PTSD and Polypharmacy

[HiOffcr]

I have been reading the forums for quite some time now, assisting other Soldiers through their MEB process. Unfortunately, I was alerted today, by my PCM, that she is recommending me for an MEB due to back issues (I will save that for another forum).

However, since the return from my most recent deployment (February) I have been being treated for PTSD by a Psychiatrist, (who seems to only care about my symptoms, not the cause.....and prescribes massive amounts of pills), and a Behavioral Health Counselor (who talks more about himself and cars than the issue at hand). My symptoms include night terrors, bouts of insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, "jumpiness", anger issues, irritability, I sometimes "see" my lost patients, and I have withdrawn to the point I have lost all friends except wife and kids. I can still do my job efficiently and get great NCOER's. I am the Unit Senior Medic, but lately the sight, or thought of blood (or simulated blood) causes an anxiety attack (a new symptom within the past 2-3 months).

Now that you have the history:
While discussing my MEB Profile, my PA went over my Rx history, which indicated the need for a Polypharmacy profile. I am currently taking Prozac, Klonopin (at bedtime), and Restoril (bedtime), Adderall (ADD....it helps me study), and Mobic. Due to having more than 4 Rx's and at least 1 having a sedative effect, I have been issued the generic Polypharmacy profile, which prohibits high risk activity. More specifically...riding a motorcycle.

So, the thing is, I have been dealing with PTSD on my own since my 1st deployment in 03. I self medicated via Alcoholism and motorcycles (not at the same time). I recently became sober, and my MC is my form of stress relief, piece of mind, solace......and to be frank, the only reason I don't go back to the bottle. It works much better than pills, at keeping me sane. Not to mention, due to my back injury, and depression, I have lost interest in almost everything I once liked.....motorcycles are the last thing I am holding on to. My plan was to cut the Klonopin and Restoril, as I gain minimal benefit, thus eliminating the profile. When speaking with my Counselor today, he recommended I suck it up and stay on the meds, as this may "enhance" a claim for PTSD during the MEB. However, if I eliminate them, he believes that I may lose this claim.

I never planned on being compensated for PTSD, as I have dealt with it for so long, it is like 2nd nature to me. But, is what the counselor says....true? If I am no longer taking my Meds, it may hurt my claim?

 

[PsychOfficer]

HiOffcr:

Welcome to the forum. First of all, consider a very frank discussion with both your psychiatrist and your counselor, and personally I would consider firing them both if you are able, and getting new providers.
It would also be worth having a psychopharmacologist consult. You are getting amphetamines and benzos - which warrants a review. (I'm not trying to practice medicine over the intertubes).
You might consider getting your counselor and psychiatrist in the same room with you and discuss this - your MC riding is a therapy in and of itself, and there should be a treatment plan that allows you to improve and do the things you love. Your counselor should be concerned about your well-being, not perfecting any potential VA claim.

As to a PTSD claim, it depends on your symptoms and functioning. I have seen veterans awarded (even from Vietnam era) who never received any kind of treatment. I am sure some documented treatment helps, but mostly in the form of documentation of your difficulties, rather than how many meds you are on.

So, to summarize - get with your providers and get them in sync with your goals, or get new ones. Changes in meds or treatment plan will only help you, and won't impact your claim. If you improve, its a win.

Best wishes...Bob (1st Med Bde, 44th Med Bde Afghanistan)

 

[ceilingfan]

Ultimately, it's on you whether or not you take your meds...regardless of whether or not you are prescribed them.

 

[Warrior644]

I have been reading the forums for quite some time now, assisting other Soldiers through their MEB process. Unfortunately, I was alerted today, by my PCM, that she is recommending me for an MEB due to back issues (I will save that for another forum).

However, since the return from my most recent deployment (February) I have been being treated for PTSD by a Psychiatrist, (who seems to only care about my symptoms, not the cause.....and prescribes massive amounts of pills), and a Behavioral Health Counselor (who talks more about himself and cars than the issue at hand). My symptoms include night terrors, bouts of insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, "jumpiness", anger issues, irritability, I sometimes "see" my lost patients, and I have withdrawn to the point I have lost all friends except wife and kids. I can still do my job efficiently and get great NCOER's. I am the Unit Senior Medic, but lately the sight, or thought of blood (or simulated blood) causes an anxiety attack (a new symptom within the past 2-3 months).

Now that you have the history:
While discussing my MEB Profile, my PA went over my Rx history, which indicated the need for a Polypharmacy profile. I am currently taking Prozac, Klonopin (at bedtime), and Restoril (bedtime), Adderall (ADD....it helps me study), and Mobic. Due to having more than 4 Rx's and at least 1 having a sedative effect, I have been issued the generic Polypharmacy profile, which prohibits high risk activity. More specifically...riding a motorcycle.

So, the thing is, I have been dealing with PTSD on my own since my 1st deployment in 03. I self medicated via Alcoholism and motorcycles (not at the same time). I recently became sober, and my MC is my form of stress relief, piece of mind, solace......and to be frank, the only reason I don't go back to the bottle. It works much better than pills, at keeping me sane. Not to mention, due to my back injury, and depression, I have lost interest in almost everything I once liked.....motorcycles are the last thing I am holding on to. My plan was to cut the Klonopin and Restoril, as I gain minimal benefit, thus eliminating the profile. When speaking with my Counselor today, he recommended I suck it up and stay on the meds, as this may "enhance" a claim for PTSD during the MEB. However, if I eliminate them, he believes that I may lose this claim.

I never planned on being compensated for PTSD, as I have dealt with it for so long, it is like 2nd nature to me. But, is what the counselor says....true? If I am no longer taking my Meds, it may hurt my claim?

Again, welcome to the PEB Forum!

From my experiences within the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process, the DoVA C&P Examination behavioral health clinician was more interested in the total number of medication, type of medication, and disproving PTSD symptomatology than social and occupational mental health functionality impairment as evident by the "Anxiety NOS" medical diagnosis and under-rated/erroneous C&P Examination result report.

Moreover, the C&P Examination "smelly material floating at the bottom of the toilet" clinician's unwarranted and unjustified actions assisted in the poorly written NARSUM/DA Form 3947 by the DoD IDES MEB physician. Due to being the receiptant of a poorly written NARSUM/DA Form 3947 and underrated/erroneous DoVA C&P Examination report, I evoked my DoD IDES legal rights via assistance of the DoD IDES process SMEBC.

To that extent, I requested and received a favorable IMR recommendation then submitted a MEB Soldier's appeal and received a follow-on successful decision. Again, see my signature comments for exact DoD IDES processing timeline.

With that all said, I offer that you remain positively proactive proactive throughout the DoD IDES IDES MEB/PEB process to ensure the best solution(s) for yourself and your loved ones.

More importantly, please perform the necessary treatments/actions to continue a healthy behavioral health lifestyle now and into your post-military endeavors; no health, limited life!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!