Cant sleep due to R.L.S Stopped taking Gabapentin 2 years ago

[josierob]

Hi there thanks for accepting me to your group.In 1980 i had a serious car accident the car i was in had no seat belts we got hit by another car and the windscreen exploded into my face. I had untreated whiplash,i had over 150 stitches and numerous slithers of glass that slowly came out of my face,I had permanent double vision .that was later partially rectified.
I was seriously assaulted with a trauma to the top of my spine from a beer bottle as a weapon.
I was in a very toxic violent relationship for 7 years ,were in that time my wife would seriously abuse me ,I stayed to make sure her children were safe .I exposed her father for sexually abusing her children and her other family children.
I was attacked and beaten by the family.
In 1994 i was kidnapped and suffer a continuous eye gauge for over 40 km as my body was upside down my face pined to the floor with his fingers.I have had alot of hypnotherapy,and it seemed to help for a while but the flashbacks and anxiety dont fade .We are now moving around Australia and every town we go to im to afraid to take my partner out and about as i dont feel mentally strong enough to deal with any violence.let alone having to be over powered again by my perpetrator.I am constantly looking around .Then my mind plays tricks is that him there im sure it is .its terrifying to deal with this every day.
For the last few years ive suffered a lot of pain in my joints and my neck .I am in the process to get teetered for all my symptoms .I have only recently researched about Fibro ,and my friend said i must get checked out .

 

[sunkacola]

You've been through a lot. As a person who has has my share of trauma, I understand. I have had PTSD to one degree or another for many years, although at this point I would self-diagnose that I no longer truly have it. I am very aware, though, that it could come back in full force very quickly if anything new happened to me, and I am daily and nightly haunted by the things I have seen and that have been done to me, resulting in chronic depression and anxiety. And, of course, fibro.

I have also been in abusive relationships, physical and mental and emotional, and cannot be around any kind of violence, or even watch it in a film. I cannot participate in an argument with anyone unless it is done completely calmly and peacefully. I was also abducted and held captive and I know what that feels like. It never leaves you, does it? I don't think it is possible for it ever to go away, as it will always be a part of one's experience. I wish I knew a cure, but I don't. I have had many kinds of therapy and some helped, but nothing makes it go away. I am haunted by all of it, as you seem to be as well.

This is not to say "don't try therapy". Do try it if you feel so inclined. but choose very carefully and be aware that you can and should stop going to any therapist who tries to push you, rush you, "break through your walls", or with whom you don't feel safe. Don't listen to anyone who says you have to do thus and so right now whether you feel ready for it or not. Treatment for PTSD has to be slow and done only with the patient feeling entirely safe. It's hard to find a therapist like that, but anyone who is not willing to take things at your pace should be avoided. It's possible for a therapist who pushes you to add to the problem, and I have experienced that more than once.

Another thing that might help is joining a group, in person when possible, or online, for people who have PTSD. Sharing experience can at least make you feel not so alone. You can post here as well and I will reply to you.

I am pretty convinced that my fibromyalgia is at least in part a result of the repeated traumas of various kinds that I have experienced. The causes of fibro are not known for sure yet. But I do know that any kind of trauma is a factor in increasing symptoms, and is thought to be a precipitating factor.
Hang in there, josierob. You are not alone in this.

 

[josierob]

Hi there Sunkacola and thank-you for your reply ,
You to have been to hell and back and as you can imagine there is more depth to my story .
Yes your so right Ive had a lot of therapy some useless and rushed ,others help full.as im 56 now and i need to think of our future ,social security here in Australia require 20 points of disability but they do not explain there strange procedure.I all so found a lot of help learning meditation ,which has helped me a lot.but the nightmares and haunting continues night after night .
Thanks for your advice i found a list of meds various doctors had tried me on over the years.so glad ive kicked them ,but now im thnking could they help me cope .and atleast get a sound sleep ,Will see a new doctor soon and see his thoughts.Iam very lucky i have a supportive family and gorgeous wife that understands my situation. Thanks again .

 

[Forgetmenot]

Omg what have you been through.abuse can not only give you fibromyalgia,it can make it hurt worse.
I could rattle on for pages about a lot of stuff,but you have been very brave to open up.I’d like to point out your not weak .in fact your bloody strong ,look at you facing life and still going ,that’s not a weak person.
Welcome here you can post anytime and we will be happy to help if we can xxx

 

[Flexecif]

Hi. I'm sorry to hear about what you've gone through. I could only imagine how horrible it was. I don't have much to say but to suggest that you get professional help. It would help if you could go somewhere different for you to forget the things in the past, though I know it would be extremely difficult.

Wishing you well.

 

[josierob]

THankyou Flexecif
Yes we sold up in the North and are now living the dream.We did go back to the town it all happened and that was scary even though i knew he was not there any more.Now in another part of the State and waiting for parents to have health updates then we are on the road again .Help is very difficult and limited when your unemployed.As most specialists charge a fortune.

Thanks for your support and advice.