[PainFree2008]

I am seeing a new psychiatrist in a couple of weeks and feel very strongly that I will be diagnosed bipolar II. This follows at least 5 years of bad diagnoses from a handful of other psychiatrists and therapists.

I find MMJ to be very effective with mood management. Does anyone else here use MMJ as a mood stabilizer or antidepressant?

Peace!!

[OGUNIT]

Originally Posted by PainFree2008

I am seeing a new psychiatrist in a couple of weeks and feel very strongly that I will be diagnosed bipolar II. This follows at least 5 years of bad diagnoses from a handful of other psychiatrists and therapists.

I find MMJ to be very effective with mood management. Does anyone else here use MMJ as a mood stabilizer or antidepressant?

Peace!!

x2

[MadRiverTurtle]

Originally Posted by PainFree2008

I find MMJ to be very effective with mood management. Does anyone else here use MMJ as a mood stabilizer or antidepressant?

Nope. IMHO, MMJ is not a stand in for mood stabilizers. It may help in the interim when those drugs aren't present or don't work but it will never take the place of my pill cocktail. Bipolar disorder is believed to be a neurological disorder of the cns and MMJ does not act like a real antidepressant. It may have 'antidepressant' qualities but MMJ is not a prophylactic drug, it won't prevent an episode and certainly not a manic episode. At least not for me, and everyone is different :disappointed:

Best of luck with your new doctor

[OGUNIT]

Originally Posted by MadRiverTurtle

Nope. IMHO, MMJ is not a stand in for mood stabilizers. It may help in the interim when those drugs aren't present or don't work but it will never take the place of my pill cocktail. Bipolar disorder is believed to be a neurological disorder of the cns and MMJ does not act like a real antidepressant. It may have 'antidepressant' qualities but MMJ is not a prophylactic drug, it won't prevent an episode and certainly not a manic episode. At least not for me, and everyone is different :disappointed:

Best of luck with your new doctor

i take mmj in conjunction with prescriptions . mmj "can" make bipolar, depression worse on its own . I agree 100% with MRT

[frodothehobbit]

I had been mis-diagnosed for a number of years, but recently had been confirmed by my new physician that I suffer from Bipolar II....I also suffer from "night terrors"....I can say that MMJ has been a savior for my night terrors (all synthetics put me to sleep, but I don't STAY asleep), however, I think that MMJ was good in transitional situations...but not for complete replacement of a mood stabilizer...just an extra thought!!! Good Luck!!!

[Jeffster]

I have to agree with MRT. I take 40 MG Paxil daily, for about the last 7 years. A week ago, I decided to try an experiment. I've been on MMJ since 4/2/08, and for a while I had wondered if the mood elevation effects of MMJ might be enough to let me stop taking the Paxil. So I didn't take it one day. Then the next day I felt an episode coming on that was much stronger than I had felt for a long time. It was like an earthquake was starting to happen, but it was inside of me, getting stronger, and more uncontrollable. So I walked right over and took my Paxil. A little while later the sense of urgency had settled down to a more passive state of mind and body. This one test certainly can not be considered conclusive, but it put enough fear into to me to say don't do that again any time soon. When and if I want to try it again, I'd go to half dosage for a day or so to see how I feel. But bottom line, I'd say we can not just expect MMJ to replace the prescription drugs that help with depression and anxiety.

[zbestwun2001]

Originally Posted by Jeffster

I have to agree with MRT. I take 40 MG Paxil daily, for about the last 7 years. A week ago, I decided to try an experiment. I've been on MMJ since 4/2/08, and for a while I had wondered if the mood elevation effects of MMJ might be enough to let me stop taking the Paxil. So I didn't take it one day. Then the next day I felt an episode coming on that was much stronger than I had felt for a long time. It was like an earthquake was starting to happen, but it was inside of me, getting stronger, and more uncontrollable. So I walked right over and took my Paxil. A little while later the sense of urgency had settled down to a more passive state of mind and body. This one test certainly can not be considered conclusive, but it put enough fear into to me to say don't do that again any time soon. When and if I want to try it again, I'd go to half dosage for a day or so to see how I feel. But bottom line, I'd say we can not just expect MMJ to replace the prescription drugs that help with depression and anxiety.

When discontinuing your anti depression meds, your SSRI's and what all, DON'T EVER just stop cold. You need to be weaned off these meds.

