Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1018632

Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

if I have PTSD....

Posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

I kind of think alot of my "psychosis" is PTSD of some flavor. I don't know how its diagnosed or whatever, but...the past 7 years have been rough. Its only now getting better. Even my manic/mixed-episode from Hell a few years back was largely due to stress.

So, what works? I was thinking that Celexa or Remeron might be helpful, then I could reduce the Abilify...maybe even get it down to 10mgs/day or so, with a tranquilizing AD on board to smooth things over.

Ideas?

 

Re: if I have PTSD.... » Christ_empowered

Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2012, at 0:17:51

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

CE you know I care stick with what is working now. It is working isn't it? Phillipa

 

Re: if I have PTSD....

Posted by Zyprexa on May 25, 2012, at 3:24:21

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

I think PTSD is when you see death. I take zyprexa for it. Very helpfull.

 

Re: if I have PTSD....

Posted by bleauberry on May 25, 2012, at 6:55:53

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

Best idea I have, based on info in your post, is not a chemical med but a natural one. Rhodiola rosea. It would take a whole page to explain why. Everything about it is better....potential to hit the symptoms, potential to hit the actual cause of the symptoms, potential for zero or low side effects, no chemical toxicity issues, many healthy benefits in addition to the desired ones.

 

Re: if I have PTSD....Christ_empowered » bleauberry

Posted by Phil on May 25, 2012, at 10:19:56

In reply to Re: if I have PTSD...., posted by bleauberry on May 25, 2012, at 6:55:53

Intersting. Just found some info...Rhodiola is a plant used in traditional medicine in Eastern Europe and Asia to enhance physical and mental performance, stimulate the nervous system, fight depression, and to improve sleep. The antioxidant properties of the flavonoids and organic acids present in rhodiola are said to be responsible for its effects (1). The root extracts of rhodiola demonstrated strong anti-depressant activity (12) and studies done in rats found cardioprotective (2) (3) (4) and anticancer effects (5).
Supplementation with rhodiola improved physical endurance (6) (13), mental performance (7) (8), and reduced stress-induced fatigue in humans (9) (14). Preliminary data suggest that it may be effective against generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (15). No serious adverse effects have been reported from the use of rhodiola.

 

Re: if I have PTSD....

Posted by Hugh on May 25, 2012, at 11:39:38

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

Neurofeedback is an effective treatment for PTSD. It's now being used at Camp Pendleton and five other military bases, as well as at some VA medical centers, to treat veterans with PTSD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVF0l9lQYyw

TRE (tension and trauma releasing exercises) might also be worth a try. This site sells a DVD of exercises.

http://traumaprevention.com/

Or you can get a pretty good idea of how to do it by watching YouTube videos.

 

Re: if I have PTSD....

Posted by gadchik on May 25, 2012, at 13:30:43

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

Remeron did alot for me in helping stress.I would try a small dose though.I took 7.5mg,tried 15mg,but it caused anxiety.The lower dose really helped me get deep sleep.

 

Re: if I have PTSD....Christ_empowered » Phil

Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2012, at 20:54:37

In reply to Re: if I have PTSD....Christ_empowered » bleauberry, posted by Phil on May 25, 2012, at 10:19:56

Phil can you combine it with benzos and SSRI's low doses of each? Phillipa

 

Re: if I have PTSD....Christ_empowered » Phil

Posted by Phil on May 25, 2012, at 21:27:42

In reply to Re: if I have PTSD....Christ_empowered » bleauberry, posted by Phil on May 25, 2012, at 10:19:56

I just thought it would be fun to look up. Guess I'd have to read more on it to have an opinion.

 

Re: if I have PTSD....Christ_empowered

Posted by papillon2 on May 25, 2012, at 23:19:33

In reply to Re: if I have PTSD....Christ_empowered » Phil, posted by Phil on May 25, 2012, at 21:27:42

You could look into EDMR.

 

Re: if I have PTSD.... » Christ_empowered

Posted by SLS on May 26, 2012, at 8:12:31

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

That's a pretty big "if".

> I kind of think alot of my "psychosis" is PTSD of some flavor.

Be sure to get an accurate diagnosis before acting on this. Use the Internet if necessary for diagnostic guidelines.

> So, what works?

