Medical Marijuana and nerve pain

[jchebert1979]

I don't want to break any rules here and definitely don't want to get anyone in trouble but I am looking for people with experience using marijuana for pain. I have been on every medication possible in every combination possible with very little relief. I used to smoke it when I was younger and actually hated it. I'm not sure if I would smoke too much trying to "hang" with everyone else or what, but it would make me absolutely miserable.

I am at the point now where I have to try something. I am not in any way concerned with the legality issues of it so please don't bring it up. I just want to know if anyone has used it for nerve pain and what their experience was. Were you able to be relatively alert? Did it help you to reduce your other meds?

If you do not feel comfortable discussing this in an open forum please IM me. I really would appreciate any information I could get.

[New-disc]

Hello,

Yes I have used Marinol = pot pill for pain management / and to help reduce my other meds.

I was able to eat better.... with little side effects, and was less bound up.

In my state of Maine its legal for medical use

If you have any other ? please feel free to write me @

camaro_travels@yahoo.com

[Gil Denis]

Hello

As a past recreational user I found it made my pain worse when smoked, it also constricts blood vessel reducing blood flow.

If you eat it you may get better results.

good luck

Gil

[jchebert1979]

Thanks guys. I am pretty much on my last leg with medication as I have tried everything in every combination imaginable. I am very worried about trying MM because of how terrible it used to make me feel when I would use it recreationaly.

The severity and location of the pain that I have makes it feel like I am on the verge of panic at all times. I can't inhale or exhale too deeply and I cannot drop my shoulders past a certain point or it will feel as if I am being electrocuted. I also have to be very careful because if something relaxes me too much and I cannot control my breathing or shoulders the same thing happens.

I have doubled my pain medicine lately and am now at 20-40mg of immediate release oxycodone every 3-4 hours which is doing nothing. Not only do I think this is very unhealthy, at this level I will run out before a doctor can prescribe more and I will be treated as a drug addict.

[Maria]

From my understanding there are many types of marijuana now for various probs. I'm not sure if you are going to try smoking it or the marinol but maybe the smoking wouldn't be good for you because of how deeply it's inhaled in order to get the effect (as I recall)... it used to make me to sort of gag or usually cough when inhaling it (way back in the day).

[jchebert1979]

I know nothing about various strains and all of that. I was just going to get some from my pothead cousin in college, lol. I don't think that it will be the route for me but at this point I am willing to try just about anything.

If it were to work well I would probably get one of those vaporizers that heat the herbs without burning them thereby lessening the toxic byproducts.

I did have a breakthrough last night/this morning. The burning was so severe and then all of a sudden my shoulder and arm violently spasmed. It was so violent that it snapped my head and neck. This happens all the time, especially when I am drifting off to sleep but this time was worse. I was able to go back to bed and when I woke up this morning I felt better than I have in a long time.

See there are pains that suck, but I could totally live with. Like the pain in my mid back that feels like I've been hit by a bat. It's a severe soreness, but I can live with it. If I had to live with the post op surgical pain I could do that as well. It is this severe burning, electrical pain that I cannot live with.

Oh well. I will try to enjoy the relief that I have experienced and hope that it continues.

[JKDE302]

Vaporize it!!!! B/C: its not good to put smoke in your body if you have DDD...

Great drug for pain and stress...probally the best...

[Maria]

I know nothing of this.. is this like using a Hookah (hooka?).. I'm so behind the times here re pot tho there are tons of medical marijuana dispenseries around (and much controvery re legalities of dispensaries) and I know of a number of people that are using it for various reasons. I just *assumed* (you know what they say about that word) they smoked it in a joint/pipe.

[jchebert1979]

I read about them a few years back and thought nothing of it because I don't smoke (tobacco or pot). You see them in the ad in the back of magazines but I've seen them advertised in more mainstream stuff.

Basically they heat the herb to the point that releases the chemicals (THC, nicotine, etc.) without burning it and chemically changing it.

It's safer, which is better, but I don't think it's completely safe.

[JKDE302]

I know some guys that I grew up with that play in the NFL and use the Volcano Vaporizer for pain...I wish I had the heart to ask them to pay for my ADR surgery since they play pro ball....I feel so bad that my family wants to use the 401k for me to have surgery...

Anyway here is a pic...I used it before and it works great....

[Maria]

JKDE,
Now that made it crystal clear ~ thanks so much and glad it works so well for you.

