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Thc Vaping and Panic Attacks

Discussion in 'Cannabis Consumption Q&A & Tips' started by Cali_Grown, Jan 10, 2020.

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  1. #1 Cali_Grown, Jan 10, 2020
    Long story....here we go.

    I’m a Cali girl used to smoke since I was about 16 (2001). Smoked all day but only hit a blunt 2-3 times and would be coo. Was never the type to take a whole blunt to the face. I quit in 2006 (got married and shit) smoked occasionally when traveled home to visit and such, no biggy.

    Fast forward to last year (January 2019), tried weed (flower) again after talking it over with the hubby and living in a legal state...cool....too potent though. I mean I loved to smoke but the smell always made me feel like everyone knew and would fuck up my high. Switched to concentrates (March 2019), I would only hit it 2-3 times a day (once again it doesn’t take much for me), Pyramid brand was my fav, had about 70ish% thc....had my first panic attack in the movie theatre (April 2019) (had to leave for 15 min) thought it was just some crazy fluke, idk, never had one before, still continued, was good for a couple of months. Switched to CLEAR brand (orange crush? Or some shit) 90% thc (Aug 2019) Had a panic attack after every hit. I think it was a sativa, not sure if that matters....Thought it was just me taking too big of a hit (I only hit it once every time because it was too much) finally had a huge panic attack and thought I was dying. Threw it out and never touched it again (August 2019).

    Did some research and found out that flower has way less % thc than vapes and my low thc % needin ass was hittin at 90% wtf?!! since then (Aug 2019) I have been diagnosed with high BP and heart palpitations and on meds for it. Continued to have random panic attacks like twice a week for about 2 months after quitting. Could not identify any triggers, just random. Withdrawals? I had never experienced panic attacks, heart palpitations or anxiety ever in my life.... Went to the ER twice swearing there was an underlying issue and I was dying. All tests came back normal. They switched my BP meds (end of November 2019) to help with the heart palpitations and anxiety. BP remains normal on a daily as well as heart rate 60-80 BPM. Thought I was in the clear, been doing good. However, just had another terrible random attack on Tue (Jan 2020) BP 175/118 totally freaked out. Was able to calm myself and not have to go to the ER.

    Anyone quit thc vaping and have any of these issues? Are these withdrawals that are just lasting longer than fucking ever??? I haven’t touched weed/thc since Aug 2019. I can say that the attacks are not happening as frequently as they were (last one was in November) so I am grateful but will they ever end???

    female 31 years old 5’7 170lbs not very active. Don’t smoke, drink, no energy drinks, no soda etc. not the healthiest but not doing hella shit to my body either....is this my life now???

    I read that panic attacks could increase chances of heart disease and heart attack in the future....I just want to be healthy and want this to stop. The anxiety is too much...

    I read somewhere something about PAWS Post-Acute-Withdrawal-Symptoms can last up to a year....could this be the case? Please anyone with a similar story please share!!!
     
  2. #2 lessthanjeezy, Jan 10, 2020
    Not a doctor at all but IMO I think you may have just developed an anxiety disorder, the panic attacks aren't being caused by not smoking. If you haven't smoked since August, this is probably a type of anxiety/panic disorder not related to cannabis, but a strong sativa strain definitely could set the anxiety/panic attack off. I use cannabis for anxiety and pretty much only smoke indicas.
     
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  3. #3 theepopeofdope, Jan 10, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2020
    This is not to be construed as medical advice.

    Marijuana can cause and exacerbate anxiety. In small doses (very small) it can temporarily reduce anxiety. In some anxiety disorders, such as an eating disorder for example or OCD, marijuana can help. Long term use of marijuana to treat a psychiatric problem is not recommended. Panic disorder, separate from anxiety disorder, does not respond well to marijuana.

    Regarding your blood pressure. You're 31 years old. This is when health problems can begin for people. You are not 22 anymore. I would disregard the PAWS theory. Marijuana is the least of your concerns, although I would abstain because it could exacerbate your problem. However, I don't believe your problems were caused by marijuana.

    Here is my advice.

    If you have insurance (if you don't, buy the best insurance you can afford).

    Go to your GP. Ask for 24 hour blood pressure monitoring and a sleep study (the monitoring will rule out spikes that you may be getting at the doctors, rule out white coat syndrome and anxiety. The sleep study will rule out obstructive sleep apnea, a very common cause of high blood pressure in younger people).

    Next ask your GP for a referral to a nephrologist. This is a kidney specialist. They will rule out kidney problems that may be causing high BP. They should do an ultrasound and a 24 hour urine collection.

