A little back story...i used to smoke pot about 6-7 years ago and quit because I had a few panic attacks, I would get this intense feeling like I just woke up from a dream or something and everything looked/felt new. Like I would get an adrenaline rush and I was just plopped back into reality even though I still remembered the seconds up to that feeling.
As the years went by I would occasionally think about that feeling and I could almost make it happen just by thinking hard enough about and snap myself out of it.
Well I had a panic attack about two months ago at work from work/not getting enough sleep because of work/stress/I was sick with a saliva gland infection and needed antibiotics . I just popped that morning and thought I was having a heart attack
I was good for a few days and ended up getting that feeling again from years ago and having panic attacks at the store/at home/driving/ everywhere.
Now I'm on xanax but I really want to get off because it forces me to think about how I'm feeling all the time and look for that memory reset feeling to happen.
Long story short.. just wondering if anyone else has felt that feeling before? Just an intense realization of now and it's scary as all hell.
I'm stuck in this loop of fear, feeling that feeling, xanax highs and lows, not taking it and feeling what feels like withdrawal from it.
Anyway thanks for reading and letting me vent, trying to find a therapist to talk to asap.
With love, Chris
Never really taken the Xanax and I feel like that’s more for dealing with an actual attack rather than a daily use prevention type pill. I use Valium if I ever have a bad attack and I never actually use it but I know I have a few in case I have one so I don’t worry as much about having them. I never take a daily prevention pill because I don’t want dependency. I don’t really think smoking weed would cause you to have panic attacks however everyone is different. I know a lot of people suggested I smoke weed to deal with anxiety. When I was able to smoke weed I had less anxiety. I know how you’re feeling though. Panic attacks can cause you to fear the next not knowing when, where or why and fearing it, in turn, makes you anxious. Certain highs can definitely trigger you back to a previous high which is familiar I think to panic attacks as it causes you to have the rapid heartbeat, racing thoughts and heart. I feel like you’re thinking about it to try to prepare yourself for it but you really can’t. I found that I would finally reach a point years into my anxiety and be like “bring it...” once you start to accept it they generally aren’t as intense or often. I’ve felt the way you’re feeling but try to focus on other things. Don’t drink too much caffeine or things that will make you feel jittery.
Hi chris8811,
I kind of get where you are coming from. My condition started out as anxiety and depression but whilst in this fog I have developed fears. Irrational fears. The more I try to forget them the more I force myself to think about them knowing that they are going to make me have anxiety!!
I think it's the flight or fight thing. I feel like I'm on guard all the time waiting for those feelings/thoughts to come and I'm ready for them.
Weed can affect people in different ways. It may have triggered something but it might not of.
I've been prescribed medication which is helping. It helps with sleep which then helps a lot.
Maybe you should speak with your doctor to see if there is an alternative.
Stay well xx