Help Needed

[MystikTK]

First off, I'm not sure which forum this should go in (Health or Chemical) so I'll post in both and leave it up to the mods to decide which forums are more appropriate.

Anyway, on with my problem.

I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourettes, ADD and most likely several other things that my doctors have not been able to diagnose. I have been fairly heavily medicated since I was 6 (I'm 18 now, 5'11"/180 lbs if that makes a difference) and my prescriptions have been constantly altered since then. Currently, I take Seroquel, Clomipromine (sp?) and Lithium.

I have been smoking pot for over a year now and it has helped me above and beyond what any medication has, besides the fact that it's just plain enjoyable. I don't smoke much, maybe about 3-6 sessions per month with each session consisting of 2-5 joints between 3-6 people. Ocassionally I share a J with a buddy, but I never smoke alone, I'm more of a social stoner. I also routinely drink while smoking and I've had no negative effects until the beginning of September.

I was away from home (out of the province) when I had a panic attack. I started shaking, sweating and my breathing became irregular, as did my heartbeat. I chalked it up to being a one-time event, most likely due to a higher than normal dose. Although this does coincide with alot of complicated changes to my medication, most notably the one-month anniversary of lithium being prescribed. Since lithium takes awhile to build up in your blood, I figure this COULD be the cause, or at least part of it, but I digress.

Anyway, it wasn't a one-time thing like a thought. It has been happening ever since then. Sometimes I'm fine when I get high, sometimes I'm not. It's been a little bit better as of late, though.

However, the confusing part is that my symptoms are 24/7, days or even a week or more after smoking! I get anxious and paranoid, I sweat, I have trouble breathing, my heart pounds, my chest gets tight, I feel dizzy, light-headed, blurred vision, I feel weak, both mentally and physically and I get tremors and have trouble moving my arms, legs and hands occasionally. The latter is most likely partly due to my Tourette's. But those are the problems I need help with.

I'm also thinking that perhaps it is all psychosomatic. Part of my OCD symptoms is that I get easily anxious, afraid, paranoid and scared. I can consciously make myself ill just by thinking of something distressing. Perhaps after my first bad trip, I'm making myself believe that it is will ALWAYS happen and thereofre it does, just because I imagine it?

I tried finding something on Erowid, but I couldn't sift through it all. My doctor doesn't really know and I'm hoping somebody here has a suggestion. Maybe one of my theories is correct or at least partially true or maybe somebody on here has some knowledge?

The last couple of weeks, I've tried taking smaller hits and that's made a difference. I always find that whenever I'm out of an unfamilar setting and talking to a buddy or something, I'm fine, so maybe it is all in my head and tied into OCD and my first bad trip?

Please help me, this is a very surreal time for me and I'm very worried about my health. I also don't want to give up something (weed) that has helped me so much because I'm sick for whatever reason and don't know what else to do.

Peace and Thanks.

MystikTK Reviewed by MystikTK on 10-25-2005. Help Needed First off, I'm not sure which forum this should go in (Health or Chemical) so I'll post in both and leave it up to the mods to decide which forums are more appropriate. :) Anyway, on with my problem. I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourettes, ADD and most likely several other things that my doctors have not been able to diagnose. I have been fairly heavily medicated since I was 6 (I'm 18 now, 5'11"/180 lbs if that makes a difference) and my prescriptions have been constantly altered Rating: 5

[lizka4200]

well tell your doctor you are having panic attacks...small doses of xanax will REALLY help that is what it is for..anxiety and panic attacks i know many who are precribed .25 miligram ones...or whatevr does you need...
it might be bc of OCD but this will really help

[Storm Crow]

You said that taking smaller hits seemed to help. What goes through my mind is that perhaps the level of carbon dioxide/monoxide in your blood may be setting off the panic attacks. Keep doing the small hits and breathe deeply between hits- don't hyperventalate, though.

[beachguy in thongs]

Fluoxetine has been used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I'm not sure if you've tried that. Also, behavior therapy has been found to be effective, where you're exposed to a feared object or idea and then discouraged or prevented from carrying out the usual compulsive response. If that's successful, repeated sessions gradually decrease the anxiety and you may be able to refrain from the compulsive actions.

Any kind of CNS stimulants will affect the Seroquel, and the Seroquel will increase the effects of antihypertensives. There are decreased effects of dopamine antagonists.

I heard they were giving low-doses of Topamex for ADD.

Talk to your doctor. :rasta:

[MystikTK]

Thanks everyone, l'll look into all of this. :smokin:

Like I said, I had explained all of this to my doctor and she was going to look into it, but now I have a little bit more info to share with her so hopefully I'm geting somewhere medically.

[Sinsemilla Jones]

...Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourettes, ADD...

...Currently, I take Seroquel, Clomipromine (sp?) and Lithium....

...I also routinely drink while smoking...

...I had a panic attack. I started shaking, sweating and my breathing became irregular, as did my heartbeat...

...It has been happening ever since then. Sometimes I'm fine when I get high, sometimes I'm not....

