![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 24 to 48 of 48. Go back in thread:
Posted by mark anthony foott on February 3, 2006, at 12:38:19
In reply to Re: please be civil » mark anthony foott » vainamoinen, posted by Dr. Bob on February 2, 2006, at 22:35:48
First of all, please allow me to apologise if I have inadvertently upset anyone. If I was sounding flippant to you, then please let me assure you that I wasn't meaning to be.
What I'd like you to try to understand, is that circumstances in this life are so diverse to what I "presume" your's to be? At this moment in time, I am currently in possession of a load of dreams, but very little else?
I went wrong in life, but it was for a purpose.
I had to gain an empathy with the lowest "caste" in this life, namely, the homeless. Before God had me embark on this what I can only describe as a mission, I was leading the proverbial family life. A wife and two children later, I am well and truly screwed! At this moment in time I'm armed with only words. Words in poems,words in letters, and words in cyber talk,
My life has had to change immeasurably to get me to exactly where I am now. If I hadn't gone through so much crap in this existence, then I'd surely be still stuck in the same rut that I had spent all of my life in. That rut took everything from me. I was left feeling like my head was empty most of the time. But then God's plan kicked in for me, and it has been so life changingly awesome at times.
Only around 8 yrs ago, I was living in a life of nothing but ignorance and self doubt. I had no conception whatsoever what God was, and was <I suppose> content to randomly meander through that life. Things had to change radically so that I would wake up and smell the coffee. God wasn't going to make it easy for me, but I've been blessed in the fact that I have never been given more than I could stand.
This journey I've been on has took me to some weird and some cool places, and the people that I've met on my travels, have been cool, not so cool, different, and indifferent, but I have had the chance to learn so much. So much more than if I had been left in my dreamlike marital state.
How can a homeless fella living on the streets of Bath, suddenly find himself homeless, and on the streets of Seattle U.S.A.? Let me try to explain a little.
I was in the city of Bristol with a woman who I had met in Plymouth, we split up, and I ended up walking the few miles to Bath. I was dejected and didn't have a penny in my pockets. I had never been to bath, and had no idea of the special history that is assigned to it through the annals of time.
I arrived in Bath at the end of august 2001, and within a fortnight had witnessed the horror of 911 in New York. Even though I'm English and was far away from the states, I felt the absolute shock of what was happening in America. I remember watching the T.V. in a homeless shelter in Bath, called Julian House, and every single person in the place was in some kind of shock. I vividly remember those poor poor people who were faced with the only option available to them? Jump, or burn!! That day made an impression on not only the U.S., but on every single Christian based country on the planet. No more shocking event<in a peaceful country>had ever taken place, and to be honest, it's hard to envision anything more devastatingly tragic.
It was to be another year almost, before I was to end up in America, and here's how it happened.
I met a fella called Owain, and owain was to be the tool that God would ultimately use to get me to where he wanted me. Owain was aware of the strange events that had been surrounding me, and he was also aware that I felt that God wanted me to get to America to write a book.
Look, if I'm going to tell you my story, I'd like to know that someone is interested first. I don't want to be puttong a load of writing on the computer that no-one is really interested in.
If any of you would like to hear what I have to say, then please let me know, and if no-one let's me know, then I'll drop this whole thing now. I hope that that is all quite coherent to you. Goodbye for now, or forever?
Posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 13:24:45
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by mark anthony foott on February 3, 2006, at 12:38:19
No offense meant, and none taken.
In all seriousness though, you're thought processes seem similar to other people I've encountered who have mental health issues. But I'm no doctor, so maybe get yourself checked out when you have a chance. It's probably nothing. I'm just concerned is all. May good health and blessings follow you wherever you go regardless.
Posted by mark anthony foott on February 3, 2006, at 13:41:55
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 13:24:45
I've just learnt that you are one judgemental sonovabeach. How can you say "no offence" and then go straight into your speech about not being a doctor buttttttttttttttt, and give your totally unqualified opinion that I have mental problems? you certainly know how to impress a fella. Will you lend me your book after you have read it. What's it called? How to win people over in 1'00000000000000000000 easy lessons?
Posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 13:52:52
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by mark anthony foott on February 3, 2006, at 13:41:55
Again I apologize, I'm not trying to offend. This board is for people who have psychiatric disorders. That includes me. There is no shame in mental illness. And I've also been around enough family members and friends who also have psychiatric diagnoses to say that you sound like you may be in the same boat. I say may be. Just get checked out is all I'm saying. Like you would get a physical exam every year to make sure the ticker is in good working order.
