Mental Health Issues

Vacation!!!

feeds@yuku.com (xboricua) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:34:58 GMT

My wife always wanted to go on a cruise so finally she convinced me to go. I was paranoid all the time thinking that people were spying on me. Now I am so paranoid that the VA send someone to spy on me and now I believed that the VA found out I was on a cruise and therefore reduce my benefits for Schizophrenia. I am sorry I am always paranoid and needed to vent. I am also afraid that the VA is reading this post. I have a aunt that works for the VA and always think she is writing reports about...

Meds for PTSD

feeds@yuku.com (Stooty) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:38:31 GMT

So a while back (maybe a year ago) I was on about 6 different meds for PTSD and PTSD related issues. I started to notice that over the previous year or so, when they were jacking up my milligrams on everything and adding "new" meds that were the latest and greatest... my symptoms were getting worse and what was left of the person I used to be (which wasn't a lot) was deteriorating quickly. It seemed like if I ever went in to my PTSD group in a bad mood, or went on some rant...

UPDATE from recent CP exam HELP

feeds@yuku.com (x2cutie) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:24:27 GMT

ok, here is my update. I am currently rated at 10% for dysthymia SC. i applied for an increase so here is what the dr had to say:

Mental Status:
X was casualy and cleanly dressed, alert, cooperative, and showed good eye contact. X was somewhat irritable and appeared depressed but otherwise acted app. for situation. Orienteted to person, place, time. Psychomotor was within normal limits. Speech clear and normal volume. Affect was varied and mood congruent but...

C&P this past Friday

feeds@yuku.com (x2cutie) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:04:58 GMT

Hi everyone,

I am currently rated at 10% for dysthmia which is SC

I filed for an increase because I feel I deserve one. So I had a CP exam in cleveland on friday. I talked w/ the doctor for maybe 1 hour or so. Then I had to take a PAI and two computer tests, 1 for depression, and 1 for anxitey.

I have never had to take any of these tests before so it makes me feel like they don't believe me about the trouble I have w/ sleep and not leaving my house,...

Other Than Honorable

feeds@yuku.com (sambo) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:25:14 GMT

Hello,

I had a pre-exsisting condition before entering service.... now I'm applying for diability
......I have never used this board, so I'm trying to start off with something to say..and see "what happens"

Questions About Tests

feeds@yuku.com (jimiusmaximus) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:17:56 GMT

Hi everyone,

I went to a Gulf War Registry Psych exam today. I took a naming test where I flipped through pages of a book and named what I saw. I took another test where I had to connect a sereis of numbers and letters in order. Does anyone have any insight as to what those are all about? I'm just curious. I spent maybe 20 minutes with the counselor total. He asked me how long I was in the Army, and when I served in theater. Then gave me some tests and said have a nice day....

would the va ever cosider a mental condition treatment resistant and........

feeds@yuku.com (crescencio) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:01:52 GMT

My question is would the va ever consider a mental condition as treatment resistant and as a better treatment instead of continuing trying conbinations of drugs to just let the veterann go to therapy and give him a minimum amount of meds as to not further injure the veteran.....iam talking about a progressive mental illness that only has gotten worst and now experiencing serious mental memory problems because of all the meds in the last 8 years...................

Question about IME

feeds@yuku.com (JB) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:06:30 GMT

What is the best way to locate an IME? There are several in my area, however, no one specializes in Mental health issues. I am seeking one for a denial in service connection for depression. Can the IME be a general doctor with no psychiatry specialty, or do I need to find one that specializes in that for the VA to give it any credibility? Has anyone gone thru this?

Night Terrors

feeds@yuku.com (IntelMajAF) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:11:33 GMT

I've been having night terrors. I usually get them once or twice a week, but lately a lot more often.
I'm submitting information for my claim, so rehashing things I don't like to remember.
I joined the Air Force thinking I could avoid all the trauma my Uncle and Dad suffered, it did not work out that way.
Still waiting for a C&P. At present I'm taking Zoloft and Blood Pressure meds. My ears ring 24/7, its horrible.
Any advise? I see the doctor...