...my symptoms are 24/7, days or even a week or more after smoking! I get anxious and paranoid, I sweat, I have trouble breathing, my heart pounds, my chest gets tight, I feel dizzy, light-headed, blurred vision, I feel weak, both mentally and physically and I get tremors and have trouble moving my arms, legs and hands occasionally....

Clomipramine - Brand name: Anafranil
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-a01.html

Quetiapine - Brand name: Seroquel
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-q01.html

Lithium Carbonate - Brand names: Carbolith, Cibalith-S, Duralith, Eskalith, Lithane, Lithizine, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-l02.html


I'd read all those very carefully!
Could be an interaction with alcohol, food, or other drugs, side effects just developing from continued exposure to one or another, or even a toxic buildup!

Talk to your doctor!

[jahjahjahjah]

damn

[CloudyDay]

I think you do too many drugs.
You should stop the abuse on your body

[myrosiedog]

I just had my doctor wean me off lithium and I have to tell you my panic attacks have disappeared. The lithium made me feel like CRAP. There are other things out there, so find something else if possible. Besides, you have to have constant blood tests to monitor the lithium and you can go toxic quickly with it just be doing something you think is normal, like being out in the sun and getting dehydrated, it will increase the amount of lithium in your system and make you have lithium toxicity.

And taking drugs like lithium and drinking and smoking pot are just not a good choice as you are fucking up your brain by doing all this. All this stuff affects how your brain works and alcohol and lithium are not a good combo either.

Talk to your dr. about something else. They have some new stuff out that is better than lithium.

I will NEVER go back on that shit. It made me stranger than I normally was instead of helping.

I lost interest in doing things, I just wanted to sit and watch tv and do nothing else. I was just flat emotionally. Psychotropic drugs are heavy duty, so I'd be careful about what I add to that mix alochol and pot wise.

[outdoorman]

First off, I'm not sure which forum this should go in (Health or Chemical) so I'll post in both and leave it up to the mods to decide which forums are more appropriate.

Anyway, on with my problem.

I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourettes, ADD and most likely several other things that my doctors have not been able to diagnose. I have been fairly heavily medicated since I was 6 (I'm 18 now, 5'11"/180 lbs if that makes a difference) and my prescriptions have been constantly altered since then. Currently, I take Seroquel, Clomipromine (sp?) and Lithium.

I have been smoking pot for over a year now and it has helped me above and beyond what any medication has, besides the fact that it's just plain enjoyable. I don't smoke much, maybe about 3-6 sessions per month with each session consisting of 2-5 joints between 3-6 people. Ocassionally I share a J with a buddy, but I never smoke alone, I'm more of a social stoner. I also routinely drink while smoking and I've had no negative effects until the beginning of September.

I was away from home (out of the province) when I had a panic attack. I started shaking, sweating and my breathing became irregular, as did my heartbeat. I chalked it up to being a one-time event, most likely due to a higher than normal dose. Although this does coincide with alot of complicated changes to my medication, most notably the one-month anniversary of lithium being prescribed. Since lithium takes awhile to build up in your blood, I figure this COULD be the cause, or at least part of it, but I digress.

Anyway, it wasn't a one-time thing like a thought. It has been happening ever since then. Sometimes I'm fine when I get high, sometimes I'm not. It's been a little bit better as of late, though.

However, the confusing part is that my symptoms are 24/7, days or even a week or more after smoking! I get anxious and paranoid, I sweat, I have trouble breathing, my heart pounds, my chest gets tight, I feel dizzy, light-headed, blurred vision, I feel weak, both mentally and physically and I get tremors and have trouble moving my arms, legs and hands occasionally. The latter is most likely partly due to my Tourette's. But those are the problems I need help with.

I'm also thinking that perhaps it is all psychosomatic. Part of my OCD symptoms is that I get easily anxious, afraid, paranoid and scared. I can consciously make myself ill just by thinking of something distressing. Perhaps after my first bad trip, I'm making myself believe that it is will ALWAYS happen and thereofre it does, just because I imagine it?

I tried finding something on Erowid, but I couldn't sift through it all. My doctor doesn't really know and I'm hoping somebody here has a suggestion. Maybe one of my theories is correct or at least partially true or maybe somebody on here has some knowledge?

The last couple of weeks, I've tried taking smaller hits and that's made a difference. I always find that whenever I'm out of an unfamilar setting and talking to a buddy or something, I'm fine, so maybe it is all in my head and tied into OCD and my first bad trip?

Please help me, this is a very surreal time for me and I'm very worried about my health. I also don't want to give up something (weed) that has helped me so much because I'm sick for whatever reason and don't know what else to do.

Peace and Thanks.

There are two main types of cannabis; cannabis Indica which is more effective at controlling bipolar mood swings, anxiety states, and epilepsy. Cannabis sativa, which is more of a head stone can actually cause anxiety or panic attacks, seizures, and mood swings. Some of the hybred strains (combinations of the two) are best all round medications and great for recreational highs. I would try to stick with the type of pot that is more of a body high given your conditions. As for the lithium, if you begin using pot that is more of the indica variety, you may find that you need less lithium to control your negative mood fluctuations.

I use cannabis for pain but have a problem with mild seizures, so I have to go out of my way to insure that I am smoking the right stuff. Good luck with it :stoned: