Anxiety, why must it be so difficult?

[bladerunner2000]

So my anxiety has come back again.  I'm a 28 year old male, and have been dealing with this issue for the last 10 years.  I was taking effexor for about 2 years, and still found myself getting the anxiety from time to time, so a few months ago I decided to stop the effexor and try more natural methods.  It was hell coming off the effexor, but when I finally did, I was feeling great for 3 -4 months afterwards with very few attacks or symptoms of anxiety.
My anxiety seems to really affect my stomach.  I will often wake up, and toss and turn for a bit then get up, and when I finally stand up, i feel my stomach start gurggling and is immediately upset and most often leads me to the bathroom to puke.  Then I force myself to go to work, and get through the day, but my appetite is always crap, and generally feel kinda crappy for the day.  I eat, but not much when im feeling this way, and it always sits heavy in my stomach, where I feel like gagging or puking afterwards, but usually struggle through it and keep it down.
I have really been thinking about life alot lately.  Im getting married May 2011, and havnt been enjoying my job much lately, and want to move to a different place.  These things keep running around in my head, and thats all i can think about these days, it really consumes me.  Problem is that i'm affraid to make a change, b/c I have a good paying job, with great benefits.

I am a marijuana user, and find that if I come home from work and dont feel too good, ill have a puff and everything starts to get better right away. My appetite comes back, and I feel happier, and have less worry.  I tried quitting a few months back, because I thought I was using the marijuana as a crutch and wanted to get away from that. I was able to do so for about 2 months, with the odd break down in between. I dont think I gave it enough of a chance and started again after 2 months.  I've been back smoking for 2-3 months now, and am only starting to get my anxiety back, but was completely fine for those few months.  So i'm not really sure if the pot is a concern, but often find myself worrying that it could be adding to things. I also find that if im not constantly busy or doing something, then the anxiety really hits me.....i just cant relax unless i have a puff.
I just havnt felt very happy these days, and wonder if anyone has any good advice for these issues. I'm getting so used to puking in the mornings,that its easy now, and  almost make myself vomit to get it over with and move on with my day.  I know it sounds a bit weird, but so is this whole anxiety issue. Just when i think im doing good, it hits me again and sometimes lasts for weeks before I feel normal again.

I've been seeing a naturopath/homepath and trying a few different things aswell. I've taken 3 doses of Luesinum, (progressively stronger dose each time), i take omega 3 with a shake in the morning with hemp hearts(EPA 1300mg DHA 500mg)  and recently started Niacinamide 500mg, and Holy Basil (New Chapter).

Any advice or opinions on the matter are appreciated,
Thanks,

[kennvido]

I was thinking... don't cancer patients on chemo use pot to STOP vomiting? Yes...
Did they check your lower GI tract as well? But, remember some people they call GUT REACTORS with regards to anxiety and that may be all it is. Ativan may help?
Check out this site with much info, Godspeed.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/vomiting.htm

[bladerunner2000]

About 9-10 years ago when all this stuff started, I had the x-ray where i drank some barium, not sure what the procedure is called, but everything seemed ok.  I also had the test where they put you under, and put some sort of camera or scope to look at the stomach and stuff, and they said there was some irritaion, but it was likely caused by puking and dry heaving.  Other then that, ive had lots of blood work done, and it always comes back saying im healthy.
I am definetely going to look into the food alergy thing, and food sensitivities, to see what happens there.

MMahon:  I have looked into the marijuana issue quite extensively aswell, and came across all the same info as you mentioned.  I am going to quit the pot again for sure, because im willing to give anything a try that could benefit my health.  However,  i am still not convinced that it will help rid of my anxiety, but im going to give it another go anyway.  I read so much into the issue last time i quit, that I convinced myself that I had developed this  "Canabinoid Hypermesis".   Where one of the main symptoms is morning sickness, which i get,  but it says it should be accompanied by the need to bath or wash yourself excessively, which i dont have at all.  And ive always been a puker, long before the marijuana, so i sorta ruled that out.

Thanks again for the responses,  hearing from others with knowledge in the area definetely helps.

[kennvido]

Hey Blade... when was the last time you got an upper GI or and endoscopy? And looked into food or drink allergies? That is what I would do... I had awful anxiety and never have that... get it checked out for peace of mind...and do stop the grass...God Speed

[MMahon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marijuana#Long-term_effects

Cannabis use has been assessed by several studies to be correlated with the development of anxiety, psychosis, and depression.[67][68] Indeed, a 2007 meta-analysis estimated that cannabis use is statistically associated, in a dose-dependent manner, to an increased risk in the development of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia

[bladerunner2000]

Thanks for the responses.  I have talked to my doctor and naturopath about the pot use, and they didnt really have much to say either way on the issue.  They both thought it wouldnt be a bad idea to try and quit, but both also figured that it probably wasnt causing my anxiety issues.  I never feel paranoid when i smoke or after i smoke or anything like that, and ive smoked for over 10 years.  I am going to try quitting again real soon, but thats not my main focus on the anxiety.  I tried to do some cognitive behavoral therapy, which someone recommended to me, but went in for my initial screening and was informed that all of the funding for that has been cut, and that i'd have to try to find someone on my own to do it, and that it could be very expensive,  so that bummed me out and discouraged me.  I've been reading a bit on meditation lately, but know very little about it, but thought that might be something good to try..

Has anyone had good results with meditation to deal with their anxiety???  Is this something worth exploring further???

[cheshchesh819]

the pot is def adding to your problems,itmight feel good at the time but everyone knows it makes you paranoid,anxiety is difficult to overcome,thats just the way it is,but smoking pot really doesnt help,maybe you should go back to your docs admit your pot abuse and seek more help,you are all over the place a min,with the wedding your job and living arrangements,that is bound to cause stress,take a deep breathe and ask for help. good luck

[MMahon]

Your symptoms sound like typical depression and anxiety..
My suggestion, as usual, is to seek out a good psychiatrist if you don't  already have one.
BE SURE to mention all the 'natural' stuff you are taking.  I have had far worse reactions from the 'natural' stuff then any medication I've ever taken.
Living with what you are going thru can't be good and will result in further problems down the road to add to your existing condition.   Please seek help.  Smoking marijuana can tend to make your situation worse and impede recovery.
Good luck.