[80daisys]

I dont want to offend...but does anyone use alternative forms of meds instead of the prescribed ones the MD gives you? I will admit that I use marijuana..YES I have a REQ and I find it to help me when I'm having my moments and it really helps me with my temper.

I just want to know if there are others who use it?

[~Christina]

I use it every once in a while but more so for my fibro pain ... It doesnt have a bad effect on my Bipolar ..so I dont see it as a problem for me.

[80daisys]

I too notice that it does not have a bad affect to bipolar..honestly I think it does a great job (for me anyways) in helpin me be relaxed...because even with the prescribed meds..sometimes that bad bipolar temper still sneaks up on me..and when I do use the "bud" that temper doesn't sneak up on me

when i moved to the netherlands i think i spent the first 5 years stoned... all day every day.
i think helped me relax and dulled the mania.
after such long exposure to dutch hybrid varieties with a crazy high thc to low cbd ratios i started having extreme anxiety and paranoia every time i smoked. i always thought i was dying, which was totally counter productive so i gave it up.

[Tucson]

I remember pot helping many years ago. I tried some alternative medicines like St Johns Wort. I found them either to not work or too weak for my use.

[Love&Toil]

Originally Posted by Tucson

I tried some alternative medicines like St Johns Wort. I found them either to not work or too weak for my use.

Same here.

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by Tucson

I remember pot helping many years ago. I tried some alternative medicines like St Johns Wort. I found them either to not work or too weak for my use.

Me too. The only problem I had with MJ was that it made me paranoid. And St. John's wort didn't do anything for me at all, probably because my depression was too severe.

[pawn78]

I used cannabis daily before I went on Lamictal.
Cannabis worked great, EXCEPT one big problem, I come down after 2 hours and would be really irritable after coming down!
Firstly, I can't smoke weed every 2 hours all day long! I'd lose my job, and my lungs , and my brain would go dull.
Secondly, medical grade weed was costing me $300+/month!!!

Generic Lamictal costs me $9/month, it works all day long, no side effects.

In short, Lamictal >>>>>>>>>> cannabis. Lamictal is 10x better than cannabis!!! Once I got up to 200mg of Lamictal, I quit pot completely, and have had zero cravings for it.

Thank chemists for Lamictal!!!
Without it, I'd be an irritable, bad-tempered pothead.

[Victoria'smom]

My sister's pretty much her own chemist, pot being one of her constants. Different strains for different symptoms. I smoke with her depending on what my mood is. I would smoke more but it's not legalized here.

[LastQuestion]

I've started taking Sensoril (ashwaganda/withania semnifera). The studies I've read indicate it could help with general cognition as part of recovery and maintenance as well as reducing cortisol levels when under stress.

I withhold my optimism as most all alternative treatments I've read about so far are basically snake oil sold by companies that prey upon the hope of the mentally ill. Another factor is that while the studies appear to have been thorough and peer reviewed in reputable journals I do not possess the experience nor expertise required to discern the legitimacy of the studies.

Even if these studies are accurate and Sensoril has the same efficacy for me as it did for the test groups there will be a great deal of uncertainty regarding whatever the eventual outcome is.

I have not been able to hope for something to effectively treat my bipolar in a long time and I do not believe my low expectations will change anytime soon. It just seems like profit always supercedes patient well-being when it comes to treating mental illness regardless of which treatment methodology is being applied.

[TheatreKid]

I tried it for the first time recently, and think it might actually have been beneficial for me if I had slowed down. The first time I smoked too much too fast and had a crazy fast heart beat and anxiety, and couldn't sleep all night. Maybe if I'd stopped after a little bit it would have been great. Unfortunately with mind-altering substances I tend to go overboard.

Jury's out as to whether I'll try it again.

[loophole]

Before I was diagnosed I self medicated entirely with Marijuana. My therapists know all about it as well as psych... personally. . It was the best medicine for me.... you have to understand I was not getting out right stoned.. I was taking one hit every 3 hours roughly... I managed very well that.. I knew I had problems but never ever thought it was bp.... I did this for 8 years... I quit once we had kids... and that's when no sleep and much more came up... I don't intend to endorse drugs.. but i personally believe there is a place for Marijuana in certain circumstances.. (cancer.. aids... fairly strong brain disorders... it was different to me... I just wanted the world to slow down... it did that and I still felt life.. felt love.. etc... Meds designed for this sucks alot of that stuff out of you... just my opinion..... I'm 32 goto church (i know that doesn't mean everything) have 3 kids.. married... mortgage... blah blah.. I'm as responsible as i can try to be.. it drains me.. but i would consider getting a script if it was legalized in my state.... the quality of life would be better for people around me not just me... and i don't have to stink of it... other ways then just smoking... i always drown on.. sorry

[Creative1onder]

I've been using 5HTP, in combination with other natural alternative stuff. Aminoc acids are good. Magnesium, and vit B. And flaxseed oil. Having a good balanced diet is important too, trying to not have too much sugar, yeast, white bread and pasta or high salty and saturated fatty foods. Drink plenty of water..

[Hobbit House]

I self medicated with marijuana before I was diagnosed with Bipolar1 and for a while after,. While it helped with my illness I think it does more harm than good. Paranoia and it being a steppingstone for other drugs. I have been clean now for 5 years and feel much better about myself.

[loophole]

Originally Posted by justusryans

I self medicated with marijuana before I was diagnosed with Bipolar1 and for a while after,. While it helped with my illness I think it does more harm than good. Paranoia and it being a steppingstone for other drugs. I have been clean now for 5 years and feel much better about myself.

Yeah I definitely believe it's a per case situation... I never tried any other drug except alcahol.. and it's by far damaging imo... can't overdose on Marijuana. ... can kill yourself relatively quick with alcahol...... but anywho..

[Secretum]

I've never tried marijuana, but I'm not against it if the opportunity arises. I recently saw a new pdoc (he was about 80 years old) who asked me twice if I "smoked pot". I thought it was interesting that this was such an important issue to him, because no other MH professionals have asked me about pot/alcohol/drug use.

The only non-traditional treatment I've tried has been fish oil, and it did nothing for me. I took it with 15 mg of abilify and 300 mg of wellbutrin.

Same 80 yr/old pdoc told me that I need to completely cut alcohol out of my life because "it raises dopamine levels and lowers serotonin", I need to stop eating a lot of sugar, and eat every few hours to avoid hypoglycemia because that can affect your mood. Actually, he was very specific with what he wanted me to eat between meals ("a glass of almond milk and a bowl of blueberries"). He was an interesting guy. I laugh at his suggestions now, but I do truly wonder if I'd be more stable if I made some lifestyle changes.

[loophole]

Blueberries.. fish oil
. Sounds like my wife lol

[Creative1onder]

Its not stupid to try alternative forms of medicine. People don't have to follow the mainstream way. It's good to be open minded. It is well known that having good balanced diet, avoiding high sugary, salty and saturated fat foods,and white flour, is important for both physical and mental health. Things like magnesium, vit B's, Omega 3 oils, amino acids and bach flower remedies do help.

[sprik]

I just do prescribed meds, but I do find it funny every time I meet a new dct for some thing or another, when they ask me , do u drink, smoke, do drugs, I say NO!!!!! I DONT DO THEM ..... They are like really..... and then they are impressed with me. Personally I find it kind of insulting that they think people with bipolar all self medicate. For me I have enough problems.