I’m no endocrinologist (heck, I can hardly even spell it), but there has been some mention in the literature of loss of sexual appetite. As far as I know, there is no connection with PMS nor with gross hormonal changes. The one could, of course, be aggravating the other in terms of symptoms. Certainly the depression associated with PAWS could affect both arousal and energy levels.

Some folks have found that capsules of soy extract seem to help with the discomfort of PMS. As always, check with your physician before using any so-called “natural” remedies if you are taking any prescription medications. It’s a good idea to research carefully anyway. Just because something is “natural” does not mean it is necessarily harmless — and there’s nothing natural about plant extracts anyway.

As long as things are getting better, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Continue self-care, and try to have a bit of fun.

Bill

I’m sorry to hear about your health problems. I know of no way that cannabis could have caused them, and your symptoms were certainly consistent with kidney problems. Congratulations on getting off the marijuana and hash. As you have discovered, the many statements to the effect that cannabis is harmless are pure baloney. I’ve seen too many people suffering prolonged PAWS after quitting to buy that.

Regarding your anxiety about your body: I am not prepared to say that it is not related to PAWS, but there could be other emotional issues involved as well. Therefore, all I can tell you is that if it is PAWS-related, the issue should slowly resolve itself. I suggest that if the anxiety continues to worsen you might want to consult a physician about it. Anxiety, when it is not drug-induced, tends to worsen rather than abating on its own. It could prove to be a real problem.

Overall, it sounds like you have a great attitude, and I would expect you to respond to treatment well. Regarding medication: some of the commonly-used antianxiety medications are addictive, principally the benzodiazepines (Ativan, Valium, Xanax, etc.). There are others that work well. I suggest discussing any medications with a pharmacist as well as your physician. Doctors mean well, but most of them know less about addiction than I know about high-energy physics.

Take care of yourself, stay in touch, and

Keep on keepin’ on!

Bill

Thanks.

Greetings from India. So I have smoked Marijuana and Hashish on a regular basis for two years and then I was out of college and got myself a job and with a lot of determination I decided to cold turkey. I was off of it for a week and then on my birthday I smoked a joint and weirdly my ankles and face got swollen. I did not attribute it to the joint, I went and got an ultrasound instead and everything was fine except that I had a 1.2 cms big stone in my right kidney along with a really bad UTI.
I decided to quit for good and it has been over a year since I smoked my last joint. I have gone through the acute and yes I am still dealing with the post acute withdrawals. What started as anxiety trips have now transformed into a constant fear that something is wrong with my body. I get better and these thoughts vanish but when they do come I invariable end up feeling like I have cancer or something and rush to the hospital and touchwood I have all my systems working fine.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I have come out of all of this without any help. I am much much saner than how I had started a year back. Although my question to you is, will I get completely better like how I used to be or this is how I will be? I mean I am not the chirpy bubbly girl I used to be before I started any of this. I am twenty five and very positive. And since I have come this far, I am hopeful to get like how I used to be.

Thanks