Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 135128

Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

bipolar/marijuana

Posted by bpdzone2000 on January 9, 2003, at 16:35:36

I've read alot of the posts here and I am hoping to get some feedback on some of my questions regarding medication. I've been diagnosed bipolar/depression/bpd amongst others I'm sure... I hate labels... I have abused alcohol at times in my life. I believe that was a means of self medication. It has been about 5 years since I've tied one on.
I'm on depakote 1500mg, effexor 150mg, seroquel 25mg prn. I was on lithium many years ago and zoloft but I was drinking alot then. I recently tried a different mood stabilizer but it did not agree with me.
I've been for the last year and a half been taking pot as a means to stop the anxiety/depression/slow me down basically keep me from getting too high and too low. I guess I call it balance!!!!!
I am scared though because I know that it turns on me at times. Sometimes I'll not eat because I'm so busy and focused on doing things.
Then on the otherhand I'll get lazy sometimes and just sit and watch t.v.

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana » bpdzone2000

Posted by justyourlaugh on January 9, 2003, at 17:56:45

In reply to bipolar/marijuana, posted by bpdzone2000 on January 9, 2003, at 16:35:36

2000
i know this is off topic
however-how long do you remain"balanced"during the day?
you say you may forget to eat.are you high all day long-slow release?-lol
terribly afraid of pot-the aliens come a knocking at my door for my sole.
jyl

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana

Posted by bpdzone2000 on January 9, 2003, at 19:24:58

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana » bpdzone2000, posted by justyourlaugh on January 9, 2003, at 17:56:45

jyl,
thanks for writing, interesting you mention "balance". I'm o.k. most of the time in the morning. Things go from there up or down depending on my day. My mind can get real racey,It can be real disturbing thoughts that throw me into a black hole of hoplessness. I too can get real anxious all of a sudden, and feel like I want to just explode with anger. I am scared to allow these feelings come out because I feel like I am going to go crazy or do something stupid. These feelings get very intense and I am very ashamed of them.
Pot takes the edge off the anger/depression.

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana

Posted by TomG on January 10, 2003, at 21:57:57

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana, posted by bpdzone2000 on January 9, 2003, at 19:24:58

I have bipolar II and I'm pretty sure of the diagnosis. I have delusions and extreme paranoia when I smoke marijuana. My thoughts seem to race and my psychiatric symtoms seem to increase. All of them. Have any of you ever heard of marijuana affecting someone in this way with bipolar disorder? Maybe you have experienced this yourself. Most people with bipolar disorder that I have read about have good results from smoking marijuana. I'm starting to question my diagnosis because of this. Thats paranoia in itself!

Tom

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana

Posted by jesus on January 11, 2003, at 1:43:48

In reply to bipolar/marijuana, posted by bpdzone2000 on January 9, 2003, at 16:35:36

Im not one of those morons who immediately bash pot b/c its 'immoral' or whatever..in fact i light up sometimes myself..but pot is notorious for causing paranoia, laziness, and even bi-polar and schizo-like symptoms over time. Alot of this is due to the how the drug interacts with the myelin sheath and somehow this affects the messages that get sent down the axon...so, im sure cutting down on the grass would help alot..

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana-does any of this make sense?

Posted by bpdzone2000 on January 11, 2003, at 9:18:01

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana, posted by jesus on January 11, 2003, at 1:43:48

thank you for the feedback. I can see pot causing some paranoia if done to the extreme. I do experience some self doubts when I smoke and I do have a tendency to self criticise. I also feel like a hypocrite when I smoke and then I turn around and tell other's that the feelings will pass and that they can get through it.
I am one of those prople that can't walk the walk. I sure can talk the talk, if you know what I mean.
Bottom line I know I have to make the decision to try and get through life on life's terms. That scares the shit out of me because I feel like at times I'm going to breakdown and/or explode.
I have to run from feelings because I don't think I can handle them. I feel like I have to be locked up somewhere in order to come off pot. I feel like a weak person. I have many friends that just stopped doing mood altering substances and got through it. I'm scared and I feel like I'm this big looser and can't do it.
This weakness makes me feel worse than than I feel like I need more pot just to get over that feeling.
Does any of this make sense???

