I use prescription medication for chronic depression and panic attacks and adding marijuana works, is it ok?

I have effexor and xanax for chronic depression and panic attacks but it is not enough. Adding marijuana also works best; would I be a candidate for medicinal marijuana?

Xanax just about destroyed my husband. He had a chronic medical issue that was causing him a lot of anxiety, and a shrink he talked to prescribed Xanax to relieve the anxiety. Within 2 weeks, I was living with another person entirely. It was horrifying and scary. He became intensely paranoid and the anxiety turned to full fledged panic attacks, something he'd never had before.

He finally saw another doctor, who explained that it was most likely the Xanax. The stuff apparently has a half life, and over time, (in my husband's case a very short time) not only are you addicted to it, but you start going through withdrawal before your next dose so symptoms worsen. Seems this doctor knew the guy who originally discovered/invented Xanax, who now wishes he'd never brought it to market...but big pharma insists is safe...

You can't just stop taking the stuff, either, without risking full blown psychosis. You have to wean off it very, very slowly - it took my husband three months! Some doctors prescribe valium to help with the withdrawal.

Now my husband smokes weed when he feels the need for relaxation and calm. No more pharmaceutical drugs, he's too paranoid of them now. He will never touch another "anti depressant" or "anti anxiety" drug other than pot.

I know another person who for years has very successfully combined pot and Prozac for chronic depression. Again, not a drug you can just quit taking, but doesn't seem to have nearly the awful problems we found with Xanax.

Medical marijuana is not indicated for anxiety or panic attacks and may in fact make things worse over time. MJ is known to increase anxiety, depression and paranoia with chronic use. It is a mixture of several chemicals that change brain chemistry. It is unpredictable what the combination of MJ with potent drugs like alprazolam (xanax) will have; and will interfere with the stablization of brain chemicals which venlafaxine (effexor) produces. Lastly medical MJ has specific indications and your condition(s) are not on the list so you also risk arrest. If you are not getting relief from your symptoms please go back to your doctor and have him/her adjust doses or change drugs until you get the best effect you can attain. Read all the information about any drug you take and know the risk/benefit of taking them.

Wow. Tough question. What if you substituted opioids (such as heroin) or alcohol? I'm not going to pot-bash, but if you are using drugs to escape or avoid depression, I'd say your heading down a dangerous path. If things are going well and you want to get high 1-2x per week, I wouldnt get on your case. So the real question is not can you use pot with your meds (there are no published interactions), but why are you using pot. In sum, many people use illicit drugs to feel better so your not alone.

Maybe try 4-6 weeks off of the dubies and get a sense of how depressed/anxious you really are. You should know that contrary to what i was taught in school, pot can cause or exacerbate depression, anxiety and psychosis, especially in vulnerable people - meaning those with pre-existing mentall illness (e.g., you).

No. No doctor would give marijuana to a patient with panic attacks (marijuana induces panic attacks). Marijuana itself has shown no clinical use for depression, although there are marijuana-like neurotransmitters in the brain that have shown an antidepressant effect (in rats). Your best option for a chronic depression would be TMS.

Xanax is the worst thing you can take. Probably CAUSING your panic attacks at this point. Thats what it does, helps at first, then causes the problem. Please check out the following web site.

http://www.benzo.org.uk/

Not a good idea to mix pot with psych meds.

Better to get therapy, resolve the anxiety and depression, and you won't need the meds.

overall i think marijuana is an excellent remedy for pain and sickness, but when used under depression this can cause more problems, this is only from watching my brother fall it from it though. if it is used in moderation and isn't abused i think it should help you so good luck.

cannabis is a Selective Seritonin-Re-Uptake inhibitor like many of the anti-depression and anti- anxiety drugs


so its very likely that you are right about it helping (i use it myself)

you could be if you live in the right states =P

check out norml.com

I am on Celexia and Clonazepam for depression.I also have HIV and smoke weed to aleviate symptoms of that illness.I've never had a problem mixing.

possibly, you should talk to your doctor, they are usually pretty cool about stuff like that, also they can let you know if there are any risks with mixing meds and weed.

I always feel better when mixing, but the Dr's claim it is toxic and will hurt you worse. Antidepressants are toxic as well.

the best thing to do is talk with your doctor.