Stoned... but I'm not smoking?

[s9204]

Hi,

Got a really odd case here... no doctor has given me real help so far, so here I am, hope you guys can give me some help.

I've had been smoking for about 2 and half years, with the last 6 month being the most. I started smoking regularly. Not as much frequently, but regularly, I'd hit the bong as soon as I get back work and would be stoned for the entire night. My tolerance was quite high, and I'd bet there's always a significant amount of THC in me through the entire 6 months. I went through aggression, minor depression, trouble with memory and many problems that I'd attribute to smoking. I'd say these symptoms are more withdrawl effects rather than the state of being high. I think that's why it keeps drawing me back because of the irritable personality that I have when I'm off it.

I finally decided to cut down around June this year, then cut it cold turkey around mid-June. It was great. I loved the natural high, the natural happiness that is so much better than the high I tried so hard to reach when I was smoking. Now here's the weird part, after about a week, I woke up with this cloudiness in my head, some heavy feeling in the back of my skull. My balance would be slightly off, almost like when I'd stumble when I am ultra-stoned. I didn't know what it was, but it was enough for me to go to ER and have it checked out. Well anyway ER didn't help. The symptoms are really odd, through a few hours in a couple of days I'd be really hyper, ultra-confident, full of myself, like how I was when I was high, and some days I would feel hungover, moody, and tired - just like when I am coming off weed. Some time I'd over-analyze my problems like how I was when I'm high as well. I'd realize it because I also get sober occasionally as well. My clear head would tell me that I was worrying too much about nothing.

It's August now and damn, it improved a little bit but not too much. I still go through these symptoms that would change day after day almost in a cycle. The last time I smoked was 06/17. What I notice is that somehow stretching, moving my neck can worsen my condition (get me more stoned). It makes me think that there's much THC deposit in the back of my head and when I move it it sends through the blood stream. I also can hear some squishy noise sometime in the back of my head when I bend my neck, and it's definitely not normal. Almost feel like I am squeezing out air pockets. It probably doesn't make much medical sense but that's how I feel. When I sleep it can definitely change the condition, I wake up like how I would when I just smoked before sleeping. When I am running my head would become a little more clear, and after intense exercising, there's definitely something going on in my head that changes conciousness.

In the first few weeks I thought it was just the THC in my body from all that smoking didn't leave, and since I know from experience I'm a little sensitive to substance that changes my consciousness, I didn't worry too much. I used to be able to feel tobacco for 40-50 min after smoking a cig, and when I first started smoking I'd be

But this condition has been going on for 7 weeks now. I am getitng a little worried. I am doing OK though, I just feel like how I was when I was still smoking all the time. I've dealt with school/work for 2 years and this isn't much different. I just KNOW what being sober feels like and I'm defintiely not that.

Any thoughts on this? I'd really appreciate any help.

Again, sorry for babbling, but am just over-analyzing my problem like a perma-stoner.

[pixel]

that sounds to me like manic depressive disorder

also called bipolar disorder

the reason i say that is your mood swings. one of the key symptoms of these disorders are intense feelings of happiness, you feel like you're on top of the world, and that you could do ANYTHING that you put your mind to. you feel absolutely great. then, the downside to the disorder is that when you hit the other side of the fence, you become extremely depressed, sometimes feeling as if they get dropped furhter and further down every time it happens.

this disorder can be extremely dangerous in BOTH stages - for an extreme example, but certainly not an unreasonable one, depressives start businesses and spend all of their money on them just because they get great feelings of grandeur and think nothing can stop them. 2 months later, when they're depressed and they come back to reality, they are very frequently prone to suicide, and realizing that you've lost all of your money because you started a business that there is no way would be successful does NOT help the situation.

i'd really look into these diseases described by PROFESSIONALS, not me, they can explain it much better. see if any of it relates to you. also, marijuana can stimulate the disorder so that it feels worse. marijuana has a tendency to emerge any disorders the user may have had and didn't notice because the feeling was not strong enough.

[pixel]

CHECK THIS OUT

What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

* Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
* Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme irritability
* Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
* Distractibility, can't concentrate well
* Little sleep needed
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Poor judgment
* Spending sprees
* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Increased sexual drive
* Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
* Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

* Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Restlessness or irritability
* Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
* Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.

[pixel]

the more i read the more i think you should see a psychologist. i'm only trying to help you my friend

[partcleguy]

There is also a chance you may have cyclothymic disorder which is a milder form of bipolar disorder. It doesn't sound to me like you are as depressed as someone becomes from bipolar, nor as manic. The cyclical nature of your symptoms suggest a mood disorder of this type. Definitely see a psychiatrist at least for a diagnosis. Good luck.

[birdgirl73]

I tend to agree with you that you may be over-worrying and obsessing about whatever this is, but I definitely think it's worth checking out to make sure nothing's up with you, psychiatrically or neurologically.

Please get in to see a psychiatrist or neurologist and let one of the docs begin to diagnose you and then refer you to the other specialist. You need to be looked at from both perspectives, and of course you'll need to tell them both about your weed history and history of any other drugs you've taken. They'll also want to know about your family history of neurological/psychiatric illnesses.

If I were the doc, and mind you, I'm only a first-year med student beginning on Monday, but if I were the doc, I think I might order an MRI or CT scan to see if you had any physical abnormalities with your brain, particularly in the back part/bottom of your head, where the cerebellum, which governs balance, is. I'd also order an EEG to rule out some type of electrical (seizure) disorder.

No one can ever truly diagnose a perfect stranger over the Web, and as well-intentioned as the previous posters and I are, you need to take any guesses submitted here with a grain of salt and actually start with a real, board-certified in-person doctor of your own if you want an accurate diagnosis. Hope you feel better soon! And I hope you have health insurance, too.

[Ganjasaurusrex]

test post. checking the board.

[Breukelen advocaat]

My wife suggested that it could be an inner-ear problem. There are many other things worth checking out, including food intolerances and food sensitivities.

[Its a Plant]

Yeah, your equilibrirum sounds like it's off whack. Get your ears checked out, because you'd be surprised how many conditions all start with your equilibrium. Just an idea ~

All the best though, and get better!

[Ganjasaurusrex]

I made a thread to address this today, thats what I think the problem is.

Give it a read.

later.

[s9204]

thanks to all that replied. you guys have been helpful. thank you especially for pointing out that inner-ear could be an issue. i did some further research on the possible inner ear disorders and found the symptoms to be far more likely than a mood disorder. It's really the dizziness that drive me nuts. at this point I have an appointment set up with a dentist and an otolaryngologist. i suspect that it's because my wisdom teeth are popping out and it's in fact moving my jaw. they do close differnetly (at the same time my wisdom teeth are growing) but I never made this connection to my dizziness. after forcing it back for a few hours it improved my mood and the ability to focus significantly - not so much the orientation but i guess i cant expect too much when my brain doesnt know whats up whats down for 8 weeks. hopefully the professionals can give me an answer this week.