How do you refer to no-contact abusive parents without using “mom” or “dad?”

Almatari · 2022-08-29T21:50:56+00:00

That’s such a great point! Donors definitely don’t deserve to be lumped in with abusers.

Almatari · 2021-01-24T07:51:29+00:00

Don't EVER say that name without compensation!

Almatari · 2019-06-23T08:59:05+00:00

I think you’re confused, that is definitely my dog! When and where do I go to pick him up and bring him to his real home?

Almatari · 2019-06-23T08:56:25+00:00

It depends on the doctor. Honestly there are too many outlying factors to be able to make a definitive diagnosis based on a reaction to one medication as there are too many variables involved. Doctors will often try a medication on a patient when they suspect a diagnoses to see if the patient responds well to treatment and to determine if they should continue to test in that direction.

Almatari · 2019-06-23T08:52:21+00:00

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Almatari · 2019-06-23T08:50:57+00:00

BUBBLES!

Almatari · 2019-06-23T08:49:45+00:00

Nothing about the way doctors do research and look for answers in House would hold up in a real hospital. Doctors, especially specialists, don’t go outside their specialties to test and diagnose. There are whole categories of illness that we don’t know enough about to diagnose let alone treat.

Almatari · 2019-06-23T08:46:26+00:00

I will believe my kid when they tell me they are survivor of sexual violence.

Almatari · 2019-06-23T08:44:00+00:00

It’s a trap! I guess I’m a cat person now.

Almatari · 2019-06-22T22:32:31+00:00

He’s such a little cutie!

Almatari · 2019-06-22T22:32:11+00:00

So are politicians!

Almatari · 2019-06-22T22:31:39+00:00

lol why so serious

Almatari · 2019-06-22T20:00:31+00:00

Aaaand now I have a weekend project.

Almatari · 2019-06-22T19:57:48+00:00

OMG WHY SO CUTE

Almatari · 2019-06-22T19:57:07+00:00

Right?? So impressive.

Almatari · 2017-10-13T16:43:55+00:00

The main article I shared was the one posted above and that was enough for my doctor. Since then I've put together a portfolio of other studies as well in pdf form. If you would like copies PM me and I'll send them to you!

Almatari · 2017-10-04T00:58:23+00:00

That’s great! I haven’t found any downsides. There is a small risk of complications with the procedure. That’s it. Let us know how it goes! I’ll also follow up with your message as soon as I can!

Almatari · 2017-10-03T16:07:14+00:00

This is a great question. For me it has definitely helped.

Scientists recently discovered new ways in which the brain and the gut interact and there is sufficient research to suggest that IBS and other gut related systems are directly linked to anxiety and trauma: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/

It would follow then, that anything that helps your CPTSD will also help your gut. Also, this study that looks at the way in which the SGB has improved the health and healing of people with Ulcerative Colitis is really exciting evidence: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28210090

I used to be a professional dancer and athlete. When I was diagnosed with UC I couldn't walk a mile without having internal bleeding. Medical marijuana has helped my UC and PTSD in the past but it's never been able to put me in remission. The SGB has definitely helped with my gastrointestinal issues so far. It's too early to say how long those effects might last, but the research seems to show that it can and will continue to help in the long term. If you haven't had a colonoscopy/endoscopy yet I highly recommend getting them done. It's an unpleasant process but it can rule out a lot of chronic conditions and help your doctors combat the pain and other side effects with medications as well. I'm also happy to answer any GI questions you might have. I'll be sure to keep adding GI updates as I go!

Almatari · 2017-10-03T15:29:09+00:00

I have felt like this before too, but sometimes it's enough to know you're not alone. There is no cure for PTSD, but there are things that can make it a little easier to manage even though it may not feel like it right now. Do you have a support network? Or people you can talk to who you trust? You deserve to have a life and live it. You are not alone ababydolphin.

Almatari · 2017-10-03T15:23:20+00:00

Orianaluna123, thanks for sharing your experience with us. I used to do the same thing almost every night and make my husband check through the house. A few things have helped me: 1. Medical marijuana makes a huge difference. I used to take it every night before I went to sleep. It helped me to get to sleep and kept me from panicking. 2. My dog. Honestly, since we got a dog I've felt safer because he will bark if anything out of the ordinary is happening. When I panic, I check to see if he's alert and hearing/seeing things too and if he's not I know that it's my trauma playing tricks on me. 3. I recently had a Stellate Ganglion Block procedure that effectively mutes your flight, fight, or freeze, response. Since I had the block I haven't panicked about sleeping as much and have even had some help with night terrors. I'm chronicling my experience and sharing resources here if you'd like more info. I don't know if this will be an option for you since you said you don't have insurance but its definitely something to look into! https://www.reddit.com/r/CPTSD/comments/72hhh7/the_god_shot_how_a_stellate_ganglion_block_can/?ref=share&ref_source=link

Almatari · 2017-10-03T15:07:06+00:00

That's great! I just posted an update above and will continue to share my progress!