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana » TomG

Posted by worrier on January 11, 2003, at 19:31:51

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana, posted by TomG on January 10, 2003, at 21:57:57

> Can't speak to the effects of marijuana on bipolar disorder,as this is not my problem. But, for many years I self-medicated with pot for my anxiety/panic disorder and it was actually very effective until the day when out of the blue it became an instant trigger for severe panic attacks...absolutely cannot touch the stuff now without and instant panic. So, who knows...sounds like it might be making your problem worse now, even if it didn't at other times in your life.

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana :Question for jesus

Posted by bpdzone2000 on January 11, 2003, at 21:53:21

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana, posted by jesus on January 11, 2003, at 1:43:48

Very interesting information regarding marijuana can cause symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar... Can you help me get more info on that?

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier

Posted by bpdzone2000 on January 11, 2003, at 22:03:57

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana » TomG, posted by worrier on January 11, 2003, at 19:31:51

So true!!! "The day it became a TRIGGER" Yes, this too has happened for me.
Initially it is the quick release and then "WHAMMY" it hits and all symptoms increase.
How on earth did you quit????
It is, so I think my security blanket. I am so so so so scared to let it go!!!!
thanks

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier » bpdzone2000

Posted by worrier on January 13, 2003, at 19:10:54

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier, posted by bpdzone2000 on January 11, 2003, at 22:03:57

>Stopping was really hard and to be honest I "test" myself every now and then to see if the bad reaction might perhaps be gone...no such luck. The horrible panic just finally overcame any positive effects. I know how you feel about being scared to let it go, but I really think it's probably causing you more harm than good. It was sort of a sad realization for me. Good Luck! Worrier.

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier

Posted by Dee C on January 14, 2003, at 16:17:02

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier, posted by bpdzone2000 on January 11, 2003, at 22:03:57

I remember like it was yesterday. For me pot was a way to escape life. I couldn't go a day without a joint. Yeah I tried other drugs, but pot was number 1 for me. Anyway I quit smoking over 20 years ago when I had my 1st panic attack. Prior to that, I was smoking for about 15 years. Now I dread ever having taken my 1st toke. Suffice to say, it's been hell on earth ever since. With the help of meds I've been able to live a "normal" life. If I can give you any advice, it would be to make the right choice and quit or substantially slow down to a stop. If I were to be given a 2nd chance to quit voluntarily rather than to suffer from: panic attacks, depression, ruminating thoughts, etc., THE CHOICE WOULD HAVE BEEN CLEAR AND EASY. Get my drift???

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier

Posted by Suzi on January 15, 2003, at 3:10:26

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier, posted by Dee C on January 14, 2003, at 16:17:02

I have been trying to find a solution to the issue I had with marijuana. Seven years ago I had my first "flip session" panic attack after smoking a huge amount of bud. I mean I actually flipped out, I ran through a screen door, I smashed my buddy's cd collection, etc. it was horrible. I hallucinated like crazy, I thought I was in a frickin' time portal, shit was scary. Every time I smoked since then, the SAME EXACT thing would happen, so I quit.

The problem is, I still struggle with that experience today, almost like PTSD. The feelings and experience have caused me to shy away from everything for fear it may happen again. Dee C, like you I am pissed I ever started, cause I was a badass mother$#@!er before any of this happened.

My first AD was Paxil I went on and off for about 2 years, in hindsight it made things better. Now, I take effexor xr, but it really isn't doing much, what else would you suggest I do?

Any response would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana thanks for the responses

Posted by bpdzone2000 on January 15, 2003, at 11:17:44

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier, posted by Suzi on January 15, 2003, at 3:10:26

Thank to all of you for responding. I know I would here the truth and that's hard to face. Pot was such a balancing device for me and lately it has turned on me and intensified my symptoms. The depression gets intense, thoughts in my head get scary, and panic sets in.
On the otherhand it is that quick release initially that I find soothing. Then WHAMMY it turns on me. I'm like on this merry-go-round and the faster it gets the harder it is to jump off. I'm scared that I am going to flip out emotionally, have to be locked up somewhere safe to deal with the withdrawls emotionally and physically.
I'm starting to get the nausea feeling if I don't smoke for awhile.
I'm really down and out and it's hard with my depression to want to care and do anything about it. I know the pot doesn't help but it get's me through the next few hours that otherwise I think I would be suicidal. I wish it was as easy as to just "QUIT". I feel like such a weak person that I can't, at least not right now.
I am going to try and cut down substantially. I haven't had any today yet and I am going to try to go as long as I can.
Any suggestions would be appreciated...
I'm going to try and keep my head up and stay busy today if I can..

