How long does PTSD last?

[CC49]

I've been diagnosed with PTSD after an accident I was in several years ago. I experienced anxiety for several months after the accident, then it went away with the help of an Zoloft. Now, it's come back and I've been shaking with headaches and adrenaline surges for the past 2 months. I can't sleep without ambien. I can't watch TV without shaking...the sound is messing me up. Bright lights mess me up, too....and ibuprofen isn't touching these headaches. The Dr. keeps increasing my antidepressant, but it's not helping. I'm also taking therapy and so far, it's not helping. I'm losing hope....why does this continue on....is there no cure? Should I be talking to a specialist instead of a GP? Should I try a different antidepressant?

 

[JeanPierre]

Welcome here!
I'm so sorry you feeling so bad.
Best luck!

 

[lucasso]

Hi, it's been a while since you posted, how are things now? Reading your post you have been through a tremendous ordeal, I do hope you are ok.

 

[BlueWater]

I feel the same after a traumatic injury in 2017 and a difficult surgery in 2018. The recovery was so hard. I spent too much time before and after in bed that I began to develop panic attacks just from being near my bedroom. I had Insomnia, weight loss, stomach aches and felt like I was breaking inside. My GP called in Klonopin and sent me to talk therapy. Klonopin was my miracle. A year later I still take it at bedtime. I take a mood stabilizer called Lamotrigine in the morning; it somehow mutes triggering memories. The memories are still there but they don't linger near the surface like they used to. If you have pain from your accident as I still do from my operation, then there's Pregabalin which helps my anxiety along with my pain. Just my humble opinion but you might need meds other than an anti-depressant or to add something to your anti-depressant. I've never tried Seroquel because my GP has left it as a last resort, but I've read that even a small dose helps people in our situation. There are also beta blockers; some people take Propranolol for anxiety. I took it many years ago for a heart arrhythmia; it worked fantastically for quelling the physical side effects of anxiety.

I'm not trying to advertise or push meds, just tell you what's helped me. I've heard EMDR therapy helps but never tried it. You may want to look into that. I hope all of this helps you.

 

[24thMAU]

I've been diagnosed with PTSD after an accident I was in several years ago. I experienced anxiety for several months after the accident, then it went away with the help of an Zoloft. Now, it's come back and I've been shaking with headaches and adrenaline surges for the past 2 months. I can't sleep without ambien. I can't watch TV without shaking...the sound is messing me up. Bright lights mess me up, too....and ibuprofen isn't touching these headaches. The Dr. keeps increasing my antidepressant, but it's not helping. I'm also taking therapy and so far, it's not helping. I'm losing hope....why does this continue on....is there no cure? Should I be talking to a specialist instead of a GP? Should I try a different antidepressant?

I was diagnosed with PTS in 1985 and I still have major problems/issues. Sleeping is one of them. I stay awake for 5-6 days straight and end up in the ER. They don't really do anything. I've taken every single sleep medication you can name. Ambien, sort of worked, except it made me do things in the middle of the night I regretted. Nothing else works.

I'm working with the 5th psychiatrist now and she put on Celexa. It's only been 5 weeks and seems to help somewhat (not the sleep issues though).

I guess to answer your question: It never really goes away. My symptoms have decreased, but I still have flashbacks, wake up sweating, I anger easily, and of course, I don't sleep. I made my condition worse by getting into a profession I shouldn't have and compounded the problems.