Medicinal Marijuana and Anxiety/Depression

I was reading your post in regards to trying medical marijuana to help you with nausea and perhaps other side effects. I've used marijuana for a while now, I used to smoke it but that's not an option anymore due to having fought lung cancer twice now. I use edible products to avoid the lungs and for me it helped a lot, it gives me an appetite, lifts my spirit and also I sleep deeper than usual. There"s a tremendous amount of info out there about using marijuana to help with symptoms. I definitely recommend you find someone experienced with this product and most of all, how to dose yourself. It's definitely not for everyone but many people have turned to medical cannabis and found it to be beneficial. I don't know what the laws are in your country but in Canada we legalized marijuana several years ago and this is also a factor to be aware of. I hope this helped in a small way, the internet can really help a lot when you're looking into finding helpful information about this, good luck.

Thank you for all your information. We did research it. It’s overwhelming plus I’m scared using something I never used before. I have sensitivity to many meds. When you said it’s not for everyone. What did you mean? It’s legal here in Illinois. There’s a dispensary close by. Not sure of costs. Who determines the dosage and which product to use? Is it safe? Any side effects? I’m sorry you have gone thru alot. Good luck to you. My name is Flo. If I have more questions can I private message you? Thank you.

My Psychiatrist asked me to try medical cannabis. Once I did, I was totally amazed. Why is cannabis not legal everywhere in the United States, it boggles the brain.
First off, I was guided to learn what "my perfect dosage" of edible was, I started out really small. I gradually worked up to an amount that works beautifully for me.
I am no longer eating ibuprofen or tylenol for chronic back pain (I have broken mine twice). I am actually "regular" for the first time in my life, ever. It helps me to relax and it helps me sleep. I do not like the feeling of being stoned, so I titered my dosage to combat pain while leaving me alert for the day. I take a different type at night for sleep.
Good luck on your search for answers and solutions. I am a 68 year old grandmother of five. Everyone in the family knows to leave Grandma's bears/medicine in the freezer alone.

I will get back to you. Thank you.

I hope you don’t mind me asking you questions. I have no idea about any of this. Dosage, side effects. I’m so sensitive to meds. I’m afraid to even try it. Thank you for your previous post. Would there be a problem if I private messaged you sometime? Thanks again.

@flow65 There are many of us in our age group who are confused about the different forms in which you can purchase marijuana (cannabis). I decided to give edibles "gummies" a try because I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Cannabis is legal where I live (Michigan). I talked with my primary care physician about it since she's the person who knows my medical history and the other medications that she prescribes. While she did not recommend anything in particular she said it was OK if I wanted to try edibles. I already had a recommendation for a particular product from my stepdaughter so I searched online and found a local cannabis dispensary that carries the product. When I got the courage (!) to go to the store I found a welcoming atmosphere with a very congenial and knowledgable young woman at the counter. She made recommendations of how I should start (with a very small dose and at least an hour or two before bed) and then if I wanted to increase the dose how to do that. For edibles in the form of gummies this just means cutting the gummy into smaller pieces which is easy to do. She was right as my goal was to get sleepy not to get high!

Since one of your doctors made the recommendation given your medical history I think you are at a good starting point to do your research. I hope you find a dispensary as I did with someone knowledgeable about the products. By the way, I've talked with others in my age group who had similar experiences to my own.

Feel free to ask other questions as I expect that there are other members who will benefit from this discussion.

When do you think you might investigate the possibility of cannabis for yourself?

I’m not sure when and if it will happen. My husband researched and found a medical marijuana shop nearby. The drs have to go over the meds I’m taking. I know it’s suppose to be a small amount in the beginning. I’m
afraid of side effects on everything. Don’t know what to expect. Does it affect your heart or brain? I need to get rid of my nausea and anxiety/depression. Just wondering if a person has to take it consistently or when symptoms appear. Would it be a lifetime on it? Does it have any withdrawal effects? Such a scary thing to attempt. Since I’m so sensitive. Thank you for all your info. Please give me as much info you have.

Thank you all for having this conversation. Something that’s so small can seem really difficult when you don’t have the right info. I asked about med mar and nobody in the group gave this great advice.
If you’re afraid at first, I was worried about the effects so I planned a time I could be alone, cut a tiny piece and waited. And it was just as the young lady said…it made me hungry/lessened the nausea and allowed my brain to relax. My only side effect is that I think funny thoughts and occasionally giggle to myself.

Thank you for your response. With not knowing about all of this is frightening. Plus the tapering off klonopin is affecting me deeply. The chronic nausea, anxiety, depression is affecting my daily life. I’m not sure if anyone reading this has the same issue. I definitely need help.

Hi @flow65
I don’t have any experience with meds and I’m scared because I’m new to the transplant process and from this forum it looks like depression & anxiety come with the territory. I have a family member who suffers from seizures and I’ve heard him speak of the K as well; I will try to get some info.
I don’t generally get stressed in the toughest of situations but the feelings of being a downer, relentless questions and thoughts that won’t let me sleep, nausea, etc….we all could be here for days listing.
I have always disliked marijuana but now understand what a blessing an edible could be. Feel free to msg me literally any time you need. I know sometimes even in a crowded room it’s incredibly lonely.