Thoughts On Medical Marijuana

Symptoms & Treatments Complementary Therapies
21

I am fortunate to live in CA where it is possible to get a permit to purchase very safe, tested medical marijuana from extremely knowledgeable staff at a dispensary. It is such a professional, legit business that it takes most people by surprise. People from all walks of life are patients at my dispensary.

Because nausea and poor sleep are difficult symptoms for me, pot has helped immeasurably. I can't tolerate the taste of smoking it but have experimented with several different types of ingestibles they sell (cookies, candies, drinks, crackers, etc.) What works best for me is to buy marijuana butter and bake my own very dark chocolate and coconut brownies. I can make them to suit my taste and tailor the size of each piece to the dosage I prefer. I only use it at bedtime and the relief I get both from nausea and insomnia is truly a Godsend -- I look forward to it all day. I had tried Ambien and other sleep drugs but they left me feeling way too flaky the next day, but with pot I don't have that residual hangover the next day.

I can relate to Meow. I had to give up nursing school when I was about 80% done because I simply didn't feel I could practice safely given the pain I experienced on the floor. I will have to give this drug up if I become well enough to return to school. Considering I started back to school in my late 40's to achieve a lifelong dream and am now 55, it's looking less and less likely, but we never give up hope, right?

22

Overlord works well for me. It’s medical marijuana.

23

I love in Colorado so there is no problem getting mj in just about any form or strength. I do know that it has helped a lot of people with different kinds of pain. My doctor and I talked about it but because of what happened back in my wild dayswhen I tried it once I decided not to try again.

I have chronic low blood pressure and mj lowers blood pressure. When I tried it as I young college student I couldn't move for at least two hours.

I have seen that for a lot of vets It has helped with pain and with close monitoring PTSD. I'm all for legalizing it.

24

Hi,

I live in Az and medical marijuana is legal. I went to a medical marijuana clinic to get certified. I received my card and I go to a dispensary to buy. When you go to a dispensary there are many different ways to administer the marijuana. I have chosen to vape it. It works very well for me. I use a strain that is total HTC and it helps more than anything else I have used. I have also tried a couple of chocolate bars. If used correctly the chocolate bars can help a lot also.

Jackie S

25

I've just come back to the board after a couple bad years. I'm fortunate enough to live in Washington state, where we've legalized it. My only criticism is that they come up with some of the stupidest names for the stores! LOL

I use a tincture, as it's a nice medium between smoking it or edibles. I refuse to smoke anything just on personal principal because 2 years ago, I lost my mom to COPD because she smoked all her life. So I'm not going to smoke anything. Taking a tincture under the tongue absorbs rapidly and the onset is only about 20 minutes max, where edibles can take longer. I generally have a hybrid and a high indica one. The high indica strain (which differs depending on what "brand" you buy) reduces my pain by at least a good 60-70%, lets me fall asleep faster, and lets me stay asleep. I haven't had any side effects at all from an indica strain. The hybrid is what I take when I get home from work. It helps me relax, the indica part reduces my pain, reduces any anxiety I have, the sativa side reduces any depression and I definitely feel better able to access my creative side. I've found so far that blends with the "widow" strains for some form of "blueberry" in the title help with the pain. Although honestly, the "orange Widow" is the only one I've ever had that has a very faint hint of these so-called flavors. The stuff works, but it tastes wretched and smells like wet grass in a lawnmower after 3 days. LOL

That said, let me clarify a few things. First, I ONLY take it after I get home from work. I never take it before or during work, no matter how much pain I'm in. I need my job and my health insurance way too much to risk anything ever happening. To balance that, I think I have an unusually high tolerance for the sativa, though. The only time I ever felt "impaired" at all was after taking a capsule of the sativa. (it's oil-filled in them, so long time to work like edibles) I haven't had the munchies at all with any of it, and the only impairment I felt was a tendency to giggle at everything and a great difficulty concentrating. Normally, once I take it, I can think, I don't feel my bad knee or sciatic hip, and I can do light housework with less pausing to rest. It's not like my old self, but it's a darned sight better than my average days on Fibro. I'm insanely grateful to live in this state.

Funny story: After taking that capsule, I didn't know how long it would take to work (nearly an hour), so I went to do the grocery shopping. It hit by then, and it was a severe effort to get everything on the list. It was like..... "Milk, cheese, bread, lunchmeat. OK, got the milk. Did I get the right kind? Yep, I see it in the cart. Ok, milk. Milk and what? (looks at list) cheese. Okay, cheese is next, that's down there. Then something else. Cheese first. Did I get that milk, though? Can't forget the milk" and so on. I later described it to a friend who has adult ADD, and she said "That's my world. All the time." I was flabbergasted and a lot more sympathetic. I still feel like I forgot something on that list, dunno what.

I will say that even though I haven't ever had these munchies people describe, it does work quicker if I nibble something with a higher fat content right after taking it, or disguise it in a delicious way by putting the eyedropperful in a mug of cocoa made with whole milk. The cannabinoids are fat-soluble, so it makes sense that this carrier would metabolize faster. But I don't experience the need to eat anything while on it.