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana

Posted by bpdzone2000 on January 15, 2003, at 11:19:14

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier, posted by Dee C on January 14, 2003, at 16:17:02

Thanks Dee, Suzie and Worrier

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana thanks for the responses » bpdzone2000

Posted by worrier on January 15, 2003, at 18:09:29

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana thanks for the responses, posted by bpdzone2000 on January 15, 2003, at 11:17:44

> Thank to all of you for responding. I know I would here the truth and that's hard to face. Pot was such a balancing device for me and lately it has turned on me and intensified my symptoms. The depression gets intense, thoughts in my head get scary, and panic sets in.
> On the otherhand it is that quick release initially that I find soothing. Then WHAMMY it turns on me. I'm like on this merry-go-round and the faster it gets the harder it is to jump off. I'm scared that I am going to flip out emotionally, have to be locked up somewhere safe to deal with the withdrawls emotionally and physically.
> I'm starting to get the nausea feeling if I don't smoke for awhile.
> I'm really down and out and it's hard with my depression to want to care and do anything about it. I know the pot doesn't help but it get's me through the next few hours that otherwise I think I would be suicidal. I wish it was as easy as to just "QUIT". I feel like such a weak person that I can't, at least not right now.
> I am going to try and cut down substantially. I haven't had any today yet and I am going to try to go as long as I can.
> Any suggestions would be appreciated...
> I'm going to try and keep my head up and stay busy today if I can..

>I know it's hard to change old habits,even if they are causing you harm...I also know how hard it is to stop all those "I'm a weak person,blame,guilt,etc." thoughts, but they get you nowhere and they are not valid. You (we) have problems that we are trying our best to overcome or at least live with...the fact that you know you have a problem and are trying to fix it is proof that you aren't nearly as weak as you think you are. Hang in there. Worrier.

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier

Posted by Dee C on January 18, 2003, at 15:37:17

In reply to Re: bipolar/marijuana Response to Worrier, posted by Suzi on January 15, 2003, at 3:10:26

Suzi,

I'm not sure if you were asking me a question. Anyway, What I try to do is minimize the stress in my life, watch what I eat & drink (little/no alcohol). My therapist once told me, if all your friends smoke pot & drink?, then consider finding new friends. I don't want to sound like a health bug...excercise does help keep my mind occupied (at least for a little while). I hope this helps you somewhat. As far as meds are concern, I can give you a history but currently, I take 200mg of Zoloft or as I call it "labido killers." But I'd rather have no labido than to suffer with depression and panic attacks. I guess thats the trade off. Also at one time I was on 2mg of Trilafane to help me sleep at night. My other suggestion: don't bother reading about a med's side effect until you've been on them for some time. I found this helps because as soon as I checked into the side effects, the sooner I was off. Now my question to you: did you happen to read my other post "The hat feeling & ruminating thoughts"?? <they are what I'm currently struggling with. Be well and remember you are not alone!!!!

 

Re: bipolar/marijuana » bpdzone2000

Posted by starchang98 on October 28, 2003, at 18:21:58

In reply to bipolar/marijuana, posted by bpdzone2000 on January 9, 2003, at 16:35:36

Hi there, i just read this whole thread on bipolar disorder and marijuana and i can relate. u see my boyfriend of 4 years has bipolar II and he smokes pot to relieve his outbreaks. its like a vicious cycle that never stops. i cant make him see that it may the pot that is causing his outbreaks. the doctors arent 100% sure about his diagnosis anyways and he wont tell them that he smokes pot on a regular basis so that's probably why they are so confused. i think that if they knew then perhaps theyd change their diagnosis. what do you think? i think the pot is causing his episodes. hes been smoking on and off for like 17 years. i mean it helps him at first but once it wears off he's back on it again. i mean it must have had some sort of effect on his behaviour after 17 years, right? he just swears by it, that it 'calms him down' but i think its actually the cause. i dunno what to do...i'd like some insight on this. thanks

star


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