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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by linkadge on March 21, 2006, at 21:27:56
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by honeybee on March 21, 2006, at 8:55:55
I have been prescribed clomipramine, and I ocasionally take it. I would like to take it, but I can't concentrate it spaces me out way too much. I am still in school. The doctor is insensitive to this issue.
I used to have some hope before going to such appointments, but it is hard to do so since I have been to uneventfull apointments for over a year.
I am trying to keep my foot in the door in case of a crisis, but I would definately need a longer apointment for anything positive to happen.
With regards to conventional treatment I hate to say but I have just given up on it.
Linkadge
Posted by Declan on March 22, 2006, at 17:42:59
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » honeybee, posted by linkadge on March 20, 2006, at 20:48:14
Hey Link, somewhere around where you live there must be an altruistic doctor who doesn't have a secretarary (to cut down costs) and works from home (for the same reason) and sees you for half an hour. In some bohemian part of town, or out in the country, one who was a hippy in 1968?
Declan
Posted by linkadge on March 23, 2006, at 18:36:03
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » linkadge, posted by Declan on March 22, 2006, at 17:42:59
Now thats my kind of doctor :) !
Though, I don't know if Shopper's Drug Mart will accept his cursive.
Linkadge
Posted by mike99 on March 25, 2006, at 18:22:49
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » Declan, posted by linkadge on March 23, 2006, at 18:36:03
anadamide reuptake inhibition sounds interesting...very...also, sativex is currently in phase 3 trials in the US. I am wondering how likely (or unlikely) pdocs will be willing to prescribe it off label for psych issues...or other docs off label for pain.
(Sativex is a cannabinoid inhaler. It's natural...from actual marijuana).
Skeptically, I will honestly be shocked if it's approved in the US... though it seems a distinct possibility.
Posted by bigcat on April 8, 2006, at 12:33:03
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by Tom Twilight on March 17, 2006, at 15:20:35
pot works. i've tried all the ad's and ect, and pot = guaranteed, immediate peace. i'm getting to the point where I'm ready to quit all psych meds, and if/when I do, I know I can rely on pot to keep me interested in life. my pdoc has the "whatever works" attitude. using pot as a long term solution is something that you are bound to get lots of flack about, but i have found it MUCH more reliable than ad's, and with the right (highly potent) strain, one or two sessions a day may be all you need. another under-appreciated fact about pot: you can eat it. avoid putting smoke in your lungs and enjoy a massively prolonged and intensified response. a brownie a day keeps the doctor away. in the past i tried using pot as my #1 ad, and it was a lost cause because the quality was average. there is some pot out there which will give you 6 full hours of peace with one toke. but more importantly, the effect will not fade out on you as quickly as standard commercial weed (you may gain a tolerance to the "psychedelic" effects, but the anti-anxiolytic and ad effect should remain. i know it makes me a much more loving and thoughtful person, and I like myself more while I'm on it. I've never abused any other drug, and I had my first puff ten years ago. it does plenty enough for me- not the gateway drug it's touted as. i haven't smoked in almost a year, but as ad trials continue to screw with me, I'm thinking of taking a very close look at my closet. good luck.
-matt-
Posted by linkadge on April 9, 2006, at 11:55:57
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by bigcat on April 8, 2006, at 12:33:03
I agree with a lot that you've said. I have never used other illegal substances, and really have no intention to.
The big difference I see between marajuanna and SSRIs/TCA's is that my quality of life on pot was better. Less aches and pains, no insane stomach cramps like with AD's, no horrible insomia, no lost appetite, no apathy. I don't need a whole lot. A puff or two will curb anxiety, and insomnia. The thing that I admire the most is that it doesn't cause akathesia, (I can still play the piano without my fingers getting all stiff and unresponsive) like they do on SSRI's.
CB-1 (cannabanoid receptor agonists) are being developed as antidepressants, no its not as if people's claims about it are completely unfounded.
Posted by krystee on April 9, 2006, at 20:43:42
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » bigcat, posted by linkadge on April 9, 2006, at 11:55:57
Am I the only one here who pot completely freaks out? I remember feeling kinda good on it when I was younger but about 10 years later it made me feel like a lunatic! Total panic attack in a bag for me...what does that mean? Am I schizophrenic or something? Plus, I could never stop smoking it I would smoke like 10 times a day...haven't smoked now for almost 2 years.
