PMR pain management with medical cannabis

Posted by menetski4 @menetski4, Apr 19 9:02am

Has anyone used medical cannabis for pain management/ treatment for PMR? Has it helped you taper Prednisone? Do you use it on a regular basis or just as needed for pain? What form of cannabis do you use? Do you use a combination of cannabis and CBD?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

@bostonredsox1945

Does anyone with PMR have any data that confirms THC or CBD should not be used while on Prednisone because of the cannabinoids intensifying or potentiating the adverse negative effects of the Prednisone. Please be specific about what THC-CBD combination product works the best for your pain through decreasing the inflammation. The tinctures are expensive. Bot those of us with PMR live each day in life altering pain. There must be someone using cannabinoids successfully that can share their experience to help those of us in severe pain from PMR to decreased pain.

Jump to this post

I am down to Prednisone 4.5mg from 20 mg in January 2025. I have had 2 flares when I had to temporarily increase dosage.
I use THC/CBD/CBN 5mg (1:1) gummies for sleep. Which has allowed me to sleep a full 7-8 hours. I still wake up a little stiff but it is getting better. I am a nurse a worry about the slippery slope of cannabis but the benefit of sleep outweighs the low-dose of THC in the gummy.

REPLY
@stevieb

CBD only, for me has really no relief. Edibles that have at least half a THC content (preferably a Indica strain is best for pain or sleep) Edibles have the least amount of risk. ... However the timing of when it takes effect and to what extent, for the same product, for the same
patient can vary widely!
"Vapes" have an almost immediate effect, and can with,.. again at least 50% THC .... Can "take care of pain" . I say that because I believe it "masks" the pain, and while doing so, masks over other things, .... cognitive thinking, emotions, coordination.
And vapes are the easiest to ober-medicate yourself with negative results. And vapes in general have a lot of very serious respiratory issues.
Smoking cannabis is also not a great respiratory activity, and easy to get caught up in the "rituals" of paraphernalia.
I got clean and sober 35+ years ago, but was in enough pain to try Cannabis.... but very soon gave it up for the reasons listed above. I realize many are suffering significantly more than myself. And I would not criticize anyone for searching for something to make it stop.

But PMR makes life complicated enough without adding more. And the support/encouragements my wife and friends give me is a critical to my quality of life, enough I need to stay as present as possible in their company.
I've mentioned in several posts, and until someone asks me to stop, I'll continue to mention the supplement made from a tree leaf in Maylaya provides me quick and consistent relief.
That would be Kratom,. ... it can be purchased from Mitragaia. And the only strain I would recommend is "Super Green Maylay"....
I experience no negative side effects. But I understand everyone responds to supplements differently.
If anyone wants me to share how I use it please contact me.

Jump to this post

i'd be very intersested in how you use it, thank you.

REPLY

Another option for pain management might be Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). See the group entries on Chronic Pain and search Pain Reprocessing Therapy.
Just having a mind-body tool to help with acute neuro-plastic pain has helped me tremendously. I don’t know if it will help with acute PMR or PMR flares because I haven’t had a flare since I have been practicing PRT.

REPLY

Years back when suffering puke causing chronic lower back pain from 3 prior failed surgeries; I studied Cannabis versus Opioids at local Universities and a College online. I found that a majority of the weaker THC strains (mostly Sativa) included the highest percentages of CBD at that time, possibly different now due to all the Hybrid strains out there? Since my recent gift of PMR diagnosis, thought about it again, but have not. The THC, in conjunction with the proper Terpenes is what may help you with your pain, if you decide to visit a legal, licensed dispensary? CBD counteracts and will keep the Prednisone in your system longer, so I would stay away from that combo, if it were me. I would seriously suggest you study the Cannabis Terpenes and their function/purpose before you visit your dispensary and always follow the rule-"Go Slow-Start Low". Personally I am prescribed Tramadol for my pain, which works in small dose as the Opioid's do not and my refusal to take another drug thing that will hook me up for the remainder of life. I am sorry for your pain and discomfort from the PMR/Prednisone, but would ask you to really think about any outside source before making a decision on the Cannabis or not. Life has Side Effects-Dwell on the Positive
Due to the many side effects associated with prednisone, CBD may be a safer alternative.

CBD can inhibit the action of CYP3A4, a liver enzyme that metabolizes several kinds of drugs, including prednisone. Because of its inhibitory activity, it can cause the enzyme to slow down. This could cause the metabolism of prednisone to slow down as well, meaning prednisone would remain in the system for a longer time frame and more liable to cause more side effects.