Your body just can't take that sudden stopping.

I have had talks about this with my own doctor.

This is one of the biggest problems that manic-depressives have. They take their meds, the meds work, they feel great and figure they don't need them any more and stop.

Then all hell breaks loose upstairs.

zb

[MadRiverTurtle]

Originally Posted by zbestwun2001

This is one of the biggest problems that manic-depressives have. They take their meds, the meds work, they feel great and figure they don't need them any more and stop.

Then all hell breaks loose upstairs.

story of my life :D

[thepurplelounge]

Yes, I'm bipolar and have ceased to take any other form of medication. I only use natures medicine for my bipolar disorder, and no longer feel like a zombie.

[OGUNIT]

Originally Posted by thepurplelounge

Yes, I'm bipolar and have ceased to take any other form of medication. I only use natures medicine for my bipolar disorder, and no longer feel like a zombie.

when im on my prescriptions I feel normal . i feel like a zombie without em .

that word is kinda harsh and puts a stigma on those of us who have to take pills .

[zbestwun2001]

I need to ask my doc the effects of SSRI + MMJ.

I have a stinking suspicion that SSRI's will affect MMJ, and I don't think it potentates the MMJ, I have a feeling it stops some of the affects

zb

[OGUNIT]

Originally Posted by zbestwun2001

I need to ask my doc the effects of SSRI + MMJ.

I have a stinking suspicion that SSRI's will affect MMJ, and I don't think it potentates the MMJ, I have a feeling it stops some of the affects

zb

ssris dont affect .neither do bezo's ... they dont affect my medicated feeling of the mmj at all .

[Bogart McKilo]

Originally Posted by Jeffster

I have to agree with MRT. I take 40 MG Paxil daily, for about the last 7 years. A week ago, I decided to try an experiment. I've been on MMJ since 4/2/08, and for a while I had wondered if the mood elevation effects of MMJ might be enough to let me stop taking the Paxil. So I didn't take it one day. Then the next day I felt an episode coming on that was much stronger than I had felt for a long time. It was like an earthquake was starting to happen, but it was inside of me, getting stronger, and more uncontrollable. So I walked right over and took my Paxil. A little while later the sense of urgency had settled down to a more passive state of mind and body. This one test certainly can not be considered conclusive, but it put enough fear into to me to say don't do that again any time soon. When and if I want to try it again, I'd go to half dosage for a day or so to see how I feel. But bottom line, I'd say we can not just expect MMJ to replace the prescription drugs that help with depression and anxiety.

Jeffster, have to respond to your post. I just got rid of Paxil after 13 years. Went through a long period of withdrawl. And finally, with the help of my doctor, used prozac to get that monkey off my back. There is a high percentage of physical dependency (with some people) with paxil. http://www.namiscc.org/newsletters/A...xilLawsuit.htm

[Jeffster]

Originally Posted by Bogart McKilo

Jeffster, have to respond to your post. I just got rid of Paxil after 13 years. Went through a long period of withdrawl. And finally, with the help of my doctor, used prozac to get that monkey off my back. There is a high percentage of physical dependency (with some people) with paxil. http://www.namiscc.org/newsletters/A...xilLawsuit.htm

Thanks for the advice, Bogart! I will keep that in mind. I just started with a new primary care physician, and will make it a point to talk to her about ways to possibly get off of it. The idea of using Prozac to get off Paxil sounds interesting. I'll have to research that some more. I thought they were both SSRI's?

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by PainFree2008

I am seeing a new psychiatrist in a couple of weeks and feel very strongly that I will be diagnosed bipolar II. This follows at least 5 years of bad diagnoses from a handful of other psychiatrists and therapists.

I find MMJ to be very effective with mood management. Does anyone else here use MMJ as a mood stabilizer or antidepressant?

Peace!!

Yes. I use medical marijuana as a mood stabilize. I have sleep disorders and all that has manifested into various co-morbid stuff. Nothing else works. All pharmaceuticals make me ill in one way or another. mmj heals me.

I use strong sativa dominants with strong indica influences for daytime meds, indica dominants for evening and just anything strong before bed along with an edible, some sativas work well for sleep and some indicas don't, you have to find what works for your brew of symptoms. Some days, when the stress is REAL bad, I'll eat a half an edible or something like that. Some days, when the stress is real bad, I can consume a quad of potent meds in 24-hours and just be level, which is great cuz everything else, including the stress will make me ill.