Posted by Declan on April 10, 2006, at 6:59:49
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by krystee on April 9, 2006, at 20:43:42
On Erowid, I read an account by this person and he found one pupil dilated and another constricted after smoking, with major mental disturbances.
It's strange that you can repeat something you don't enjoy for so long. It's disasterous for some people. Most, I would guess, find it mildly unpleasant and entertaining, up to a point.
Declan
Posted by ghuber on April 10, 2006, at 22:01:44
In reply to so, im smoking pot now..., posted by med_empowered on March 17, 2006, at 2:04:15
Swag (AKA dirt weed) works better to relax and make one tired then high grade buds. The real good stuff is too instense for many people and will do more harm than good causing anxiety and paranoia, and making for an unpleasant experience.
Also, if you smoke weed enough it tends to make your head "foggy" and will slow your mind down. This also tends to be a good thing for people that have anxiety disorders or overly active minds.
Posted by Declan on April 11, 2006, at 1:09:32
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by ghuber on April 10, 2006, at 22:01:44
I wonder if it's good for people who are a bit manic. Something to break up that linear amphetaminey mentality. There was someone who became manic after discontinuing heavy use for many years.
Swag's just Cannabis?
Declan
Posted by linkadge on April 12, 2006, at 0:56:08
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » ghuber, posted by Declan on April 11, 2006, at 1:09:32
Not everybody reacts the same way.
I know that many people consider pot a mood stabilizer. I kindof found it a mood stabilizer.
Linkadge
Posted by Declan on April 12, 2006, at 3:00:39
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by linkadge on April 12, 2006, at 0:56:08
I've known people who are probably bipolar who self medicate successfully on cannabis. The thing about the bloke going manic was meant to support that, although I didn't make it very clear. He hadn't been bipolar before using, but he used *very* heavily for 5 years or so and suddenly stopped. And then went manic. I found it good for coming down off speed, which I imagine is somewhat similar. Very good for people who are talking too much.
Declan
Posted by ghuber on April 12, 2006, at 21:59:59
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » ghuber, posted by Declan on April 11, 2006, at 1:09:32
Yeah swag is a low grade marijuana... It does not contain as much THC as high grade buds. Most people report a sleeper, somewhat more lethargic high vs one that is produced by high grade buds.
As I mentioned, high grade buds sometimes make one parnoid and anxious, while swag buds do not. They'll make you hungry, somewhat high, and a tad bit later very sleepy... Good stuff to do try before you go to bed.
Posted by linkadge on April 13, 2006, at 19:43:52
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » linkadge, posted by Declan on April 12, 2006, at 3:00:39
Yeah, its hard to diagnose people with mental illnesses based on abrupt changes in drug usage.
When I smoked, I didn't need much at all, perhaps only two deep pufs. The feeling was so familiar, I get the same feeling if I run a LONG distnace, just kindof heavy, sleepy, hungry, and blissfull. I found that omega-3 and a little marajuanna worked well together. I remember feeling really normal on the two.
I remember reading some study on one compound in marajuanna being particularly effective for people with ADHD.
Linkadge
Posted by Anne-Charlotte on April 15, 2006, at 8:37:49
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by linkadge on April 13, 2006, at 19:43:52
Linkadge,
??
What is your deal? I remember a few weeks ago you jumped all over somebody- Daniellia or something for saying that she didnt think Big Pharm drugs were the way to go.
You hand out advice (very quasi authoritative sounding) regarding all sorts of prescriptions and then admit that you have given up on them all. What's up with that?? I am sorry for your suffering. At the same time, it is not cool to trumpet advice when you are playing for both sides, or basically lost as to where you stand on these issues...Ah yes, that was it: your statement went something like "wouldn't you take diabetes medication if you had diabetes' hence implying that there is something wrong with somebody who decides to ride it out if they have a mental illness without the "aid" of meds.
Sounds to me like you should have stuck to the spliff all along, pal... with or without that vaporizer of yours.
We all know Big Pharm meds create LT damage, humans are guinea pigs & weed comes from the earth, pure and simple.
Posted by SLS on April 16, 2006, at 15:38:35
In reply to Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by Anne-Charlotte on April 15, 2006, at 8:37:49
> We all know Big Pharm meds create LT damage,
What is LT damage?
