PTSD

[charl72]

I posted about this last week, so some of you may have read my last post. At present I see a Psychologist every couple of months or so. At my last appointment, she told me that she thought I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after my daughter being diagnosed with CF.

To cut a long story short, she asked me if I wanted her to attend the next CF Clinic with me and my daughter in January to see what goes on there. I agreed to this. One of my main anxieties at the CF Clinic is cross-infection. At the last appointment, the Physio did bubble blowing. I told her the last time we saw her, that I would prefer if she opened a new bubbles, because I was worried about cross-infection. She told me that she cleaned the stick in the bubbles between every patient. I explained to her that I still wasn't happy and would prefer it if she opened a new one. Anyway, she did it again last time, and I reminded her that I would like her to open a new one! She did so I was happy. My Psych told me that I was running away from the problem by asking her to open a new bubbles, and that procedures were in place in the hospital, so therefore my daughter would be safe to use the used bubbles! I really don't think they understand me. I'm not a germophobic (sp?) but I experience high anxiety when I visit the CF Clinic, which I reckon is normal, if normal is the right word?! Basically, the Psych thinks I can overcome my PTSD if they try and help me. Any suggestions?! Aaaagh.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

I also told my Psych that I found appointments very stressful, as the room that we see the Doc in at the Clinic was the room that they told us our daughter had CF. Anyway, the last couple of clinic appointments, we only have the Doc and the Nurse present, and we see the Physio, Dietician, separately before we go in. The Psych also told me that I was running away from the problem by doing this! If I were running away I wouldn't be able to physically go to the CF Clinics. I just find it less stressful if there are less people present in the room. Hope this makes sense, I'd be grateful for any advice. Thanks.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[charl72]

I posted about this last week, so some of you may have read my last post. At present I see a Psychologist every couple of months or so. At my last appointment, she told me that she thought I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after my daughter being diagnosed with CF.

To cut a long story short, she asked me if I wanted her to attend the next CF Clinic with me and my daughter in January to see what goes on there. I agreed to this. One of my main anxieties at the CF Clinic is cross-infection. At the last appointment, the Physio did bubble blowing. I told her the last time we saw her, that I would prefer if she opened a new bubbles, because I was worried about cross-infection. She told me that she cleaned the stick in the bubbles between every patient. I explained to her that I still wasn't happy and would prefer it if she opened a new one. Anyway, she did it again last time, and I reminded her that I would like her to open a new one! She did so I was happy. My Psych told me that I was running away from the problem by asking her to open a new bubbles, and that procedures were in place in the hospital, so therefore my daughter would be safe to use the used bubbles! I really don't think they understand me. I'm not a germophobic (sp?) but I experience high anxiety when I visit the CF Clinic, which I reckon is normal, if normal is the right word?! Basically, the Psych thinks I can overcome my PTSD if they try and help me. Any suggestions?! Aaaagh.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

I also told my Psych that I found appointments very stressful, as the room that we see the Doc in at the Clinic was the room that they told us our daughter had CF. Anyway, the last couple of clinic appointments, we only have the Doc and the Nurse present, and we see the Physio, Dietician, separately before we go in. The Psych also told me that I was running away from the problem by doing this! If I were running away I wouldn't be able to physically go to the CF Clinics. I just find it less stressful if there are less people present in the room. Hope this makes sense, I'd be grateful for any advice. Thanks.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[charl72]

I posted about this last week, so some of you may have read my last post. At present I see a Psychologist every couple of months or so. At my last appointment, she told me that she thought I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after my daughter being diagnosed with CF.

To cut a long story short, she asked me if I wanted her to attend the next CF Clinic with me and my daughter in January to see what goes on there. I agreed to this. One of my main anxieties at the CF Clinic is cross-infection. At the last appointment, the Physio did bubble blowing. I told her the last time we saw her, that I would prefer if she opened a new bubbles, because I was worried about cross-infection. She told me that she cleaned the stick in the bubbles between every patient. I explained to her that I still wasn't happy and would prefer it if she opened a new one. Anyway, she did it again last time, and I reminded her that I would like her to open a new one! She did so I was happy. My Psych told me that I was running away from the problem by asking her to open a new bubbles, and that procedures were in place in the hospital, so therefore my daughter would be safe to use the used bubbles! I really don't think they understand me. I'm not a germophobic (sp?) but I experience high anxiety when I visit the CF Clinic, which I reckon is normal, if normal is the right word?! Basically, the Psych thinks I can overcome my PTSD if they try and help me. Any suggestions?! Aaaagh.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

