Hi. Complete newb with questions.

[rapunzel]

Hi everyone,

My entire life I've been of the "I never touched mj" camp. But I find myself now, 33 years old and suffering from fibromyalga, lyme disease, cripping depression and social anxiety, and I simply cannot do life anymore. The medications I'm taking make me sleep all the time, gain too much weight, and are not allowing me to be a mother to my son or wife anymore.

I think herbal remedies might help me. Problem 1: I don't even know where to begin. Problem 2: I live in Pennsylvania.

For Problem 1 I was hoping you could help me. I want a portable vaporizer that is very small, very discrete, and does not give off 'side odors' (as in: I could use it around family and they'd be none the wiser.)
I do not want my son getting high off of mommy's 2ndhand smoke.

I also am not sure what kind of herbal remedy I should be looking for (strains?!) and what amount to even begin with. I'm sure this is the stuff I should have learned in high school but, being a 'good girl'... I didn't. I'm not looking for a buzz or to get high, I just need some pain relief and anxiety/depression relief.

For problem 2, I don't even know where to begin to look for such a thing and I know it's against forum rules so I'm not asking either.

 

[sasNW]

Hi rapunzel, welcome to the forum. Let's start with the vape first- first off people will smell you vaping around them, plain and simple IMO. I realize people say they use them in movies and out and about... People aren't fooling anyone, others just usually don't care enough to check into it. I don't know how old your kids are so they might not know what it is, but "mommy smells funny" is not unlikely. Now that doesn't mean of course any 2nd hand vapor will affect them. I wouldn't advise standing over them of course, but in an open house or well ventilated room, a couple vape puffs would be fine. Again imo(I dont have children)

Onto the device itself- if it was me I would look at the pinnacle pro, da Vinci ascent ( I haven't checked the thread to see if they have worked out the bugs), or firefly. They are all small enough to be discrete with, but all have their pros and cons.

PNP(pinnacle pro)- very small like what you are looking for and able to get to high enough temps for pain relief. But this is more of a "session vape". Once you load her up you are pretty well committed to hitting it till it is turned off. Also certainly smells in between hits.

The ascent- larger then the pnp, also able to reach higher tenps, tastes better(never tried one myself). But on the downside is also a session vape and has had build problems.

The firefly- the largest but still pocketable. This is one you could take a quick hit off and put in back in your pocket. Would be the least smelly. But this one does not seem to reach higher temps for pain relief. Certainly can help with the depression and some pain relief.

For the meds... From one medical patient to another if I could I would give you some, but I am in Seattle. Without knowing someone it's definitely a hard topic to broach on the internet... I truly wish you luck.

If you do find some- if you have choices you want the deepest indica you can get for your pain. A sativa will help mentally but will not help as well with pain. Most street dealers don't know shit... But you want CBD's! THC gets you "high" but us pain patients want the highest percent cbd in our bud.

Sorry for the crazy long answer but in on my iPhone and it's hard to edit. I am an avid medical user and am into growing for the patients as well as myself so I really feel for you. Stick in there! This can honestly help you, I've given meds to people in your situation and it's incredible what it can do.

Feel free to pm me or post any questions you have, best of luck and I hope I helped a little bit

Edit- I realized since you are new to this, the reason I included temperature reached in the vape is because the CBD compound that helps with pain vaporizes at a higher temperature. It doesn't seem the firefly can reach the temp to extract all the CBD while the others can extract more. Also know you will get "high" when you first start, medical or not it happens. So be prepared for that, and maybe don't be around your children till you know how you react. That is if you are trying to keep it a secret

 

[rapunzel]

Hi rapunzel, welcome to the forum. Let's start with the vape first- first off people will smell you vaping around them, plain and simple IMO. I realize people say they use them in movies and out and about... People aren't fooling anyone, others just usually don't care enough to check into it. I don't know how old your kids are so they might not know what it is, but "mommy smells funny" is not unlikely. Now that doesn't mean of course any 2nd hand vapor will affect them. I wouldn't advise standing over them of course, but in an open house or well ventilated room, a couple vape puffs would be fine. Again imo(I dont have children)

Hello! Thank you so much for your kind reply. I really appreciate you taking the time with me to talk me through these things.