> humans are guinea pigs & weed comes from the earth, pure and simple
So does hemlock and belladonna. If a substance is active pharmacologically, it doesn't matter what the source is.
- Scott
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 17, 2006, at 8:23:17
In reply to Re: Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now... » Anne-Charlotte, posted by SLS on April 16, 2006, at 15:38:35
> What is LT damage?
LT = Long term ?
Just guessing.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 17, 2006, at 8:31:05
In reply to Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by Anne-Charlotte on April 15, 2006, at 8:37:49
Hi,
Just because you personally don't agree with something for yourself, doesn't mean you can't help other people with your knowledge and experience on that matter.
Meri
Posted by linkadge on April 17, 2006, at 8:34:59
In reply to Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by Anne-Charlotte on April 15, 2006, at 8:37:49
>Linkadge,
>??
>What is your deal? I remember a few weeks ago >you jumped all over somebody- Daniellia or >something for saying that she didnt think Big >Pharm drugs were the way to go.I don't think I've ever been as outright to tell somebody not to take any pharmacudical drug. Thats not it at all. I think there are problems with current classes of antidepressants; problems that people should be aware of.
>You hand out advice (very quasi authoritative >sounding) regarding all sorts of prescriptions >and then admit that you have given up on them >all. What's up with that?? I am sorry for your >suffering. At the same time, it is not cool to >trumpet advice when you are playing for both >sides, or basically lost as to where you stand >on these issues...It was not my intention to sound condescending, if that is what you mean. My advice was simply based on the fact that I have been on many of the combinations and permutations of drugs that others are on. Yes, I choose not to take medications for certain reasons, but that does not mean that I cannot offer advice on "what might be a good move". Getting off pharmacudicals is not something you do overnight. I realize that many people here need immediate answers, so I don't really see it as wrong to offer people advice on medications, even after considering my stance.
>Ah yes, that was it: your statement went >something like "wouldn't you take diabetes >medication if you had diabetes' hence implying >that there is something wrong with somebody who >decides to ride it out if they have a mental >illness without the "aid" of meds.
You'll have to link the post for me to remember fully. I don't have anything wrong with people taking insulin for diabeties. But, that being said, insulin is an incomplete answer just as antidepressants are. Antidepressants are not fixing a chemical imballance. The evidence for that is weak. I don't see that as a dogmatic statement. The only thing I want people to know is about the potential problems that many of the drugs can pose. People need to be able to make informed decisions thats all.
>Sounds to me like you should have stuck to the >spliff all along, pal... with or without that >vaporizer of yours.
Your post is a little harsh, but thats ok. If you knew me, you'd know that I do not fit the profile of an addictive personality. My use of marjuanna is extremely mild. I have a good friend of mine who is a cancer patient who uses marajuanna simply because it tackles many of his symptoms at once. I would not make judgements about his personality based on his drug use.
>We all know Big Pharm meds create LT damage, >humans are guinea pigs & weed comes from the >earth, pure and simple.
Marajuanna is not without potential side effects. One must take into consideration many variables when chosing that particular path.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on April 17, 2006, at 8:37:34
In reply to Re: Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now... » Anne-Charlotte, posted by SLS on April 16, 2006, at 15:38:35
Thats it. Some of the strongest neurotoxins known to man are found in nature.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on May 5, 2006, at 21:57:43
In reply to Re: Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now... » SLS, posted by linkadge on April 17, 2006, at 8:37:34
I visited a site that featured an individual who was asking a question regarding using marajuanna for an anxiety disorder.
The user said that it helped their anxiety, but the site's owner advised against it. They basically said, "why would you want to use marajuanna for an anxiety disorder? It can cause amotivational syndrome." She advised the individual to go ask for paxil or something.
Whats up with that? Paxil is notorious for causing amotivational syndrome too. When I was on SSRI's I felt more stoned then when I was just using marajuanna. So I don't really understand.
SSRI's are notorious for causing amotivational syndrome.
Linkadge
Posted by helpme on July 10, 2006, at 1:16:26
In reply to so, im smoking pot now..., posted by med_empowered on March 17, 2006, at 2:04:15
Ach- I just posted my thoughts about my experience- I think on that fantastic getting high with a chocolate/ibuprofin combo thread. The gist of it was that while I felt great smoking it, I eventually got content to do nothing but watch StarTreck constantly, so reluctantly quit smoking daily. I wanted more from life. Later, I smoked occasionally- and noticed the most astounding thing- a day or 2 later I would get a paranoidish depression hangover that lingered for several days!!!!! Even after the most fun and giggely episodes of smoking this ocured. I might not have noticed when I was chronic, if it happened then. Hmm. Weird. This could be comlex. Massive bummer.