I also told my Psych that I found appointments very stressful, as the room that we see the Doc in at the Clinic was the room that they told us our daughter had CF. Anyway, the last couple of clinic appointments, we only have the Doc and the Nurse present, and we see the Physio, Dietician, separately before we go in. The Psych also told me that I was running away from the problem by doing this! If I were running away I wouldn't be able to physically go to the CF Clinics. I just find it less stressful if there are less people present in the room. Hope this makes sense, I'd be grateful for any advice. Thanks.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[Ratatosk]

I still don't think your psych understands the cross contamination issue. Most people don't have to deal with these issues. For a normal, healthy individual pseudo is no big deal. Sure there might be standards and precautions in place, but when I notice that most of the doctors and nurses don't wash their hands before the exam, I wonder what ELSE aren't they doing. I shouldn't have to remind the pulmonologist or nurse that they should wash their hands before touching my child.

I keep thinking back when DS was in the NICU and things that were done or not done, that if I'd known better, I would've spoken up about.

RTs would go from crib to crib to treat each child. They washed their hands but weren't gowned. So when they cradled a child in their arms to do CPT or nebs or change tubes or suction -- any germs or bugs that child carried was transferred onto the RTs shirt. They also went from bed to bed with the same bottle of albuterol, which they kept in pocket of their scrubs, along with extra vials of saline.

 

[Ratatosk]

I still don't think your psych understands the cross contamination issue. Most people don't have to deal with these issues. For a normal, healthy individual pseudo is no big deal. Sure there might be standards and precautions in place, but when I notice that most of the doctors and nurses don't wash their hands before the exam, I wonder what ELSE aren't they doing. I shouldn't have to remind the pulmonologist or nurse that they should wash their hands before touching my child.

I keep thinking back when DS was in the NICU and things that were done or not done, that if I'd known better, I would've spoken up about.

RTs would go from crib to crib to treat each child. They washed their hands but weren't gowned. So when they cradled a child in their arms to do CPT or nebs or change tubes or suction -- any germs or bugs that child carried was transferred onto the RTs shirt. They also went from bed to bed with the same bottle of albuterol, which they kept in pocket of their scrubs, along with extra vials of saline.

 

[Ratatosk]

I still don't think your psych understands the cross contamination issue. Most people don't have to deal with these issues. For a normal, healthy individual pseudo is no big deal. Sure there might be standards and precautions in place, but when I notice that most of the doctors and nurses don't wash their hands before the exam, I wonder what ELSE aren't they doing. I shouldn't have to remind the pulmonologist or nurse that they should wash their hands before touching my child.

I keep thinking back when DS was in the NICU and things that were done or not done, that if I'd known better, I would've spoken up about.

RTs would go from crib to crib to treat each child. They washed their hands but weren't gowned. So when they cradled a child in their arms to do CPT or nebs or change tubes or suction -- any germs or bugs that child carried was transferred onto the RTs shirt. They also went from bed to bed with the same bottle of albuterol, which they kept in pocket of their scrubs, along with extra vials of saline.

 

[Ratatosk]

I was going to add that maybe you should print off some of the information from the CFF regarding germs, etc. Show it to your psych and say to her that these are the standards that SHOULD be in place; however, I've noticed that at our clinic these things aren't done, aren't addressed.

 

[Ratatosk]

I was going to add that maybe you should print off some of the information from the CFF regarding germs, etc. Show it to your psych and say to her that these are the standards that SHOULD be in place; however, I've noticed that at our clinic these things aren't done, aren't addressed.

 

[Ratatosk]

I was going to add that maybe you should print off some of the information from the CFF regarding germs, etc. Show it to your psych and say to her that these are the standards that SHOULD be in place; however, I've noticed that at our clinic these things aren't done, aren't addressed.

 

[JRPandTJP]

I posted the last time as well. I really don't think your demands are running from "the problem." If you have PTSD it is going to be triggered whenever something similar presents itself, thus going to clinic itself will trigger the fears, anxiety ect. Even other anxiety producing events can trigger it. For me, any time I was doing something nice for myself like shopping or getting my hair done, I'd get the negative thoughts and mild anxiety. I really could do nothing about it until they gave me a tapping technique to help in the situations which produced the bothersome symptoms. Voila...after a couple times it was gone and I could go past it. The nightmares were the toughest and lingered the longest. You really need something to help break the thought pattern that is getting you to the point of anxiety/fear...maybe someone else could be of more assistance?