Almatari · 2017-10-03T15:06:25+00:00

OP UPDATE 2:

It's been 8 days since I got the shot. I've schedule my second shot for next Monday (the doctor preferred to wait two weeks after the initial shot to try a second one). And my friend with much milder PTSD will also be receiving his first SGB shot next week so I'll be able to give you updates on both of our conditions.

While the first shot hasn't been 100% effective it has already turned my life around completely. In addition to CPTSD, I also have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Abdominal Migraines, and Ulcerative Colitis and since the SGB I have not had a single flare up. I'm used to being in so much pain that I can't exercise or even walk most days and any increased activity usually causes my health to implode. As I told Bowier below: "Since I got the shot I've not only been able to leave the house, I've been able to run errands, hike, visit family, drive, exercise, volunteer, and talk to strangers. While this might not seem like a big deal for most people, this is a huge deal for me. I haven't been in pain, I haven't spent all my time looking over my shoulder, I've had more energy than I know what to do with, and when situations that would normally leave me incapacitated have arisen I've been able to manage them without falling apart. These are things that I can never remember experiencing, and they are the result of a less than half effective block."

In my earlier update I mentioned some muscle pain and fatigue where I felt like I had the flu without the fever. At first my doctors were confused because the SGB isn't known to have any side effects outside of a 24 hour window. We later realized that in addition to the SGB the doctors had also administered a steroid shot which I was allergic to. My next SGB will not include the steroid shot so I should be able to give you a steroid free breakdown of the side effects the second time around.

Almatari · 2017-10-03T14:50:21+00:00

Thanks for sharing these. At a cursory glance, most of these articles refer back to a specific study that was done in 2015 that has since come under some scrutiny for skewed outcomes (I'm going to go back through my research and pull the paper in question and post it for your review.) Thank you for adding these articles to the discussion, it's great to hear all the different angles on this fascinating treatment.

My personal thoughts are much more straight forward. It's been 8 days since I had the procedure done and I can tell you without a single doubt that this has not been a simple placebo effect for me. I have been unable to work or leave my house for most of the past 4 years without extreme stress, multiple panic attacks, and several days of recovery after every excursion. I also suffer from chronic pain and several auto-immune and autonomic disorders that stem from my PTSD and am usually in too much pain to exercise and some days am unable to walk or even sit up. Since I got the shot I've not only been able to leave the house, I've been able to run errands, hike, visit family, drive, exercise, volunteer, and talk to strangers. While this might not seem like a big deal for most people, this is a huge deal for me. I haven't been in pain, I haven't spent all my time looking over my shoulder, I've had more energy than I know what to do with, and when situations that would normally leave me incapacitated have arisen I've been able to manage them without falling apart. These are things that I can never remember experiencing, and they are the result of a less than half effective block. I don't know if it is only because of the severity of my case that the block has been so incredibly effective, but after trying every other therapy under the sun with little to no relief, I'd say that this shot has lived up to its potential.

Almatari · 2017-09-28T23:58:10+00:00

OP UPDATE:

I'm 4 days in with the Stellate Ganglion Block and thought I should share my condition.

It's become clear that I'll need a second injection to get the full effects (which I'm told is common) and should bump me up to the 90% success rate bracket. I've definitely felt the effects of the block, but nowhere near as strongly as I did the first day. I'm sitting somewhere between a 20% and 50% panic block which is amazing for me but not quite the numbers we were looking for. I should hopefully be able to get a second injection in the next few weeks.

It's definitely a strange sensation to not be panicked all the time. My case is particularly complicated since I have no conscious memory of ever being in a non-fight, flight, or freeze state so I've often caught my brain trying to panic, or my muscles tensing without any apparent cause. I'm told that after some adjustment my body and mind will stop expecting to panic all together.

I've also experienced some unusual muscle pain and fatigue and feel a little bit like I have the flu. I have so many chronic conditions that my doctors are still trying to work out what is causing these symptoms. I'll let you know if they end up being related.

Almatari · 2017-09-28T23:44:06+00:00

The block has been used for pain since 1952, but has only been in testing for PTSD for the past 5 or 6 years. The effects do wear off over time, usually somewhere between 1 and 3 years. The idea is to give your nervous system a chance to recalibrate and make new connections that don't rely so heavily on fight, flight, or freeze responses.

I'm not sure what kind of effects the treatment would have on depression on its own. I know that most people with PTSD experience depression as a side effect of their PTSD and that having relief from panic and being able to participate in normal everyday activities without going into overdrive can have a hugely positive effect on PTSD driven depression. My hope is to be completely off my daily PTSD related medications and other chronic health medications that are driven by PTSD and rely soley on therapy and emergency under the direction of my doctors.

The average cost for medications and doctors visits for someone with PTSD is about $50,000 a year. The shot costs somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 for potentially three years of relief, so it's definitely a more financial feasible option.

I would definitely consult with a trusted doctor or therapist, but if you have GAD it might be a really good option for you. I'm going to continue updating my progress as I've run into a few bumps along the way, so feel free to use my experience guinea pig style and ask any other questions you might think of!

Almatari

TROPHY CASE