Medical Marijuana And PTSD

[yell]

Hello All,
I have looked through the threads and haven't found one on this topic.

I have PTSD and I take antidepressants and pot to manage. I was prescribed anti-anxiety meds, but they just made me sleep. With pot I am able to fulfill my daily routine and work on my therapy with less or more manageable pain. I have seen a lot of literature advocating the use of pot for PTSD, but I am aware that this is propaganda. As well, I have read general information denouncing medical marijuana, but again...propaganda. What I would like to know is if anyone else has personal experience from attempting this approach. I have been using regularily for over a year and I have made great progress in that year, but as a scientist I know that is not the whole story.
Anybody relate?

 

[kayjay]

Maybe it's an individual thing. I had a boyfriend who medicated by using pot. The fallout from that was long term use screwed up his head and he ended up committing suicide. I don't blame it all on the pot, he had issues other than that, but I do believe the pot was a very significant factor.

I guess other than my negative view of pot from that, any drug or substance that has an effect on your mind that isn't prescribed by a professional doesn't seem ideal. Have you spoken to your doc about it? They might have an opinion. And maybe an insight on how it might interact with whatever other medication you're prescribed.

KJ

 

[evergreen]

I live in a state where it is legal, and I have a card for marijuana use. It was issued for my Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is from the PTSD. Marijuana use caused me more anxiety initially.. until I could use it legally. Then the anxiety went away.

 

[PerfectEmpire]

I know somebody who has used it for over 30 years to keep away nightmares and other symptoms. The only noticeable issues were legal ones. The real problem is that they didn't actually deal with the problem. They just self-medicated. Without the pot, the nightmares ect. come back. They refuse therapy so I'm not sure how pot would work for someone who is actually trying to recover.

I've never even tried it for fun so I don't know how it affects the mind. Wouldn't it just make you too high to actually deal with the issue at hand? How can you go to therapy and work on something if you're stoned??? Just make sure that the "progress" you're referring to is still present when there is no pot in your life!

 

[sigh]

I don't smoke it, I can't. But the edibles have helped with anxiety, nausea, stomach cramps, and, because I'm such a lightweight, a lot of embarrassment. It is legal in this state with a medical release. I would recommend occasion but not steady use.

 

[Gunchief]

Would be better than meds. NH is legalizing it in Jan.

 

[yell]

Thank you

I appreciate the responses and I am happy to have found a forum where I can talk about this with people who can relate.

I am an advocate of multiple approaches to my health and I do incorporate meditation, stretching, healthy diet, as well as writing creatively and logging flashbacks and nightmares.

I would never go to my therapists office stoned, mostly because I have spoken to therapists while high on anti-anxiety/anti-psychotics and it was really useful. I use daily at the moment. I dose out in measured regulated quantities and I am completely honest about it with my doctors and therapist. It is legal here in Canada too, and I am investigating getting a license for use. I may be addicted to it, but I prefer pot over seraquel, lorazapam, ativan etc... to calm me and help me eat. I eat 3 meals a day everyday now, and that is something I wasn't able to do for most of my life. Also, it slows down my racing thoughts so that I can actually look at them, write them and try to learn from them without as much pain.

I would never say that this approach is right for everyone. As for the question of how can you progress while high?, well, like all medications, the right dose is important. Although dosing pot is difficult I just have a little bit at a time and keep track of the amount and my condition. I am not looking to smoke until I'm crazy high, I just have enough to get stuff done without the flash backs overwhelming and repressing my activities.

Thanks again

 

[jefferylee]

Hey Yell,

I first started smoking weed when I was 11.I am now actually 58 and have been a daily user for the past 20 years.I have a friend who grows for the co-ops in San Francisco,so access is easy as I'm way too paranoid to get on any State data-base which lists me as a user...no thank you!

I have severe insomnia and for me,smoking a bowl just before bed is just about the only way to relax enough to fall asleep.If I don't smoke,I can go for 2-3 days before exhaustion overcomes my instincts to always be alert and on guard.

But I realize everyone reacts differently and it isn't for everyone,but hey,it works for me :)

Peace and Hope...jefferylee

 

[Mommy to 2]

I started smoking pot when I was 10. By the time I was 15, I was smoking daily and that continued until I was 34. In my experience, marijuana was a bad thing. It was a "will-killer"...I never got anything done. While getting stoned with friends we'd talk about doing things, but we never did.

When I was in my 30's, my problems intensified and my pot usage didn't seem to be helping. I smoked to try to forget about these bothersome life issues. The problem was...my problems didn't go away. They intensified. I kept trying the same things to solve my issues and they continued to fail me, time and again.

Everyone is different. If you think it's helping you, great. For me, I am a quitter. Oh no! One of those damn quitters! I found my help in a 12-step program. I was able to face my problems and in the process I found some self-worth. I was strong. I was smart. I could think clearly.

In addition, I have been through the molestation of my children and the Court fights and all of this without "using" the crutch I used for most of my life. I know that it won't help me. I am strong. I am smart. I can think clearly.

~Mommy to 2

 

[Noone.]

Hey PUFF PUFF pass don't bogart it.

 

[cragger65]

I started smoking weed when I was about 13. Continued fairly regular until I was 18, and quit when I started working full-time. Fast forward to 35 and a broken neck, and man was it a God-send!!! It worked far better than any of the pain meds, which I couldn't get anyway because I didn't have a doctor.

Became my crutch for a while, but now I smoke sparingly, couple of puffs here and there through the day and taking 1-3 weeks break from it when I run out. I find it loses its effect quite quickly for me if I smoke it all the time.

Soooo.... I can relate to both sides of the coin, it depends how you use it.

 

[sigh]

hey braw, check this. with my illness, in this state of CA, i got the card. no paranoia here. who cares anyways. dude, one brownie sends you straight to the moon for half the day. ya. gave a cookie to one of my smokin' bro's and watched him melt. He couldn't believe it--it was the best.



monitors please do not edit my post, im trying to be creative here w'da language :)