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marijuana and fibro desperate!

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Posted 1/7/2014 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
shakehead Does anyone use marijuana to help their fibro? I am getting desperate. I take pain meds and muscle relaxers and anti-depressants. I am 61 yrs old and also have heart problems. I don't know if I can stand the pain that is eating away at me constantly. I have been diagnosed with fibro for 20 some years I worked for 39 yrs and raised 2 kids. My husband is helpful but I think even he gets frustrated and tired of it! The cold is awful on me and I hibernate allot in the winter. For the past week I get up start my pain meds sit in the recliner with the heat pad and try to make it through the day. Marijuana is not legal in my state.. but as I said I'm desperate. I know there are so many people who are allot worse off than I am but with the pain just living inside me I fear I am not compassionate anymore, and that is a terrible thing because me of all people I should know how it feels to have your pain ignored! I don't know what to do, I fear I'm losing the will to even try anymore. Don't mean to have a pity party but this is where I'm at right now. In pain and down the drain!
Posted 1/7/2014 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, fibro is an annoying illness, you're in constant pain, but you don't look it and it hard to prove.

I've given up on trying to prove my fibro. I just say I don't feel well today and leave it at that.

Sometimes the medicial way just doesn't quite help us. We have to find alternative ways to relieve our stress which can help relieve our pain or at least lower it.

I use heating pads, hot soaks, muscle rubs, massages, meditation, relaxation method hypnosis, bracing, and rest first. Then if still bad I will reach for tylenol. Still hurt? Tramadol. I rarely have to reach for the Tramadol.

I have other diseases that cause chronic pain for me, but by saving the heavy hitter for last I have not had to increase my pain killers any. I do take gabapentin at night for foot pain.

My daily vitamins are folic acid, b12, b6, magnisium, calcium, and perscription vitamin D.

Others here will come in and tell you their methods for pain relief.
Posted 1/7/2014 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Medical Marijuana does relax you. You have to try it a couple of times before it works. Many say it helps with pain. There are many websites that talk about it if you want more information. Other forums and such. I have a medical marijuana card, and I must say it was the best thing I have done. When I am relaxed, the pain is lesser. So yes it does help. And it helps me mentally too. I have clinical depression and it relieves that some.

I wish you the best. I will look for some sites for you to get more information.

Hugs, Karen...

Here's one

http://www.medicalmarijuana.net/uses-and-treatments/chronic-pain/
Posted 1/7/2014 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kc,

Pain does make us desperate. Sorry you're in such a fix! It's hard not to be consumed with yourself and your own needs when it's really severe.

I live in Colorado, where medical marijuana has been legal for several years (and it's now legal, period.) I have a good friend who has a license, and sometimes, when my pain is bad, I'll take one tiny half-sniff with my nose...she laughs at me, but that way it takes the edge off my pain, without really getting me high. Like Karen, I also find it relaxes me...

My doctor offered years ago to write me a prescription, but I didn't want to add to the cocktail of things I already take that make me spacey, so I never took him up on it.

I would, though, really be interested in whatever substance they're trying to isolate in the plant that works on the pain receptors, but that doesn't contain THC. Can't remember what the name is.

I hope you keep moving some, even when you're in bad pain! It's hard at the time, but if we don't do it, we'll end up in even worse pain...that's just the nature of Fibro. Of course, if it just won't let up, maybe you need to get checked out by a doctor....especially if it's a new type of pain...because something else might be going on. Not all pain is caused by Fibro, and it's hard differentiating sometimes.

Good luck!

Debbie
Posted 1/7/2014 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
I know there is a cannabinoid drug that is called Marinol and comes in capsule form. My brother was on it for AIDS and cancer and found it to be helpful. I'm pretty spacey already...wish there was the perfect med to take the edge off and feeling alert. I do have prescriptions for a muscle relaxer Flexeril in both 5 and 10 mgs. The 10mgs are better before bed for me and the 5mgs I can still get things done without feeling like taking a nap.

