I was wondering if anyone has either been diagnosed with PTSD or experienced symptoms that are along the lines of PTSD since their diagnosis I have suffered from bipolar disorder and anxiety for many years now but ever since my diagnosis it just seems so much worse and im having new symptoms and per request of some people close to me I did dome research on PTSD and it seems to fit what I am experiencing,I was just wondering if anyone else has gone thru this?
While I did not have PTSD I can totally understand how after this diagnosis you could. It is that unnerving and traumatic. Everyone's tolerance is different for such news. I saw this in the waiting room at my surgeon. Some folks were very matter of fact about their diagnosis while others, like me, shook like a leaf. I am far from a mental health professional but disorders such as anxiety have real chemical roots in our bodies and I thinking that also predisposes us to react to such terrifying news in a very visceral way. Every reaction in my body post diagnosis, pre surgery was heightened. I was totally on high alert. Thank goodness for the clinical nurse at my surgeons practice. If it wasn't for her and a kind survivor from the practice who took me under her wing I don't know what I would have done! My family was so supportive but I needed that nurse, surgeon, and survivor to reassure me. Here is the best part of my story. My clinical nurse from the surgeon's office showed up and wheeled me into the OR at 6:00 am and held my hand while I went out.... because she told me she would not let me do this alone. Who does that?? Very special people.
It sounds like you had a very special nurse, for my surgery I did have a very large support group with me even though I was still terrified, I was 28 when I had my diagnosis and surgery and have 2 young children I never thought I would have to have the types of conversations I had with my parents at my age such as my last wishes incase of something happening, and ever since my diagnosis I haven't been the same, even though I have been on medication for my bipolar disorder and anxiety and been going thru therapy it just doesn't seem to be helping, my mom who is a nurse recently made a comment about the PTSD and getting evaluated for it
YES!!! YES!! YES!!!
A few weeks after surgery, I was was in a "state". My Neurologist advised me that I was experiencing "something like" PTSD. He said 30% of the people who have aneurysm diagnosis/surgery end up having it. Let's face its a lot to have to deal with.
I couldn't even go out in public, couldn't tolerate loud noises (rather a book, music, etc). My Dr. prescribed Klonopin. When I told him, I did not like taking a lot of drugs, he suggested the alternative of getting some counseling (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). In his words, I could take the drugs and feel normal immediately or I could go through months of counseling to feel better. I took the pills only 2 or 3 times and he was right. They made me feel better almost immediately, but I decided prayer and counseling would be best for me so that's what I did. It takes time, but with prayer and wise counseling I got better. I would suggest you have a conversation with YOUR neuro and to see what he has to say. In the mean time try and relax, knowing "This too will pass".
Well two weeks ago I was officially diagnosed with PTSD now the are going to steer my therapy towards coping with it and also my medications so I'm crossing my fingers it will help
Happy to know you have a plan! Wishing you all the best!
Hi Purplekeys…YES YES YES to the PTSD. I just talked to my surgeons nurse about that today. I was found to have three aneurysms during a test after hitting my head (the injured area was find and the aneurysms were incidental findings; one had to be treated asap) So I came to Mayo Clinic
and met the doctor on Monday and had a pipeline put in yesterday. Everything has happened so fast and yet too slow. I found out in mid December and had to cancel and international trip. I waited for three weeks to talk to the Neurosurgeons at another hospital which has an excellent reputation but my dreams of a cure on Jan 30th was smashed when during our face to face appt. he said he didn't want to do a craniotomy because there were two defects on one vessel and long story short rec. Pipeline then there was pressure to be in a study that I didn't qualify for and I didn't like that. So I took the bull by the horns and emailed Dr. Lanzino at Mayo clinic and it has been seamless ever since. He moved me ahead of others and had his nurse who is fabulous make sure that everything was perfect! When being discharged today i told her that I have a ton of anxiety and ptsd from this. I am going to seek some help when I get back to my home town, because I want to enjoy each day. So you are not alone my dear. It is a frightening diagnosis. WE are lucky to have options to day however.
Finally someone else that feels the same way i do. I had two surgeries. I have Five brain annies, three have been clipped but two are not. I go for scans once a year. That is a little about me. I have said the same thing "I haven't been the same". I talked to my Dr. and he increased the Zoloft that i am on for Migrains. I had my surgeries 15 years ago. My children were in Elementary school, i started screaming at them for stupid things. That is when i went to see my Dr. I never screamed at my kids that way. The Zoloft has helped alitle . I know i am in a depression, I feel like i am in someone else's body sometimes. You have done the biggest step already , you have admitted that something is not not right. Hang in there, Maggy
I’m just happy to know there is an actual legitimate reason I am feeling the way I have been since my diagnosis, and now I can work on it with my therapist and adjust my medications to help best of luck to you
Hey Kathy sounds like you’ve gotten to the other side of the anxiety and stress associated with the diagnosis. I would love to chat, if you are willing, about your experience. I am looking for a new therapist tht I pray will help me through ths difficult time. Let me know…
Good luck to you as you work to get to the other side. Glad you reached out for help. You’ve inspired me to do the same. Be well!
I'm glad I inspired you to reach out I hope you find answers like I did best of luck to you
I had PTSD before I had the surgery. I believe that God gave me strength to go through it all though. I have had a couple bad dreams, but I am not sure if they connect. I just had mine in Feb 2014.
Hi. i am just writing to let you know just for the info. i have taken klonopin for 20 years due to an abusive past etc...they are a very addicted medicine. i have been trying to get off of it for such a long time. Now I only take 0.5(1/2 a day). After a very long time on this it has actually been raised a bit AGAIN because of the Clipping, Aphsia(SP),TIA, and now working w/Cardiologist. I must say it's helped me feel better, but they are HARD to get off of when your on them a long time. Be careful staying too long on them. There are articles online if you want to read.
Do you know any thing that could replace them? If you know please let me know ok? Blessings to you!:)
Hi Purplekrys,
Yes, I have experienced PTSD symptoms since coiling last September and my family doc put me on meds and sent me for counseling. That seemed to help for a while but there are days that I am just not me and can't stand what I have become, the anxiety and depression are so overwhelming at times - my dear family are the ones who are really suffering and having difficulty accepting the changes I am going through. I am going back to my doc to ask if there is anything else that can be done to help me get back to 'normal'.
You are not alone - there are lots of us out here. I just wish there was more information on PTSD on this site along with suggestions of how to cope with it.
Blessings,
Madds
I have been having anxiety and panic attacks. It is not fun at all. It got worse a couple months before my one year angiogram. Then I got bad news from that and it has been through the roof. I hope you are able to find something to help you! Some things I am trying are prayer, meditation, visualization, and xanax when it's really bad