How to get Psych RN, MH Therapist To Dx Depression as SC

feeds@yuku.com (EastTxKen) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:36:16 GMT

I edited out my original post here. I choose to just let the chips fall where they may, and quit worrying about what they blame my depression on.

I'm sick and tired of the mental health questions and lies from the VA Doctors

feeds@yuku.com (jcwa) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:20:29 GMT

I'm sick of every Dr. I see feeling inclined to write some stupid remark in my med record because of how he perceives my attitude, personality, etc. Who are they to judge how happy I am supposed to be or how I should be acting. I am tired of seeing "patient is melancholic" or "he seems sad or depressed".
I went to a dental exam and was automatically scheduled for an "assessment". When I got there it was clearly not a medical assessment but more...

Anger Management Issues

feeds@yuku.com (texasglory) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:13:18 GMT

The Veterans Administration should be begin mandatory anger management skills enhancement and training classes. Anger management is both cost and human effective. The expense of an anger management course is considerably less than the costs of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and therapy and is the best, first line of defense against suicide in a continuum of care for veterans.

After the immediate initiation of anger management...

Confused about when/how to get diagnosis, etc.

feeds@yuku.com (EastTxKen) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:18:31 GMT

After trying the do-it-yourself approach to curing depression, last May I finally began going to the Mental Health unit at our local VA CBOC clinic.

First a Psych RN, and then a MH therapist have told me I'm suffering from depression. I think both understand and agree that it is rooted in my SC lumbar spine problems. I was put on Prozac and Doxepin, and I'm supposed to keep coming back for therapy.

I believe that this is definitely secondary to my SC...

neuroleptic malignant syndrome due to VA medicines............

feeds@yuku.com (crescencio) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:15:22 GMT

Has anybody ever had a problem or have been diagnosed with neuroleptic malignant syndrome due to all the mental pills you took..is this illness ratable and what should i do............

Divalproex

feeds@yuku.com (chicagobob25726) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:58:47 GMT

Does anyone take Divalproex? Last week a real DOCTOR at VA added these to my list of many other drugs I take/. They are for help with my cheery MOOD..

My VA Psychiatrist is dumb

feeds@yuku.com (wholesalecd) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:58:19 GMT

Ok, let me begin with what started out 6 months ago. My VAMC doesn't offer Bipolar Psychotherapy, only cognitive therapy in a group setting. Cognitive therapy is nice but doesn't hit the big issues that I have. I need one on one therapy.

About 6 months ago I asked for a consult to be put in for outside Bipolar Psychotherapy and I was told by my Psychiatrist he would put it in and I should hear something soon. Well, I never heard anything from the VA so I went in today to...

New pain meds aren't working...need some suggestions

feeds@yuku.com (nccscop) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:48:54 GMT

I had the doc from the pain clinic change me from tramdol to 500mg hydrocodone 5/acetaminophen and 10mg cyclobenzaprine hcl. The first week or so they seemed to work fine. Last weekend I went outside and did the usual basic yard work and my back and spine (which are SC and f**ked up) hurt like hell. I took the new meds with little relief. What used to bother me for a day or two now lasted a week until I could actual function with the pain. This put me into a crappy mental state again and...

Psyc meds

feeds@yuku.com (bayouyankee) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:49:35 GMT

Which medicines causes weight gain?

Major Depressive Disorder (Psychiatrist's Summary) Need Input

feeds@yuku.com (Ilyanir) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:50:29 GMT

I was just diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder secondary to my service connected issues. Just wondering what you guys think about this write up and what it might relate to percentage wise. My claim is currently pending in the rating board. I know it's not an exact science but any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Here's the write up:

Well, I finally got the notes from my last appointment with my psychiatrist at the VA where she diagnosed me with Major...

Diazepan/Valum again!

feeds@yuku.com (USAFsgt4) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:25:26 GMT

When does it end, ever end? Upon my visit to the MH doc at my VAMC today, I was told that I need to start taking Valum again. Sucks !!!! I used to take it in 2004, but, stopped on my own because it made me too tired and drowzy.

All the drugs, it seems like a viscious circle, sometimes !! You take the drugs to control a mental illness, but , at times the drugs effect outweighs the illness. My problems lately seems to be severe aggression. I have been treated for severe...