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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on June 15, 2006, at 22:36:37
I thought the lamictal was helping me augment my luvox. Until today my PTSD was triggered. My husband of 21 years used to be a General Manager of a Car Dealership. I went with my huband today for a job interview . He does painting and body work on boats and cars. All of a sudden I couldn't swallow and had to sit in the car. I am his assistant and would have to be there. How do I get over the PTSD? Any meds, thoughts. I really need your help he has to let them know tomorrow or Monday and he may leave if I don't let him take the job. What's more important my mental health or this job? Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on June 16, 2006, at 5:50:50
In reply to I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today, posted by Phillipa on June 15, 2006, at 22:36:37
Hi Phillipa. I guess since nothing else has changed it is fair to suspect lamictal? Sounds like it. I can relate because I am having weird things happen starting lamictal also.
Before lamictal, when I woke in the morning, I had an overall sense of nervousness and free floating fear anxiety stuff. Since starting lamictal, those things have been magnified 10 fold. I'm only at 12.5mg. During the day I have a constant feeling of nervous energy to where I am only ok as long as I physically very busy. But when I stop to talk with someone or try to relax, forget it, I am very uncomfortable.
Posted by gardenergirl on June 16, 2006, at 9:46:02
In reply to Re: I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today, posted by blueberry on June 16, 2006, at 5:50:50
Phillipa,
It sounds like you were triggered. That can happen regardless of what meds someone is on. At times situations can be more than your meds can handle. This sounds like more of an issue for therapy versus a meds adjustment since it's situational.gg
Posted by Phillipa on June 16, 2006, at 11:55:17
In reply to Re: I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today, posted by gardenergirl on June 16, 2006, at 9:46:02
What do I let him do? We've been together everyday for two years and I'm afraid of being alone, have no friends and no money to shop with and I have agoraphobia so that wouldn't work anyway. My throat keeps on bringing up mucus and I feel like I to burp all the time and can't and I can't eat either. Love Phillipa
Posted by Colleen D. on June 16, 2006, at 14:20:21
In reply to Re: I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today, posted by Phillipa on June 16, 2006, at 11:55:17
Hi Phillipa!
I've experienced similar social situation things, so I can totally relate to your feelings.
Perhaps you can condition yourself to the outside world by planning short outings with your husband. Maybe take a warm bath to soothe yourself physically before going out and listen to your favorite music...the music thing helps me a lot!
It sounds like your on the verge of something very good - agreeing to assist your husband with his business. Take baby steps until you're ready, and most importantly, be patient with yourself through the whole process.
Good luck, hon.
:-) Colleen
Posted by cecilia on June 16, 2006, at 17:44:16
In reply to I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today, posted by Phillipa on June 15, 2006, at 22:36:37
I don't understand-you're saying your husband may leave you if you don't "let" him take this job? Why do you have to be his assistant? Do you WANT to be his assistant? This doesn't sound like a med problem or PTSD, it sounds like a marriage problem. Maybe get a marriage counselor, or maybe say "good riddance" but get a good lawyer first! Cecilia
Posted by psychosage on June 17, 2006, at 21:32:21
In reply to Re: I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today, posted by Phillipa on June 16, 2006, at 11:55:17
I am so sorry you are having trouble with these symptoms. Therapy and SSRIs can help. Lamictal, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics can also help PTSD with things like intrusive thoughts and hypervigilance. Good luck!
Posted by psychosage on June 17, 2006, at 21:34:57
In reply to Re: I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today, posted by blueberry on June 16, 2006, at 5:50:50
Lamictal can be activating, but at higher doses the calming effect kicks in. I don't know your diagnosis, but a small dose of antipsychotic or a benzo might be a good add-on. I think the activating part will go away. I was afraid it works like an SSRI and causes manic switching, but I am more comfortable with it at 125mg now and titrating up at 25mg a week to the target dose that most people use, 200mg.
Posted by Phillipa on June 17, 2006, at 21:38:26
In reply to Re: I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today, posted by psychosage on June 17, 2006, at 21:34:57
Original dx was PTSD changed to MDD with anxiety. I just started lamictal on 50mg for another week . Don't have a target dose that I'm aware of. Thanks for the support. Love Phillipa
Posted by pulse on June 22, 2006, at 12:49:26
In reply to Re: I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today » psychosage, posted by Phillipa on June 17, 2006, at 21:38:26
as cecilia, i'm unclear on the part about your husband leaving. need to know what you meant by that.
otherwise, i hated lamictal, but for gi reasons, more than anxiety.
if not a marriage/ husband problem, i'd then agree with gardengirl re: therapy, but only the below kind:
EMDR is wonderful for many, many people. quick! years of damage undone in longest usually 6 months. some only need around 3 sessions. again, it's so much quicker than ANY traditional types of therapy. i can't stress that enough. i know many who've gotten so much from it.
emdr.com
they have a list of licensed practioners by state; my therapist is on that list.
good luck; baby steps/ short re-intoductions into the outside world works re agaoraphobia, but perhaps more, to much more (?), is at work here - i'd go with emdr - life is too short!
pulse
Posted by helpme on July 5, 2006, at 8:51:39
In reply to Re: I Thought My PTSD Was Gone Til Today » Phillipa, posted by pulse on June 22, 2006, at 12:49:26
I feel for you. Once I had a very wise therapist, who sadly retired. She told me depression, and PTSD, can be visualized as circular- they go away, come back, go away, circle back...but with proper help, the circles get wider and the pain more distant, or "less". That the pain doesn't just vanish and boom-your done. Draw on paper a widening spiral around the original incident and you'll see what she showed me. This was 20 years ago, and it turned out to be a fairly accurate "visual" for my own healing of a very traumatic event-which occasionally still haunts me.
I also wonder if a benzo might not be a more effective choice to deal with this, as opposed to a whole cocktail? At least at first?
Your mental health is # 1- without it, you have not much left.
But your husband needs an income. It sounds like a tough situation. Would you feel better with "check-in" phone calls, a dog, a friend or companion with you- anything? I wish you very well.
This is the end of the thread.
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