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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chefdog35 on January 3, 2003, at 22:15:42
I have used marijuana since I was 14 Yrs old.I am now 35 and i am here to tell you all the partying I did In the past was a big mistake!!!I am now been alcohol free for 4 yrs ,cocaine free 10 yrs, pot free for 2 months.Although I remember having panic attacks before.I now know for a fact That pot does effect your brain in the way of messing with seratonin and dopeamine. When I had my firstbout of anxiety and depression i was put on zyprexa and celexa and i totally stopped partying.But as the months went on and not being able to drink because of meds so I tryed smoking pot again and did very well i got buzzed no problem.Then after a period of time i started to have small panic attacks and losing interest in everything so med dosage was increased.Did well then i smoked some regular weed and had one of the worst panic attacks ever at the same time i was switching from zyprexa to seroquel thinking it because of med change i tried to smoke again and same thing happened with psycotic features.Including thoughts and mental pictures of hurting my children.since i have stopped and take meds as directed i am starting to feel better but had to add effexor to my meds cocktail because of low seratonin and that other brain chemical.I told my friend to be carefull it could happen to him and he laught at me and now he is going through my first bout with this hell and is now starting meds and it all started with 2 bong hits and the panic and dperession monster grabbed him too. so dont let anyone tell you that pot is harmless it might be at the time but the mental monster will get you.any questions or input please e-mail me at chefdog35@yahoo.com. I have more to tell you but fingers went numb. please respond!!!!!!
Posted by daizy on January 4, 2003, at 6:19:16
In reply to Listen up all you pot heads, posted by chefdog35 on January 3, 2003, at 22:15:42
Fair point your trying to warn people of the dangers because of your own bad experience, But drugs dont nescassarily cause health problems in everyone. Its whether taking the drugs is worth risking your health for? I dont think it is!
Posted by JonW on January 4, 2003, at 6:30:20
In reply to Listen up all you pot heads, posted by chefdog35 on January 3, 2003, at 22:15:42
I was considering smoking pot on a regular basis as "medication" and asked my pdoc about it. Actually, I was and then asked :) I don't know if you can say it causes schizophrenia or not, but there are other reasons not to use. My pdoc, Dr. Liebowitz, is very open minded and these are the paraphrased objections he had:
1. The gains on it aren't always real. Meaning, people don't communicate, function, etc. as well on pot as they think they are.
2. People use it more and more, with less and less ability to function and get by without it. In other words, dependence.
Perhaps obvious, but definitely something people should consider before taking up this expensive and (unfortunately) illegal habbit...
Jon
Posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 9:09:19
In reply to Listen up all you pot heads, posted by chefdog35 on January 3, 2003, at 22:15:42
> I was considering smoking pot on a regular basis as "medication" and asked my pdoc about it. Actually, I was and then asked :) I don't know if you can say it causes schizophrenia or not, but there are other reasons not to use. My pdoc, Dr. Liebowitz, is very open minded and these are the paraphrased objections he had:
>
> 1. The gains on it aren't always real. Meaning, people don't communicate, function, etc. as well on pot as they think they are.But the drugs they prescribe kill your sex life and some other hideous SE's. I don't have sexual SE's, I've started calling it what it is, chemical castration Maybe if they were on meds for 20 years, they might enjoy a smoke too. You might turn your doc on to this tidbit.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/54/65228.htm
>
> 2. People use it more and more, with less and less ability to function and get by without it. In other words, dependence.Unlike say, Effexor poop out? Responsible use of pot by adults is that persons business. It's like Reefer Madness in this country yet I read here often about people getting drunk while on meds or talking about enjoying a few beers everyday.
Now, you might visit this link to see the 'drug addicts' that constitute the Board of Directors of Norml. Read some facts and don't depend on government propaganda.http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4503
If pot makes you sicker, don't use it. But I'll make my own decision. If I'm taking drugs from a doctor that, in essense, castrate me, then that doctor has no business what I do to live with it. Plus, eating a Snicker's while listening to Dark Side of the Moon through headphones in my music room lit only by dozens of candles is fun. Lexapro is not fun.
If pot gave me a panic attack every time I used it, I'd stop. But any blanket statement saying. "I got it, you'll get it too" won't fly.
Posted by Miller on January 4, 2003, at 12:33:12
In reply to Re: No apologies, posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 9:09:19
Phil,
I would love to be in your music room with a Snickers, lit by candles, hoping you will share your headphones listening to Pink Floyd.
:)
-Miller
Posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 13:01:17
In reply to Re: I'm with Phil on this one, posted by Miller on January 4, 2003, at 12:33:12
We'll look like couples I've seen on the jogging trails. They are talking to each other and each have walkmans on. Wussup with that?
I'll get you good headphones; nothing worse than cheapies.
Phil
Posted by beardedLADY on January 4, 2003, at 15:17:47
In reply to Re: No apologies, posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 9:09:19
My husband and many of my friends have smoked pot for a long, long time and are approaching or over fifty. All have good jobs and responsibilities and are nice people. I don't think a single one of them has suffered from depression or anxiety.
And although a Snickers is hubby's favorite, I'll take ice cream and Jimi Hendrix.
beardy
Posted by harry b. on January 4, 2003, at 16:25:49
In reply to Re: No apologies, posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 9:09:19
My 2 cents. In the late 60's & all of the 70's I smoked tons of pot. I was stoned most of the time.
I stopped using it in the 80's. Had no problem giving it up.
Now I find that just a hit or 2 before bedtime is beneficial. I don't 'party', if someone offers me pot I decline. I also do not hang out with a drug crowd, so access to it is rare. When I was in Florida last winter I was able to get some very good, plain old Mexican at prices 1/4 of what it sells for up here. I chanced bringing quite a bit back up north & since I use so little of it, I have a good personal supply.
