MMJ and Nerve Pain

[Enchantre]

I think I've reached a point in my journey where I can use a bit more meds, more often, with less "psych" effects... which is a good thing, as I really need it for pain, as well as for the anxiety/insomnia.

I have begun to notice some reduction of my joint pain, though I still have the surface "itchy" that affects me so badly. It's all nerve misfiring. My CMP is reducing slightly, too.

I miss the way happy "high"... but I really like being able to walk up stairs, and to sleep.

 

[Fishkybizniz]

I was using MJ recreationally for about 15 years and one day I woke up with sharp pains going down both of my legs like the sciatic nerve syndrome and could barely walk sometimes. Nobody knew what was my problem so was never prescribed anything really, other than referrals to Chiro and Acupuncture. The chiro did help quite a bit during that time but I discovered that smoking MJ and taking a lot of Advil was helping deal with this pain, especially at night when I was tired.

After 8 years of excruciating and growing pain, I went for an MRI and was finally diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cord tumor that was the size of a banana, located from L2 to L5. They then removed about 80% of the benign tumor and the pain was reduced by 75% like the next day!

Since then, I manage my pain exclusively with MMJ and a healthy lifestyle. Vaporizing as a better body effect and will help but will never take my pain away - I am managing. Good edibles are the best to go through a day once you find your good MMJ ratio but you need A LOT of cannabis. Oil is very (too much?) sedative but difficult to get/produce.

For me, MMJ helps me cope with my condition and allows me to push further the day I will have to use Neurontin and the likes but it does not take away the pain entirely, it helps me deal with it.

I'd say that staying fit and having a healthy lifestyle is what is helping me the most. It is winter right now in Canada and I am not as active and my pain is much less tolerable. During the rest of the year I cycle to go to work (yeah, I work too) and do about 100Km per week and I vaporize every morning before leaving and I feel great. I also eat very well and do not use alcohol at all (never did actually).

I am a canadian federal MMJ exemptee and I am currently allowed to have my own garden and was able to find the right strains for me (I use 4). This allows me to make my own by-products and use MMJ in many different ways, type of strain for the time of the day, etc. It currently costs me less than 1$/gram to grow my own, outdoors with natural sunlight, 100% organic and using no ferts.

Unfortunately, our canadian government has decided to remove our right to grow, and as of March 2014 I will have to buy my MMJ from commercial growers who will fix their own prices and choose their own strains. I will not be able to afford what I need at 8$+/gram, so I will have to decide how I go about this next year (pain killers or not?). Cannabis by-products will NOT be available and are not part of the scope. Only the dried flowers will be available.

Of the 26,000 canadian exemptees, 80% are currently growing their own medical cannabis. That's a lot of people to put in prisons if we continue to grow after march 2014.


As we get closer to this fatal date, I am getting more anxious, worried an scared. I feel like I'm loosing grip on the control of my life, my health and my liberty. Ultimately, everyone around me will also suffer from the consequences of the proposed new rules for MMJ in Canada (now called the 'MMPR').

It's so sad, I am proud of what I was able to accomplish while using cannabis for my ailments for the last 15 years. I know a lot of people of have cut down on their pills using cannabis.

I'm unfamiliar with Canada's rules on handicapped, disabled and special needs, but here in the U.S. this group would be segregated and protected under their rights for special needs. Maybe Canada has the same sanctioned laws there? I would check it out and make sure this change will apply to you and your particular circumstances.

 

[Vaporisateur]

I would check it out and make sure this change will apply to you and your particular circumstances.

The 'MMAR' (Medical Marihuana Access Regulation) is the only way to be exempted. The new rules WILL apply to EVERYONE with an exemption... which of the majority are disabled unfortunately. Groups are forming and we are trying to get our message across, but our current government is really determined to go ahead with this. On the other side, they also changed the law for mandatory minimum sentences if your caught with 6 plants or more to minimum 6 months in jail. Maximum has been raised to 14 years. For 6 god damn plants.

 

[Fishkybizniz]

The 'MMAR' (Medical Marihuana Access Regulation) is the only way to be exempted. The new rules WILL apply to EVERYONE with an exemption... which of the majority are disabled unfortunately. Groups are forming and we are trying to get our message across, but our current government is really determined to go ahead with this. On the other side, they also changed the law for mandatory minimum sentences if your caught with 6 plants or more to minimum 6 months in jail. Maximum has been raised to 14 years. For 6 god damn plants.

