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Suggest Treatment For Panic Attacks Post Marijuana Intake
Hello, I’ve been smoking weed and taking lexapro, an SSRI, for many months. Then one day I had a very adverse panic attack that was very intense. I thought it was a one time thing but happened again a week or two later. I decided to go cold turkey on the medicine and continue smoking. I had another panic attack and went back on the meds. I then had another very bad but even worse panic attack that left me feeling miserable for a few days after. Ever since then I’ve only smoked in a few amount and will experience some anxiety. My question is, is there a way I could take lexapro and smoke weed without the reactions? Would it be good to fully let the lexapro set in before smoking? My psychistricst knew I smoked and prescribed me the lexapro and told me that sometimes they don’t mix well.
Mon, 2 Apr 2018
Hello,
The marijuana is going to give the same response at this point. The panic response is a learned response and it is very hard to unlearn it. Marijuana causes a slight increase in heart rate.
The same way that there can be a PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) to a serious threat, the rise in heart rate and previous panic attacks will produce a PTSD like response to marijuana use.
It will be less, if the marijuana is not taken the identical way as previously (orally) but the knowledge of taking marijuana with its expected rise in heart rate will probably always trigger a panic attack.
The Lexapro drug does not mix that badly with marijuana and it is about least likely to produce panic attacks because it has about the least effects on stress hormones.
Cymbalta drug and some newer ones and the oldest antidepressants all have considerably more effects on the cardiovascular system and will be considerably worse than Lexapro.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman
The marijuana is going to give the same response at this point. The panic response is a learned response and it is very hard to unlearn it. Marijuana causes a slight increase in heart rate.
The same way that there can be a PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) to a serious threat, the rise in heart rate and previous panic attacks will produce a PTSD like response to marijuana use.
It will be less, if the marijuana is not taken the identical way as previously (orally) but the knowledge of taking marijuana with its expected rise in heart rate will probably always trigger a panic attack.
The Lexapro drug does not mix that badly with marijuana and it is about least likely to produce panic attacks because it has about the least effects on stress hormones.
Cymbalta drug and some newer ones and the oldest antidepressants all have considerably more effects on the cardiovascular system and will be considerably worse than Lexapro.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman
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