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Old 02-16-2017, 03:13 PM
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,427
15 yr Member
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,427
15 yr Member
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You have it right. There is a huge overlap between the emotional trauma caused symptoms and the physical trauma caused symptoms.

It is often better to report symptoms in an experiential way.
"Doc, when I hear a loud bang, my whole body tenses up."
"When I go to bed, I wake up every hour or so, sometimes feeling terror."
"As I start to fall asleep, my head and sometimes my body jerks and wakes me up."
"I have headaches and nothing seems to give me any relief" Be careful talking about pain as many doctors know people use pain to get opiate pain meds.
btw, My doctor told me to take maximum dose aspirin (enteric so it does not irritate the stomach) and Tylenol. The combination works as good or better than codeine based meds without the groggy feeling. I have needed to take anti-inflammatory meds (OTC) twice a day for 30 years.

There are a number of things that you need to try to do for yourself because the doctors are usually helpless in these areas. The first is learning good sleep hygiene. This starts with getting up at the same time every day, even if you feel groggy. Wake up time sets the rest of your sleep system in motion. Simplifying your activities and thoughts a few hours before bed helps you mind settle down. No stressful TV or movies or loud music. There are some non-sleep meds and supplements that can be helpful. Magnesium citrate is good an hour before bed. I take a prescribed med, 600 mgs gabapentin, because my body and muscles want to be 'at the ready.' Some find 100 mgs of 5-HTP helps. (Do not take 5-HTP if you are taking an SSRI or SNRI med)

I do well having a slice of cheese on crackers or a banana with peanut butter before bed.

If you can find a sleep hygiene that you can stick with and works, you will be shocked at how it improves your day. The brain needs REM and slow wave sleep to heal and get ready for the next day. Without the quality sleep that allows REM and slow wave sleep, the brain get clogged with toxins.

Sleep posture is also very important. The subtle neck injuries common to head injuries and physical abuse can get easily inflamed from poor sleeping posture. Find a way to sleep with your head and neck straight, not tipped forward. A recliner/easy chair is my best place to sleep when I am struggling to get comfortable in bed with good posture.

I have a lot more suggestions for the future. I've been dealing with PCS for 50 years and PTSD for 17 with a lot of emotion stress the past few years.
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Mark in Idaho

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
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