[Psyc Meds]

Iwas diagnosed with PTSD by me VA Psych while I lived in Florida. I never met her face to face other then TV. She prescribed Gabbapentin and had me up to 1600mg daily. I gained 80# in one year, and also had swollen feet. When I complained, it fell on deaf ears. When I moved to Alabama, my Psych here couldn't understand why it was prescribed in the first place. I'm in the process of being weaned off (3 more weeks to go). I have no idea if another drug will be prescribed, but at least the Psych is at my clinic, if problems occur. I'm fighting major depression, suicidal instincts, and flashbacks. I filed a claim in March, and still am waiting for my C & P. One day, my turn will come....

[A Happy Day]

B) Congratulations, brother.... The long journey has finally ended. I know there are so many of us who wait for our day in the spotlight. They say good things take time, but it seems like the VA always like to extend that.

[Houston..................the Eagle Has Landed!]

Congratulations Larry... Hopefully, one day the masses of Vets will be in your position. One day our prayers will be answered...

[Something Other Than Gabapentin....]

B) My new VA Psych - since I recently moved to Alabama - read through my medical files, and then informed that Gabbapentin wasn't the medicine I needed. She said I had to be weaned off of it slowly, so she decreased it to three. I see her again on Oct. 1. She will probably cut me again. But no replacement medication has been named. Meanwhile, I carry the extra 80#, swollen leg and ankle. I wish I could wake up and this would be a nightmare. To think they put me on it, raised my doses, and was never monitored.

They did try me on gabapentin, but it made me drowsy all the time. I had a friend who was increased up to 8 gabapentin a day, he wound up weighing 400 pounds, and died in a diabetic coma. I only take klonopin at bedtime now, it works on the horrible panic attacks most of the time. I just wish i had an anti-depressant that worked, I have absolutely no interest in anything...i go from one day to the next with nothing i can look forward to enjoying..i don't like going out around people. I have several physical problems, mainly very active ankylosing spondylitis, which prohibits exercise and I am 100% PTSD. when i have to be around my children etc i feel like a hypocrite trying to show normalcy, i don't think they buy it. I really believe PTSD causes some chemical imbalance in the brain, for a full good nights sleep and a childhood day spent truly enjoying friends would be worth a lot to me, but i can always see someone worse off when i go to the VAMC. I thank God I am blessed with enough finances since if I had to be in a work environment, I would it would be all over for me.

[Arrival Of White Envelope]

B) Congrats on your victory... Like many before me, as well as after me, I too sit and wait. It's amazing he we hurry to file the claim, and then the long wait for the scruples to come.

[Something Other Than Gabapentin....]

B) Just letting you know that I finally got to see a "Real Pscych" (as opposed to a television set), and the VA has struck again. I was told by her that my prescription for Gabapentin was never needed, and can see no reason why it was ordered. I guess 50mg of Citalopram was all that was necessary. After 11 months of it, my weight rose 75#, my left leg and ankle has been swollen for that period, not to say the funky green discharge from my eyes. She is in the process of slowly weaning me off. Medicate, Medicate.....

[Something Other Than Gabapentin....]

;) Wondering minds want to know... I finally get to see my new Psych on Monday - I haven't seen one since last August, other then by TV consultations. Is there another drug that don't have the side effect of weight gain, swollen leg and ankle, and a green discharge from my eyes. I would kind of like to know the medicine he might prescribe. Let's here the good and the bad.

[Just A Thought]

;) Sounds familiar!! Been on Gabapentin since last September. I started small, and now take 1600mg daily. In that time, I have seen my Psych by TV numerous times, but never in person. I notified her about weight gain (225# to 290#) and swollen feet and legs. Social Worker seen it in person, and entered it in my records. Still no change. My yearly check-up was done by a Doctor who just started that day. I told her of the symptoms, and she said it happens only in rare cases. Quack, Quack.. I have moved to Alabama, and will see my new Psych next monday. Can't wait to see what he says. It will be a year next month, and they haven't changed it.

[Gabbapentin]

:P I'm not saying it don't work, but the side effects are my concern. My left ankle is almost like a club-foot, and my weight has went from 225# to 285#. I finally get to see my new Psych in two weeks. I'm in transition, as I have moved from Florida to Alabama. My last Pschyc just avoided the side efeects, and kept raising my doses to keep me happy.

I know it works for me cause when I miss a dose or two I feel it.

[Cancelling Prescriptions....]

Sorry for the delay. as the computer has been in the shop for two days. Anyways, THANKS for your help. She is my VA MH Physician. As she looked over my meds on the initial visit, I swore she said I would have to let them know to release me from my Florida Scripts, because they won't issue duplicates - if she re-wrote the scripts. I see her in 3 weeks, so I'll know more.

[Cancelling Prescriptions....]

I visited my new MH Doctor today, as I have moved from Florida to Alabama. As we were reviewing my Meds, she told me before she can re-issue them, I must cancel my old meds, so they won't be duplicated. Any ideas on how this is done? Must I call the West Palm VA to do this?

[Gabbapentin]

Went to my new clinic in Alabama. My MH Doctor could only adjust my Trazadone by upping to 150mg. She said only the Psych could touch the Gabbapentin and Citalopram. I see him in two weeks, as I can hardly wait too get my ankles and weight in control. Keep you posted, and Thanks all....

[Gabbapentin]

Welcome.

Sounds like you might want to request another doctor's appointment.

jmho,

carlie

I have an appointment with my new VA Clinic , as I have moved to Alabama. That's first on my agenda is my swollen feet, as well as my appetite has gone out of control since I started. They have me on 1600mg of Gabbapentin and 50mg of Citalopram, along with other pills. I hope she can lead me back to a Psych to help me with my issues. Thanks...

