I need some SERIOUS help...

[stinkyattic]

A shitty experience with Zoloft was a very defining event in my turn to cannabis as a better treatment for my own psych-medded issues. I feel that when a patient comes in with both depression and anxiety, Zoloft is not a good choice, as it seems to exacerbate the anxiety portion in many people I've talked to or seen posts from.
Since you do in fact have an existing medical history, with documentation, that you have tried other options for medicating your troubles, you have an even stronger case for a card.
Best of luck!

stinkyattic Reviewed by stinkyattic on 03-12-2008. I need some SERIOUS help... I have been smoking for about 3 years, at first it was fun every now and again, but slowly became an everyday affair because it helped me with anxiety and depression. Zolofts are the devil! They ruined me and my personality, marijuana seems to be the only natural and real way for me to feel my best and live a normal life. These drugs the doctor gives me are killing my stomach because I am very thin and they affect me a lot worse. Marijuana seems to be a Gods gift to my life and I want Rating: 5

[FakeBoobsRule]

Anxiety and depression arn't usually things that marijuana gets prescribed for youd probably just get k'pins for it. However if you had some back pain...

And psychological problems ARE covered by recommendations! My hubby's is mainly for depression. The law reads- any medical symptom that "If not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient's safety or physical or mental health." Depression certainly qualifies!

I'm glad you poste dthat because I thought I have seen many people getting scripts for anxiety and depression. It actually seems like one of the more common diagnosis to get the card (as far as the boards).

Yes, very similar to me, I've tried 6 medications so far, I'm so over it. Marijuana is so natural and causes so harmful effects to my body like the pills, and it helps so much

Did you mean so harmful effects or no harmful effects? I was going to suggest that although there are many drugs in the SSRI class that are very similar the effects from one person to the next can be quite different so you may benefit from a change to another in the same class. What all have you tried? They really are good drugs so maybe if you have tried mulitple SSIR's maybe the dosage is too high. Something to think about. You may benefit fro a combo of a SSRI and marijuana or not, it all depends on the person but you should keep your options open. Sopme people don't do well with SSRI's and marijuana. It's hard to know without some safe trial and error.

[zzdank]

Am on zoloft right now it is 15mg people go up to 300-400mg a day. Cannabis can defenetliy help with deppression or anxiety. But if you have imbalanced chemicals in your brain than zoloft will make them balanced even tho you might not like the side effect of the drug. Thing is you can take the anti and not be happy. And than ones you are done taking it you your deppression might stop. Am in the same situation as you. But am always open to everything. My doctor told if i don't like the meds i can stop taking them. If you really dislike zoloft you can tell your doctor and they will try diffrent meds. All am telling you is that moving out to california and smoking weed everyday for your depression could work. But not if the chemicals in your brain unbalanced. Weed can't balance them. It raised them once you are high but the go back to the way they were. So keep your options open. :jointsmile:

[stinkyattic]

....there are many drugs in the SSRI class that are very similar the effects from one person to the next can be quite different so you may benefit from a change to another in the same class. ....
maybe if you have tried mulitple SSIR's maybe the dosage is too high.

Good advice from FBR; I've heard Zoloft referred to as a 'primitive' and 'crude' member of the SSRI family actually, haha!
Celexa is another and I found that it was FAR preferable for my own condition (primarily anxiety rather than primarily depression) but the dosage at which I responded was considered sub-clinical by my shrink and she wouldn't hear of me staying at it. That's kinda when I threw up my hands in disgust and started experimenting with cannabis strains known to be effective against anxiety specifically.
My advice is to find a knowledgeable shrink who you feel comfortable working with because sadly it CAN BE somewhat trial-and-error.

[chrons]

Did you mean so harmful effects or no harmful effects? I was going to suggest that although there are many drugs in the SSRI class that are very similar the effects from one person to the next can be quite different so you may benefit from a change to another in the same class. What all have you tried? They really are good drugs so maybe if you have tried mulitple SSIR's maybe the dosage is too high. Something to think about. You may benefit fro a combo of a SSRI and marijuana or not, it all depends on the person but you should keep your options open. Sopme people don't do well with SSRI's and marijuana. It's hard to know without some safe trial and error.

Whoops, typo! I meant NO harmful effects.

Now the problems with SSRI drugs and marijuana is that marijuana lowers the serotonin levels in the brain, where Zolofts and most SSRI drugs have a chemical Sertraline which RAISES these levels in the brain, so when mixing Zoloft and Marijuana you are actually defeating the purpose of the Zoloft and the levels are fighting back and forth which can cause unbelievable mood swings and many other side affects.

Stick to the natural way!

peace.love

[FakeBoobsRule]

Whoops, typo! I meant NO harmful effects.

Now the problems with SSRI drugs and marijuana is that marijuana lowers the serotonin levels in the brain, where Zolofts and most SSRI drugs have a chemical Sertraline which RAISES these levels in the brain, so when mixing Zoloft and Marijuana you are actually defeating the purpose of the Zoloft and the levels are fighting back and forth which can cause unbelievable mood swings and many other side affects.

No Sertraline is not found in all SSRI's. Sertraline is only found in Zoloft, that's its generic name. I have seen studies that go both ways, that marijuana lowers and marijuana raises serotonin levels in synaptic junctions. It seems that research may be pointing in the direction that at lower doses marijuana inhibits reuptake and in higher doses marijuana increases reuptake. If you prevent reuptake, then there is more serotonin at the junction. So in lower doses combined with an SSRI you are getting a synergistic effect. If you've been smoking while on the SSIR's in moderation, this may be why you are having the side effects because you are getting the synergistic effect from both.

[zzdank]

You should not smoke weed with any antidepressant medication. Just try out the meds alone first. Give it 2 weeks and then you c how you feel. You can start smoking after you give it atleast 2 weeks. You don't have to but weed works on serotinin just like zoloft so when you mix you don't know really know what is doing what. So try ethier just taking the meds or only smoke a little bit and not everyday. You can't really expect changes to happen really soon everything requires time my friend. Just be patient and you will find what is right for you.

[Twentyinches]

Ok I think all those anti-depressants are over-rated, and overused. I can only think of a couple select ppl not on one of those (imo) stupid pills. Half of them have nothing to be depressed about yet think they have to take it because dr. says so.

We are becoming soo medicated that our water even has prescription drugs in it...I mean when you find prozac in there something's wrong.

But that guy was funny lol, "I wanna go fast!! err... but when you're on marijuana you're like nahh I don't want to" LOL... I somewhat agree, unless I'm in my 5.0 then I'm always haulin ass :jointsmile: