aryastark

Hi, I know this is an old post, but I wanted to comment on it based on my experiences. I've had terrible experiences with marijuana since my POTS symptoms developed. I used to smoke marijuana regularly, but since I've developed POTS my body can't handle it. Like some of the previous commenters, I have terrible side effects from smoking marijuana. Even with one toke, my body just goes completely crazy. Sometimes it happens right away, and other times it creeps up on me 15 minutes or so after the fact. I'll start to get a sensation of blood rushing to/from my head -- not quite ringing in the ears, but close. My heart starts to race and I get that doomy feeling. My blood pressure skyrockets. It is not a panic attack, but it looks similar. In my worst episode, my body felt like it was being electrocuted and I had a severe pins and needles sensation throughout my body, but especially my hands. My jaw and hands went numb and clenched. I experienced what I can only describe as "waves" of the sensation, which would get more severe, then taper off, and come back again. I ended up puking at the end of it. On every occasion, I come down with tremors, especially in my legs. Reading a previous comment about a hypothermic effect made me wonder if that's what I had. My worst experience lasted 2.5 hours, and the shortest one was closer to 30 minutes. I'm totally wiped by the end of it and usually just fall asleep afterwards because of the toll it takes on my body. I've learned my lesson and know I just can't risk even trying it any more. I just wanted to comment here because this was the first time I read other experiences that were similar to mine. Until now, I've never been able to connect these experiences specifically to POTS -- I've always been worried something else was going on. So, in that sense, I'm a little relieved. I hope this is helpful to others.