Onto the device itself- if it was me I would look at the pinnacle pro, da Vinci ascent ( I haven't checked the thread to see if they have worked out the bugs), or firefly. They are all small enough to be discrete with, but all have their pros and cons.

PNP(pinnacle pro)- very small like what you are looking for and able to get to high enough temps for pain relief. But this is more of a "session vape". Once you load her up you are pretty well committed to hitting it till it is turned off. Also certainly smells in between hits.

The ascent- larger then the pnp, also able to reach higher tenps, tastes better(never tried one myself). But on the downside is also a session vape and has had build problems.

The firefly- the largest but still pocketable. This is one you could take a quick hit off and put in back in your pocket. Would be the least smelly. But this one does not seem to reach higher temps for pain relief. Certainly can help with the depression and some pain relief.

I saw the Magic Flyte Launch box. Is that no good, or just not as good? The Firefly sounds good (want to have something for quick hits. I can't see myself going on a big baking session.)

For the meds... From one medical patient to another if I could I would give you some, but I am in Seattle. Without knowing someone it's definitely a hard topic to broach on the internet... I truly wish you luck.

If you do find some- if you have choices you want the deepest indica you can get for your pain. A sativa will help mentally but will not help as well with pain. Most street dealers don't know shit... But you want CBD's! THC gets you "high" but us pain patients want the highest percent cbd in our bud.

I stumbled upon Leafly. Platinum Bubba Kush or Willy's Wonder were coming up as ok for me. I don't want any of the ones that would make me paranoid. I'd be willing to try any of them without paranoid side effects.


The next problem is, where to find a grower around here that knows his bottom from his elbow that isn't a cop...

Sorry for the crazy long answer but in on my iPhone and it's hard to edit. I am an avid medical user and am into growing for the patients as well as myself so I really feel for you. Stick in there! This can honestly help you, I've given meds to people in your situation and it's incredible what it can do.

Feel free to pm me or post any questions you have, best of luck and I hope I helped a little bit

Edit- I realized since you are new to this, the reason I included temperature reached in the vape is because the CBD compound that helps with pain vaporizes at a higher temperature. It doesn't seem the firefly can reach the temp to extract all the CBD while the others can extract more. Also know you will get "high" when you first start, medical or not it happens. So be prepared for that, and maybe don't be around your children till you know how you react. That is if you are trying to keep it a secret

I wish I didn't have to keep it a big secret. My husband knows I'm looking but I don't want my parents knowing about it as they're so old school and don't think the Demon Weed has any use other than to ruin lives (eyeroll)...

 

[sasNW]

The magic flight launch box (mflb) is well liked by many people. I used one for a bit, but got tired of it. It would definitely fit your requirements, but it definitely has a learning curve to it, but is able to reach higher temps for pain. it also requires multiple batteries, lots of stirring and shaking between hits. I'd definitely check out some reviews if you're interested. the firefly is like the mflb but a step up IMO.

Ya those strain finders are ok, but every strain has different phenotypes and people all react differently to them. There are most likely many (100+) strains that would do what you are looking for. Not to mention there are 1000's of strains. Really hard to tell how you would react without trying a strain unfortunately. If money is tight pm me and I have a mflb I never use I could send you if needed.

 

[lwien]

Hi Rapunzel,

Suggestion. There's a long time member here by the name of Vicki. She's kind of in the exact situation you are in and she's been using the Launch Box for years and loves it. Considering it's size as well as it's vapor production, I would say that it is one of the most discreet vapes on the market. Smells less than most and can literally disappear in the palm of your hand with a closed fist.

The FireFly, while being a great vape, is HUGE in comparison. I'd say it's about 4 times the size. The Ascent is also a good vape but being that it is constantly cooking your herbs even between hits, it will end up smelling more than the Launch Box which only applies heat to your herb when you are inhaling from it.

Find her here and talk to her. I think she would of major help to ya.