> and..it works. I smoked pot before and funcioned surprisingly well with minimal medication (daily AD, some ambein as-needed), but I dont think I really made the connection..until now. Even when I get anxious **while** smoking it (this anxiety is reduced by being around people), I find that my day-to-day anxiety is reduced **significantly**. So is my depression. Thoughts>?
Posted by helpme on July 10, 2006, at 1:19:03
In reply to so, im smoking pot now..., posted by med_empowered on March 17, 2006, at 15:29:20
...and your long term functioning? Any dreams on hold?
> so, here's the thing: I've been on EVERYTHING--benzos, antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, mood-stabilizers, etc. And I realized that when I smoked pot a lot yes, I had problems, but they weren't quite so overwhelming. And my "need" for medication wasn't so great--at one point, I took just zoloft, then later just Trileptal w/ Klonopin. So now I find that pot really does help. A WHOLE LOT. I still feel kinda down, but that's b/c I need to work on my life--my overall anxiety/mood-swings level has gone down considerably, which is a definite plus.
Posted by Dunder on July 13, 2006, at 5:56:41
In reply to so, im smoking pot now..., posted by med_empowered on March 17, 2006, at 2:04:15
Hiya,
I have suffered depression for many years and for five years I smoked weed all day, everyday in order to self-medicate. It helped with anxiety, insomnia, low mood, mood swings, lack of appetite, self-confidence, etc. etc. HOWEVER, I found that with time my anxiety increased, my motivation dropped through the floor and all other aspects of my life seemed unimportant. Everything centered around weed and getting that hit. If I couldn't get hold of any weed I would panic, not be able to sleep, get very depressed and suffer painful withdrawals (yes, contrary to popular belief - high usage of weed gives nasty withdrawal symptoms that can last up to 2 or 3 weeks.) It was a gradual process that I only recognise now with the benefit of hindsight. Eventually, it took 1 year of intense drug counselling to break my dependency. Despite my experience I am not now against weed (I still have the odd joint if it's passed around - maybe every couple of months), I just think that users with pre-existing mental health problems should be aware that there is a fine line between self-medication and addiction/dependence and that once dependent it can be very difficult to give up.
Chris
Posted by AAA88 on July 26, 2006, at 4:43:26
In reply to My experience of self-medicating with pot, posted by Dunder on July 13, 2006, at 5:56:41
i guess i should throw in my 2 cents. ive smoked weed for about 3 years. it had some great effects for me. i enjoyed my time but some times got too paranoid, while high, to have fun with it. at times it was all i had to look forward to in the day. getting high at the end of the day. but i always figured that i was more prone to the paranoia compared to my friends who could smoke much more in a sitting and seem basically normal. i never knew about the speculation that it could trigger dormant mental illnesses. growing up i think i had plenty of signs of anxiety. about 4 weeks ago i was high, i smoke by myself and dont have more than one or two bowls (2 to 5 good hits either through pipe or bong), and had what i think was a panick attack. it happened a few times before in the few months before this, but it wasnt as bad, i could calm myself down in a few mins eventually to the point where i could put it off almost imediately. but this last one went all night till i finally fell asleep 1 or 2 hours later. the next two weeks i went through some hard and weak symptoms of anxiety (with depression mixed in) and 3rd week it was starting to taper off to only weak effects. this week has been ok except last night was pretty bad so it seems like i might not get back to where i was before and need to do something about it. my depression gets worse than it was because of this new anxiety i have. but before all this happened, taking a couple hits would rid any depression i had and made me feel so happy cuz i would enjoy anything so much so easily.
i just wish i knew i was prone to this before. i think if youre prone to anxiety compared to average people, you should definately be careful with mind altering substances. dont take anything you have or can have for granted, especially your mind.
we're probably still early in research of drugs and experimenting, but because i felt that happiness with weed, im thinking there could definately be some great things to extract from certain drugs if we can get rid of the negative parts. i havent read deep into those topics yet so i dont know whats been observed.
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