She may think you are trying to alleviate the "problem" by focusing on the germ thing, but she also doesn't understand CF and the cross-contamination thing. Of course you want him to be safe when he goes there and having toys in the waiting room and using the same bubbles is not healthy in my book. Ours has separate PA and non-PA days as well as tiny bubbles for each individual patients - no toys in the waiting room either. Kids don't even blow buubles right at first and some even inhale instead of blowing out -- Yuck. I agree with you and I let me kids play in mud all the time -- not a germ a phobe. At clinic different story.

I hope you are able to work through this...I understand how scary it all can be. Have you tried Reiki or massage along with counseling? It can really help unblock stuck emotions.

Hang in there...if you ever wish to talk more PM me any time.

 

[JRPandTJP]

I posted the last time as well. I really don't think your demands are running from "the problem." If you have PTSD it is going to be triggered whenever something similar presents itself, thus going to clinic itself will trigger the fears, anxiety ect. Even other anxiety producing events can trigger it. For me, any time I was doing something nice for myself like shopping or getting my hair done, I'd get the negative thoughts and mild anxiety. I really could do nothing about it until they gave me a tapping technique to help in the situations which produced the bothersome symptoms. Voila...after a couple times it was gone and I could go past it. The nightmares were the toughest and lingered the longest. You really need something to help break the thought pattern that is getting you to the point of anxiety/fear...maybe someone else could be of more assistance?

She may think you are trying to alleviate the "problem" by focusing on the germ thing, but she also doesn't understand CF and the cross-contamination thing. Of course you want him to be safe when he goes there and having toys in the waiting room and using the same bubbles is not healthy in my book. Ours has separate PA and non-PA days as well as tiny bubbles for each individual patients - no toys in the waiting room either. Kids don't even blow buubles right at first and some even inhale instead of blowing out -- Yuck. I agree with you and I let me kids play in mud all the time -- not a germ a phobe. At clinic different story.

I hope you are able to work through this...I understand how scary it all can be. Have you tried Reiki or massage along with counseling? It can really help unblock stuck emotions.

Hang in there...if you ever wish to talk more PM me any time.

 

[JRPandTJP]

I posted the last time as well. I really don't think your demands are running from "the problem." If you have PTSD it is going to be triggered whenever something similar presents itself, thus going to clinic itself will trigger the fears, anxiety ect. Even other anxiety producing events can trigger it. For me, any time I was doing something nice for myself like shopping or getting my hair done, I'd get the negative thoughts and mild anxiety. I really could do nothing about it until they gave me a tapping technique to help in the situations which produced the bothersome symptoms. Voila...after a couple times it was gone and I could go past it. The nightmares were the toughest and lingered the longest. You really need something to help break the thought pattern that is getting you to the point of anxiety/fear...maybe someone else could be of more assistance?

She may think you are trying to alleviate the "problem" by focusing on the germ thing, but she also doesn't understand CF and the cross-contamination thing. Of course you want him to be safe when he goes there and having toys in the waiting room and using the same bubbles is not healthy in my book. Ours has separate PA and non-PA days as well as tiny bubbles for each individual patients - no toys in the waiting room either. Kids don't even blow buubles right at first and some even inhale instead of blowing out -- Yuck. I agree with you and I let me kids play in mud all the time -- not a germ a phobe. At clinic different story.

I hope you are able to work through this...I understand how scary it all can be. Have you tried Reiki or massage along with counseling? It can really help unblock stuck emotions.

Hang in there...if you ever wish to talk more PM me any time.

 

[Ratatosk]

DH and I talked about this last night. We were scheduled to go to the local CF clinic today and have stopped going primarily because of the cross contamination issue. Anyway, when I mentioned the bubble thing to him he said "so what if they clean off the wand after each patient. They're blowing onto the wand and it's getting re-dipped into the bubble solution". Seemed obvious to him and to you, but even I seem to have a brain lapse at times.

On a side note, my MIL has had some heart issues lately and went for a PFT yesterday. I asked her if she made them clean the machine and if she watched them replace the mouthpiece... She (a retired nursing instructor who used to work in a TB ward), said "I just didn't want to think about it". I reminded her that maybe next time she SHOULD think about.

