Would smoking weed once a week effect my meds?

[NEWcastle212]

I've heard that smoking weed can negate the effects of your medication. I only smoke1-2 times per week. Do you think it has any effect?

[bluechick]

You should absolutely talk to your pdoc about this. 

 

About 9 months ago, I was on a cocktail that just wasn't working and I was having huge problems with sleep, anxiety, etc.  So I went out and got my medical marijuana card.  Before I started using it I spoke to my pdoc, my gdoc, my tdoc, my sleep doctor (was going in for a sleep study), and a couple other specialists.  My pdoc told me that the pot would not interfere with my meds.  I ended up using it for about 6 weeks until my pdoc played with my meds and got me on the current cocktail.  he and I agreed that I would stop using the pot and let the cocktail do its thing.  I promptly stopped the pot and gave the new cocktail a chance.  Everything is great!  And I haven't felt the need to pick up pot again.

 

Bottom line is that it may or may not interact with your meds.  If you are going to do it then be smart about it and consult everyone on your treatment team, especially your pdoc.

[bpladybug]

I would say YES.  Weed is especially bad for the bipolar brain, based on my reading and personal experience.

And observing a pothead bipolar relative.  ugly

Edited March 13, 2013 by bpladybug

[DontStopMeNow]

I would say YES.  Weed is especially bad for the bipolar brain, based on my reading and personal experience.

And observing a pothead bipolar relative.  ugly

 

 

I second this and also what pdoc said. My former pdoc advised against it, saying that it can trigger cycling, so even if it doesn't directly interact with your meds, it may make you cycle. 

 

Of course every person is different. One of my best friends is BP and smokes moderately every day, and she is relatively stable.

[crazynotstupid]

Weed, and alcohol, both affect your brain, generally negatively.  Neither are recommended for anyone with MI.  You may be able to get away with it with little consequence, but be aware, it's a situation that could turn ugly.  Weed especially, as it has been known to cause psychosis in some users.

[TOT]

.

Edited March 19, 2013 by TOT

[Mirazh]

It could definitely be interacting with your meds.

 

I believe it can have legitimate medicinal benefits for those with various MIs, but more research needs to be done, far more.  Those who do use it for medicinal reasons, for MI, legally, are kind of pioneers in this.  Not that that's bad.

 

It can effect people negatively though, still.  I indulge very rarely, recreationally, pdoc and GP know.  When my use steps up, I know I'm self-medicating, it's one of my warning signs now.  During my most recent mixed episode I realized that I was using it to self-medicate my symptoms, to 'level out' the extreme ends of what I was feeling.  But I didn't want to do that.  I included my increased self-medication use in an e-mail to my pdoc.  Now that I'm mostly out of the episode and have some extra meds in my cocktail, the urge to self-medicate has drastically decreased.

 

Also: moved to Misc. Meds & Misc. Q's About Meds

Edited March 14, 2013 by Miron

[Energizerhoney]

I honestly don't think anyone knows the answer for this. Here in the US, because it's illegal in most states, there has hardly been any studies done on how it affects MI. Other conditions yes, but MI as a whole is so underfunded as it is they just ain't gonna put a lot of time or $$ into it.

I smoke it occasionally and haven't noticed anything one way or another. But I know a couple ppl who do smoke it regularly for chronic pain (in my immediate family) and it.DOES work and they have been able to cut there opioid use in half which is just awesome!

I'm pro legalization myself. I hope at some point a lot more research will be done.

[Savannah]

My pdoc said if I smoked pot it would screw up my brain chemistry for 6 months. I think he is exagerating, but still.