I suffered for over 20 years with an incorrect diagnosis until I was diagnosed as bipolar. And I've seen family members and friends suffer greatly as well. And I don't want to see anyone else go through what I went through needlessly.
Posted by mark anthony foott on February 3, 2006, at 14:41:51
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 13:52:52
Vainamoinen. I'm sorry. I had no idea what this netsite was about. Now that I know I'm among fellow Loons, I can understand your gist a bit more.
Bi-polar, ain't that a bitch. When I was in the states,and I wanted to leave to get back to Britain, I had to take drastic action? I was in a strange country, homeless, had no i.d., and no matter what I did, it didn't seem to matter. I felt that I was almost held against my will and decided I would get the American authorities to kick me out.
I went to Nordstrom's department store in downtown Seattle, and smashed a window valued at 2 and a half grand. I was put into King county jail for 5 days, and then suddenly released? I was informed that Nordstrom's had not filed, so I was free to go. I was out back on the street in the same boat I was in before, and Had to do the same thing all over again, this time though, I smashed eleven windows, valued at 49 and a half grand. This time I signed the paper to be checked out by the local hospital. Whilst there, I was fitted with bi-polar label. Consequently though upon my return to britain, I have been informed that that diagnosis was wrong?
Posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 15:10:30
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by mark anthony foott on February 3, 2006, at 14:41:51
We prefer the term "nutjob" or "wacko" over Loon.
'Course that may be just because we don't speak English on this side of the pond.
Posted by linkadge on February 3, 2006, at 17:30:27
In reply to Re: Marijuana, posted by mark anthony foott on February 2, 2006, at 14:00:12
I think marajuanna should be legalized. It is was an effective treatment for anxiety and insomnia in me. A lot of other treatments were making things worse when marajuanna helped.
I'm not a juinkie, its use was not uncontrolled at all.
Linkadge
Posted by tizza on February 3, 2006, at 18:41:55
In reply to I agree with you mark, posted by linkadge on February 3, 2006, at 17:30:27
I think one of the biggest problems in society with smoking dope is you never know how it will affect you. It does help some people (cancer pain, chemo treatment, relaxation and creativity) but for others it can unfortunatly unleash a severe mental illness which the user never knew existed until they started smoking. It's a double edged sword like any drug but when people start flippin' out they don't realise that they are getting sicker and sicker because they have entered la la land. I'm not here to judge or make anyone uncomfortable but there is always risks with any drug, legal or illegal
Posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 18:49:00
In reply to Re: just a thought, posted by tizza on February 3, 2006, at 18:41:55
From what I've read the latest research shows animals self administer THC in a robust manner just like cocaine, amphetamine, and other drugs of abuse. Also it seems marijuana intoxication effects dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens area of the brain, also just like heroin cocaine etc. So the only reason MJ isn't regarded as a "hard" drug is because it's elimination from the body is so slow that detox is not dramatic.
Posted by linkadge on February 3, 2006, at 19:03:49
In reply to Re: just a thought, posted by tizza on February 3, 2006, at 18:41:55
There is a lot of controversy about these assertions. The question as to weather or not marajuanna ever caused the illness or weather somebody with the illness was drawn to the drug.
I'm not saying it is without side effect, but perhaps some of the psychological side effects could be separated from the positive psychological effects.
It made me mildly paranoid, but the improvement in sleep and anxiety seemed to well outweigh the side effects.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on February 3, 2006, at 19:16:05
In reply to Re: just a thought, posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 18:49:00
Self administration of marajuanna is not identical to self administration of cocaine. There are similarities in that yes it does increase dopamine in the neucleus accumbens but so what, so does coffee. That effect in itself is not enough to dismiss the drug. Keep reading.
There are clear differences. With cocaine you can die from heart failure, dehydration, anorexia, stroke etc, whereas many of these complications are nonexistant with marajuanna. A rat will substitue cocaine for food and sleep, but a rat will not substitute marajuanna (or opium for that matter) with food or sleep. In addition, marajuanna seems to confer overall neuroprotective effects. There are derivitives of cannabis in the pipelines in attempts to halt alzheimers and parkinsons progression.Many of the medicinal effets of marajuanna are probably unrealted to its effects on neucleus accumbens dopamine. It acts as a multiple serotonin agonist/antagonist, which may be responsible for anti-anxiety, and anti-nausiant effects.