Heat, exercise and meditation along with Savella and the muscle relaxers get me through...along with anything that is fun to distract the darn pain :)

Wishing you well!!!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 1/7/2014 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
The cannibinoids is what you want. Aka "cbc's"... There is a way to extact that out of the plant without getting the thc. I just don't know how. You can grow it longer and that works too.

I wish you the best. I hope that you find something to help you with the pain. And thank you to whomever replied... And added input...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 1/8/2014 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I remember reading user reviews and experiences with FM(?) and MJ on some internet site and was surprised by some of the rather positive reviews. I wish I could recall the website so that you could read the reviews.

Many of the users said they had far fewer negative side effects with MJ than commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals, and found it helpful with their pain.

I know it is very helpful for some with M.S.

In this day an age, I think MJ should be an option for those with serious health conditions, if it has been shown to be helpful for that condition.

My family has a history of mental illness, OCD, anxiety disorders and panic attacks, and so I've always been hesitant to try it given that it seems to exacerbate these issues for some portion of people that already have mental instability of this type. But, still worth a try, I think when the pain is growing more intense, and perhaps certain types of MJ could lessen these sorts of effects if you found what worked best for you?
Posted 1/8/2014 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
I am so grateful to all of you who took the time to answer me. I was in a bad place last night. Today I am back fighting the good fight! Still have pain but trying to move forward. Again thank you all so much! I have not been on this site for a very long time and last night I was up late by myself in such pain and I remembered this site. Who better than my fellow fibro fighters to reach out to. God Bless You All and praying for you all too be pain free one day.
Posted 1/8/2014 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
kcblues7,

It felt good to help with answers. I am glad you posted. Remember we are here for you. We are all in the same boat right now. Life gets hard with fibromyalgia. But things will get better. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me. My email is in my profile. I would be more than happy to talk to you.

Take care and have a good day...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 1/9/2014 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
I have thought about it myself. Our state has medical mj, but never went down that road. My subutex has done so well for me, I rarely have that severe pain anymore. I think being off work place a big part into it.
Posted 1/9/2014 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
I noticed you have heart problems too. It's wise to talk to your heart doctor about taking it. Here's an article I found on it and what it could do to you.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12412838/
Posted 1/9/2014 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
I don't believe I would ever take the medical marijuana route, no matter what. From what I have heard, there are still too many questions about it.

  I really prefer using heat, supplements, exercise, prayer, and yes, Robin--distraction! I also take Flexeril and Neurontin as needed (both which relax me--sometimes too much, LOL!), and engage in hobbies I enjoy. I am finding that as time goes on, as I keep on these regularly, things overall are better.

 Bouts of fatigue continue to plague me, though. That comes and goes, so it's not unbearable.  I'm blaming the cold blast for the tiredness I have now.

Joy: Interesting article!  I heard a doctor commenting on medical marijuana some months back. He, too, seemed concerned about its use.

Posted 1/9/2014 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
@ Charm City: I know that the folks over at www.fibromyalgiaforums.org are REALLY supportive of it as a therapy choice.

I was super desperate myself about 4 months ago and considered the same thing, OP. I did my research, called a Club and asked even more questions (man, they were super duper nice and so knowledgeable!), spoke with my husband (who oddly was against it even though he partakes recreationally on occasion), and then spoke with my pain management doctor, who very quickly reminded me that I agreed not to when I signed up for her care. Ugh. So, I can't give you any info about whether it helps. I even considered sneaking a try but I was worried that I would somehow be released from care and it wasn't worth getting myself blacklisted (yet). I probably will get in trouble for posting the other forum site (sorry!!) but you might consider skimming some of their posts. I just looked and there are a few current posts open right now.

And yes, you're looking for CBC. It's hard to find but can be tracked down and purchased on your behalf once you join a club. Make sure that you choose a very legit one that has good relationships with other clubs and that fosters educating their patients.
Posted 1/9/2014 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
This article said "may", not "does"... So the findings aren't definate.

Did you guys know that it has been proven to cure cancer? I think that is a miracle...

The cbc's in it...

If I had to choose between my pain meds, and marijuana, I would choose the pain meds. They help my pain much more. Though marijuana does relax me, which helps and does help my mental state. I think it is good for depression. The real down fall is that it increases the appetite. But that can be dealt with. It does lower blood sugar though.

