Posts Tagged ‘xanax’

Marijuana (Cannabis) as alternative treatment for menopause; Medical Marijuana Doctors

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on June 2nd, 2010

Today at my Irvine office I evaluated a 51 year old women who wanted an evaluation to see if medical marijuana could provide relief for some of the symptoms she has been experience as a result of menopause.   Specifically she had been suffering from severe hot flashes which caused secondary insomnia.   As a result of not being able to sleep well she was “always tired” during the day.  Her ob/gyn had tried prescribing paxil and ambien to help relieve her symptoms but the side effects were worse than what she was trying to relieve.    A few weeks back a friend of hers that had a medical marijuana card for chronic pain gave her some marijuana to try to improve her sleep.  The results “were amazing” she told me.

The first night she vaporized (inhaled smoke free) one pinch of a cannabis strain called OG Kush.  She described lying down and falling asleep almost immediately.  Prior to that she would “toss and turn” for a few hours before finally falling asleep.  She reported that she slept 8 hours for the first time in 2 years!   As a result she woke up feeling rested and was able to be more productive the next day.  She plans on using marijuana for the duration of her menopausal symptoms and is “so relieved” that she has a “more natural alternative.”

Menopause occurs because of decreasing estrogen levels in the womens body.   It typically occurs around the age of 51.   Many women experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness and nights sweats.   Many women also report feeling anxious or even depressed.   It can be a very difficult time for women as there reproductive organs “shut down” for good.   Typically doctos try giving their patients SSRI’s (antidepressants such as Paxil), Ambien to improve sleep and benzodiazepines to treat anxiety.   Hormone replacement therapy used to be the gold standard to reduce the typical symptoms but recent studies showed an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

I see many women who get great results by using small amounts of cannabis in the evening to reduce their symptoms.  Because cannabis is such a benign medication (very little unwanted side effects) I believe that it is a great alternative to try.   It is not addictive, is not toxic to any major organ system and be used as often as necessary.  In addition if vaporized (vs smoked) there are no harmful side effects from smoke which limits most patients from even trying it.

If you are in menopause or would like more information on whether you could benefit from using cannabis feel free to make an appointment at 877-721-0047.  There is NO FEE if you do not qualify or decide not to use it.

Respectfully,

Dr. Breen

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Xanax vs Marijuana (cannabis) for Anxiety: Medical Marijuana Orange County and Long Beach

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on May 29th, 2010

As medical director for medical cannabis of southern california I provide medical marijuana recommendations for patients throughout Orange County and Long Beach.  One of the most common complaints that I here from patients is that they are tired of taking Xanax to treat their anxiety because of all the side effects and want a safer more natural alternative.   Marijuana has been shown to have incredible anxiolytic properties and has limited unwanted side effects.

Xanax is a drug that is most commonly used to treat anxiety and panic disorder.  It falls into a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.   It works by binding to areas in the brain that regulate a compound called GABA.  GABA has an inhibitory affect on the brain, meaning it slows everything down.

Unfortunately benzodiazepines have a plethora of side effects.   The first is that patients build up a tolerance and dependance which means they require more and more to get the same effect over time.   Xanax can become highly addicting and patients can experience withdrawals when they try to stop.  On top of having to worry about becoming addicted to xanax patients most commonly experience the following:   DROWSINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, DEPRESSION, HEADACHE, CONSTIPATION, DRY MOUTH, CONFUSION, NAUSEA AND VOMITING, AMNESIA

MORE SERIOUSLY PATIENTS CAN HAVE: INCREASED HEART RATE, SEIZURES, BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

Most commonly patients tell me they walk around feeling like a “zombie” and they “can not function on it.”

Cannabis has been shown to have incredible anxiolytic properties.   It is NOT addicting, you can not overdose and it has very few unwanted side effects.  It can be used daily in small doses with better results than xanax.  Patients report using it prior to bed time and they say it not only helps them sleep but regulates their mood for 24-48 hours following.

If you would like more information on how cannabis can treat your anxiety I would be happy to discuss the benefits of using cannabis with you.  Give our Irvine or Long Beach office a call at 877-721-0047

www.mcsocal.com provides medical marijuana recommendations to patients who qualify under California Proposition 215.

Dr. Sean Breen

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Limiting Risks Associated with Marijuana (Cannabis) Use

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on October 5th, 2009

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I evaluate the benefits and risks of using cannabis (marijuana) with patients every day.   Interesting many patients are not aware that there are risks associated with using cannabis.  I often her people quoting statistics that show “there has never been a documented overdose from cannabis” and use that as the gold standard for qualifying it’s safety profile.  Although that happens to be a fact “there has not been one documented overdose from cannabis” I think that there is some naivety in that statement.  Here are some things to consider.