This all soumds so wrong in so many ways. If I understood correctly, your federal government legalized it? That's one thing we don't have here in the U.S.. Our federal government can't legalize it unless our Food & Drug Administration creates a provision exempting it from their exact dosing requirements. So far, science keeps finding more and more attributes from cannibus, but lose them or make them unstable unless it's consumed in it's plant form. So we have what you would call a 'stand off' here between administrations. But the issue didn't stop States from making it legal for medical purposes. Most physicians here are not signed up to perscribe it, so those needing it have to see a physician who really doesn't know the case, but can hear the patient out and perscribe accordingly. I assume if our Federal Government took over the program, they would mandate proof of a diagnosis to qualify for perscriptions. When it comes to medical, a one for all and all for one system will never work. I think those with special needs should fight this on the premise of discrimination.

 

[Vaporisateur]

Doctors are doorkeepers of the exemptions in Canada as well. And that is a problem because the vast majority refuse to sign because of lack of information and fear of being sued if the patient was to die from cannabis use! (like driving under the influence).

It is NOT legalized and is still a Schedule II classified drug in Canada. The government only created the MMAR because they were forced to by the Ontario court of appeal in 2000 (R. v. Parker) that basically invalidated the marijuana prohibition under our charter of rights. The Court found that the prohibition on marijuana was unconstitutional as it did not contain any exemption for medical use. So they created MMAR, allowing us to grow ourselves or designate someone. Now, they want to take this all away, and force us to buy swag from "licensed commercial growers". They created a flawed system which has now become a monster they want to reform.

 

[Fishkybizniz]

CA just shut down a lot of pharmacies for 'grading' violations. As I understood it, inspectors working under cover were finding unqualified grades being sold. Didn't care what the story was, if they find stuff that doesn't belong, owner(s) lose everything. I think the rules and regs here in the U.S. are going to be a work in progress for some time. One smart thing CA workers did was join a Union. By working under a Union, they are protected by a power house of legal experts. Anyone who gets the bright idea to sue a doctor here better have jet $$$, with Giraffe $$$ in reserves. Even legal teams for that Hostess BK filing are not winning against the Union their employees worked under. Here, it's a "Good luck and may God bless" undertaking.

 

[fluffyplague]

Does anyone else here suffer from nerve damage or nerve pain? Do you find relief using anything else or is MMJ the ticket?

I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, as well as Myofascial Pain Syndrome. I've been in insurance limbo for several months, and have been managing my pain as best I can with cannabis. The only prescribed medication that has ever helped with the nerve pain is Neurontin (Gabapentin) -- for me, it relieved the nerve pain almost entirely. Between Neurontin, a muscle relaxant, and the scripts I need for other conditions, I'm able to keep it down to a manageable 3 or 4, pain-wise. Stuck without my meds and relying only on cannabis, I'm left at a constant 7 to 8 on the pain scale. Cannabis helps, but it doesn't really relieve my pain...it softens my perception of it, let's say.

I'm in the market for an Extreme Q when I get my tax refund this year, because I can't always afford to medicate if I'm smoking joints -- which is the only method I can really tolerate, because bongs and pipes make me cough until I vomit. I spend a lot of time worried and panicking over running low/out of weed, because I just can't stand to be in pain like this anymore. I just can't. I'm hoping using a vaporizer and making use of my ABV will help me stretch out my stash and keep me from having to go without so often.

 

[Vaporisateur]

@fluffyplague those are grave and debilitating illnesses, I sympathize with you so much - I don't think there is any pain worse than Myofascial.

The EQ is an excellent choice, and you will certainly extend your stash. Think about using a water bong or bubbler to smooth out the vapor.

Cheers!

 

[Fishkybizniz]