[Nihola and Bernard]

Bernard has been using mj for a while now, thanks to the help of his physician and the great work of the BC compassion club, and it definately assists in making the day and night more tolerable in regards to pain. He's eaten and smoked it and both work. Smoking doesn't last as long, but begins sooner. Make sure that you have access to try a variety of types. Pure Indica strains are the only ones that help him, because the other strain, or blends, cause him to worry too much (he's a thinker). He also only takes a very small amount, much less than most people would use recreationly. Taking more just brings greater awareness of the pain. I'm not sure if this is true of all conditions, but for back and nerve pain, it certainly seems to be the case. It does make him less of a go getter, so we try to get something accomplished, however small, before he takes it. It does make him happier, because the body relaxes a bit and doesn't constantly tell him all about the pain that's going on. He's still on other pain meds, the max. daily's of Gabapentin, Ibuprofin and Acetaminophen, although often enough he can reduce the amounts now that he uses mj too. The other things we've tried this winter is a full spectrum light, just to try to keep depression from creeping in too much and causing even more pain. We bought a 10,000lux SAD light, and it does seem to help (but that's another story).

Good luck

[dshobbies]

Hi there N & B,

Glad you joined us. Your information is interesting and should my pain increase, it's something I just might look into. I'd also like to know a little more about the full sprectrum light for depression??? Never heard that before.

Please start a new thread and tell us more about Bernard and his condition, remedies, etc.

Welcome to the forum, Dale

[Maria]

Very glad you joined this forum and appreciate your input on this topic.

I've often wondered if because of my long ago use of mj in a recreational way it usually seemed good if it was good (stuff that is) however being much older now and when in serious pain tend towards a depressive line of thinking that definately "thinking too much" would not be good nor would anything that would enhance the depressive train of thought.

I've been told with medical mj there are many more blends that are available than "back in the day" and it sounds more like going into a local coffee shop with all the varieties.

So it's interesting to hear Bernard's experience and actually I think it would be interesting to know more about medical mj and the varieties available that are prescribed to help various conditions (such as migraines, back/neck pain) because I believe that reaching that peaceful state of mind where musculoskeletal relaxation is evident would be excellent in terms of reducing spasms that cause pain if nothing more.

And just mental peace of mind goes a long way. thanks again.

[Eddie G]

I find cannabis works for my spasms so I prefer it over Valium. I take 1 to 2 less Oxycontin with cannabis. I prefer to vaporize over smoking. Eating it is safer than smoking too. If I have to smoke it, I would use a bong with ice to cool the smoke.
The have different strains for different reasons. Some are more
"heady" and some are more physical and muscle relaxing (my preference) which I think they call "couch lock". I assume thats an Indica or a hybrid.
They took chronic pain out of the NJ law which leaves out ALOT of patients. I just hope that "Intractable Skeletal Muscular Spasticity" is a fancy term for my severe back spasms or I'm left out too. The "wasting syndrome" and "chronic pain" in the NJ law is related only to HIV/AIDS and cancer. Not the wasting & chronic pain from spine trauma like I have.
Is there really a difference though?

[mmglobal]

Flipping channels last night, I stumbled into a program called cannabis weekly. It was interesting to see the low-budget attempt at a news magazine type of program about such a hot-button topic. They had commercials for vaporizers (like the one above), products to enhance your tomato production (called "Bud Grow"), high-tech hydroponic systems and more.

The news items surrounded local city council meetings and the efforts to control the pot stores. Many legitimately want to shut down the stores to keep from having pothead gathering centers near schools, or they simply don't want to see such establishments in their neighborhoods. The flip side is the need to provide access to patients who truly need and benefit from the availability of medical MJ. They had poignant presentations by 70 year-old cancer patients... unfortunately offset by the screams of the less needy patients who get a medical MJ card for a stubbed toe and are now crusaders for the cause.

I still haven't gone there yet and hope I don't have to. If I ever need it, I hope it's available.

Mark

[Maria]

For medical mj is very good where I live (downtown city area) and I would be an ideal candidate I'm sure considering I have backpain, neck pain, and migraines plus whatever else pops up here and there. Many people that I meet walking the dog in my neighborhood when chatting away about health probs reveal they are using medical mj. It surprises me at the number of persons that are utilizing and the ages (much younger than myself). This area has a high number of gay persons and seems many use for the symptoms with associated with full blown AIDs/HIV.