    Next ask for a referral to a cardiologist. They should do an ultrasound of the heart and a stress test. This will rule out functional problems with your heart.

    The reason you should do all of this is because though blood pressure problems are extremely common, even in young people, many underlined causes of BP are left untreated and this can cause complications as you age. Taking BP meds may only mask the real problem. For example, how do you know that the panic attacks aren't caused by a physiological problem, such as a hormone releasing pheochromocytoma, which could be the cause of BP problems and panic attack (nephrology would rule this out). When you have a health problem you have to advocate for yourself. Sometimes just seeing your GP who has a busty schedule full of patients and just wants to get back to the golf course isn't enough. Hope this helps.
     
  4. #4 Cali_Grown, Jan 10, 2020
    Fuck. I pray that’s not the case but totally would make sense. Damnit....thanks for your input
     
  5. #5 theepopeofdope, Jan 10, 2020
    "I read that panic attacks could increase chances of heart disease and heart attack in the future....I just want to be healthy and want this to stop. The anxiety is too much..."

    The studies on this are not very good. They are not valid and rely on self report. Don't worry about this.

    When you rule out everything physiological go the psychotherapy route.
     
  6. #6 Cali_Grown, Jan 10, 2020
    after reading all of this I realized I left some details out. When in the ER they tested my hormones, thyroid, did an EKG, the works. All normal. In November they put me on a heart monitor for 48 hours. Nothing significant. I wanted more tests so they did a week long heart monitor with still nothing wrong. Still advocated, they did an ultrasound of the heart (nov) and noticed I have a back flow in my tricuspid valve (they said this is common, but to keep an eye on it). Haven’t done a sleep test or overnight BP test but I bout a monitor when this was all going on and check it constantly throughout the day... they can’t refer me to a cardiologist unless something significant shows up in my heart to refer me, which is stupid but hey...
     
  7. #7 Cali_Grown, Jan 10, 2020
    Thank you I do feel like it’s all in my head but it’s heard to ignore the physical symptoms that happen when they occur...thanks! That does put me a big at ease about the research
     
  8. #8 theepopeofdope, Jan 10, 2020
    Got it. Complain of "chronic" chest and back pain when lying down, then get your cardiologist referral. Checking thyroid is all fine and good, but this is not extensive enough. Nephrology is the next route to take, probably better than cardiology. The hypertension diagnosis should be enough for the nephrology referral. Lodge a complaint with insurance if they do not allow this. Doctors really phone it in when it comes to BP problems because most don't know much about it. The testing you've done thus far is good, but not enough.
     
  9. #9 theepopeofdope, Jan 10, 2020
    Also, the tricuspid valve regurgitation is fishy to me. I understand that the route is to only "monitor" you when TVR is only mild. But, TVR could explain a number of your symptoms. It could make breathing more difficult for example, which could be a cause of your panic attacks. Of course you'll have anxiety too. The cause of anxiety is both physiological and psychological. When regular doctors don't know something they are quick to diagnose psychological problems. It allows them to pass the problem on to someone else. A good cardiologist will assess your TVR better than the ER. EKG and other testing is pretty standard, but not even close to comprehensive.
     
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  10. #10 Cali_Grown, Jan 10, 2020
    got it. I have a follow up appt for the attack on Tuesday, I will request it. If I’m remembering correctly my kidney function was also tested in one of my ER visits and they said it was like .1 off from what it should be but nothing to worry about. It wouldn’t hurt to follow up on it. Thanks so much for everything. Your amazing!
     
  11. #11 Cali_Grown, Jan 10, 2020
    Interesting. I will have to follow up on this as well on Tuesday with my doc. Thank you so much for all this knowledge, you sure your not a doc??? Lol
     
  12. #12 theepopeofdope, Jan 10, 2020
    Good they test kidney function. Not comprehensive. Nephrologist. 24 hour urine collection.
     
  13. #13 Surfer8210, Jan 10, 2020
    Exercise more...indulge in flower, one hit at a time.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  14. #14 Surfer8210, Jan 10, 2020
    Exercise more...indulge in flower, one hit at a time.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  15. #15 Cali_Grown, Jan 13, 2020
    thanks! It’s hard to exercise being that when my heart rate rises my anxiety/panic kicks in...but I’ve been trying. I’ve thought about flower, maybe in the future but at this time I have no desire. Maybe CBD oil???
     
  16. #16 Cali_Grown, Jan 13, 2020

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