I'm a work in progress getting a diagnosis. I too have nerve pain. It shoots out of my knees at the reflex points then runs down my leg to the ankles and feet. It's so bad it cuts off circulation making my bones and muscles hurt. Then it cuts off circulation making my one foot numb. It situation makes my body resistant to any kind of excercise (walking or target specific) without suffering with extreme fatigue. I too am on Neurontin (Gabapentin). The Neurologist believes my nerve pain is a secondary symptom to a medical condition. A tumor found on the front of my thoracic spine is being investigated. The surgeon said it looks benign so he's also investigating a common cause for a benign tumor which is a Neuromuscular Autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis. Because my symptoms also mimic Lymphoma, I'm getting a Pet scan too. My primary goal with Cannabis is suppressing my immune system so I won't have to take steroids. I'm currently on my 4th round of having to take oral steroids within a 12 month period. First two was the inability to get well from a flu. These last 2 were hyper immune allergic reactions, both putting me in ER. This last on Tuesday was so bad, I needed an injection of steroids with the oral to follow. I think the chemo cream I had to put on a bump that tested positive was the blame. I was putting it on an open wound so it had to be in my blood and we all know chemo meds are toxic. My reaction was so bad, the dermatologist took a biopsy of my skin. I was already trying Cannabis but it wasn't medical grade. I could tell it was helping because my knees were throbbing less. If I get the nerve pain down the other pain goes away. I'm going this weekend to get my license and start on the medical grade that's right for my case while I'm still on the steroids. Figured it would give the Cannabis a nice start already being on top of it. Steroids are liver and kidney killers!!! They are a last resort when doctors need to control our central nervous systems and/or suppress auto immune behavior. They all know the value of Cannabis. Because of my case I've read countless articles about Nuclear medicine wanting Cannabis. The sticking point is the inability to get the plant in exacting doses required by our Food & Drug administration. I like the other things Cannabis can do for my health so I'm pretty excited about it. Did anyone tell their doctors they wanted to try Cannabis or is it better to keep it hush hush? Because recreational users can easily get in the program, it's not getting the respect it deserves medically and that carries over to those who are using it. How did you all handle this?

 

[joekar]

Hello people....long time reader..first time poster....I have been suffering with chronic nerve pain for a long time...Several ruptured discs and a few bulging discs, the nerves at the base of my spine are crushed.....I was an automotive tech my whole life, got run over by a Cadillac and fell down a mountain snowboarding, long ago...Been in a wheelchair for about 12 years...Been prescribed everything from Lidoderm and fentanyl patches to oxycodone, morphine, demerol and assorted injections....The only thing that really helps is medicating with some very nice wax.... Don't really help with the pain but it provides me with the ability to say "Fuc# it all for a few minutes" .. .. in the process of getting a new electric wheel chair....Hope this one can do wheelies......

Just thought I'd join in for the fun of it.

Hoping to get a new vape this month as a little b'day present to myself..I think the Dabbler should suit my needs until I can save enough for an Ascent, when they are released and get a few good reviews..So far they sound very nice....Sold my Volcano a couple of years ago and I still miss it ..

Stay safe..

 

[Vicki]

Hello people....long time reader..first time poster....I have been suffering with chronic nerve pain for a long time...Several ruptured discs and a few bulging discs, the nerves at the base of my spine are crushed.....I was an automotive tech my whole life, got run over by a Cadillac and fell down a mountain snowboarding, long ago...Been in a wheelchair for about 12 years...Been prescribed everything from Lidoderm and fentanyl patches to oxycodone, morphine, demerol and assorted injections....The only thing that really helps is medicating with some very nice wax.... Don't really help with the pain but it provides me with the ability to say "Fuc# it all for a few minutes" .. .. in the process of getting a new electric wheel chair....Hope this one can do wheelies......

Just thought I'd join in for the fun of it.

Hoping to get a new vape this month as a little b'day present to myself..I think the Dabbler should suit my needs until I can save enough for an Ascent, when they are released and get a few good reviews..So far they sound very nice....Sold my Volcano a couple of years ago and I still miss it ..

Stay safe..

Welcome!

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm also in a wheelchair and on several meds. I use cannabis as medicine for pain and nausea, etc., but also use RX meds too.

There are other medical users here too, so don't worry about fitting in.

 

[joekar]

Thank you.

 

[wilvape]

med mar is the only nerve pain med I'm on, I vape 10-12 bowls a day from my solo, sometimes thru water. I used to be on gabapentin and lyrica for the pain but the side effects were brutal. I was gaining weight , couldn't stay awake,thankfully marijuana came to the rescue and I was able to wein myself off those perscription meds.

 

[eyewhites]

was recently diagnosed with Fibro, after two years of testing. Im also bipolar, which sucks because the medicine they like to treat Fibro with are usually SSRIs and most bipolar people can take. After trying pot, and then looking into the side effects of those, and dicussing it with my wife, concluded pot was teh best treatment, which led me here.
When i started looking into vapes, i found this place, pretty cool. From smoking joints to vaping, i have noticed the hotter temps do have more of a desired effect, bigger body high if you will.

I haven't felt elbow pain in almost a month, from once daily use, somewhere about .1
I don't think there is a better medicine from nerve pain, and i have been on a lot of them, esp if your youngish and have a long future of pain med's ahead

 

[Enchantre]

Welcome, eyewhites. I hope you find a lot more comfort in your life now. I know I have.

