Cpl. Chad Eric Oligschlager Foundation for PTSD
Categories: Military, Stories
This piece…it hits close to home for multiple reasons. First off…I knew Chad. We weren’t the best of friends but, we were both in Weapons Company and shared the occasional meal together. That’s not the entirety of why it hits close to home though, see Chad died due to multiple drug toxicity. At last count, he’d been prescribed twelve different medications for sleep and anxiety. It hits close to home because even as cautious as I was about medications, I felt them have a negative effect on me when I dropped my pride and went for treatment.
This piece isn’t about bashing modern medicine or throwing a temper tantrum at the VA. Different things work for different people. For me, counseling turned out to be the best option, I found a solid psychologist and completely got off the medication. For some, the medication is the answer. It’s ok to have and utilize different tools for PTSD treatment. What’s not ok is remaining silent about how you’re feeling when you take a medication.
See, something many people don’t know is that Chad, truly probably saved my life through his struggles. When I was prescribed a medication that made my depression worse. I stopped taking it. I’d gave it a fair shake, took it long enough to make a difference, but all it did was drop me down and make thoughts of suicide even worse. The doctor switched meds. The next one made me feel lethargic and apathetic. We switched again. Same song different verse. Additionally, I was still having nightmares, he wanted to add another medicine.
All that while in the back of my head, what had happened to Chad replayed over and over and over and over again. More meds upon more meds…it seemed like this was the only answer, up until I said no.
I’m not a doctor. I’m not a pharmacist or a chemist. Some of these drugs have done wonderful things for many of my brothers. Some of these drugs have had horrible effects.
I hate saying this because it’s not really a great piece of advice, but you don’t really know how a med is going to affect you until it affects you, but when it does, please speak up.
Out of the six meds, I was prescribed, none of them made me feel better, they all made it worse. Unfortunately, I had Chad’s lesson to ensure that what happened to him, would not happen to me.
I do want to take a moment to reiterate, if the meds you’re taking are working for you and not making you feel worse, or changing your personality, great. I’m all for that. But if they’re not, and the answer you keep getting is a different medication every time, it’s ok to say no and to look for other legitimate forms of therapy.
If you’d like to know more about the Cpl. Chad Eric Oligschlager Foundation for PTSD and you’re in the San Antonio/Austin area, there is an event at the Old Main Icehouse in Cibolo this Friday from 4 PM to 11PM where you can get more information on multiple different resources for veterans.
Thank you for writing this! So many people are hurting and need to know that it’s okay to say “no,” if their treatment isn’t working. For PTSD in particular, psychotherapy is almost always a more effective option than drug therapy. Not to mention that PTSD is routinely misdiagnosed unless you see a practitioner who specializes in trauma. Glad to hear you found your answer!
At least learn a lesson from a tragic death. Something good should arise from a tragic loss. I’ve never heard of this Cpl Chad Eric Oligschlager the PTSD Foundation is named for and I don’t know anything about him, but my personal opinion is that too much can never be done for PTSD because we are still basically clueless. Cpl Oligschlager meant something to someone or this specific Foundation would not have come to exist. I hope it manages to help many people. God bless and keep you all.
I hit the wrong star to rate this post and it won’t let me change it to 4 stars. Excellent post! I’m so sorry for the low rating as it truly was a mistake.
Hey, Sean, don’t worry about it bud. We here don’t get too worked up over the rating system. Some people will love our stuff, others will hate it. It ebbs and flows kind of like life. We appreciate you reading because even if you did disagree, at least now you have a little bit more knowledge. 🙂 Have a good day man and don’t worry about us. 🙂
I can totally relate to this story. I currently take 15 pills a day to combat anxiety, depression, social disorder and nightmares.
Not something I am very proud to admit.
I fear to quit taking them because I was told if I quit taking my meds, the VA would assume your “cured” and cut or eliminate your compensation.
(100% T&P, and SSDI)
Not to sound like I am whining, but it is very difficult to hold down any employment.
I do not like the pills, they make me feel like half my brain has shut off. I cant concentrate or remember things, and spend most of my day sleeping or being “stoned”
My family doesn’t care for the results of taking these pills.
My VA psychiatrist doesn’t really seem to worry too much, and i have repeatedly asked to see someone else without any response.
Fortunately, I am moving soon and perhaps the next VA facility will listen more.
Sorry about dumping just wanted to let you know that I relate to your story.
I’d see what an independent mental health practitioner has to say bud. And don’t worry man, you can talk about that stuff here, we’re not, judge jury and executioner. Get the right help brother.