Also, a lot of people who have a sleep disorder are frequently mis-diagnosed bi-polar, depressed and, or anxiety disorder, ADD, ADHD, ODD, OCD, CD; get a sleep study done for the hell of it if you can to rule it out.

Hemp protein powder and hemp milk work great for all symptoms I've tried thus far too. Apparently, the perfect protein in the hemp really promotes superior brain function and speeds up the recovery of injuries -- and, it seems to improve the effect of the THC meds too, it metabolizes well with it, and it seems to act as a powerful catalyst for the THC. A glass of hemp milk with hemp protein powder about an hour after eating an edible yields perfect sedation and rest and recovery.

Enjoy!

[Bogart McKilo]

Originally Posted by Jeffster

Thanks for the advice, Bogart! I will keep that in mind. I just started with a new primary care physician, and will make it a point to talk to her about ways to possibly get off of it. The idea of using Prozac to get off Paxil sounds interesting. I'll have to research that some more. I thought they were both SSRI's?

I think the two meds are in the same family, but this was the first doctor who has given me this solution.( and the first to openly admit that paxil could be extremely addictive.) I dreaded the day I had to quit paxil but found that the transition was quite easy. Since then I've found a wonderful balance between mmj and celexa. A balance I've long sought.

[Jeffster]

Originally Posted by Bogart McKilo

I think the two meds are in the same family, but this was the first doctor who has given me this solution.( and the first to openly admit that paxil could be extremely addictive.) I dreaded the day I had to quit paxil but found that the transition was quite easy. Since then I've found a wonderful balance between mmj and celexa. A balance I've long sought.

OK! Some celexa studying coming up for the Jeffster! Is that a light I see at the end of the tunnel?

[Nero]

such great advice here. i have always had insomnia/depression issues and a year or so ago found mmj to be great for the insomnia, which has allowed me more daytime clarity to work on the mental issues. recently this is not working because of increased work stresses making me sick
im waiting on an appointment with a mental health dr to talk about possible anti-depression meds. its nice to hear so many other people with experience using both mmj and prescriptions at the same time.



oh, does anyone here have any suggestions on therapists who are sympathetic to mmj? im not sure if they will be like the other general dr's ive mentioned it to, which has been fairly negative. they've all recommended i stop and 'take these pills instead' :-/

[PainFree2008]

Originally Posted by Nero

such great advice here. i have always had insomnia/depression issues and a year or so ago found mmj to be great for the insomnia, which has allowed me more daytime clarity to work on the mental issues. recently this is not working because of increased work stresses making me sick
im waiting on an appointment with a mental health dr to talk about possible anti-depression meds. its nice to hear so many other people with experience using both mmj and prescriptions at the same time.



oh, does anyone here have any suggestions on therapists who are sympathetic to mmj? im not sure if they will be like the other general dr's ive mentioned it to, which has been fairly negative. they've all recommended i stop and 'take these pills instead' :-/

Please make sure your psychiatrist/physician screens you for bipolarity BEFORE placing you on antidepressants or sleeping medications.

In my husband's case, they treated him as unipolar depression and the meds (Lexapro and Ambien) actually increased his cycling and made his mania/depression more severe on both sides of the spectrum.

Take care. :)

[Nero]

Originally Posted by PainFree2008

Please make sure your psychiatrist/physician screens you for bipolarity BEFORE placing you on antidepressants or sleeping medications.

In my husband's case, they treated him as unipolar depression and the meds (Lexapro and Ambien) actually increased his cycling and made his mania/depression more severe on both sides of the spectrum.

Take care. :)

will do painfree2008! ive never been screened for bipolar before, at least not to my knowledge. i had a few different therapists as a kid but havent been back as an adult.
the last time i went to a general doctor and told her my symptoms SHE was trying to pass me samples of lexapro, saying 'just start taking one a day and increase it as you need to'. i looked at her like she was insane. a GP prescribing those things didnt feel right to me at all. needless to say i never took her samples, and havent been back to her since.

[Oxirous]

Originally Posted by thepurplelounge

Yes, I'm bipolar and have ceased to take any other form of medication. I only use natures medicine for my bipolar disorder, and no longer feel like a zombie.

Ditto. 5 years and counting for me!