prescription for anxiety

topic posted Sun, January 20, 2008 - 11:36 AM by  Chris
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Hi all,

So I was sitting here the other day when I saw a post about Indica vs Sativa and how the Indica would probably be good for anxiety while the Sativa might make it worse. I got to thinking that maybe that is why I can smoke some hash without panic but most herb I have smoked since my anxiety started actually freaks me out more. So I have been wanting to find some pure Indica to test this out, I figure this would be very hard to do with your average dealer who doesn't know what strains he really has since most are mixed these days anyway.

Then it dawned on me that all of my work to help pass 215 back in the day might actually benefit me now. I think I may qualify for MM but I want to ask you guys what you think....

I started having anxiety about 4 years ago which included panic attacks and all of the usual symptoms. I have a prescription for Ativan but I haven't refilled it in about 1.5 years because I have learned to manage my symptoms and much of it has gone away. But I still feel so tired sometimes because I am constantly checking myself to make sure I am ok, I still worry quite often about medical issues, and overall it's hard to just relax my mind and have a laugh now and then so I feel exhausted mentally. I don't want to be on meds because they are addictive and have side effects I don't care for. Plus if I report to my doc that I am still having some trouble my health insurance goes through the roof on prices for many years after.

So my question is, is this enough for me to qualify or would most Doctors be offended that I even asked since I am not suffering in a very serious manner? Also if anyone has a Doctor recommendation near Albany CA that would be great.

Thanks in advance.
posted by:
Chris
SF Bay Area
  • Re: prescription for anxiety

    Sun, January 20, 2008 - 11:45 AM
    I found this at www.medicannusa.com/


    Q. Do I need to be referred to MediCann?
    No. MediCann accepts all potential patients for evaluation.

    Q. What happens when I visit a MediCann clinic?
    Patients fill out a medical history form, provide a valid California ID, pay the MediCann fee and then receive an evaluation. Patients that qualify receive a physician's recommendation.

    Q. What form of ID do I need to bring to my evaluation?
    Patients must provide a valid California state-issued ID. Patients who do not have a California I.D. must bring a picture I.D with a print out from the California DMV.

    Q. What medical documentation should I bring to my evaluation?
    Patients should bring written documentation, including their diagnosis, the name, address, phone number and fax number of their primary healthcare provider. Prescription bottles are accepted, but must be current and contain the contact information for the prescribing physician on the label.

    Q. What if I have never seen a physician about my condition?
    MediCann offers the value-added bonus of an extended visit for our patients, so they can feel they are getting a thorough and complete assessment of their health issues. A qualified and licensed physician will examine the patient and determine what diagnosis, if any, is appropriate. Follow up visits, lab tests and radiology exams may be required prior to determining a diagnosis.

    I hope this helsp. They have an office in Oakland. Suite 420, aamof.
    • Re: prescription for anxiety

      Sun, January 20, 2008 - 1:11 PM
      Cool, thanks for the info Dave. I think I'll check them out they look like a good operation. Suite 420 lol, that's funny. I noticed that the measure to get californians MM ID cards is called 420 as well heheh.
  • Re: prescription for anxiety

    Sun, January 20, 2008 - 11:46 AM
    At the club (the one just off of Van Ness, anyhoop) they have different blends for different afflictions.
    • Re: prescription for anxiety

      Sun, January 20, 2008 - 7:48 PM
      Indicas are not difficult to find.
      Just ask your caregiver or grow it yourself.
      Most conscientious growers know exactly what blend their particular varieties are. (almost all med plants nowadays are a blend of Indica/Sativa parents.) If yours doesn't know, move on to a different caretaker!
      • Re: prescription for anxiety

        Sun, January 20, 2008 - 8:09 PM
        Where does one go to learn more about growing, care & handling of utensils, culinary considerations, and methods of medicating (eat? smoke? joint or pipe? water filter?) My symptoms continue to worsen, but I can't afford much more. I am considering growing my own, but certainly have no green thumb.
        • Re: prescription for anxiety

          Wed, January 23, 2008 - 7:22 PM
          Google.

          Otherwise, I like the book:
          (Marijuana) Buds for Less (grow 8oz. of bud for less than $100.)
          by SeeMoreBuds
          Published by Quick American (www.quicktrading.com)
          17 bucks for the book.
          (I have no affiliation with the company and will not be selling you my copy!)