1.  Because cannabis is psychoactive, meaning it affects a patients judgement, balance, perception, coordination and cognitive functions like concentration and short term memory, there are risks inherently associated with its use.  For example, elderly patients who use cannabis have to be extremely careful when using cannabis.  They can lose their balance, fall and fracture their hip or other bones.  Patients who use cannabis and drive are more susceptible to accidents.  I often tell my patients “‘just because no one has overdosed doesn’t mean you can’t lose you balance and fall down a flight of stairs and break your neck.”  So that is the first and most important risk associated with using cannabis.  That risk can be reduced by taking basic safety precautions.

2. Cannabis can speed up your heart rate (medically termed tachycardia).  Have you ever used cannabis and felt like your heart was racing?  If so it is because cannabis has what is referred to as anti-cholinergic affects on the body and can seep up your heart rate.   This is a concern if patients have had a significant cardiac history such as a heart attack or stroke.    I always ask my patients that have cardiac histories if they currently exercise at all.  If so then the risk is limited, but certainly something to consider.

3.  Cannabis should not be used with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines such as Xanax/Valium and because of the increased risks associated with compounding the psychoactive effects of the medication.

4. If you speak with addiction specialists who treat patients who have been using cannabis chronically for long periods of time they often describe a syndrome where patients lack motivation and have a general apathetic mood.  This is certainly concerning if people are truly not reaching the full potential of what God intended for them.

Overall, cannabis is a much safer drug then the majority of medications that patients take for pain, anxiety, sleep etc. but I just wanted to share some of what I think are the real risks associated with its use.

If you would like more information on the medicinal use of cannabis please feel free to visit our website at www.MCSoCal.com  You can pre-qualify for free online from the comfort of your home.  Our clinics are located in Encinitas, Irvine and Long Beach.   877-721-0047

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Alternative Treatment for Anxiety; Cannabis (Marijuana)

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on September 24th, 2009

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I evaluate patients frequently who complain of chronic anxiety.    Their symptoms range from always anticipating disaster, often worrying excessively about money, health, family or work.  Many times the source of their anxiety is difficult to pinpoint.  There anxiety goes beyond the normal day to day concerns that most people experience.  People who suffer from anxiety just cant seem to shake their concerns even though they may understand that they are worrying beyond what the situations warrants.   It seems like lately more and more patients are unable to focus, maintain their relationships and get a good nights sleep because of real economic concerns that they may be going through.   This state is one that if not taken care of will burn out patients adrenal glands, suppress their immune systems and lead to collapse of their overall health.  Quite often I hear patients tell me “I am at the end of my rope and need help.”    Typically patients who present to their primary care physicians with these symptoms get quickly diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and prescribed medications.  The most common medications that I see patients come in with are Valium or Xanax (which are a class of drugs called benzodiazepines)  These drugs interact with a compound in the brain called GABA and ultimately lead to relaxation.  The problem with these drugs are that not only is there a high incidence of dependence and tolerance but frequently lead to abuse.   Also patients will tell me that “they relax me but I am a complete zombie and can’t not live like that.”   Their emotions are completely blunted and there quality of life is not improved which is the goal of any treatment.  Secondly patients get placed on medications such as Lexapro which are used to treat both depression and anxiety.   Unfortunately, these medications produce many sexual side effects which reduces the overall quality of life of the patient.   For example I just had a 30 year old women who came in to my office because she had been on Lexapro for anxiety for the past 2 years.  Although she said her symptoms have improved she has not had sex with her husband for almost a year because of lack of sex drive.  This was in turn causing a strain on their relationship and worsening her symptoms.

Many patients do not realize that cannabis (marijuana) is an incredible anxiolytic (anti-anxiety medication).   I works by binding to receptors in our central nervous system (brain/spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (nerves which leave the spinal cord and extend to the rest of the body)   Within 3 minutes of inhaling (vaporizing) patients will experience a generalized body relaxation.  Soon after patients can experience euphoria which is great for patients who also have depression.  This  state will usually persist for 3-6 hours depending on the dose.   If used prior to going to bed patients often get a restful nights sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.   The advantages of using cannabis is that it is not toxic to any of the major organ systems, has no potential for overdose and also does not produce a physical addiction.   Many patients are also unaware that there are different strains of cannabis which produce different results when used.   Indica Strains tend to be lower in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the main psychoactive cannabinoid.   Patients will typically describe the effect as a general body relaxation vs a head high.  This allows patients to medicate and still be able to carry out normal conversations with family, friends and co-workers.    Because most people’s experience with cannabis has been from marijuana obtained illegally from the street they tend to have used Sativa strains which are much higher in THC and have more of a mind-altering effect.    Regardless, because cannabis is so benign from a toxicity standpoint, it is definitely worth a try to see if you will benefit.  I always tell my patients that the great thing about cannabis is that if you try it and it doesn’t help, you simply stop using it and in the meantime have done no harm to your body.   However most of my patients experience great relief from their symptoms.

For more information about Dr. Sean Breen please visit his website at www.mcsocal.com  Medical Cannabis of Southern California has three offices in Long Beach, Irvine and Encinitas.   Patients can pre-qualify for free online from the privacy of their home.   If you would like to make an appointment to see if you can benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis give our office manager a call at 877-721-0047

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