REPLY
@menetski4

I am down to Prednisone 4.5mg from 20 mg in January 2025. I have had 2 flares when I had to temporarily increase dosage.
I use THC/CBD/CBN 5mg (1:1) gummies for sleep. Which has allowed me to sleep a full 7-8 hours. I still wake up a little stiff but it is getting better. I am a nurse a worry about the slippery slope of cannabis but the benefit of sleep outweighs the low-dose of THC in the gummy.

Jump to this post

I’m concerned that the Cannibis will interfere with my other meds. Do you have any info on that?

REPLY
@reets70

I’m concerned that the Cannibis will interfere with my other meds. Do you have any info on that?

Jump to this post

You can read the comments made by oldbtstlshrp2 yesterday.
There is a drug interaction checker on Drugs.com. I checked to see if there was an interaction between cannabis and Prednisone and there was no reaction reported.
We are all individual - what works for me may not work for you. I have chosen low dose THC CBD/CBN gummies for sleep only because I think sleep is critical. Once my sleep is fully established and waking up without pain I will cut the gummies in half and maybe even quarter. My objective is to get off all medications, especially Prednisone.
Pain reprocessing therapy helps with all of that.

REPLY
@menetski4

You can read the comments made by oldbtstlshrp2 yesterday.
There is a drug interaction checker on Drugs.com. I checked to see if there was an interaction between cannabis and Prednisone and there was no reaction reported.
We are all individual - what works for me may not work for you. I have chosen low dose THC CBD/CBN gummies for sleep only because I think sleep is critical. Once my sleep is fully established and waking up without pain I will cut the gummies in half and maybe even quarter. My objective is to get off all medications, especially Prednisone.
Pain reprocessing therapy helps with all of that.

Jump to this post

I've read this on a few sites - "Hydrocortisone and prednisolone, commonly used CS, are both metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A65. CBD, as potent inhibitor of CYP3A when with these steroids may decrease glucocorticoid clearance and increase risk of systemic CS-induced side effects as well,"

REPLY
@menetski4

You can read the comments made by oldbtstlshrp2 yesterday.
There is a drug interaction checker on Drugs.com. I checked to see if there was an interaction between cannabis and Prednisone and there was no reaction reported.
We are all individual - what works for me may not work for you. I have chosen low dose THC CBD/CBN gummies for sleep only because I think sleep is critical. Once my sleep is fully established and waking up without pain I will cut the gummies in half and maybe even quarter. My objective is to get off all medications, especially Prednisone.
Pain reprocessing therapy helps with all of that.

Jump to this post

I for the first time just tried those gummies …i was told to take one to see effects …it was amazing as I had 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep…will def . Use again

REPLY

I am always reminded of the principle of n-of-one. What works for one person may or may not work for the other.
For now, THC/CBD/CBN gummy has helped me with sleep and middle of the night pain. That is, along with positive thoughts and beliefs that I got this!
My goal is to get off all meds, even the low-dose gummies. Movement always helps.
This is what I love about this opportunity to share ideas with others. Hope you find what works for you.

REPLY
@menetski4

You can read the comments made by oldbtstlshrp2 yesterday.
There is a drug interaction checker on Drugs.com. I checked to see if there was an interaction between cannabis and Prednisone and there was no reaction reported.
We are all individual - what works for me may not work for you. I have chosen low dose THC CBD/CBN gummies for sleep only because I think sleep is critical. Once my sleep is fully established and waking up without pain I will cut the gummies in half and maybe even quarter. My objective is to get off all medications, especially Prednisone.
Pain reprocessing therapy helps with all of that.

Jump to this post

The Reaction is not from the THC, but the CBD content in Cannabis, different percentages by strains. For this reason there may be online; "No Reactions Shown". Any person wishing to use the Cannabis should observe the "Terpenes", their function for delivery of which compound and then take that into consideration for the Cannabis strain selected. Most people purchase Cannabis with the highest THC content, thinking it will work better and they get more relief-NOT TRUE! We have to be real careful when working with powerful side effects from Prednisone. CBD makes Prednisone Remain in our System Longer! UGLY.
If we come from a theoretical standpoint, there could potentially be drug interactions. Prednisone is a weak inducer, it is possible that it could change the breakdown or metabolism of CBD. It is something to be aware of.
CBD can inhibit the action of CYP3A4, a liver enzyme that metabolizes several kinds of drugs, including prednisone. Because of its inhibitory activity, it can cause the enzyme to slow down. This could cause the metabolism of prednisone to slow down as well, meaning prednisone would remain in the system for a longer time frame and more liable to cause more side effects.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.