1. < Chronic Pain

Dosage for medical marijuana versus hydrocodone

Posted by jerseygirl926 @jerseygirl926, Dec 7, 2016

Hello. I was finally approved to purchased medical marijuana in New Jersey. It's very restrictive so info isn't as easy to get as it should be such as which dispensary carries which strains etc. Is anyone using medical marijuana to wean off pain pills such as hydrocodone? If so, can you share how often you smoke or vape? So far, NJ has not approved oils or edibles to be sold so I am stuck with vaping for now. Keeping an open mind and hopeful to get off or reduce pain meds and reduce inflammation. As always, thanks for any advice you can offer.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Jen, Alumna Mentor | @sandytoes14 | Jan 19, 2017
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large amount of members discussion marijuana on Connect across many conversations. A few members have specifically talked about New Jersey and the New York area, although no one has specifically mentioned marijuana versus hydrocodone this may be a good place to start the conversation.

I would like you to meet @medic7054, @tonyc55, @upnorthnancy, and @chefbrown who have all talked extensively about the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain as well as other ailments.

@jerseygirl926, have you discussed weaning off of hydrocodone by using medical marijuana with your medical provider? Does he or she advise this as a viable option?

Jump to this post

@bobcon23 I'm sorry you feel concerned if you questioned your doctor. I have a pain contract with my PM doc. If I tested positive, my contract would be void.(Virginia has not legalized medical pot) Perhaps you can tell him about being on Mayo Connect and the discussion about medical marijuana. It could open the door to a discussion if it could be right for you or would you be in violation of any agreement with him. Would you feel comfortable presenting your question this way or if you had material to show him?

REPLY
jerseygirl926 | @jerseygirl926 | Jan 19, 2017

Adding an update. Vaping at night with a strain called blueberry Kush. Dreaming again and off my zolpediem. Great news!!! Using much less hydrocodone. Same prescription for 30 days lasted 45. Using the marijuana cream on both hands and feet which are particularly painful. I tried a lozenge but they have a fowl taste. Going to buy watermelon hard candy as one dispensary suggested to hide taste and try it again for daytime use. Would like to get my 30 day prescription of hydrocodone to last 60 days soon. Thanks all for input. It is trial and error but hearing what others have had success with is always helpful!

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jan 19, 2017
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large amount of members discussion marijuana on Connect across many conversations. A few members have specifically talked about New Jersey and the New York area, although no one has specifically mentioned marijuana versus hydrocodone this may be a good place to start the conversation.

I would like you to meet @medic7054, @tonyc55, @upnorthnancy, and @chefbrown who have all talked extensively about the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain as well as other ailments.

@jerseygirl926, have you discussed weaning off of hydrocodone by using medical marijuana with your medical provider? Does he or she advise this as a viable option?

Jump to this post

@bobcon23 I discussed the marijuana issue with my pain doc today, and his observation were numerous. One was that taking marijuana may enable you to reduce the dosage of opiates. Another, that there is so little control over product dosage - what you get one time may be very different the next time. (BTW, he's in favor of me trying marijuana.) He was surprised when I told him how much it costs. I'm on Medicare, so the morphine sulfate contin I take is covered, not the marijuana, of course. Because of the annual expenses and the high cost of the product, it's not financially possible for me, even though it's legal. You should probablydo some research. What I've learned is that the CBD is what acts on pain, while THC is what gives a high, which could affect pain, in how we perceive the pain. I could be wrong, but I don't think it should be a problem to talk with your pcp about marijuana. Mine spoke positively and candidly about it, but because of the rules of the clinic he works with don't permit him to prescribe. Jim

REPLY
medic7054 | @medic7054 | Jan 23, 2017
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large amount of members discussion marijuana on Connect across many conversations. A few members have specifically talked about New Jersey and the New York area, although no one has specifically mentioned marijuana versus hydrocodone this may be a good place to start the conversation.

I would like you to meet @medic7054, @tonyc55, @upnorthnancy, and @chefbrown who have all talked extensively about the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain as well as other ailments.

@jerseygirl926, have you discussed weaning off of hydrocodone by using medical marijuana with your medical provider? Does he or she advise this as a viable option?