In addition, marajuanna reduces the activity of the HPA axis, and reduces cortisol, something that cocaine does not do.
Finally, Marajuanna is unlike many other drugs of abuse in that it actually promotes hippocampal proliferation, an effect which is similar to virtually all other antidepressant compounds.
See:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=32033&nfid=rssfeeds
I am not a druggee by any strech of the imagination. To lump marajuanna in with other drugs is a bad idea.
Linkadge
Posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 19:26:08
In reply to Re: just a thought » vainamoinen, posted by linkadge on February 3, 2006, at 19:16:05
I must admit I'm recovering from marijuana addiction so I have a biased opinion.
Posted by tizza on February 3, 2006, at 20:02:02
In reply to Re: just a thought, posted by vainamoinen on February 3, 2006, at 19:26:08
I haven't been able to touch it for over 10 years. It sends me into unbelievable paranoia and extreme anxiety which then leads to full blown panic attacks which lasted for days. I am one of the statistics for whom it is very bad and have suffered from depression and anxiety on and off for the last 12 years now. Even the smell of it makes my heart race and I have had 2 friends institutionalised from it with extreme psychosis but, I still know people who smoke and will till the day they die and they are fine
Posted by Responsible_Citizen on February 4, 2006, at 0:43:05
In reply to Re: just a thought, posted by tizza on February 3, 2006, at 20:02:02
Interesting thread...You learn that people can be quick to judge, then later recant their judgmental statements and apologize. Seek first to understand before judging someone. Many times we preemptively impose judgments solely for the purpose of protecting our ego. We think we know what we're talking about, when in fact, we know nothing at all.
Mark was itching to express his opinion on a topic for which many of us share a common interest. He had something on his mind. So, in retrospect, we ought to have just "listened" without passing judgment.
To the wimpy hypocrites and naysayers, shame on you all.
QED
Regarding marijuana, I agree with Mark and Linkadge, et al. It possesses both medical value and the capacity to cause harm; here is your double-edged sword. Yeah, some people shouldn't use it. Fortunately, we have a brain that can decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks. In any case and until it's decriminalized, if that day ever comes, the botton line is that marijuana is still placed firmly in schedule one per the Controlled Substances Act. So, it's a prohibited substance that US citizens cannot use, cultivate or distribute. This is the case even if it's use is approved and recommended by a physician.
Personally, and if it pleases this forum, I do think that marijuana possesses legitemate medical value. This is true especially by virtue of medical-necessity for those who suffer from painful conditions who continue to experience intractable pain after exhausting all viable alternatives.
Posted by fenix on February 4, 2006, at 3:27:46
In reply to Re: Wimpy hypocrites and naysayers and Marijuana, posted by Responsible_Citizen on February 4, 2006, at 0:43:05
Mark spits out incoherant babble, and you all know that. Maybe people could better respond to him if they undertsood what the f*ck he was talking about.
Posted by tizza on February 4, 2006, at 5:57:17
In reply to Re: Wimpy hypocrites and naysayers and Marijuana, posted by fenix on February 4, 2006, at 3:27:46
> Mark spits out incoherant babble, and you all know that. Maybe people could better respond to him if they undertsood what the f*ck he was talking about.
Fenix, we all have to live in a world where people express different views and opinions. It's what makes the world go around, this is a place to express how you are feeling and sometimes people get heated, but try not to judge people no matter how delusional they may seem to you. We all have to stick together, we are all coming from different places in time and different head spaces. Let's stick together on this and accept different views to gain from other experiences.
Posted by linkadge on February 4, 2006, at 9:05:09
In reply to Re: Wimpy hypocrites and naysayers and Marijuana, posted by fenix on February 4, 2006, at 3:27:46
It is not a requirement for posting that we need to have perfect grammar.
I think his situation raises a point. Many people who do promote marajuanna are received poorly. We lump them into a category and judge their oppinions accordinly. Good people don't use illegal drugs. I've use marajuanna for ailments that pharmacudical drugs were meant to aid.
Consider Effexor. It is used these days as a popular antidepressant and antianxiety agent. But if I take it, I can't concetrate, sleep and I loose my appetite. So I may use a pinch of marajuanna. It helps the anxiey and insomnia, and it does lift my mood. Sure, I'm a little dumber the next day, but much less so than if I took say, a TCA.
I hope that it, or some form of it, will be available soon for psychiatric disorders.
