Today is the day I decided to quit smoking marijuana

[polak]

Update on my situation.

It doesn't seem like the weed was the issue as I've had increasing chest pains sober since this started as well. It got to the point where I went to the doctor on Tuesday to get it checked out (sent me for an Xray and ECG and bloodwork which I'm doing tomorrow) and I even went to the hospital on Thursday cause I got a really sharp pain out of no where which was immediatly followed by a warm tingling sensation throughout my body and a dizzy feeling. After 4 hours of waiting my chest pains were back to what they were before and I was clearly not in danger anymore (considering they didn't even re-evaluate someone who came in with chest pain, they clearly didn't think I was in danger either) so I left and saw a doctor at a walk in clinic the next day. He did an ECG on the spot and after it came back normal and I told him I've been running a few times this week and didn't effect the pains at all, he ruled out it being my heart or a blood clot. That was a huge relief.

He thought it was something to do with my esophagus and gave me some medication for that however it's been 4 days and they have had no effect. He also said it could be inflammation of the tissues around my lungs which I think is the more likely culprit. Luckily I have my blood work test tomorrow and I've already had the xray so hopefully I'll get some answers soon. Being in this limbo really sucks cause it could be nothing or it could be something super serious. Ugh.

I definitely don't think it's anxiety any more though. The chest pain hasn't subsided at all in the last week+ but I still plan on maintaining my "social smoking only" rule. I'm sure weed hasn't helped this situation at all.

[Coach]

Have you ever quit before (since starting to smoke heavily)?

Generally for the first week or so the chest gets pretty bad. Coughing up nasty phlegm, basically feeling like you have a terrible cold.

I know that wasn't your initial problem, but increased chest pain after stopping I don't think is that uncommon.

[polak]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Have you ever quit before (since starting to smoke heavily)?

Generally for the first week or so the chest gets pretty bad. Coughing up nasty phlegm, basically feeling like you have a terrible cold.

I know that wasn't your initial problem, but increased chest pain after stopping I don't think is that uncommon.

Well I've gone longer than this without smoking many times before but I did also initially think that the anxiety worsening might be caused by withdrawal symptoms, however, that little episode I had on Thursday felt way too intense and real for it to just be anxiety.

I really hope it is though. That would be awesome. It's a very weird situation as I don't have a cough or anything that would suggest it was my lungs. My breathing is normal. Doctor ruled out my heart and hopefully that will be officially scratched off the list after tomorrows tests. The medication for my esophagus doesn't seem to be working yet.

I really, really, REALLY, hope it's all in my head.

[Coach]

Hmm yeah fair enough, I'm glad you're getting proper medical help/advice.

[Fuzz]

Do you ever have acid reflux issues? Symptoms can often be similar to what you think are heart pains. Then, you get anxious and end up in a bit of a panic attack and it all seams a lot worse, when it is just acid reflux.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Do you ever have acid reflux issues? Symptoms can often be similar to what you think are heart pains. Then, you get anxious and end up in a bit of a panic attack and it all seams a lot worse, when it is just acid reflux.

That's basically what the doctor told me. I haven't had any issues like this in the past.

I think the medication he gave me were just strong stomach acid inhibitors. So far no results but maybe it'll take time.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by polak

He also said it could be inflammation of the tissues around my lungs which I think is the more likely culprit.

I wouldn't be surprised. When I was in my 20s I developed chest pains while at work. I was scared ####less. I was sure I was having a heart attack. I took myself to the hospital and in the end the diagnosis was pleurisy.

Interesting footnote, neither the company I was working for at the time - PanCanadian - or the hospital I went to - The Holy Cross - exist anymore. The buildings remain but not the institutions.

I'm old.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by polak

Well I've gone longer than this without smoking many times before but I did also initially think that the anxiety worsening might be caused by withdrawal symptoms, however, that little episode I had on Thursday felt way too intense and real for it to just be anxiety.

I really hope it is though. That would be awesome. It's a very weird situation as I don't have a cough or anything that would suggest it was my lungs. My breathing is normal. Doctor ruled out my heart and hopefully that will be officially scratched off the list after tomorrows tests. The medication for my esophagus doesn't seem to be working yet.

I really, really, REALLY, hope it's all in my head.

I used to think that also. Anxiety has brought out so many physical symptoms I don't know what to believe anymore.

[SHOGUN]

Has anyone tried switching from smoking to vaporizing? A buddy of mine says it's totally worth the investment as you save money/bud in the long run, healthier on lungs, and minimal smell.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

Has anyone tried switching from smoking to vaporizing? A buddy of mine says it's totally worth the investment as you save money/bud in the long run, healthier on lungs, and minimal smell.

Anything that makes you smell like less of an ashtray is probably a good investment.

[Mike F]

How did [Louie] C.K. wind up doing only 8 episodes [of his critically acclaimed TV show Louie] this season? Well, originally, he wanted to delay season 5 so he could film it in the fall, since shooting previous seasons in winter — particularly the recent crippling New York winters — was wearing him down. Then, the night before FX chief John Landgraf was going to announce the delay, C.K. smoked a lot of marijuana, felt a burst of inspiration for stories he wanted to tell this season, and wrote pages and pages on his computer, breaking out all of what he felt would be an amazing season. He called Landgraf and asked if he could produce on the original schedule; a frustrated Landgraf told him they had already allocated most of his budget to other shows, and the best they could do was a half-season. So C.K. agreed, Landgraf announced that, and in the sober light of day, C.K. finally read what he had written... and it was gibberish. He didn't use a single idea or joke from it in making season 5. Don't do drugs, kids. Or, at least, don't make big decisions while high.

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