PTSD, Anticipatory Anxiety

[Larryheadhunter]

I am 63 yr old male, that went to Vietnam at 18, and ever since waiting through the first night of 1969 Tet offensive, which never really materialized, since the following morning I have had all kinds of PTSD and anticipatory anxiety.  10 yrs ago I had 3 coronary stents, which have resulted over the years into 12 stents. I had a small silent heart attack 2 months ago, and all the docs say since I have low blood pressure, and soft, vulnerable plaque, and no angina, just shortness of breath, so I am an atypical heart patient. Since my ejection fraction is normal at 61%, both Cardiologists and Psychiatrists are confused how to treat me since the symptoms are the same.

It seems that my PTSD and anxiety symptoms mimic heart symptoms and attacks, and I am taking way too much Xanax and Lorazapam. It's a never ending cycle, and even the smallest stress triggers full body sweating, shaking and shortness of breath.  I don't know what's going on, and am tired of all these daily anxiety attacks, thinking I am having a real heart attack. Since I had a back fusion I am also taking low doses of Methadone for the nerve pain. I am a mess.  Any ideas?  

[PT1991]

Thank you for protecting our country and people. You are in my prayers forever.

[MYoungAtHeart]

I too suffer from PTSD since I was a youngster.  I am not able to take any meds due to severe reactions to them, so I joined therapy groups and saw  my personal shrink on the side.  Soon, I didn't need the shrink, the therapy groups were people who had suffered themselves and had lots of advice and love for other group members.  I learned meditation and yoga and still use it today.  I cannot comment on scripts, but with PTSD the sufferer must be willing to go deep into the psyche and soul and heal the roadblocks to get through this on a day by day basis....There is no cure, per se, but there is healing and for me that is enough today...

Wishing you the very best

M

[drifter0213]

I hear you larry hh I was diagnosed in 94 with PTSD I now have schizophrenia and TBI from a car accident I take Geodon trazadone prazosin  and Cogentin for tardive dyskinesia :)

[Larryheadhunter]

I got several second opinions, and all I hear is they don't have a clue. I know I have heart disease, 12 coronary stents and anxiety and PTSD. I still remember someone throwing a coke can in the trash inside my hootch and everyone reacting the same way, by grabbing our M-16's and locking and loading. Afterwards everyone looks sheepishly at each other, and said they were all on edge. Although I rarely had to go in the field, I was in several scary situations that just made things worse. At night I take 75mg Elavil,10mg Methadone, 1 mg Lorazapam, and 1mg Xanax that dissolves under the tongue for quick action. During the day I am encouraged to take the anxiety meds, but it just make me feel sluggish. My shrink just listens but doesn't really give me any advice other than do yoga and meditation 2 hrs a day, which I do. He doesn't think I need to take any more downers, which just ruins my day.  Help me please someone.

[drifter0213]

is there a way for you to get a second opionion?