Note, THC mimics endocannabanoids like anandamide. There is an anandamide reputake inhibitor in the pipelines for anxiety disorders.
Linkadge
Posted by Dinah on February 4, 2006, at 10:06:50
In reply to Re: Wimpy hypocrites and naysayers and Marijuana, posted by fenix on February 4, 2006, at 3:27:46
> Mark spits out incoherant babble, and you all know that. Maybe people could better respond to him if they undertsood what the f*ck he was talking about.
Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down.
Dr. Bob has asked you to be civil before, so I'm going to have to block you for a week.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above posts, should of course themselves be civil.
All deputy actions are subject to review by Dr. Bob, and if you wish to appeal this decision, please contact him by email. His email address is at the bottom of each page.
Dinah, acting as deputy for Dr. Bob
Posted by Dinah on February 4, 2006, at 10:10:23
In reply to Re: Wimpy hypocrites and naysayers and Marijuana, posted by Responsible_Citizen on February 4, 2006, at 0:43:05
> To the wimpy hypocrites and naysayers, shame on you all.
Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down.
Also, if everyone could please remember to change the subject line in posts that have been deemed uncivil?
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above posts, should of course themselves be civil.
All deputy actions are subject to review by Dr. Bob, and if you wish to appeal this action, you may do so on the Administration board or by email.
Dinah, acting as deputy for Dr. Bob
Posted by wanttobhappy on February 4, 2006, at 23:08:24
In reply to Please be civil » Responsible_Citizen, posted by Dinah on February 4, 2006, at 10:10:23
I believe marijuana can be medicinal and should be legalized, BUT legalized as a med. You would need a perscription and have to go to the pharmacy to get it. Many meds have bad side effects for some people and from past posts I would say the same goes for MJ. My biggest concern is there has been many reports of drug dealers lacing MJ with meth to form an addiction in first time users. Unsuspecting people with the it's just MJ attitude could be introduced to something much different. So my suggestion is if you don't grow it and know what goes into it DON'T smoke it.
Just my opinion.
Best regards to all,
wtbhappy
Posted by Larry Hoover on February 4, 2006, at 23:12:05
In reply to Re: Wimpy hypocrites and naysayers and Marijuana, posted by Responsible_Citizen on February 4, 2006, at 0:43:05
> Regarding marijuana, I agree with Mark and Linkadge, et al. It possesses both medical value and the capacity to cause harm; here is your double-edged sword.
It is sad, though, that the "capacity to cause harm" issue has been so thoroughly exaggerated in such classic productions as the film "Reefer Madness".
As a recent inductee into the world of medical marijuana, I can look upon the subject with more than hypothetical perspective. I perceive a similar dose/response issue as seen with opiate drugs. If the dose is titrated closely to symptoms, the likelihood of psychoactive side effects is very small. For example, I have had no uptick in hunger or food-directed behaviours (i.e. the Munchies). And, should there be a minor excess in intake, the side effects of calm and peacefulness are not too onerous. Lord help us, that we might find a treatment that is actually pleasant!
I do regret that not all people exposed to cannabis have positive or pleasant experiences, but some consideration of the issues of set and setting may minimize that likelihood. In this instance, set refers to mindset, the cognitive variables that define state of mind. The setting is the environment within which one is exposed to the drug. There are surely situations which are not conducive to pleasant experiences. Unfortunately, the fear of criminal sanction might itself irrevocably taint any possible experience, and destroy beneficial effects.
All I know is that with cannabis added to my polydrug pain treatment, I can now state that I have left the world of the merely surviving, and have rejoined the realm of the living. I am obtaining restorative sleep, and have nearly entirely lost the onerous digestive tract symptoms accompanying the opiates. Moreover, adverse cognitive effects of Lyrica are similarly reversed. I no longer have a significant difficulty with speech production, for example.
I have only begun to recover, though, and the pain is still just as strong as before. It just isn't so onerous. I struggle with how to phrase that. In any case, I am now "cautiously optimistic" with respect to my prognosis.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on February 4, 2006, at 23:27:32
In reply to Re: Wimpy hypocrites and naysayers and Marijuana » Responsible_Citizen, posted by Larry Hoover on February 4, 2006, at 23:12:05
I didn't mean for my post to use that earlier subject line field. My apologies.
