u/lemontimes2

I have a long mental health history (over 20 years) 95% of the time I’ve been on meds. The times I was not was due to extreme nausea and I couldn’t keep the meds down. I am a strong believer in meds, and I am aware there’s an adjustment period.

I remember what it feels like to feel good. I was out of the hospital for 7 years prior to last year. I felt amazing for about 5 of those 7 years. My last hospitalization was in October. Since then I quit indulging in weed (smoking and edibles) and the last time I drank was in January. In theory I feel like I should feel normal, but I feel far from it. I’m not sure if I’m like rapid cycling? That’s not typically what happens to me. But the most pressing feeling is depression. I keep getting lulled into a false sense of security bc my depression goes away for like a week or so every month and then it’s back to the bottom.

Luckily I don’t feel suicidal whatsoever but I cannot function. I barely go out anymore, and I’m a really social person aside from mania.

I currently take invega sustenna and lithium. Something is telling me I need an adjustment. I’m thinking going up on the invega and lowering the lithium. I just don’t want to rock the boat. I have a few commitments this week and in June that I can’t cancel but I’m not at my best. I can’t take antidepressants bc I’m very mania prone. Should I just leave it as is? It’s been over 6 months no mania, but I’m scared to adjust and become manic again, I absolutely CANNOT be manic again.

If you’ve been in a similar situation, how do you know when it’s time for an adjustment vs just waiting for the depression to pass on its own on your current regimen? Would love to hear personal experiences more so than direct advice.

Not sure if this is a real thing or is it just an age thing? I’ve never dealt with lactose intolerance all of my life. This isn’t my first time on lithium but it might be the longest I’ve personally been on it. I don’t want to get off it, I was in the hospital last October and don’t wish to rock the boat.

All of a sudden I’m intolerant to dairy. I read something about lithium having a small amount of lactose in it? Not sure how true that is. I know some people develop lactose intolerance later in life, but I’m just surprised since it’s not on either side of my family and my dad also takes psych meds (just not lithium)

Is there any correlation or is this just an age thing? (I’m in my 30s)

This is more so of a harm reduction approach to those who find smoking weed detrimental to their mental health. It has worked for me personally, which is why I am sharing, but of course everyone is different and if your medical team is aware of your substance use, this can be brought to them to see if it’s a potential fit.

I have been indulging in weed on and off since around 2013 in my early 20s. While it always affected my mental health, it was nowhere near as bad as it affects me now. I have a smoking fixation and don’t want to go back to cigarettes so I took my knowledge of herbs and came up with something that is calming but not too psychoactive. I will list the mildly psychoactive version and the non psychoactive version. Of course anything psychoactive is always a risk so be careful and speak with your medical team

Non psychoactive: dried mint, lavender, chamomile, mullein leaf

Slightly psychoactive: same as above, add Damiana

My personal opinion, don’t go crazy with the Damiana. I do feel it’s a good transition from weed to no weed if that is something you desire to do. The mullein leaf should be the base. Allegedly it helps with mucus buildup but of course smoking anything is not as healthy as breathing air.

Definitely do your research regarding Damiana. I personally don’t get as attached to smoking it which is why it’s a good weaning process. I haven’t had my blend since march. And since October I’ve only smoked my blend 3 times. It definitely scratches the itch so to speak when I’m around my friends that smoke.

Also, not sure if this needs to be said but I do not believe herbs are a replacement for psych meds. Please don’t use any of these herbs as a replacement even if it may help with sleep or other anxiety related symptoms. It is not a replacement and is more so for the purposes of dealing with weed addiction. And of course if you are severely addicted, please involve medical intervention.

If you got this far, thanks for reading