 

[rapunzel]

Hi Rapunzel,

Suggestion. There's a long time member here by the name of Vicki. She's kind of in the exact situation you are in and she's been using the Launch Box for years and loves it. Considering it's size as well as it's vapor production, I would say that it is one of the most discreet vapes on the market. Smells less than most and can literally disappear in the palm of your hand with a closed fist.

The FireFly, while being a great vape, is HUGE in comparison. I'd say it's about 4 times the size. The Ascent is also a good vape but being that it is constantly cooking your herbs even between hits, it will end up smelling more than the Launch Box which only applies heat to your herb when you are inhaling from it.

Find her here and talk to her. I think she would of major help to ya.

Thank you! I will look for Vicki.

I don't want a vape that will encourage my kid to play with it and I don't want one that is obviously "a vape" however my asthetic sensibilities are tempered by wanting something effective. Ultimately if I have to step outside to take a hit and come back in, that's not a big deal, to keep the smell where it belongs. There's no way I could do a tornado or those ones with bags on them. Too too risky for my kid to be exposed to it.

 

[VaporsVaporizer]

This might help you if you can find any of these strains in Pa.
http://www.theweedblog.com/which-medical-marijuana-strains-are-the-best-for-fibromyalgia/

 

[rapunzel]

This might help you if you can find any of these strains in Pa.
http://www.theweedblog.com/which-medical-marijuana-strains-are-the-best-for-fibromyalgia/

This might help you if you can find any of these strains in Pa.
http://www.theweedblog.com/which-medical-marijuana-strains-are-the-best-for-fibromyalgia/

Oh thank you for that! :-) I have half a mind to get some seeds and grow my own.. the neighbors would LOOOVE that, lmao..

 

[sasNW]

I could definitely help with advice on that. And you would have far better medicine. But the kids, neighbors, and law may not make it the best choice lol

With a carbon filter the neighbors would never know

 

[rapunzel]

I could definitely help with advice on that. And you would have far better medicine. But the kids, neighbors, and law may not make it the best choice lol

With a carbon filter the neighbors would never know

Muhahaha...

When I was in elementary school I did an experiment growing hydrophonic plants in the barrassica (sp?) family. I imagine growing weed would be quite similar (humidity, need for grow lights, medium, etc). The problem is I want a few little plants, not a big old shrubbery! I'm also not sure where I'd put my little green plants that would be hidden from prying children's eyes... I suppose many a teenager has grown it in a shoebox in their closet before and setting up a tiny hydrophonic system there would not be that bad of a deal...

 

[sasNW]

Got an unused closet?
http://growace.com/48x24x60-ga-reflective-grow-tent.html?gclid=CO7otuKn9bsCFU5qfgod2y8AHQ

 

[rapunzel]

Got an unused closet?
http://growace.com/48x24x60-ga-reflective-grow-tent.html?gclid=CO7otuKn9bsCFU5qfgod2y8AHQ

Oooooooh shiny....

Certainly something to think about... lol.. my husband's got into beer making and cheese making in the past few years.... this could be my new little project.

 

[sasNW]

Honestly you won't find a more calming, relaxing, great feeling then caring for your own meds. I have advised it to many patients here suffering from depression or anxiety. Just growing it is medicine, then you actually get to use it

 

[rapunzel]

Honestly you won't find a more calming, relaxing, great feeling then caring for your own meds. I have advised it to many patients here suffering from depression or anxiety. Just growing it is medicine, then you actually get to use it

Over the spring/summer/fall it would be perfect for outside here, Set up one of those little rooms next to the shed and it's happy growing! :-D

Over the spring/summer/fall it would be perfect for outside here, Set up one of those little rooms next to the shed and it's happy growing! :-D

MY HUSBAND AGREED TO GROW IT FOR ME!

BEST...HUSBAND... EVER!

 

[sasNW]

Let the fun begin! In all fairness I can't see captain slow growing it, so I think you made the right choice after all! Imagine what would happen to captain slow after a vape session lol

 

[Enchantre]

I wanted to mention weedmaps dot com as a place to, perhaps, locate some supplier within a reasonable distance.

I'm really looking forward to growing my own meds someday. We are renters, and I'm not comfortable with growing my own here. Of course, there are a couple of neighbors who very well could be growing already...