As for dosage/addiction fears.... I'm surprised. I don't need it everyday, and if I don't, I simply don't take it. There's no craving for it and its not the first thing I turn to. It is, however, the one thing that works the best. I refuse to take prescription level pills everyday and regular OTC painkillers have never done much for me anyway, other than make me sleepy. I use maybe a couple droppersful every 8 or 9 days, maybe twice a week in a really bad week. I didn't have any on a 2-week vacation in New Mexico, but took it nearly every day for about 5 days after returning because we were very active.

If anyone wants to privately message, I'll answer questions to the best of my ability. FYI, there are apps out there to find it for you in the us regardless of state.

26

obviously i'm way late to the party on this, but i just wanted to say that i appreciate the info. i have also found just through experimentation that a Kush will cause the desired pain numbing effect but other strains will not. so incredibly frustrating living in a state thats illegal because options are limited. fortunately i have a good delivery boy, but still, you just never know.

PomegranateStaindGrn said:

I've not actually introduced myself since joining just a few hours ago, but after reading through discussions I happened upon your question and it's something I know a bit about. My husband and I spent last year helping a group attempting to get a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis in Missouri. Unfortunately, the effort failed but I do see it happening before too very long now...nationwide.

Strains that work well for pain related disorders such as FM would be on the indica side as those strains contain much higher levels of CBDs (cannabidiol) rather than the high THC levels of the sativa strains. The 'Kush' and 'Skunk' names are usually a safe bet as being higher in the desirable CBD content. Hybrids of both indica and sativa would be preferable during times you must be awake and functioning - though I absolutely do not advocate or approve of driving under the influence (and that is a whole other conversation).

For those finding themselves more giggly or feeling more alert, they have likely acquired a sativa strain and are not going to feel a medical benefit as far as FM goes. In fact, THC in higher amounts can have exactly the opposite effect and make the pain feel more intense. This is the difficulty in its illegal status - we know it works and which varieties work for which diseases/disorders, but because it is still largely illegal in the US finding the appropriate strains in a safe quality to use medically is virtually impossible. The reality is - when you find the correct strain/dosage/method of ingestion - you will likely have very little feeling of being under the influence but more a blissfully normal feeling. It isn't uncommon for patients using cannabis to miss the relief aspect and assume it's not working because they don't feel high but the normal feeling is the relief to hope for, expect and remember to recognize when it hits.

I also believe that Fibromyalgia is as much (or more so) a neuro-muscular disease and we are very aware of the neuro-protectant qualities of cannabis. Its use in treating MS, epilepsy and other neuro/neuro-muscular diseases is well documented.

Thank you for bringing up the topic.
Pom (Jamie)
27

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Especially Pom (Jamie) for your informative sharing. I am fortunate to live in a state that it is legal. I have spoken to a few people who have tried it for other health conditions so I did not know how it would help with fibro. I have been in a severe flare-up for months and quite exhausted from pain. Does anyone have thoughts about how to approach my primary physician about this? I do have a name of another physician who will give me a prescription card after an appointment with him. I am not confident my primary will be in agreement with this. I am on pain meds, vicodrin and the effects are minimal now. I'd like to be off of it. I also take gebatin. Thank you all - it's good to hear from others who understand my challenges.

28

Hi, Mariposa, since it’s legal in your state, you’re likely not the only one of their patients who has discussed medical marijuana with your Primary, so you may find it elicits a favorable outcome. If you really feel it may be helpful to you, consider approaching the topic in same way you would any of your other meds. Good luck and I hope you find relief.
Hugs.




Mariposa said:

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Especially Pom (Jamie) for your informative sharing. I am fortunate to live in a state that it is legal. I have spoken to a few people who have tried it for other health conditions so I did not know how it would help with fibro. I have been in a severe flare-up for months and quite exhausted from pain. Does anyone have thoughts about how to approach my primary physician about this? I do have a name of another physician who will give me a prescription card after an appointment with him. I am not confident my primary will be in agreement with this. I am on pain meds, vicodrin and the effects are minimal now. I’d like to be off of it. I also take gebatin. Thank you all - it’s good to hear from others who understand my challenges.

29

Can a regular primary care physician, or my rhumatologist prescribe this for me ?

30

If they have the appropriate forms for your state to print off when they prescribe it, I would presume so. many normal Doctors are leery of doing so because they don't want the law to change and possibly them have license issues, but you should be able to find someone if your doc isn't open to it. I went to a naturopathist, personally. If your doc is open to it, you lucked out. Just remember you'll probably have to go back to them each year, they won't automatically renew the card without a checkup visit.

