Just wondering if anyone has any current information or research on PTSD and chronic pain and meds?
I've had a chronic ptsd condition for many years, but been experiencing a lot more physical pain (arthritis, rheumatoid-like) and I know I should get to the doctor on that-- pain has been been screwing up my sleep, which in turn also amps up suceptibility to PTSD symptoms coming on.
Recently, went through a fair bit of triggering over a few weeks, and started noticing that my physiology wasn't actually re-stablizing (even checking out my BP, radical shifts going on), even though I thought it was okay (used my CBT, etc.), so I took a leftover Clonazepam from an old prescription, not only did it re-normalize ptsd-physiology (and re-checked BP, back to normal), but I discovered that I also had a lot less physical pain (which has been everywhere, upper back, shoulders, neck, to feet, knees, hips, etc.) -- noticeable difference and relief (aspirins weren't working, totally useless).
I've heard of side conditions that can arise with ptsd, including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, but I'm wondering about the physiology of "constriction symptoms" with ptsd (tightened muscles, unable to relax them, teeth grinding, etc in addition to "ready to fight" physiology) and that connection to arthritis symptoms. Frustrating because chronic pain can also increase irritabilility, restrict activity, again potential physiological (and social issues even, encouraging further avoidance) which can make ptsd symptoms more likely to act up.
I've had a chronic ptsd condition for many years, but been experiencing a lot more physical pain (arthritis, rheumatoid-like) and I know I should get to the doctor on that-- pain has been been screwing up my sleep, which in turn also amps up suceptibility to PTSD symptoms coming on.
Recently, went through a fair bit of triggering over a few weeks, and started noticing that my physiology wasn't actually re-stablizing (even checking out my BP, radical shifts going on), even though I thought it was okay (used my CBT, etc.), so I took a leftover Clonazepam from an old prescription, not only did it re-normalize ptsd-physiology (and re-checked BP, back to normal), but I discovered that I also had a lot less physical pain (which has been everywhere, upper back, shoulders, neck, to feet, knees, hips, etc.) -- noticeable difference and relief (aspirins weren't working, totally useless).
I've heard of side conditions that can arise with ptsd, including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, but I'm wondering about the physiology of "constriction symptoms" with ptsd (tightened muscles, unable to relax them, teeth grinding, etc in addition to "ready to fight" physiology) and that connection to arthritis symptoms. Frustrating because chronic pain can also increase irritabilility, restrict activity, again potential physiological (and social issues even, encouraging further avoidance) which can make ptsd symptoms more likely to act up.