Hello every one,

I'm a Canadian soldier, I was involved in a training accident years ago; to keep it short I watched one person die, a very good friend almost die and I was the "lucky" one with only minor injuries. Afterwards I wasn't properly cared for, I kept things in and soldiered on. Since I returned from Afghanistan in 2003, my original physical injuries have worsened and I have had a couple major surgeries with limited success. Since the last surgery, I've noticed symptoms similar to friends that have been diagnosed with PTSD that were so extreme that they lost every thing; ie. family/friends. Before things got to that point, I decided to seek help and I have been sent for testing/therapy through our local trauma support centre. Since I started the testing and therapy, I've noticed an increase in symptoms and severity of others; I found this site while looking for information to further educate myself.

Thank you.

Welcome to the forum, Moog! I am a Desert Storm army veteran.

Thank you for the welcome 2quilt.

Hi there, I am a spouse of a Cdn. Military Man that also has Ptsd. He was also injured in a training exercise....almost died . I am familiar with the bases' system for treating our men. What info are you looking for?

Lola

Nice to meet you moog from one canuck to another this is a great place for info and to talk to people that have the same kind of problems, welcome to the group

well glad your here....nice to meet you

lolabrigitta and mouse,

Thanks for the welcome.

As for what I'm looking for, it's more just information on how to help make myself healthy and live with PTSD. The CF has come a long way but it still has a long way to go with taking care of us. If I can find out things that others have tried with success, then it can be worth a try myself.

I'm pretty familiar of the CF's medical system. Been in and out of it for well over a decade now; quite a few visible and invisible scars on the body. Makes me feel old just thinking about it.

Yes Moog, Mental Health in the CF is under investigation (here in Edmonton) and I have my 2 cents worth ( ok more than 2 cents) to say and I am in there like a dirty sock. There are a couple of us spouses that lodged complaints of "overmedicating" and poor therapy, lack of family input (these complaints are in the process of going up the chain of Co. along with some military men's complaints ) and when I "invited " myself to My hubby's sessions with the psychiatrist, She didn't want me there I said she didn't have a choice, then she would tell me to shut up (because I did research on her line of meds) The psychiatrist did not like me being of "sound mind". I could think clearly and hubby was having out of body experiences and when he said "no" , bad soldier not following orders eh! After I lodged a complaint, off base help was granted for just cause and hubby received help with a specialist. She referred us to truehope.com more natural way of treating PTSD. Hubby also takes Melatonin (hormone our body makes) for sleep which works. Reading the website is helpful even if one does not want to go natural.
I am an airforce brat, married army ( sorry Dad!).

lolabrigitta,

Thanks for the info on truehope, I'll be talking to my Doctor about it and if there is something similar available in my area. I've been wanting a more natural solution or alternatives, medication just seems to make me feel "crazy" and increases symptoms instead of suppressing them. I've tried melatonin in the past but it didn't work for me.

I wish you and your Husband all the luck with the system.