MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Posted , 16 users are following.

has anyone tried medical marijuana to help with PR and does it work?

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Posted

    I have talked to someone in Colorado (U.S.) that uses it, and according to them it is the equivalent of a strong pain pill with longer lasting results.
    • Posted

      And someone said it helped - not because it stopped the pain but because she didn't care as much!

  • Posted

    It is possible that CBD oil, from the leaf, helps because it's recognized as an effective anti-inflammatory.  This particular derivative has no psychotropic effects.

  • Posted

    my reply was moderated because I mentioned the part of the oil which has an effective anti inflammatory effect, and has no psychotropic effects.
    • Posted

      cannabidiol
  • Posted

    The oil I'm not allowed to mention has been used in some cases of intransigent epilepsy in children, cases where the child cannot tolerate any other treatment.  it's a pity we aren't allowed to name it here.  This particular substance should be legal everywhere as it doesn't affect mood, reflexes, etc, as other parts of the plant do.

  • Posted

    I have used it and it does help some, although it's mostly the psychotropic effects that help, I think. As Eileen says, it just made me happier despite the PMR.

    I have stopped using it, however, because I found it made the "pred brain" much worse!

    • Posted

      Steroid brain? I'm not sure if a foggy mind is actually a listed side effect of Prednisone, but a lot of patients experience it according to the forums.

      I guess it's like any other drug, its an individual choice ..weighing the risk against the benefits. For me it did have one great benefit : have had nausea and anorexia during most of my PMR journey.I attributed it first to the PMR itself and then the Methotrexate but now I think it's the Prednisone, because I still have it. For that, the stuff is the best. There are no unpleasant side effects and there has been no record of overdose, so it's safe. I have tried the CBD and the THC , both have their propertoes.I like the THC but it does give you a temporary loss of recent memory, coupled with steroid brain fog, it wasn't worth it for me. I guess it also depends on one's circumstances. When I was practically bed bound with a broken pelvis, IT served as a pain killer, sleep aid, and anti depressant .But right now , my personal circumstances require that I be really alert , so I've stopped the regular use of it.

      I never understood the hype about it being psychotropic, though. .. dont alcohol or opium- based drugs have psychotropic properties?

    • Posted

      Forgot to say that when I had the excruciating pain from a double fracture of my pelvis, I didn't take any other pain medication. The stuff was enough to see me through.

    • Posted

      The foggy sort of feeling that many patients complain of when on pred, it is also a feature of chemotherapy. It is also a feature of autoimmune disorders in general. 
  • Posted

    I'd try it if it was available. Don't be surprised if these posts are deleted. It happens every time it's mentioned. 

    • Posted

      The moderation is different and they let the subject through - it was captured I think as I didn't see it for 2 days after it was posted. But they do allow it unless it gets controversial or someone is blatantly trying to flog the stuff.

  • Posted

    I've got ankylosing Spondylitis, Polymyalgia and Giant cell arteritis and have been trying Medicinal Cannabis for the past year.  I'm in Australia and the oil has just started being used for children with epilepsy and I'm hoping they will allow it to be used for people with chronic pain.  It certainly has been helping me a lot and I've been gradually lowering my opioid tablets.  I have the support of my GP and my rheumatologist because the opioids were affecting the part of my brain that controls breathing - I now have a restrictive breathing problem so lots of breathlessness. I also found the oil kept me in a more relaxed state which helps me cope better with the pain issues.  I hope this information will help you.  I was also told that it takes 2 weeks of continual useage for the benefits to be noticed.

    • Posted

      Thanks - that is really interesting. 

      Are they sure you have PMR and GCA? I know someone who was originally dx'd with PMR and GCA but she switched to a new and particularly good PMR/GCA rheumy (does research) when she simply couldn't reduce the pred. She happened to mention nighttime pain - which isn't really typical of PMR and AS was discovered when the right imaging was done. The "GCA" pain was referred from and due to the neck involvement and PMR type pain is often seem in AS. She is now on one of the anti-TNF biologics and Naproxen which have made a big difference to her pain.

    • Posted

      Yes, it has been confirmed that I have these conditions - recently spent a few days in hospital with my first bout of GCA alongside with the PMR which I've had for the past few years. I havent been able to take anti-inflammatries any more because of having a stomach ulcer 8 years ago and my stomach started having issues last year so they were stopped immediately.  I find that a person will try anything to help reduce the terrible pain that autoimmune conditions cause and to just have some quality of life.

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