          I read the book and have *not* followed their method, BUT, their directions are incredibly easy, look completely feasible, and just about everything they say you need is available at any average hardware store (besides your clone or seedlings.)
          They even give you a list. And day-to-day pictures. I mean, really. Could one get walked through any more easily?

          For eating vs. inhaling, talk to your medical provider or yourself. What seems to work best for you?
  • mc
    mc
    offline 62

    Re: prescription for anxiety

    Tue, January 22, 2008 - 6:12 PM
    Depression/Anxiety are valid reasons to MJ recs, from what I understand.

    I agree - I would generally assume Indicas might fare better for anxiety than Sativas. But I have also found every strain can sometimes do its own things and I have had some heady trips on Indicas - almost overwhelming.

    Good luck.
    MC
    • Re: prescription for anxiety

      Wed, January 23, 2008 - 4:59 PM
      Well I got setup with a 3 month prescription (need to bring more paperwork for the full 12 months) yesterday and it was very interesting. First i will say that the herb I got was right on the money, good body high and almost 0 head trip. The hash was also this way but it was way too strong for my taste, much stronger then I have ever had before and it kinda bubbled up when lit which seemed odd to me. It did help my anxiety amazingly enough so I think I'll be enjoying living a little more free now without pills :)

      The place I got the recommendation from was in suite 420, and the Dr's last name was Toke, too funny. The co-op (Berkely Patients Group) I went to was a bit too business like for my taste and very expensive but the selection seemed very nice. I was hoping for it being treated more like medicine and less like going to the marijuana walmart. They did help me find a good Indica that was mild but I had a feeling that people rarely mention their symptoms or discuss it with the people when buying. I think I'll start another thread on finding a better place, but then again they did offer free massage while you are there :)

      thanks for the help everyone!
      • Re: prescription for anxiety

        Wed, January 23, 2008 - 7:12 PM
        If your hash doesn't bubble or sizzle, then something is wrong with it. Bubbling is Good, eh?
        FWIW, different strains of meds will produce hash with different effects.
        If you get a caretaker who's meds work well for you, consider asking them to make hash from the trimmings of that particular med.
        Might work even better.
        good luck!
        • Re: prescription for anxiety

          Thu, January 24, 2008 - 5:37 PM
          cool thanks. i guess the hash i have gotten in the past is very dry from being imported, I never had really fresh stuff. yes i should ask my provider if they can make hash from the herb they gave me since that was so mellow and nice.
  • Re: prescription for anxiety

    Tue, January 29, 2008 - 8:13 AM
    As far as method of imbibing goes, I recently purchased my first vaporizer and I must say, I am hooked! It gives a nice clean hit that tastes purely of THC, no chlorophyl or ash, and you can make hash oil from the unburnt remnants. My vaporizer even came with a special bowl for oils. There are different styles of vaporizers out there, my personal favorite is the digital vapor-cannon style, but to each his own. As far as growing your own, look for a copy of Jorge Cervantes Ultimate Grow DVD. It was a big help to me.
  • Re: prescription for anxiety

    Tue, January 29, 2008 - 8:18 AM
    oops! wrong thread! my bad, musta had too much anti-anxiety medication. I personally find that a mix of Sativa and Indica works best for me, maybe becaue that's what I'm used to.
    • Re: prescription for anxiety

      Mon, February 4, 2008 - 5:14 AM
      hey there, i have been dealing with anxiety that gets so severe that i wont eat (or sleep well) for a few days/ weeks. I have never been to a doctor for it, because i don't want to take pills. I don't want to abuse the system, but when I move it would be nice to legally use cannabis for relief. would i qualify?