[Gabbapentin]

I have been diagnosed with PTSD by my VA Psych. As part of my pill regime. part of it includes taking 400mg of Gabbapentin 4 times daily. I initially started at 800mg, and worked my way up. I noticed my ankles began to slowly swell, and now I can baely recognize my left one at all. My VA doctor in Florida says it's a rare side effect, almost saying the pill isn't the cause. I had a sonar -things taken of my heart by my private Doctor, and all was well. She placed me on 25mg of Lasix to bring it down. Even when she doubled the dose, nothing doing. On my last blood test, my VA told me I was low on fluids. I hate to stop the pills, because my Psych

[Ph For Ptsd]

I am currently working on a PTSD claim from the Viet-Nam era, so I don't really know what my outcome will be. This to me is a mental type of injury, I would conclude. I alway thought the Purple Heart was a way to honor Vets who were physically injured. I think it would take away from its true meaning if you start handing them out for everything, other than what they were really meant for. I know I'm crazy, so don't give me a medal to say thanks.. Just try to fix my problem, and maybe compensate me with something. I wasn't broke when you took me, so maybe just repairing me would mean a whole lot more.

[Am I Being Over Medicated?]

I am currently waiting for a date on my C & P hearing for PTSD. I filed in early March, and my VO said its almost ready to go under review. Currently I take 40Mg of Citalopram, 1800Mg of Gabbapentine and 100 mg of Trazodone. After seeing my Psych by TV, she has now added 50 mg of Quetiapine. I haven't noticed any signs of improvement, or maybe the VA is trying to sweep it under the rug.

[In A Quandry...]

How about some advice for a Brother? I filed a claim for PTSD during March, as I previously posted. I stopped by my VO for a gab session, and asked if she could check how my claim is progressing. She said it's happening at a very rapid pace, as it's one step from being turned over for review. My problem is I have settlement on 5/30, and will be moving to Alabama. Suppose a C & P date shows up during my transition, and I miss my appointment. I don't have a new mailing address as of this time. We are going house-hunting later this coming week. Also my moving in Birmingham's jurisdiction, will I have to be at their mercy? I'm nuts now, but this making me nuttier....

[Ala For Pn Pain]

Sorry Brothers and Sisters, Somehow my post hasn't appeared. I'm being treated for PTSD, seeing my Pschy by TV, and alternating months with my Social Worker. She has me on 40ms of Citalopram, 1800mg of Gabbapentine, and 100mg of Trazodone. She said the most I can go is 2400mg on the Gabbapentine, and it used as a brain stimulator. In your case, maybe it's to mask the pain. Heck. I think you would have the ailment repaired, but I guess they feel maybe you can just sweep it under the rug. Hope you can find light at the end of the tunnel, and God Bless....

[Ala For Pn Pain]

I have talked to several Vets that swear by it.

Myself, I take 1800 mg of Gabapentin Daily. If I miss a dose, I know it real nice like.

[Fact Or Fiction....]

I have been diagnosed by my Psych and Social Worker as having PTSD. They both told me to file a claim. I went to my VO to file, and she downloaded a bunch of forms to fill out. I had 10-12 Stressor letters for her. Since I had the Viet-Nam Medal w/star, I wouln't need the letters. We filed in mid-March, and I got a letter from St. Petersburg that my claim has been received and is being processed. From what I read here, don't even begin to look for any help until at least September. As for my SSD, I had a brain tumor(non-cancerous) removed in May, 2001. Because of it, I lost the hearing 100% in my right ear, along with my equalibrioum. Two attempts later, I was approved 100%. Now with my MH, and that, I know I'll never work again.

[Fact Or Fiction....]

Has any doctor formally diagnosed you on paper with PTSD?

What is the SSA award for?

You need to file VA form 21-526 available to file or download and print at the VA web site.

You need one to one help with any suicidial thoughts.

"Is the VA just passing the buck, by telling me to call the Hot-Line, Will this hurt my case"

If you need immediate emergency care call 911 or get to any ER-ASAP if you continue to have these thoughts-

"I am having flashbacks from the Viet-Nam War. I was with a Patrol Squadron, and our job was to follow everything on the water. I saw, felt and witnessed many things as we ran operations on the various islands in the Pacific."

Unless you have awards on your DD 214 indicating direct combat with the enemy you will have to prove to the VA what in-service events caused your PTSD.

[Fact Or Fiction....]

I am reaching out for some ideas from my FRIENDS on this board. I have filed a claim with the help of my VO. I am having flashbacks from the Viet-Nam War. I was with a Patrol Squadron, and our job was to follow everything on the water. I saw, felt and witnessed many things as we ran operations on the various islands in the Pacific. Anyway, at the time I was anywhere from 17-21 years of age. Oh, to be able to turn back the hands of time... Anyway, I went to the VA for help with my problems. At that time, the waiting time was quite lengthy, because of shortage of doctors, with many seeking help. I currntly see my Pscyh by television every two months, and a social worker on the alternate months. They advised me to file a claim for PTSD. At times, I get so depressed, I get suicidal thoughts. I have informed both of them, and they documented this in my file. They told me to please call the Suicide Hot-Line when this happens, and that call will also be noted. When I did call, the girl told me at the end, I had to call the Military Suicde Hot-Line for that to happen. She said she would file by E-mail that I called, with the VA. My question - Is the VA just passing the buck, by telling me to call the Hot-Line, Will this hurt my case, and will be 100% disabled with Social Security hurt my claim? Thanks for your help, and God Bless...