Serious withdrawal

[FragilePill]

The past four days I have been going through complete Hell. I am looking for helpful advice to get me through this a little easier. This is my situation:

I have been a smoker for about 7 years now. A few years ago a loved one of mine passed away and consequently I recieved a small inheritence. Out of depression, I quit my job and literally sat at home for two years and smoked marijuana every two hours, morning to night, every day. Amount averaging about an ounce a week (the main reason why I am broke now). I completely isolated myself from the world. My life only consisted of television, internet porn and munchie foods.

Running out of money, I knew I had to make a change in my life. The weed had to go, at least till I get things back on track with a job. It's a LOT harder than I thought it would be to quit this wonderful drug..

I am experiencing a lot of weird symptoms since quitting. My appetite is gone and I haven't been able to eat anything for the past few days but I do drink a ton of water. What scares me most is the amount of noticeable weight I am losing..

I have involuntarily puked three times in the past few days from the sight or thought of certain foods.

At night, I get horrible hot and cold sweats at the same time. Being naked or fully covered by blankets doesn't seem to help the sweats at all. On top of that, my brain just wont turn off. I feel like I haven't slept all week.

I have also been experiencing shortness of breath and some minor jitters (comparable to drinking too much coffee) throughout the day.

I am desperately looking for some wisdom from people that have gone through this themselves. Could these withdrawal symptoms seriously affect my health in the long term? Do any of you have home remedies to help relieve or ease any of these symptoms? How long did it take for you to get back to "normal"?

I am very depressed, irritated, weak, and tired. Any advice is greatly appreciated..

Sorry for the long first post.........thanks for reading.

[SMOKIN A WHILE]

Go to a doctor and get your blood sugar checked. It sounds like it is low. When your blood sugar is low you get that caffeine nervous feeling.

[sarah louise]

Some folks experience no detox symptoms, most experience mild symptoms and some people completely flip out if they go into rapid withdrawal. If you are finding the symptoms to difficult or worrying then do go and speak with a doctor.

This up for listing in the next DSM

Review of the Validity and Significance of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome -- Budney et al. 161 (11): 1967 Figure 1 -- Am J Psychiatry (http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/161/11/1967/A1)

[beachguy in thongs]

The other day, I found this post: http://boards.cannabis.com/medicinal-cannabis-health/143162-cannabis-diabetes.html#post1745542

You could've, very well, been hiding diabetes.

[Storm Crow]

Hon, I've toked for 40 years and never had anything even remotely similar to your problems! I would check with a doctor ASAP! Grumpy, restless, yes, but you sound like you have much more than that going on!

About that post referred to by beachguy, I'm also diabetic, but my readings only drop about 10 points after toking! I am wondering about his meter's accuracy! (I also have checked the drop with the hubby's meter) I've got a study for you (as always - lol). I think it will show you that your reaction is atypical, and you should see a doctor soon to get a check up! - Granny:hippy:

Comparison of symptoms during abstinence from cannabis, tobacco, and both substances
http://marijuana.researchtoday.net/archive/4/7/1349.htm .

[sociobud]

I'm shooting more for psychological. First off, you admitted you're depressed. It sounds like your nerves are shot because you don't have the weed to fall back on, and this scares you. This has increased your floating anxiety, and because of this, you are having mild panic attacks and a sick stomach. These really are all symptoms of depression/anxiety. You were smoking so much weed before, you were probably self-medicating yourself. Now, you don't have the weed to calm you, and your depression/anxiety is running out of control.

You should really go to the doctor, period. Talk about everything, how you've secluded yourself, the death, and how you're life has been in the past. Don't be ashamed. Things happen, man. If someone wants to mock or scold you for this, then they're evil people. I think many people are depressed and self-medicate with all sorts of things (legal and illegal). This is normal because life is hard.

Whatever happens, don't let yourself go much longer without seeking some sort of professional help. If you don't have health insurance and/or the money, then try to find some free clinics in your city. There's places you can go.

Oh and also, try getting out of the house. Call friends. Go for walks. Just something to get you living again.

[olliegrow]

A doctor will certainly help, Ive done the same thing for years-everyday smoked because I was having a hard time with reality and its problems so I self medicated to the point that it caused me to have a Anxiety attack! Now I realized marijuan is a medicine and too much of any medicine will have negative affects, Im not blaming the weed but myself. Ive been smokeless for about 2 weeks before I started again but now respecting it more. No more wake and bakes that last all day and night! Its like a fine wine, ever now and then for me. I didnt take any meds for the withdrawl just sat through thr torture for about 7-10 days of shaking, hot flashes and sweats, my blood pressure was very high but eventually went down. They might give you some Prozac an Xanez for the anxiety and depression, it will help but there is a lesson to be learned here!! Peace Ollie