For true PTSD, prazosin has shown some utility in reducing nightmares, sleep disturbances, daytime anxiety and depression. I have seen Zoloft mentioned, but I don't know if this can be generalized to all SSRIs. I think Paxil and Effexor would be worth looking into, as they are probably the best SRI drugs for treating anxiety disorders. I could be wrong.

> I was thinking that Celexa or Remeron might be helpful,

What is your rationale for choosing these particular drugs? I don't see them as being bad choices, but I am curious how you came to select them.

What about trimipramine (Surmontil)?

> then I could reduce the Abilify...maybe even get it down to 10mgs/day or so, with a tranquilizing AD on board to smooth things over.
>
> Ideas?

Just an observation. You decompensate whenever you reduce your dosage of Abilify. I doubt adding any of the drugs you mentioned will change this, at least, not in the short-term. I think that you will still need some minimum percentage of D2 occupancy with Abilify in order to prevent bleed-through psychotic symptoms. Do you have someone close to you who can help you observe and evaluate your symptomatology? If you want to follow your hunch, you want to make sure that you don't end up in a bad place.

If you make a project of reducing your psychosocial stress for an extended period of time using psychotherapy as well as pharmacotherapy, perhaps you can accomplish your goal.


- Scott

 

Re: if I have PTSD....

Posted by Hugh on May 26, 2012, at 16:40:00

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

The beta blocker Inderal (propranolol) can help to alleviate PTSD. The patient takes it and then writes about traumatic experiences or talks to a therapist about them. Just one of these sessions can be very helpful, but I've read that several sessions are even more beneficial.

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162-2205629.html

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00645450

 

Re: if I have PTSD....

Posted by creepy on May 30, 2012, at 8:22:51

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

For PTSD, usually SSRI's, beta-blockers, some mood stabilizers and even AP's.
Some interesting trials with topamax. I had a good response to that, but my flavor of PTSD isnt as bad as someone with combat fatigue or a rape victim.
Only real treatment for PTSD is therapy of some sort. EMDR?

 

Re: if I have PTSD....

Posted by xean on June 3, 2012, at 13:03:25

In reply to Re: if I have PTSD...., posted by creepy on May 30, 2012, at 8:22:51

I have PTSD although I can't tell fore sure which of my meds are helping it I believe it is the latuda. In my opinion Pstd is characterized by psychotic behaviors therefore I think anti psychotics are worth a try. PTSD is no fun reliving a traumatic experience over and over. I don't see it as depression so I would tend to think they may help some but in my opinion not completely.
I hope you find the right med or combination of meds.

 

Re: if I have PTSD.... » xean

Posted by SLS on June 3, 2012, at 23:57:09

In reply to Re: if I have PTSD...., posted by xean on June 3, 2012, at 13:03:25

> I have PTSD

What are your prominent symptoms?

Is your condition the result of traumas experienced as an adult, or is it more developmental from chronic childhood stressors?

> In my opinion Pstd is characterized by psychotic behaviors...

Why do you say this? Is this characterization supported by scientific evidence? It seems to me that psychosis can be a subtyping of PTSD, but is not a necessary component for its official diagnosis. Even so, the percentage of cases of PTSD that include psychosis is less than 25%. In fact, there is some disagreement as to whether the subtype exists at all.

The British Journal of Psychiatry (2010) 197: 326-327

http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/197/4/326.full


- Scott

 

Re: if I have PTSD.... » SLS

Posted by xean on June 4, 2012, at 12:55:28

In reply to Re: if I have PTSD.... » xean, posted by SLS on June 3, 2012, at 23:57:09

people with pstd have flash backs sometimes thinking they are actually in the situation. Seeing things and feeling things that aren't really there. It almost resembles schizophrenia. Thats why I would think an anti psychotic may help.

 

Re: if I have PTSD....

Posted by Zyprexa on June 6, 2012, at 23:38:59

In reply to Re: if I have PTSD.... » SLS, posted by xean on June 4, 2012, at 12:55:28

AP helped me with PTSD. Not all just the zyprexa, for me anyways. When I don't take it and before I took it. I was haveing flashbacks and just awfull thughts that I could not get out of my head. I would sit in mental pain. I took risperdal at first but it didn't help much.

 

Re: if I have PTSD.... » Christ_empowered

Posted by phidippus on June 7, 2012, at 19:49:01

In reply to if I have PTSD...., posted by Christ_empowered on May 24, 2012, at 23:49:25

Prazosin is becoming a popular drug for the treatment of PTSD.

Eric


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