 

[rapunzel]

Let the fun begin! In all fairness I can't see captain slow growing it, so I think you made the right choice after all! Imagine what would happen to captain slow after a vape session lol

Captain Slow is an unashamed toker. He even has his own hydrophonic garden. Trust me. He likes some herbal relaxation from time to time (watch his ManLab series 2 and 3, plus he's said so on TG in the past)

 

[sasNW]

Captain Slow is an unashamed toker. He even has his own hydrophonic garden. Trust me. He likes some herbal relaxation from time to time (watch his ManLab series 2 and 3, plus he's said so on TG in the past)

Not sure how I missed that one!
Now he is tied with clarkson in my book. Definitely makes sense given his demeanor. Best of luck with finding meds

 

[rapunzel]

I just tried some clove, sage and ginger from the spice cupboard at 302 deg f. Very, very harsh. Now I'm coughing up crud I didn't even know I had in my lungs.

 

[sasNW]

Hmm I know when I quick smoking cigs, vaping did the Same thing for me. Felt like it cleared of some crud from my lungs. Hopefully someone on here's had some experience vaping these herbs.
But for the harshness... Did you do a burn off? For safety reason try completely emptying the vape. Then turning it on high in a dark room, and shine a flashlight by where you inhale vapor. You shouldn't see any vapor, but with some vapes they will have a problem with vaping internal plastics. Which you really really don't want.

 

[pigfoot]

Not in your shoes of course, just thought I might pass this on. I had been sick for several years with symptoms western medicine could not decipher. After thousands of $, lots of tests and alternative therapies,
I wasn't really getting better. To make this a very simple and short story, I received some advice I took to heart and began "looking within", listening to myself, and trusting. It's not easy, but I am making progress now, and slowly getting better.
I'm not advising you to not listen to the drs, but listen to your spirit as well. We as humans have drifted too far from that and our souls are often crying out and neglected, which can lead to health problems. MJ can help you learn to listen to yourself IMHO. Also, in my experience, "paranoia" is just becoming aware of the base level of fear we all have present within us.

 

[Enchantre]

Not in your shoes of course, just thought I might pass this on. I had been sick for several years with symptoms western medicine could not decipher. After thousands of $, lots of tests and alternative therapies,
I wasn't really getting better. To make this a very simple and short story, I received some advice I took to heart and began "looking within", listening to myself, and trusting. It's not easy, but I am making progress now, and slowly getting better.
I'm not advising you to not listen to the drs, but listen to your spirit as well. We as humans have drifted too far from that and our souls are often crying out and neglected, which can lead to health problems. MJ can help you learn to listen to yourself IMHO. Also, in my experience, "paranoia" is just becoming aware of the base level of fear we all have present within us.

Pigfoot, I think this is very insightful.
I have been self-adjusting my supplements/meds, based on my own instinctive feelings about what will work for me, rather than what my (admittedly very smart) ND has laid out for me. Well, mostly because it wasn't helping, so I am going my own way... mostly.

"Paranoia" - I also agree, is a manifestation of the fear we've been entrained with. I'm learning to, while not really ignore, listen to those voices (if I'm off that direction), and use them to check in with how observant vs. focused I am. Not in fear, but in increased awareness. Increased awareness of possible "threats" - whatever we are perceiving as a threat of some kind, even the "threat" of looking like a stoned idiot at the grocery store - helps us to be functional and safe while medicated.

Good stuff here.

 

[Tweek]

Yeah, a small unit like the MFLB would be great for you...you won't need much to feel effects, as you are new to this. The launch box was actually my first vape

If you had access to herbs and such, I would of also recommended an oil pen...nothing beats oil for stealth IMO...something to keep in mind down the road.

As to your position...well, that's where your own legwork will have to come in. It's not easy, but if you look hard enough, you will find what you need.

I deal with anxiety and depression as well, and find hybrid (mix of Indica/Sativa) work best for me. With the illnesses you do have, you need to be mindful about how each strain effects you, to avoid making it worse. For me, I find hybrids to be most balanced to my needs.

Please also reach out for some help...there are lots of good options for dealing with these things that should be considered.