Again, I'm not a germaphobe by any means. Heck, I'm afraid the dust bunnies in our living room are going to revolt and attack and DS goes to preschool, swimming lessons and even a trip to the dreaded playroom at McDonalds... But clinics and hospitals are germy places...

 

[Ratatosk]

DH and I talked about this last night. We were scheduled to go to the local CF clinic today and have stopped going primarily because of the cross contamination issue. Anyway, when I mentioned the bubble thing to him he said "so what if they clean off the wand after each patient. They're blowing onto the wand and it's getting re-dipped into the bubble solution". Seemed obvious to him and to you, but even I seem to have a brain lapse at times.

On a side note, my MIL has had some heart issues lately and went for a PFT yesterday. I asked her if she made them clean the machine and if she watched them replace the mouthpiece... She (a retired nursing instructor who used to work in a TB ward), said "I just didn't want to think about it". I reminded her that maybe next time she SHOULD think about.

Again, I'm not a germaphobe by any means. Heck, I'm afraid the dust bunnies in our living room are going to revolt and attack and DS goes to preschool, swimming lessons and even a trip to the dreaded playroom at McDonalds... But clinics and hospitals are germy places...

 

[Ratatosk]

DH and I talked about this last night. We were scheduled to go to the local CF clinic today and have stopped going primarily because of the cross contamination issue. Anyway, when I mentioned the bubble thing to him he said "so what if they clean off the wand after each patient. They're blowing onto the wand and it's getting re-dipped into the bubble solution". Seemed obvious to him and to you, but even I seem to have a brain lapse at times.

On a side note, my MIL has had some heart issues lately and went for a PFT yesterday. I asked her if she made them clean the machine and if she watched them replace the mouthpiece... She (a retired nursing instructor who used to work in a TB ward), said "I just didn't want to think about it". I reminded her that maybe next time she SHOULD think about.

Again, I'm not a germaphobe by any means. Heck, I'm afraid the dust bunnies in our living room are going to revolt and attack and DS goes to preschool, swimming lessons and even a trip to the dreaded playroom at McDonalds... But clinics and hospitals are germy places...

 

[Scarlett81]

Here is my advice-

No one here knows you, or is a psychaitrist. Maybe your psych really doesn't understand, and is not dealing with this right. Maybe you really do have a serious emotional disorder-remember, I told you I have ptsd as well-and the psych is 100% right and this isn't about cf and is about germaphobia. I know from experience-when I started out with treating my ptsd, I tried to think of all types of things that I thought would solve the situation, and I thought I knew the triggers better than the doctor, I was wrong. Now I'm not saying that is you-maybe its not, and the doctor is wrong! But I'd hate for you to make that decision on your own and your ptsd get worse, I'd hate that.

My advice is-have the doctor or the social worker at the Cf clinic call your psychaitrist and discuss more about cf. The social worker at my Cf clinic did this for my therapist, b/c he didn't understand enough about cf and he also wanted the cf staff's own impression of how my mental state seemed when I was hospitalized.

If the psych isn't giving enough creedance to the cross-contamination issue, the docs and the cf center will educate her, and that will solve the problem. This will give your therapist more education about cf, and help her to determine more of what your problem really is. Believe me, I know everyone here is also speaking from experience and means well, I'd jsut hate to see you not get better b/c of mis-advice or misdirection. When it comes to emotional problems-let the experts guide you. Just my opinion.

 

[Scarlett81]

Here is my advice-

No one here knows you, or is a psychaitrist. Maybe your psych really doesn't understand, and is not dealing with this right. Maybe you really do have a serious emotional disorder-remember, I told you I have ptsd as well-and the psych is 100% right and this isn't about cf and is about germaphobia. I know from experience-when I started out with treating my ptsd, I tried to think of all types of things that I thought would solve the situation, and I thought I knew the triggers better than the doctor, I was wrong. Now I'm not saying that is you-maybe its not, and the doctor is wrong! But I'd hate for you to make that decision on your own and your ptsd get worse, I'd hate that.

My advice is-have the doctor or the social worker at the Cf clinic call your psychaitrist and discuss more about cf. The social worker at my Cf clinic did this for my therapist, b/c he didn't understand enough about cf and he also wanted the cf staff's own impression of how my mental state seemed when I was hospitalized.

