Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Almost everyone goes through depression at points in their life. For me learning how to move on with my life was the most important part of healing. You really need to get more help now. Even if you are not a Catholic, you should see a priest now. Some things that happened in Vietnam were bad. What happened can't be changed. If these feelings you have are a result of personal gilt, a Priest can help you bury them and learn to go on with a normal life. I know you have a lot of love in your heart because you list your most important things are your grand daughter and your dog. Both of them accept you without condition, you need to accept yourself without condition too. God Bless, Leon

Leo Perez

Thanks for the info, I think I will try that again.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Try to get some aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day. The endorphin's from exercise combats depression and it should help you sleep better. I have violent dreams sometimes, but not involving guns. But I make a fine ninja in my dreams. I don't EVER see complete faces in my dreams. I bite my tongue and cheeks sometimes just as I'm about to fall asleep. Therefore I started using a mouth guard to save my tongue and cheeks.

Halftrack

I was fortunate that when I was discharged I received great advice from a super Psychiatrist. He said for me me to tell anyone who would listen what I went through. I took his advice and reduced my PTSD to near zero.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

U.S. Army, in Vietnam '68-'69 & '71-'72, helicopter pilot. I understand your situation. So many vets just don't want to talk about it, and prefer to hold it in. The problem is that by holding all that negative stuff in, it just festers, resulting in PTSD. I truly believe that talking about the experiences with someone gets it all out, reduces the pressure to tolerable levels. No, you can't undo what's been done and experienced, but you can lessen the negative results by simply letting it go. No one will think less of you for having done so. I also agree that prayer and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is great medicine. It worked for me, and I believe it can work for you. God bless you and fare well. Oh, and thanks for your service. Welcome home, bro.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

"I need pills to sleep at night, and doze during the day. Extremely emotional and eyes tear up at any type of emotional event, activity, even hearing the National Anthem or Taps.

Don't know if it was from Viet Nam or just getting older (75 in June)

Hang in there and think good thought every day with loved ones, human or animal." Sarge69"

Get a project to keep you distracted, I mess with my cars, play with my camera gear etc. Always have a project, doesn't really matter, keep busy. I do the tread mill almost every morning or go out and walk a couple of miles or more everyday. Got extra emotional after a quad bypass, don't know why but they say it happens. Again get a project large enough to keep you mind busy. I believe that getting older does not help, to much time to think. Good luck.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Seek help as suggested above.
MSG, retired

Azboy

Don't let the VA push you around, especially if you are a combat veteran. Have you filed a claim with them? I have PTSD 70% total with permanent unemployability payed at 100%. If you were wounded go to the DAV and they will start your claim. Be prepared to go through all of it again, and leave some things out that you can use later for an appeal if needed. Get a test for agent orange it is traced back to our grandkids now. Any service organization can help you. 9th Infantry Div, down in the delta 68-69. Welcome home brother!

JustMePB Loc: Currently Indian Trail, NC.

Who at the VA told you that you do not have PTSD? (Rhetorical question). A lot depends on who you see/talk to at the VA. I had to see a psychiatrist due to meds they were prescribing for me. That psychiatrist told me I had PTSD. I've been seeing him regularly and going to classes, etc. Even suggested that I apply for VA Compensation. Was awarded 50% disability. As I said it depends on who you talk to. Ask to be reevaluated by a psychiatrist.

Azboy

Turn right around an appeal your rating. I was told this by my first VA Rep.in Roseburg, Oregon. That was 19 years ago, wow!

gary robertson Loc: Now living in Sandpont Idaho, from So. Cal

I am a VN vet and would be honored to talk to you on a personal basis. If interested here is my e-mail garywrobertson42@gmail.com
The above advise is sound but you need someone who has been there and is willing to be a friend.
Blessings Brother

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

I spent 13 months in Dong Ha very close to the DMZ and close to Highway 1. The NVA carried supply's south often on elephants. When we woke up and smelled elephants, I knew that some of us wouldn't be there that evening. That smell gave me goose bumps.

About 25 years later, I had a grandson. One weekend, we took him to the zoo. We looked at lions, tigers, hippos and all. I did avoid the elephant house like the plague.

My grandson who was about 4 wanted to see the elephants. I didn't want him to have my fear so I agreed. When we got close, I got the goose bumps and started sweating, but went in. We saw a moma elephant with a baby on a large cage. There was a railing about 10 feet from the cage. The baby had his trunk stuck through the bars and was waving it around. My grandson looked at me and said, "That's not his pee pee, Pa." He was asking more than he was telling.

I laughed and laughed and then said, that's right. Now when I see an elephant, I think of Kyle and smile. He broke the elephant curse. I am back in the world.

I have no remedy to offer other than I am shedding tears as I write this and I am ok with that. I never went to the VA and have never been diagnosed. That was probably the wrong thing but when I was discharged from the Marine Corps, I wanted to break those ties.

I will pray for you and tell you, "Welcome home."

JustMePB Loc: Currently Indian Trail, NC.

My first rating for PTSD was 30%. I did not appeal. My VSO (Monroe, NC) reopened my claim and it was changed to 50%.

redlegfrog

Ditto!

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

I admit I was in the Air Force and didn't really see the kinsd of action that most guys here did.
They mainly fired rockets at us.

Every day, try to focus on the GOOD things in your life.
Your family especially.
Replace thoughts of then with thoughts of now.

I think there is merit in the AA saying....take it one day at a time.

Good luck, I hope you find peace, soon.

We will help, as much as we can.