Hugs, Karen...

@AnnaBananna, thanks for the link to the site...
Posted 1/11/2014 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I do use medical marijuana. However, I do not smoke it, I vaporize it (cuts out a tremendous amount of carcinogens.) I only use it when nothing else will help with my pain & yes it does help. I was unaware of the different varieties of marijuana. I have two kinds, one that puts me to sleep and another strand that gives me an extra blast of energy. I will say that the relief is short lived, may be because I don't smoke enough in quantity, but it does work. When I vaporize the "sleep" strand I am completely knocked out for three to four hours. The other one lasts anywhere from an hour to an hour an a half. I have to be careful with the "energy" strand because I feel good, then I tend to do to much and when it wears off I can be in more pain. Just remember that what works for one person does not always work for someone else. I hope you find relief soon!

Keribethmable

Fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, allergies, bulging discs, allergies, Raynard's syndrome
Posted 1/11/2014 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
I tried it a couple times a little while back. It did a little bit for pain, but oddly enough cause nausea for me! I purchased a Cannastick, so there is no smoke involved, and if it had worked without causing more symptoms I would have been happy to use it as necessary. I did also try edibles and they did nothing for me.
Posted 1/11/2014 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
You probably didn't eat enough. I have a high tolerance, so I have to eat a lot and it isn't worth the cost to me. Though others who eat my brownies and cookies really enjoy them.

I have a vaporizer too. I like it. It is a lot better than smoking it. Better for your lungs.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 1/12/2014 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe I didn't eat enough. I started with her recommended third of a caramel. Nothing. Then tried a whole one. Nothing. Then two at one time, still nothing. Not worth the cost in the end.

I'm currently trying out some different strains of kratom, and so far for the first three I'm discovering the same thing. It works some for the pain, but I have to use too much, so the cost doesn't justify the relief so far. I have a few more that I bought to try, but it's slow going because I'm putting a full 72 hours between each attempt.
Posted 1/12/2014 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
No worries, Karen. Hey, would you mind sharing the link about the cancer? I would like to share it with someone and all I am finding is weird forum threads where the sources are...more forum threads. darn stoners. lol
Posted 1/12/2014 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Here you go, and there are other articles on it too...

http://www.hightimes.com/read/pot-fights-colon-cancer

I can't seem to make a link hot on HW. I think others are having the same problem. This is about colon cancer. They think it helps with other cancers too.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 1/15/2014 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
I am not in favor of MJ. My ex was prescribed and he had the medical card for it. |He would do it every three hrs and it took a toll on our marriage...hence the "ex". It might help with pain put I do believe firmly that one does get "addicted" to it and it does not help with depression , it actually is a depressant so it makes the depression even worse. In the long run it did more damage than good.

Long story short, my ex was always high and yes it might have helped him to numb out the pain, it also numbed out other feelings and emotions as well, and took a huge toll on our marriage. I strongly advise against it. This is just my personal experience and opinion.
Posted 1/15/2014 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Of course it's from high times. They are totally biased. ;) ;)

I also wonder if anybody is studying topic application of CBD. There's gotta be other benefits if this is proving to be successful. These are the times that I really wish I had continued I study the sciences and had an ability too be around. It would be wonderful to spend my days doing research (outside of my webmd and mayo clinic obsessions). :)

Thanks hon!

EDIT to my first post. It's CBD, not CBC!

Post Edited (AnnaBananna) : 1/15/2014 7:59:20 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/15/2014 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
FibroIsReal, sounds like he didn't have access to the CBD strain that we are talking about. Can you read about that and let me know if you're still opposed to it? I hate that it gets a bad rap when it's basically not abusable yet incredibly beneficial.
Posted 1/16/2014 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Though High Times may be biased, at least they are putting the info out there for people to read. The government will when they can make all the money on it...
Posted 1/17/2014 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I would try it if it was legal here. I also know of many people that have had cancer that have benefited from it. I am sure the pharmaceutical companies will wiggle their way into the growing of that, just like anything else that might cause them to lose money.
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