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Using Herbal Incense To Deal With Anxiety. Have Sweating And Anger. Solution?
Question: Hey there ive been abusing herbal incense to deal with anxiety amd other issues now for about 4 years im 19 im a daily user and smoke about 8 to 10 grams daily I have recently quit and am dealing with alot more problems with anxiety sweating refusively and I find myself wanting to go back luckily im offshore and thats not an option I would like some advice on dealing with this anxiety and I also have a violent temper now that I didnt use to have will this go away what do I do im having problems with the mrs because of the abuse of herbal incense and would like to find a safer alternative to dealing with this problem
Brief Answer:
Benzodiazepines will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
It is nice to know that you have decided not to resume abusing herbal incense. What you are currently undergoing are withdrawal symptoms in the form of anxiety, restlessness, sweating and aggression. These are likely to gradually improve in a few weeks. However, during this period, if you can get a prescription for a long-acting benzodiazepine like clonazepam (0.5 mg two to three times per day) or chlordiazepoxide (10 mg two to three times per day), you can take these for a few days to help overcome these symptoms. Be careful while driving and doing other activities when on these medications as they may make you feel sleepy, though it is unlikely at this dose.
Please be careful that you gradually taper off and stop the benzodiazepines when your symptoms improve. Otherwise you may end up with a new addiction in place of the old one. If you cannot get a benzodiazepine, try deep breathing exercises in which you take slow and deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, taking a longer time to exhale than that taken to inhale. Try doing these for 2 to 3 minutes, at least 8 to 10 times a day. You will find that you are less anxious and irritable than before.
Hope this helps. Please feel free to ask if you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Benzodiazepines will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
It is nice to know that you have decided not to resume abusing herbal incense. What you are currently undergoing are withdrawal symptoms in the form of anxiety, restlessness, sweating and aggression. These are likely to gradually improve in a few weeks. However, during this period, if you can get a prescription for a long-acting benzodiazepine like clonazepam (0.5 mg two to three times per day) or chlordiazepoxide (10 mg two to three times per day), you can take these for a few days to help overcome these symptoms. Be careful while driving and doing other activities when on these medications as they may make you feel sleepy, though it is unlikely at this dose.
Please be careful that you gradually taper off and stop the benzodiazepines when your symptoms improve. Otherwise you may end up with a new addiction in place of the old one. If you cannot get a benzodiazepine, try deep breathing exercises in which you take slow and deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, taking a longer time to exhale than that taken to inhale. Try doing these for 2 to 3 minutes, at least 8 to 10 times a day. You will find that you are less anxious and irritable than before.
Hope this helps. Please feel free to ask if you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I thought they were withdrawels at first as well but its something that is staying with me I fear im stuck like this I think the incense has done permanent damage tome and one more thing I feel a kind of thump in my chest every once in awhile and it almost takes my breath away what could this be ive went weeks without smoking it and still feel the same so I have always went back to using but this time is different I am feeling lack of interest in everything as well nothing excites me i just dont like the person ive become to be
Brief Answer:
Then you should take an SSRI also.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back!
If the symptoms have persisted for more then few weeks without abating, then it is likely that you have developed an anxiety disorder. Most herbal incense products contain synthetic cannabinoids which are stronger and more harmful than plant based cannabis. Since cannabis is commonly associated with anxiety disorder, it is possible that this is what is responsible for your symptoms.
In this case, restarting herbal cannabis will not be a good idea, as it may just provide temporary relief while actually worsening the problem. The best thing would be to remain abstinent and to start a medication for relief of anxiety so that you can continue remaining abstinent. In addition to the benzodiazepine I mentioned above, it will be better if you can take a medicine of the SSRI class, like sertraline or escitalopram. The benzodiazepine can be tapered off after one or two months and only the SSRI continued for longer. This will also improve your lack of interest. Please discuss with your doctor if he can prescribe you one.
Hope you get better soon.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Then you should take an SSRI also.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back!
If the symptoms have persisted for more then few weeks without abating, then it is likely that you have developed an anxiety disorder. Most herbal incense products contain synthetic cannabinoids which are stronger and more harmful than plant based cannabis. Since cannabis is commonly associated with anxiety disorder, it is possible that this is what is responsible for your symptoms.
In this case, restarting herbal cannabis will not be a good idea, as it may just provide temporary relief while actually worsening the problem. The best thing would be to remain abstinent and to start a medication for relief of anxiety so that you can continue remaining abstinent. In addition to the benzodiazepine I mentioned above, it will be better if you can take a medicine of the SSRI class, like sertraline or escitalopram. The benzodiazepine can be tapered off after one or two months and only the SSRI continued for longer. This will also improve your lack of interest. Please discuss with your doctor if he can prescribe you one.
Hope you get better soon.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much I really appreciate it
Brief Answer:
Thanks!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Many thanks for your kind words.
Hope you get better soon. Please do not forget the deep breathing exercises. You will find instant relief from them.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Thanks!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Many thanks for your kind words.
Hope you get better soon. Please do not forget the deep breathing exercises. You will find instant relief from them.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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