which in and of itself is hell as we all know what a Pain in the ASS it is starting over fresh especially after having the same one for the last 7 years URGH!!) anyway it will help to speak with that person even if they can only give you a phone consult right now sounds like you could use it.

Third, cut yourself some slack honey. I myself have to do the same thing as everything you have been describing lately has either in the past (or is happining right now in the present) to me. My problems are too huge to go into here but suffice it to say, I too am experiencing a lot of what you are. Nightmares, afraid to even get out of bed at night to even go to the bathroom (which is right across the hall from my bedroom) and this is WITH my fiancee here. I can't even begin to imagine how terrifying it must be when you are alone. Just yesterday he had to work and I was home doing laundry at the facility here where I live in our complex. I was afraid to go outside and get it during the day! If I don't keep busy with things my mind has a way of going off on its own and getting me into a crying mess---all things that I'm going to be addressing with my new therapist--but I'm NOT a cryer! Maybe that's my problem, I dunno! LOL

I hope you are able to get a service dog soon those animals are so brilliant and trained to assist you.

((((((HUGS)))))))) again! I hope you feel better soon!!!!!

Mallisa

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OT - PTSD stuff