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Beating Crohn's disease with Marijuana. There is hope.

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/12/2015 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
My name is Joey and I've been dealing with crohn's disease for 15 years now. I have tried a few different medications and none of them would work for me. The doctors always pushed Prednisone for my symptoms. Seemed to be the only thing that my body would respond to. Not knowing any better I followed the doctors advice and kept taking my dose as he had instructed. Very bad mistake. I have suffered for years now from the many side effects of this medication. Its been devastating for me. So a few years back I decided to go another way. I had heard of all the benefits of medical marijuana and I thought there was a chance it may work for me. I was on Prednisone for over 2 years and it really took a toll on my body. I went and got some marijuana and smoked it. Lower grade stuff that is mid range in potency. I immediately noticed a difference in the cramps and the way I felt inside. It was like the pain and tension faded after just a few minutes. After a couple days of this I started to feel even better. I did some research and found that the higher the grade of marijuana the better I felt. I searched for the best I could find and I started to smoke high potency marijuana. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that it was the best idea I've ever had. It has saved my life. I was able to stop taking the Prednisone completely after 5 days of smoking. No Prednisone since either. I have not had a flare in over a year and I have gained weight back quickly. I function so much better now. My body healed and I feel 10 years younger already. This has changes my life and I want to know if anyone has tried this and have you had any similar outcome? High grade Marijuana Saved my life and gave me a chance.
Posted 8/12/2015 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Alsworldsk and welcome to HW!!

I too have been suffering (24 yrs now) I became sick at 23 turning 24 yrs old and the only med I could take was prednisone as well since I was either allergic or non-responsive to oral meds, but I didn't stay on prednisone longer than normally RX and I went on it a handful of times over the years and it worked less and less each time until it stopped working all together. So I basically was RX free (except for the times on and off with rectal meds) but a couple yrs ago I developed a recto-vaginal fistula, and had a bit of a wait getting in to see my GI so I started smoking mj too and found it helped my symptoms quite a bit (I had major constipation going on but was badly inflamed in both the colon and rectum (referred to as crohn's colitis when it affects the colon) but it unfortunately didn't clear away all my inflammation so I was put on Humira and continued to smoke mj. The Humira put my CD in remission within the normal time range but because I also have IBS I am still having frequency but the urgency is somewhat better, however I can still only hold in BM's for a short time before it becomes more urgent plus I don't want to hold it for a long time since 1. it only makes my gut feel worse due to it now being IBS and 2. I don't want to make my constipation worse again since holding in BM urges can cause constipation.

I can't say for sure if it was just the Humira itself or the combination of smoking and Humira but I'm just glad I finally found remission for the first time in 23 yrs, besides having the IBS, it doesn't feel like a full remission for that reason so that's why I continue to smoke...it also helps me sleep through the night, my disease was very active and I'd often have nocturnal BM's so that's a big reason why I still smoke it and it comes in handy for road trips (with hubby driving of course, I never smoke and get behind the wheel) as I have some anxiety issues (along with depression but that's another story, also tied to my yrs of being abused by crohn's and IBS).

I'm glad you found it so helpful as well, my GI simply said to keep smoking it if I felt I needed to so I am, but I limit it, I don't smoke it all day or anything, just when I need to take the edge off a bad day or if we have a day of being out and hubby or someone else is driving.

Thankfully mj is finally being recognized as a great tool to treat our disease among many other conditions and syndroms's and it's getting easier to get medically approved mj as a result and I'm thankful for that. I find it took the pain I was going through with the fistula completely away and since I couldn't take Tylenol cuz it makes my constipation worse I was happy to find mj to be the alternative that doesn't make my constipation worse.
Posted 8/12/2015 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I have been using MJ now for two years. It increased my appetite (and energy increased by eating more).

But the best thing about MJ is that it would decrease my bowel movements when I'm using it. Also took away that sick feeling.

I started out making a tincture. Basically 14 grams chopped up and boiled in Food grade grain Alcohol. (Everclear 190 proof)

Lately I smoke and vape as well.

But I don't think it's a cure. I am on remecade and imuran and I don't see that MJ will help me get off the meds but it definable keeps me more comfortable.

The MJ tincture is great for those who don't want to smoke. Or just want to be more discreet. If you want to see a video on how I make it, email me and I'll send you the link. Email is in my profile
Posted 8/12/2015 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
@Deakin - I agree, I for one will extol the many benefits that MMJ has, but I will never say that it can cure. I've used, be it for rec. or medical reasons, for 20+ years, and if it could cure I would've thought it'd have done so for me by now. It's a darn miracle for when the nausea hits, or if I need to find a way to make myself eat, slow intestinal motility, or a plethora of other healing factors. The research unfortunately is in it's infancy, and we need to fight for it to be properly recognized and brought off Schedule I before it can be federally allowed to be properly researched and utilized. There is no reason that it shouldn't already be at least classified as Schedule II, and personally feel it should be in the same schedule as Alcohol. 23+ states recognize it's medical benefits, which Schedule I in it's definition states has no viable medical properties. 4 States have full rec. laws. It's well past time to reconsider it's placement in the DEA schedule. It's time to cast off preconceptions and allow independent scientists to properly research how this can be utilized to better treat these afflictions. There is too much unfounded and unscientific theory out there and that can be just as detrimental to the progress towards curing/healing of this disease.
Posted 8/12/2015 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
i find this all fascinating and agree much more research is needed to fully understand it. I do agree and am I glad that most are recognizing he difference in controlling symptoms vs actually "curing" or putting it into remission. there is a big difference But for many of us, keeping the symptoms in check is 3/4 of the battle to having a life. I am lucky that i have few symptoms until things get really bad. But unfortunately, none of the meds has actually put me into remission. my system continues to have inflammation and scare tissue so in a few years it will be time for another surgery.

