New Here, PTSD is the game

[transformyself]

Hi everybody.

I'm here for codependance, not addiction but my PTSD was at it's worst when living with my AH that I left early Sept.

I've had two melt downs in the past month and was totally freaked out by it until I realized I was living weeks at a time--weeks!--with high anxiety while still living with him. No wonder.

Anyway, I take klonopin when the escalation starts. I refuse to regularly take meds because first of all, how do you know if you're no longer anxious and secondly screw that. I've seen so many folks seriously jacked up from taking meds all the time, also from trying to wean off them. Ugly.

But is it uglier than the PTSD? I dunno.

Otherwise I have been practicing Bikram Yoga 3-4 times a week and that heals everything. Not just my anxiety but also my endometriosis, bad knees, vericose veins, screwed up shoulder, digestive issues, you name it.

Problem is, I can't get there that often sometimes. So this weekend I had a trigger and spent about 6 hours shaking, crying, and having a flashback. I do not want this in my life anymore.

Do any of you have only positive experiences with your anti anxiety meds? No withdrawl, no side effects?

Thanks!

[Lilya]

Hi Transformyself and welcome.

I´m not qualified to give a medical opinion of the meds you mention, but I can share with you what works best for me. It´s the new anti-depressants, like citalopram (French name) and natural herbs like passiflorine and valerian.

I also love yoga. It´s the best. What also works for me is the twelve step system.

Sorry that you had a bad time this week-end. I hope you feel better now, because the symptoms usually fade away.

I have never had any problems with withdrawal from medicine prescribed by a doctor. I had real problems when I was an addict using unprescribed drugs, but I´ve been sober for a long time.

Talk to your doctor about the medication. He or she should be able to clarify things. Get a second opinion if you´re not happy.

Share here at the board and talk to people. It´s a good tool.

Love and light,

[caleb76]

Originally Posted by transformyself

Hi everybody.

I'm here for codependance, not addiction but my PTSD was at it's worst when living with my AH that I left early Sept.

I've had two melt downs in the past month and was totally freaked out by it until I realized I was living weeks at a time--weeks!--with high anxiety while still living with him. No wonder.

Anyway, I take klonopin when the escalation starts. I refuse to regularly take meds because first of all, how do you know if you're no longer anxious and secondly screw that. I've seen so many folks seriously jacked up from taking meds all the time, also from trying to wean off them. Ugly.

But is it uglier than the PTSD? I dunno.

Otherwise I have been practicing Bikram Yoga 3-4 times a week and that heals everything. Not just my anxiety but also my endometriosis, bad knees, vericose veins, screwed up shoulder, digestive issues, you name it.

Problem is, I can't get there that often sometimes. So this weekend I had a trigger and spent about 6 hours shaking, crying, and having a flashback. I do not want this in my life anymore.

Do any of you have only positive experiences with your anti anxiety meds? No withdrawl, no side effects?

Thanks!

Klonopin works great. It smashes anxiety with a huge sludge hammer. However, Klonopin is extremely addictive! I took some Klonopin to get rid of attacks. It certainly does the trick.

At the same time I started taking 10 mg of Fluoxetine (Prozac) everyday. I had to give it time but after a few weeks it really started to kick in. The maximum dosage is 60 mg per day so I am way under with the amount that I take.

I have been on Fluoxetine for about seven months now and anxiety is no longer an issue. Plus, the Fluoxetine really improves my over all quality of life! I have a calming peace inside of me that I have never been able to feel all that often in the past.

Prozac isn't for everyone but it certainly does the trick for me. It also helps me handle stress better too.

PTSD was a major reason I abused alcohol in the fashion that I did.

I don't have those triggers anymore. I also attend AA meetings religiously!

As always, above was only my experience and my thinking. I am not a medical doctor so I would encourage you to talk to your doctor about Prozac and Klonopin.

Thanks for sharing!

[caleb76]

Fluoxetine is not known to be habit forming either. You can ask him/her about that too. You can stay on Prozac for years and it doesn't impede on your life much.

At least that is my experience!