      (sorry for hijacked post)
      • Re: prescription for anxiety

        Mon, February 4, 2008 - 11:07 AM
        You certainly would, but it would help if you have some medical documentation from a doctor or psychologist to show your history. It really can help sometimes but like I said just try some Indicas first then maybe some mixes to see what works for you anxiety. By the way you may want to join the anxious life tribe here for more advice but I will say more then the herb the thing that helped me most was regular intense exercise (preferably something fun too).
        • Re: prescription for anxiety

          Mon, February 4, 2008 - 11:12 AM
          Okay, I'll make an appointment do see a doctor soon I've been "battling" it since I was 8 (19 now) and exercise definitely helps to an extent.
          • Re: prescription for anxiety

            Mon, February 4, 2008 - 10:28 PM
            yeah, try it out. it may not help with panic attacks but i will say it is great for calming that little voice in my head that worries about every little thing, it help me to relax and have a laugh and that is huge for me.

            anxiouslife.tribe.net/

            ...and here is a post from that tribe that might be of interest to you. I also higly recommend the book "Fear: The friend of exceptional people" helped me more then anything I have read on the subject before.

            I'm not sure if this one has been covered before here but I think it would be really nice to hear what has helped all of us through times of anxiety, or even cured us of it. I keep thinking about writing a book, blog, or making short videos about all the things I have done to help myself understand and reduce anxiety and it's brutal effects on my life. But I am curious what works for others.

            For me it has been some of the things I have mentioned many a time here but here is a little simple list in close to relative order of importance...

            1. Regular intense but fun exercise, for me this is practicing Mixed Martial Arts ( I have learned that I am naturally full of energy and a bit of a nervous creature so this one helps quite a bit, plus I find a good session at the gym is akin to the best meditation you can have).

            2. Mental training, just like physical training I have found that I have to keep my head clear and root out negative thinking quickly or it will get the best of me. This can be many things like... Getting in touch with feelings I had buried, such as forgiving old trespasses from others or letting go of self hate for mistakes I have made along the way. Also addressing some need I have to have some spirituality in my life, not religion per say but some sort of faith in the universe, faith in things such as that when I die I won't be stuck in some bad acid trip forever. Not letting myself start thinking about all of the bad things that can happen to me all the time is a big one, like worrying about brain tumors or death all the time etc.

            3. Diet. I have found that the food I eat and the supplements I take can really effect my overall feelings. Sometimes I can use my mind to overcome this but overall if I eat crap or don't take the right supplements to make up for holes in my diet I start to degrade physically which then attacks me mentally. So now I usually eat regular (3-5 times a day) balanced meals and take a multivitamin along with some omega 3.

            There are many other things but really I think those are the 3 big ones. What helps you?
            • Re: prescription for anxiety

              Tue, February 5, 2008 - 9:33 AM

              I personally reccomend that if you use MMJ for anxiety that you avoid caffine. It will actually bring on anxiety attacks. Just my personal experience.
              • Re: prescription for anxiety

                Tue, February 5, 2008 - 9:54 AM
                Yes sometimes that is true. When I am having bad anxiety I cut it out completely but these days I am back to having a few cups of tea a day which I really missed and sometime a nice mix with herb is interesting too.
            • Re: prescription for anxiety

              Sat, February 9, 2008 - 10:58 AM
              my exercise of choice is ultimate frisbee. it is nothing but sprinting, and i gives me a great buzz. definitely helps with sleeping as-well as eating. although my anxiety/phobia can still keep me down.

              my diet is pretty low fat, high fiber. (although i don't eat much). along with a multivitamin
              • Re: prescription for anxiety

                Sat, February 9, 2008 - 9:48 PM
                I haven't played that in years, I kind of miss it :)

                As for food one thing I have found helps is to eat often (5x a day or 3x and lots of healthy snacks) so you don't get energy spikes and lows which for me provoke anxiety as well.
                • Re: prescription for anxiety

                  Thu, February 28, 2008 - 9:54 AM
                  Well I went to a psychologist, was diagnosed with GAD, and mild panic disorder (kinda already knew tho). I was prescribed paxil and I don't plan on taking it, (and maybe no other pill) anymore my anxiety is easier to handle then being drowsy or extremely wired. I can just keep getting Idicas from buddies, until I start school in CA.
                  • This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.

                    Re: prescription for anxiety

                    Thu, February 28, 2008 - 11:09 AM
                    good call, the paxil i would avoid if you can, there are better ways imho. if you do use it use it for 6 months just to get perspective then ween off it and get your shit together. good luck man, anxiety sux ass but it can be dealt with, just don't think it will go away on it's own, it's usually your system trying to tell you something and it took me years just to start listening but when i did it got better and continues to do so.

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