31

wow over here in California you just go to these places that just do doctor reccomendations and you get a card and paperwork with an embossed stamp on it from the state. I went into a room and talked to a doctor on an ipad and they were somewhere else it was a trip.Costs 80 bucks. If you want to grow for yourself 200 bucks! And they are passing a law stating you cannot grow anymore because of these idiots that rent houses down here just to fill with 100's of pot plants and get raided and have blown it for us patients. Think of the cancer patients that can't afford the med. they just now screwed him over which is messed up. Not sure how long this will all last before it gets all screwed up by the greedy. So as for now I'm using it sparingly cause I don't know when I will have money again.my hands hurt from typing now lol ~Aaron

32

I like these strains Grandaddy Purple, grape ape, blue dream, and thin mint cookies,liquid butter og, and trufflebutter og. I wanna try rick simpson oil.

33

I’m benefiting from this discussion. I live in a mmj state where mj is legal recreationally also.

I’ve used mmj for 3 years. My doc recommended it for sleep and depression. I like the black widow and other sativas. The best combo for me has been a range of 15 to 20 THC and .25 (or so) CBD.

It helps in the day time too. I find if I’m having a flare and I use some mmj, I feel better for the day.

This needs to be accessible to everyone. My overall quality of life has improved very much. I laugh. I had stopped laughing. My grandchildren love to make laugh. They don’t know that I use it yet, but my adult kids are all very supportive. The stigma is going away in my state.

Push for legalization! If you intend to use it or not, it is very good for some.



Kitty

34

Thought I would add that the strains with higher CBD can increase anxiety in some and does for me. If you’ve had an anxious experience with trying it, you may have had an indica. I prefer sativas. It’s very taylorable to individual needs.

Kitty again

35

Thank you Kitty,

I found that very helpful and informative.
I think you’re right about it being helpful for many people, the stigma needs to end.

Patricia




Kitty said:

I’m benefiting from this discussion. I live in a mmj state where mj is legal recreationally also.
I’ve used mmj for 3 years. My doc recommended it for sleep and depression. I like the black widow and other sativas. The best combo for me has been a range of 15 to 20 THC and .25 (or so) CBD.

It helps in the day time too. I find if I’m having a flare and I use some mmj, I feel better for the day.

This needs to be accessible to everyone. My overall quality of life has improved very much. I laugh. I had stopped laughing. My grandchildren love to make laugh. They don’t know that I use it yet, but my adult kids are all very supportive. The stigma is going away in my state.

Push for legalization! If you intend to use it or not, it is very good for some.



Kitty

36

A good friend of mine, seeing how sick pain meds made me, gave me some marijuana to try. (She has chronic illnesses, both physical and mental, and swears by medicinal cannabis.) I have found it helps quite a bit, especially for pain, anxiety, inflammation, and sleep problems.

Personally, I don’t like to smoke. However, that’s why there are edibles! Actually, there are many alternatives to smoking, from liquid extracts, pills, just about any kind of candy/baked food (including savory and sugar free foods) available. The other added benefit to edibles/pills/extracts is that you can get a consistent dosage (listed on the package). Many dispensaries will deliver to you (if you aren’t up to leaving the house that day), and there are directions readily available on the internet on how to make cannabis oil/butter so you can make your own recipes. (Head’s up: THC is fat soluble, so this is a great way to get the most use out of it, as making, say, a tea, will be ineffective.)

I have attached a handy chart I found on the difference between indica and sativa. I typically use edibles (which hit stronger than smoking, so go easy at first!), which typically use hybrid strains, unless labeled otherwise.

The best course of action is to educate yourself first, before trying marijuana; just as you would any other medication you are given. There are resources are available on the internet, as well as many books on the subject.

37

Hi, I also am trying cannabis oil along with capsules. Both without thc in them I have capsules with thc and was told to take when I am in serve pain. The oil is amazing helps so much with the pain and making me feel balanced.

38

I would like to know how much out of pocket does it cost?then again what price is it to be pain free.

39

I used it for about 2 years. The only reason I quite was I just could no longer afford it. I could not smoke it----take one puff–cough 20 times–got nowhere. I developed my own way to cook it in a crockpot—I used .9 gm to make 1 qt which would last about a week. gives a whole new meaning to the word “crockpot!”
I felt worse for the 1st 3 days and was nearly hysterical thinking this, too, was not going to work. I was about to give this up and on the 3rd day—the pain lifted. It didn’t remove it all, but it made it bearable. It was not bearable until then even with 4 Tramadol a day. Until this, I cried every day from pain, and the only thing I could pray for was that god would take me. The stuff literally saved my sanity. I never got high on it–I drank about 1/3 c twice a day. After I got off it–my pain levels have never gone back to what they used to be before I started it.

40

I’m currently using the medical marijuana. I agree with those who have said it intensifies pain if it’s anything more than a 1:1. Recreational marijuana definitely intensifies my pain. Medical however, 1:1 is a good muscle relaxer. Pain relief though, never happens. That’s alright though. The medical marijuana has CBD and THC so it does help with inflammation. I use it for night time as well and it does help with sleep. I’ve never found a pain reliever to take the place of the opioids. Disappointing.