 

[VapeHead.com]

Between the VHW (w/high CBD herb) and fritted Dabs I've never had this much neuropathic relief in my life. Feels like a 70-80% reduction which is pretty awesome from my point of view

 

[BossBrew]

Between the VHW (w/high CBD herb) and fritted Dabs I've never had this much neuropathic relief in my life. Feels like a 70-80% reduction which is pretty awesome from my point of view

Glad to hear CBD is a lifesaver for you as well! There is another thread in the medical discussion sub forum about a CBD tincture from a company called Dixie Botanicals. They sell them in 100mg and 500mg bottles. I have been using their products for months now with terrific results!

In no way do I mean to tread hijack but CBD is definitely something you want to look at for pain relief.

 

[eyewhites]

thanks for the link to the botanicals, will def be checking that out. Seems like a great option for someone having to do random test

 

[vapormadness]

Just found the board and have some thoughts about the medical issues. I found out about the medical benefits about a year ago. I was a recreational user so 30 years ago and never found any benefit for my post injury discomfort (back then I called it pain). I had a spinal injury 40 years ago and have gone on to have several vehicle related injuries and multiple surgeries to treat the damage and stabilize my bones. For over a decade I have been having increasing nerve pain as an after effect of the spinal injury and age. I take a cocktail of prescriptions daily to blunt the sensations. From a saintly medical cannabis grower I was given some herb and some edible. I can't figure out how to get the best effect from the edible but the herb is miraculous. Based on reviews I have a Arizer SQ and could not be happier when I a home to use it. It takes very little of low temp vaping for me and the best strain was an early harvest Blue Dream which was developed to combat fatigue. I can only be grateful that I am a California resident. I am a disabled/retired health care professional which I mention only because I am comfortable reading medical literature. That's my background so here are some of my thoughts and experiences.
. I read about members talking about immune suppression from cannabis. I looked for medical literature and found mostly news reports about a study in mice. This single study seemed to be in publications that featured cannabis as a drug of abuse and listed this as another reason that herb is no good. When I looked for other medical articles I found one that discussed medical literature and concluded that the dangers are products of combustion (smoke) and possible contaminants by fungus or pesticides. Immune suppression did not make the list.
. Nerve pain treatment (my interest). The common drugs that are used are nervous system suppressants like Neurontin, Tegretol or Lyrica that are historically used to treat seizures (epilepsy) by making the nerves less responsive. This depressive effect frequently shows up as sleepiness. I think I have tried them all and the one I take without sleeping 20 of 24 hours is one called Lamictal (lamotrigine). Everybody responds differently to each of these drugs so I believe that you should keep trying if the first one or two don't work. Drugs that are classed as antidepressants are used and work for some people.

 

[vapormadness]

Sh*t, I wasn't done ranting when I hit the enter key and I am not ready to quit..
There are lots of anti-depressants out there from the old school Elavil, nortriptyline to the newer ones like Cymbalta. I found all of the ones I tried to put me to sleep all the time. The doctors always said that after a while the sleepiness would go away but it did not for me. I think part of the theory with the anti-depressants is that chronic pain is depressing so if you treat the depression the pain will be better. None of these drugs necessarily work on everyone. Since they do work for some people they can be worth trying to see if they help and if the side effects are tolerable. None of them worked for me. I am very lucky to have a doctor who works with me and believes me when I tell him that the drugs do not work for me. Having a doctor (or other practitioner) that understands that real life experience is a better testimony for effectiveness than a pharmaceutical brochure is most important. There are other drugs that can effect nerve pain (burning, stabbing, electrical shock-like) that can work for some conditions. Science now understands that the autonomic (automatic, self actuated) nervous system can form connections with the part of the nervous system that works to move muscles or relay pain signals that cause the nerves of the sensory system to send pain signals to the brain. These pain sensations do not require injury, heat or pressure to send severe pain signals to the brain. Some types of these pain signals can be reduced by drugs that quiet the sympathetic portion of the background nervous system. I take a sympathetic (alpha andrenergic) blocker drug that is used for reducing blood pressure (clonidine) as part of my cocktail. I also take prescription narcotics which help with some of my symptoms that may or may not be from nerve damage. Not all narcotics work the same way- that's why there are so many of them. I have had muscle weakness for decades and I do not know if the narcotics help only with the muscle pain or the nerve pain that starts from the nerve pain. I also take Feldene a non steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID like ibuprofen). I am lucky that my stomach and kidneys have survived decades of these drugs (I have tried most of these drugs. I have used the lidocaine patches for some of the areas of burning skin. Patches don't stay put and the areas I want to put them are not the same shape as the patches. I found that you can purchase lidocaine cream on Amazon which works as well as the patches. I use other creams or gels like Arnica which helps a little. I have read about cannabis topicals but have not found out where I can get them. What is this rant about? You have to keep trying treatments until you find the best combination. It is very hard to keep trying drugs that don't work and cause intolerable side effects. Doctors have a hard time not being able to give a simple answer or single pill and some doctors don't want to consider all the varieties of treatment (like narcotics) and retreat into treatment methods they know or are comfortable with. Keep trying to find the best balance. I will shut up now. Thank the gods for vaping!