If the psych isn't giving enough creedance to the cross-contamination issue, the docs and the cf center will educate her, and that will solve the problem. This will give your therapist more education about cf, and help her to determine more of what your problem really is. Believe me, I know everyone here is also speaking from experience and means well, I'd jsut hate to see you not get better b/c of mis-advice or misdirection. When it comes to emotional problems-let the experts guide you. Just my opinion.

 

[Scarlett81]

Here is my advice-

No one here knows you, or is a psychaitrist. Maybe your psych really doesn't understand, and is not dealing with this right. Maybe you really do have a serious emotional disorder-remember, I told you I have ptsd as well-and the psych is 100% right and this isn't about cf and is about germaphobia. I know from experience-when I started out with treating my ptsd, I tried to think of all types of things that I thought would solve the situation, and I thought I knew the triggers better than the doctor, I was wrong. Now I'm not saying that is you-maybe its not, and the doctor is wrong! But I'd hate for you to make that decision on your own and your ptsd get worse, I'd hate that.

My advice is-have the doctor or the social worker at the Cf clinic call your psychaitrist and discuss more about cf. The social worker at my Cf clinic did this for my therapist, b/c he didn't understand enough about cf and he also wanted the cf staff's own impression of how my mental state seemed when I was hospitalized.

If the psych isn't giving enough creedance to the cross-contamination issue, the docs and the cf center will educate her, and that will solve the problem. This will give your therapist more education about cf, and help her to determine more of what your problem really is. Believe me, I know everyone here is also speaking from experience and means well, I'd jsut hate to see you not get better b/c of mis-advice or misdirection. When it comes to emotional problems-let the experts guide you. Just my opinion.

 

[Scarlett81]

Just wanted to add-not to upset you, b/c I've already told you I've had huge success with therapy in treating my ptsd-
But ptsd is a serious mental disorder. Its not being down in the dumps, mildly depressed, or going through a rough time. Things like massages, yoga, ect will not help it. Yes those things can absolutely help with the symptoms, help your health, help your state of mind for a temporary basis. I had alot of kind, well meaning people tell me to try that stuff, to start certain vitamins, to stop eating wheat/flour, you name it-But its not the answer. I'm only saying this b/c not alot of people are familiar with the causes and seriousness of ptsd-they think its just another disorder. I know thats what I thought at first-that it wasn't a real "disorder" just a fancy name for old fashioned depression.

My doctor explained it to me on a chemical level-the nerve endings in your brain actually "fry" themselves. You can't control fear, normal anxiety, you can't process concern and it gets out of hand. The nerves stop connecting themselves, and the problem starts. It takes medication or therapy or both to start getting the nerves to connect again.

I feel for you so much. I've been there. I remember so vividly the feeling of not knowing what to do, where to turn, not understanding if the doctor was right or wrong. Now, maybe I'm totally wrong with you-I HOPE SO! I hope this isn't ptsd and its related solely to your childs illness, and you find a way to cope. But just is case it isn't only that-please ask your doctors to talk to eachother.<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[Scarlett81]

Just wanted to add-not to upset you, b/c I've already told you I've had huge success with therapy in treating my ptsd-
But ptsd is a serious mental disorder. Its not being down in the dumps, mildly depressed, or going through a rough time. Things like massages, yoga, ect will not help it. Yes those things can absolutely help with the symptoms, help your health, help your state of mind for a temporary basis. I had alot of kind, well meaning people tell me to try that stuff, to start certain vitamins, to stop eating wheat/flour, you name it-But its not the answer. I'm only saying this b/c not alot of people are familiar with the causes and seriousness of ptsd-they think its just another disorder. I know thats what I thought at first-that it wasn't a real "disorder" just a fancy name for old fashioned depression.

My doctor explained it to me on a chemical level-the nerve endings in your brain actually "fry" themselves. You can't control fear, normal anxiety, you can't process concern and it gets out of hand. The nerves stop connecting themselves, and the problem starts. It takes medication or therapy or both to start getting the nerves to connect again.

I feel for you so much. I've been there. I remember so vividly the feeling of not knowing what to do, where to turn, not understanding if the doctor was right or wrong. Now, maybe I'm totally wrong with you-I HOPE SO! I hope this isn't ptsd and its related solely to your childs illness, and you find a way to cope. But just is case it isn't only that-please ask your doctors to talk to eachother.<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">