So far I've not needed to "go there" either however I do find it interesting that there are so many strains now and supposedly designed to help with various symptoms/conditions.

I don't think my PM would support the use of medical mj while on the opioid medication yet I've not never spoken with him about it. The office is very conservative (Scripps Mercy San Diego) and don't even want him to prescribe Suboxone for fear there will be persons coming into their very nice office in various stages of withdrawls. This being said I think that someone coming into this particular office smelling of mj would probably be frowned upon even if it is being utilized as an adjunct medication to help alleviate pain or other symptoms of various conditions.

The only reason I don't even inquire re use of medical mj with my PM is that I don't want to plant any seeds of suspicion just in case I'm right about the level of conservatism in this office as I now have a good working rapport with my PM.

[Eddie G]

I found this floating around cyberspace:

Talking to Your Doctor About Medical Marijuana

Asking your general practitioner to recommend medical marijuana is a good first step toward becoming a medical marijuana patient. Doctors are legally protected from punishment for recommending medical marijuana to patients, so your doctor should be both willing and able to discuss medical marijuana and/or offer a referral to a specialist.

If you suspect that your physician will be reluctant to recommend medical marijuana or to refer you to a specialist, come prepared with research indicating that your medical condition can be effectively treated or mitigated by using cannabis. Be prepared to disclose any current marijuana usage and its effect on your symptoms.

After your doctor agrees to recommend medical marijuana, protect yourself by requesting that this recommendation be made in writing. This will help you defend yourself if you are ever prosecuted for a crime in connection with your use of medical marijuana.

If, however, your usual physician is reluctant to recommend medical marijuana for you, or if you're uncomfortable discussing this matter with your general practitioner, you may wish to see a medical marijuana specialist.

Seeing a Doctor Who Specializes in Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana doctors who specialize in this particular area are most easily found through referrals from other doctors or patients. If you're not able to find a medical marijuana doctor via personal recommendation, looking online is always an option. Try to focus on reputable online directories and professional websites. Don't answer ads related to marijuana on free classified sites like Craigslist.

Once you've found a medical marijuana specialist, it's your task as a patient to make the most of your appointment. Take the following steps to increase your likelihood of receiving a medical marijuana recommendation from your medical marijuana doctor:

•Bring a copy of your medical records to your first appointment, including any written referrals to the specialist.
•Be prepared to clearly and concisely explain your symptoms and what you hope to gain from using medical marijuana.
•Understand that most medical marijuana doctors issue recommendations only to patients who genuinely need to use medical marijuana. Getting an appointment doesn't mean you'll get a recommendation.
•Have a written list of questions for the specialist, including things like: "How do your other patients acquire their medical marijuana?" and "Do I need to hire a medical marijuana caregiver?"
If you have a qualifying condition like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, cancer, or glaucoma, any medical marijuana doctor should be able to give you a recommendation. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable with the doctor you've chosen, feel free to thank the doctor for his or her time, exit the office, and look for a different medical marijuana doctor.

I will be having my doctor/patient chat next month. I think it will go well considering he seems very attentive to my needs. He has written me scripts for everything, from anti-depressants to human growth hormone. He's not afraid to try anything, (me neither) He should be open to me needing less Gabapentin, Oxy and NO more Valium & Amrix.

[jane1111]

I say try it, if it helps than good for you......I will be using it when they take away my pain pills, which they are already talking about, and with their pain meds I am still at a 6-7 on the pain scale, so once they let the federal government tell them how much pain meds I am allowed and abandon me than I will be going rogue and using pot, it has worked for me in the past, and I will fall back on it again when needed. If God did not want us using this plant then he would not have made it.....and I am sure that the pain meds are messing with my liver, which pot does not, so that is another plus for pot...so I guess I will be moving to one of the 11 states that have legalized medicinal use and try to live as pain free as possible, if I can not find any relief than my life won't me much worth living, so there it is......

[Maria]

In which the utilization of cannabis on regular basis is the norm.. and other plants as well that alter consciouness or work on the central nervous system.

I have to wonder about all the prescription drugs I've ingested with all the potential side effects and/or untoward effects as well as how they are metabolized in one's system and stay in the body for periods of times.

I wonder about my major organ systems and the prescribed various medications I take and then I wonder.. are we really looking at what is most healthy for the human body overall?

I dunno.. I don't think so when I put together my bottles of pills to ingest on daily basis tho I've come to think of them as my vitamin pills or BP pills or such.