I am glad this option is helping you. I live in one of those states that does not recognize any benefits from Mj and probably will not until the federal government does.

good luck, I am 30 days from brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. I am stressing out these days...
Posted 8/13/2015 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
@BRelaxed - It depends on what I'm wanting it for that dictates what type of strain I use. If for some reason I need to take something during daylight hours I try to stick to Sativa or Sativa dominant hybrids. If it's severe intestinal burning/cramping with fever or with the added pleasure of the Spondylitis flaring up I will hit an Indica. Also for sleep a pure Indica is key. I do custom blends to dial in my own experiences to best treat either nausea, pain, muscle or inflammation. I use higher CBD strains mixed with THCA strains sometimes, or I just do personal logs of different strains and their perceived effects, match what I find from my local dispensaries website menu and try strains with mention to nausea, and inflammation, muscle relaxation, etc. It's a constant process, but I figure if I put the effort in now, my quality of life should benefit.

@mirowpl - Good luck with them digging in your noggin, and hope you do great.
Posted 8/13/2015 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Edibles are a peculiar lot...there's a large discrepancy between manufacturers in quality, potency and perceived effectiveness. I've tried a couple long term (month at a time) experiments, and found that the Blue Kudu chocolate bars (dark chocolate and orange is suggested) when taken as a 1-2 times a day maintenance dose daily (each dose is 10mg 1-2 times daily) not only didn't get you feeling stoned perse, but did seem to have anti-inflammatory effects intestinally. Then there's personal juicing, in Colorado you're allowed to grow your own, so this is a viable option and there is starting to be more and more data in regard to ingesting fresh plant matter...My ex-wife and I would make salads as well. But for sudden attacks, or if relief is needed sooner than 1-2 hours, smoking/vaping/etc. is still a key ingestion method as it hits the bloodstream quicker, and in a more condensed dose...that's why it seems to stone you more than the same dose taken orally. But, when you're bent over in pain, or praying to god to stop puking, or any other horror show we've all been party to...it's still more effective to control the situation quickly. I experiment with edibles more as a therapeutic, long term end game, to see if I can prolong my remissions or maybe even instigate a remission with a mixture of homeopathic and prescription options. As for CBDs, they are a long term solution for me, though there still needs to be more research as everyone and their mother swears by CBD's and half don't understand what they are...just that it's said a lot. As I've said before, CBDs aren't the only therapeutic chemical structure...THC/THCA and the different CBDs all have their part to play for different ailments. I get a tincture of 40% CBD oil, and either mix it with foods, or mainly put a couple drops on a higher THCA/THC product to cut the sometimes side-effects from certain strains (paranoia, anxiety, ect.)
Posted 8/15/2015 9:15 AM (GMT 0)
I messed with it alot when I was younger. I always found it helpful. It was better than anything else for the nausea associated with prednisone. I did find the stuff addicting despite what anyone else says about it. It was a challenge for me everytime I stopped. Sadly I never lived in a state where it was legal. I have been in trouble a few times for possession, but I was always able to lawyer my way out of a conviction.

The last time I got caught with it (2 grams) I had to go through so much to get out of it without a record I decided it was not worth it anymore. Six months probation, several thousand in fines, random drug screens, the threat of jail time if I messed up, and extreme stress...

I am in the Philippines now, and the stuff is extremely illegal here. Although it is everywhere, and I see people every day with hats, shirts, and leaf drawings on their bikes. It always makes me smile just seeing that. But I have no intention of getting into trouble here so I totally avoid it.

I am all for it though if it helps you and you are in a state where it is ok to use the stuff then by all means.

Later
Posted 4/25/2017 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
i have a stupid question. would hash have the same benefits as marijuana? i would assume no considering you'd need to mix the hash with tobacco (which is a big no no with crohns). my doctor in beirut suggested pot but considering its illegal here, its hard to find and crazy expensive. ps. i really need to figure out a way to quit smoking cigarettes. sad
Posted 4/26/2017 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys, it works. I smoked for 17 years with my crohn's. I vape it now. But basically besides being on remicade and doing all kinds of natural things to help my crohn's the weed definitely kept me from having any operations to remove parts of my GI. I am currently not vaping as I am on another treatment for my crohn's. But it definitely works. But vape it because smoking for too many years will damage your body. I was lucky I always swam laps in a pool while smoking so my lungs never got damaged and now that I vape those worries are gone. Good luck gentlemen keep fighting the good fight.
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