I'm New Here

[shadowmedic]

to everyone,i'm very new to all this. so i apologize in advance if this doesn't flow very well.

i am a two tour iraqi war veteran approaching a third deployment very soon. for the most part, i have dealt with ptsd now for the last 5 years and i am noticing that each deployment makes certain things easier and some harder concerning the issues that i face.

on the negative side of the house, i am all ready dealing with anxiety, aggression, nightmares and what i suspect to be depression to some extent and i'm not even over there yet. there has also been this very unnerving creepy crawly feeling that i get every now and then that i can only relate to as paranoia. i have scheduled myself for an appointment with psych to get checked out this week.

on the positive side of the house, i do feel that some of this that i've been experiencing is a response to the upcoming deployment. what i mean is that i feel as if my mind has gone into overdrive in order to try to deal with the things to come. its like warming up the car on a winter day before you take off on a trip, so to speak.
i've mainly come to you all to seek guidance, wisdom and maybe some useful techniques of dealing with this stuff other than being medicated all the time. respectfully, shadowmedic

[JustJane]

You won't be alone. We'll all be going with you, sending prayers and well wishes your way.

[morgan]

Welcome to the forum Shadow. You are in my thoughts. I am a vet now and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Take care of yourself, Morgan

[Seeking_Nirvana]

Hi Shadowmedic,

Welcome to the forum. I hope you will find the guidance and wisdom you need on the forum. There is excellent reading material on the subjects you spoke about.

Peace
Tammy

[Roo]

Welcome, shadowmedic. :smile:

I noticed that you wrote about your wife and family in the "grateful" thread. Amen to that -- the ones we cherish keep our souls intact.

I can't help but feel a certain sadness whenever I read the words here of anyone who is in military service. It must take all your strength and integrity to remain sane through the brutalities of war. I hope you have some close friends-in-arms.

Wishing you well, dear soldier. May you remain safe.

Roo

[TLight]

Welcome ShadowMedic;

Bless you for being over there........bless you for saving people. I'm coming to a much better understanding what everyone is going through over there. You are so brave and Thank You so much.

I once talked to my ex's mother. Her husband, now passed, was a training pilot here in the states during WWII. She has always been a 'country club' wife. She watched Ken Burns "The War" and said on the phone, "oh my Gosh, I never realized what people were going through over there?"
I thought it was really pathetic. WE are so spoiled here in the states. Not that I want another 9/11.......but my gosh.........people are so naive.

[tude]

Welcome shadowmedic

[upstream]

Welcome Shadowmedic!

[She Cat]

Hi Shadow,

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for being there to keep us all safe.

[shadowmedic]

thank you all for your kind thoughts and words. i appreciate your patriotism regardless of our current political position. i went to the psych doc today and after a long grueling wait, a long triage wait and a barrage of questions, (everything from work related issues to what my sex life is like), the psych doc came to the conclusion that what i'm experiencing is more than just ptsd. its actually a conglomerate of ptsd, anxiety, depression and mild paranoia. surprise! surprise! i could have figured that one out on my own! LOLOL. he prescribed me zoloft and seroquel and i have a follow-up with him in two weeks. i want to say that it is very nice to meet all of you and i look forward to talking with you all more. respectfully, SM

[Lucky Laser]

Nice to meet you! I'm also new; have seen you posting around and you strike me as a kind and positive person. :)

[2tired2deal]

Hi Shadowmedic
I too have to 'work' through the military medical system, so I understand the pathos that exists... I hope you receive the understanding and respect that you deserve. Please accept my gratitude that you are continuing to put yourself out there, I know you're doing your job and following orders, and it s*cks to be in the position you're in, but people do care about the troops even if they hate the action.
sincerely,
2t2d

[2Peanut]

Welcome to the forum. :) :occasion: I hope you find what you need here.