Lar
Posted by James K on February 5, 2006, at 1:16:09
In reply to Re: My apology, subject line supposed to be edited, posted by Larry Hoover on February 4, 2006, at 23:27:32
I'm putting this here rather than the substance board, becuase much of the discussion as centered on pot (i'm going to call it that because it is short and I can spell it) has been as its use a medicine. Crazy thing is my first experience was about 12 years old and sneaking out of friends house and watching the Wall at the midnight movies. So I am biased. I was disturbed from day one. But, A few years ago. My wife and I decided it might be legitimate for my alcholism and anxiety, insomnia, anger, etc. After some too intense experiences, I found it to work in very small doses mixed with roll-your-own tobacco. The tobacco (sp) was good for U.C. and the pot gave me hunger and naps. the bad part was I was totally into very intense Japanese horror films and the graphic violence and cynicism drifted into my mindset. So, I do believe if your are going to "open your mind" you need to be careful of what you (I) put in. I have enough bad ideas, I don't need the heightended sensation of letting it all in without filters. My only negative towards the subject. be aware of how you are affected and be careful what you put in. comedies are a good idea. I don't know how this relates to the thread anymore, because once again, I am drunk.
James K
Posted by mark anthony foott on February 5, 2006, at 9:03:42
In reply to stuff about marijiuana as medecine., posted by James K on February 5, 2006, at 1:16:09
Hello to you all again, and greetings.
I had the thought to write out to you a letter that i wrote yesterday, but I've now decided against that, and instead i'll just wing it.
The comments<good and bad>from you all have been very interesting indeed.The negative words that some people have used, have been simply that, Negative!! But the positiveness of some of you has been a breath of fresh air.
I'm sorry that Fenex haas been blocked for a week, but hey, that's the way the cookie has to crumble! I hope fenex comes back on next week, and I'd like whoever Fenex is, to know that I forgive Him/Her/or indeed, It, for the words that were supposed to get under my skin, and ruffle my feathers.
Linkage, thank you for your wise words, the debate for m.j legalisation would gain some much needed momentum with a feww more like you on the case.
Hands up anyone here who thinks that pot may have been given to us from a "Higher Power? such as Aliens maybe? Wow that's surprising, I'd have thought that there were a lot more sceptics than that?
I don't just simply "believe" in life from another planet, I have seen the ship, or at least one of the ships that they dwell in. I saw this brilliant sight in daytime hours in England, and then witnessed a sighting in Seattle, so I have no doubt whatsoever in their existence.
I am a truly gifted person? I am gifted with the fact that I have an immunity to almost all the drugs of this world. I have tried heroin on the foil a few times, and i have tried it in a needle once. A friend of mine administered the syringe to me, and instead of getting the "buzz" that addicts get, I got absolutely nothing. It was just as if I had not had anything at all.
I am also immune to the effects of crack cocaine, as I have never had a "buzz" off that either. I can't help believing that if a group of scientists got hold of me, then they could do something remarkable, and actually invent an instant cure for heavy addiction. This is only what I feel, and of course you are equally allowed to give my claim derision and scorn.
I feel that I have been presented to this world for a reason? i feel that God has plans for good for me <Jeremiah 29-11>, and I believe that those plans are ultimately going to come to fruition. I can't envision anyone on this planet being able to put up an effective enough argument against what I am saying. Oh don't worry, I can hear all of the sceptics giving their totally unseeing and biased opinions now, but it fails to flummox me at all.
What, just what, if I am right about this what I'm saying. What if my body actually contains the answer to drug dependency. Now that would be a real coup for medical science, and I would give my 100% co-operation in getting the much needed results. If I could be used somehow, to bring about the termination of addiction for even one person, then I feel that everything would then be validated, and given due perspective. Just because I don't fit into the category of most peoples perception of normality, doesn't mean that "they" have to be right.
I don't know what I should do with the information that is in my mind, and I'm not particulary bothered. If anyone ever approaches me with some kind of "plan" then I will do my best to get the damn thing done, but like the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water etc"
Well folks, that's about all for now, but I look forward to your comments.
Posted by gardenergirl on February 5, 2006, at 18:40:43
In reply to Re: stuff about marijiuana as medecine., posted by mark anthony foott on February 5, 2006, at 9:03:42
> for the words that were supposed to get under my skin, and ruffle my feathers.
Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused. You were asked to be civil by Dr. Bob, so now I'm blocking you from posting for a week.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Dr. Bob has oversight over deputy actions, and he may decide on a different action.
Follow-ups regarding these issues, as well as replies to the above post, should be directed to Admin and should of course themselves be civil.
Regards,
gg acting as deputy for Dr. Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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