I can't & do not want to use it recreationally. I do my 2 tokes at night (enough to mellow me, not stone me), put on some music (usually some soft jazz) & then go to bed.
My sex life is mostly a solo affair & I've found that pot helps in that regard too.
hb
Posted by JonW on January 4, 2003, at 18:04:44
In reply to Re: No apologies, posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 9:09:19
Phil,
I wasn't necessarily speaking for or against smoking pot. I was simply sharing my pdoc's take on the issue. I do share his opinion, if for no other reason, because he knows more than me. I don't know his view on the legalization of marijuana, but I personally think it should be legal. My take on this is to each their own. I think it's risky for someone with mental illness to self-medicate with pot. It's easier for susceptible individuals to develop a substance abuse problem with pot than with prozac. You don't see people driving through the projects looking for SSRIs. However, if marijuana improves the quality of life for a person with mental illness, that should justify its use in anyone's eyes. I just think people should question the gains they experience, and entertain the thought that they may not be real. Ask your friends and family how well you are functioning, etc. At the same time, if people want to use pot for a good time, I don't really have a problem with that either. I, myself, miss the music and going to the movies. For me, my use escalates. I think it's fine for people who can use it responsibly, and without having a negative impact on society. To each their own, and if our society agrees that alcohol should be legal, why not pot?
Jon
Posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 18:12:46
In reply to Re: No apologies » Phil, posted by JonW on January 4, 2003, at 18:04:44
Posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 19:06:10
In reply to Re: No apologies » Phil, posted by harry b. on January 4, 2003, at 16:25:49
> My 2 cents. In the late 60's & all of the 70's I smoked tons of pot. I was stoned most of the time.
>
> I stopped using it in the 80's. Had no problem giving it up.
>
> Now I find that just a hit or 2 before bedtime is beneficial. I don't 'party', if someone offers me pot I decline. I also do not hang out with a drug crowd, so access to it is rare. When I was in Florida last winter I was able to get some very good, plain old Mexican at prices 1/4 of what it sells for up here. I chanced bringing quite a bit back up north & since I use so little of it, I have a good personal supply.I increased smoking since I've been on SSRI's and Ritalin and now Adderall. I usually can take it or leave it but I'd prefer to take it.
Smoking used to make me comatose almost but it, I really believe-no denial, does wonders now. I can think creatively and be awake and it's a good feeling. One of my theories is that when I was younger and doing lots of drugs, I was also depressed. I didn't know that's what it was at the time but looking back, it's obvious since 10 y.o. or younger I was in my head.
I was also filled with shame and guilt due to one baddass case of codependency with my mom. I think codependency can kill you as quick as anything-it's a miserable way to live.
Anyway, I was having some fun but I always felt this guilt from hell. I could never totally cut loose unless I was very drunk so I got very drunk enough to scare me into stopping.
I constantly berate myself to the extreme but for what I've been through, I'm proud that I haven't gone totally crazy.
Thanks for listening. I'm on my way to the drug store for Tums. I was fine earlier today, then suddenly I feel I just stepped off of a roller coaster.I hear what you're saying and know where you're coming from in regards to the sex thing, pot does help. I have noticed on Lexapro that there is no way in hell to have an orgasm. I've got to talk to my doc-I take Viagra and they only can prescibe 8 f'ing pills a month. I don't need more but give me 60..maybe the pharmacist will be intriqued and ask me out. He ain't that bad. I have to do something, I sold my sheep because the neighbors said a sheep wearing a garter belt was not what they wanted to see at breakfast. Especially if there was a session in progress. Baaad jokes.
Maybe I can take Flomax or whatever it is and Gingko Biloba.
I think I valiantly tried for 4 hours one day. Reminded me of being on coke. I gave up, called god a son of a bitch and went to bed right after I kicked the sheetrock so hard my foot went all the way thru to the outdoors.okok
>
> I can't & do not want to use it recreationally. I do my 2 tokes at night (enough to mellow me, not stone me), put on some music (usually some soft jazz) & then go to bed.
>
> My sex life is mostly a solo affair & I've found that pot helps in that regard too.
>
> hb
Posted by Gabbix2 on January 4, 2003, at 19:29:32
In reply to Re: No apologies, posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 19:06:10
Posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 19:49:49
In reply to ditto » Phil, posted by beardedLADY on January 4, 2003, at 15:17:47
You're just like ice cream
So hard to get through to you
Ice cream
All you do is slow me downI think Hendrix was the worst loss ever for music. I'd give anything to see where he could have been today, musically.
Stevie Ray, John Lennon. For the next generation including me and others, Kurt Cobain
was so good, I didn't feel a generation gap in his music.I read an article covering the time they encouraged Jimi to cross the pond. He only had one request of his manager, "Can you introduce me to Jeff Beck?" haha! I think, was it Eric Clapton that called Pete Townsend asking if he wanted to see this unknown guitar player. Not long into the show, they were wondering how much they could sell their guitars for. They left that club worried. Unreal. Boy, am I going to get redirected.
Posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 20:05:31
In reply to Re: No apologies -WOW PHil Great Post (nm), posted by Gabbix2 on January 4, 2003, at 19:29:32
Posted by Miller on January 5, 2003, at 0:23:07
In reply to Re: I'm with Phil on this one, posted by Phil on January 4, 2003, at 13:01:17
I will look forward to finding out!!
I really don't want to look like those couples on the trails holding a conversation with headphones on. But, I guess I will do what I must!
:)
-Miller
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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