 

[Enchantre]

Welcome to FC, vapormadness.

 

[ataxian]

Welcome!

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm also in a wheelchair and on several meds. I use cannabis as medicine for pain and nausea, etc., but also use RX meds too.

There are other medical users here too, so don't worry about fitting in.

This is PAPAYA medical strain.
Has anybody tried this one?

I have ATAXIA (Late on set).
Medical Cannabis is the most effective for me.
Ambein C was making me sleep walk.

Vicodone was making me mean.

Prozac made me feel like killing myself?

UCLA PHD's?

No Meds!

Just Cannabis in my case works best and no side effects!

ATAXIA that I have effects my GAIT and SPEECH.
I use a cane just so people know I'm not drunk!

My mind is clear just my motor skills are a bit messed up!

 

[Fishkybizniz]

I'm so sorry to hear of anyone suffering nerve pain. I agree with the comment in this thread that it's a very individual thing. I'm on Gabapentin and antidepressant. Gabapentin is used as an anti-convulsant however an active drug in this medication blocks the signals that cause nerve pain. Same goes for a few antidepressants out there. I had a high point where taking these meds did nothing for me. I tried vaping MMJ and it wasn't strong enough to give me any relief. Had I not had a bad experience with ediables I would have tried that or a concentrate. I'm one of those people where the mind goes to the negative under a strong influence of MMJ. I have found some nice video's on you tube that outline all the attributes science has found in MMJ and strongly encourage people to try it if pills and steriods are not helping. The modern medicine drug companies don't want MMJ to become a resource because it will dig into their pockets. But the science has already proven it's attributes. Each chemical in MMJ has already been isolated and now coming out in tablet form. Where MMJ is not legal and needed, I would try submitting your doctors perscription to a pharmacy in Canada and see if they can help. I think it's a matter of time till we see pill form MMJ hit the U.S. market. But you can get it now if you don't mind mail order. Only thing that might be tricky is your doctor here not knowing exactly what to order because the pill versions unlike the plant versions have isolated active ingrediants.

 

[arf777]

This all soumds so wrong in so many ways. If I understood correctly, your federal government legalized it? That's one thing we don't have here in the U.S.. Our federal government can't legalize it unless our Food & Drug Administration creates a provision exempting it from their exact dosing requirements. So far, science keeps finding more and more attributes from cannibus, but lose them or make them unstable unless it's consumed in it's plant form. So we have what you would call a 'stand off' here between administrations. But the issue didn't stop States from making it legal for medical purposes. Most physicians here are not signed up to perscribe it, so those needing it have to see a physician who really doesn't know the case, but can hear the patient out and perscribe accordingly. I assume if our Federal Government took over the program, they would mandate proof of a diagnosis to qualify for perscriptions. When it comes to medical, a one for all and all for one system will never work. I think those with special needs should fight this on the premise of discrimination.

As far as U.S>law goes, you are simply wrong. You are confusing decriminalization and what is needed for it to be a prescription or over the counter drug. The Federal government could easily amend the National Narcotics Act, and then the individual states would have to change their laws as well.

Marijuana is illegal in the U.S. on two levels- all states except CO and WA have some form of state criminal law on it, though more and more have some form of medical exemption, Illinois most recently. And it is scheduled with other illegal drugs under the National Narcotics Act. If the Feds amend the NNA, it will cease to be illegal Federally. I work at one of the DC law firms that helped open the new dispensary, so I know a lot about this.

The FDA only becomes involved if it is scheduled as either an over-the-counter or prescription drug. They advise the committees in congress in charge of the NNA, but that is it.

 

[ataxian]

The 'MMAR' (Medical Marihuana Access Regulation) is the only way to be exempted. The new rules WILL apply to EVERYONE with an exemption... which of the majority are disabled unfortunately. Groups are forming and we are trying to get our message across, but our current government is really determined to go ahead with this. On the other side, they also changed the law for mandatory minimum sentences if your caught with 6 plants or more to minimum 6 months in jail. Maximum has been raised to 14 years. For 6 god damn plants.

So if I grow 6 plants in California with a medical marijuana license I could go to jail?
How about just growing 5 plants?