Jump to this post

Talk frankly to him. Perhaps medical pot will give you enough pain relief that you won't need the PM at all. If he is truly on your side to reduce YOUR pain or make YOUR pain more manageable, he should give his blessings.

REPLY
medic7054 | @medic7054 | Jan 23, 2017
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large amount of members discussion marijuana on Connect across many conversations. A few members have specifically talked about New Jersey and the New York area, although no one has specifically mentioned marijuana versus hydrocodone this may be a good place to start the conversation.

I would like you to meet @medic7054, @tonyc55, @upnorthnancy, and @chefbrown who have all talked extensively about the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain as well as other ailments.

@jerseygirl926, have you discussed weaning off of hydrocodone by using medical marijuana with your medical provider? Does he or she advise this as a viable option?

Jump to this post

Perhaps if you were taking medical pot you wouldn't need the pain clinic at all. In Minnesota there are two labs that grow and refine the chemicals so you get the same product every time.

REPLY
medic7054 | @medic7054 | Jan 23, 2017
In reply to @mcpucho "Normally, the higher the level of THC the more pain control is seen. Vaping is instantaneous,..." + (show)
@mcpucho

Normally, the higher the level of THC the more pain control is seen. Vaping is instantaneous, but edibles are less psychogenic, so have less mental/cognitive side effects (less of head high). You can take the cannabis oil from the vape pen and use it as a base for cooking and making edibles if you desire.

I get medical MJ in NY, but they only offer a mix of indica and sativa, no choice of strains. I use a medium dose THC:CBD (7:1) vape pen and use as needed to take the edge off my pain. The only issue is cognitive side effect. Hard to get stuff done if you are "high" all day.

I never used opiates long term as they make me very irritable, and weren't too effective for my type of neurological pain. Friends I have that became addicted to opiates had good success with Nalaxone to get off the opioids period. It blocks the receptor so the opiates do not work.

Jump to this post

I use a 50/50 blend of THC and CBD with NO cognitive effects and get fantastic pain relief. A 7/1 blend seems to too psychoactive to me (too much THC). I have also have a SL spray that I use only for breakthrough pain that is 100% THC. I can feel a change in mentation when I use it. Thankfully I rarely need it.

REPLY
medic7054 | @medic7054 | Jan 23, 2017
In reply to @medic7054 "Taking 50/50 THC/CBD since august. In Minnesota they make a pleasant tasting oil solution or vaping...." + (show)
@medic7054

Taking 50/50 THC/CBD since august. In Minnesota they make a pleasant tasting oil solution or vaping. I also have a 100% THC oral spray for breakthrough pain which I seldom have to use. I chose the oil solution and oral spray over the vaping. The pharmacist said they are trying to get approval in pill form. I love the results I have received.

Jump to this post

jerseygirl926......The spray is sub-lingual.

REPLY
medic7054 | @medic7054 | Jan 23, 2017
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large amount of members discussion marijuana on Connect across many conversations. A few members have specifically talked about New Jersey and the New York area, although no one has specifically mentioned marijuana versus hydrocodone this may be a good place to start the conversation.

I would like you to meet @medic7054, @tonyc55, @upnorthnancy, and @chefbrown who have all talked extensively about the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain as well as other ailments.

@jerseygirl926, have you discussed weaning off of hydrocodone by using medical marijuana with your medical provider? Does he or she advise this as a viable option?

Jump to this post

I recently had back surgery.....3 incisions, three inches each. In the hospital I took Hydrocodone as they don't allow medical mj in the hospital. I was pretty much snowed until released. At home I went back to my pot with better pain relief and I was able to think straight.

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Mar 8, 2017
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large amount of members discussion marijuana on Connect across many conversations. A few members have specifically talked about New Jersey and the New York area, although no one has specifically mentioned marijuana versus hydrocodone this may be a good place to start the conversation.

I would like you to meet @medic7054, @tonyc55, @upnorthnancy, and @chefbrown who have all talked extensively about the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain as well as other ailments.

@jerseygirl926, have you discussed weaning off of hydrocodone by using medical marijuana with your medical provider? Does he or she advise this as a viable option?

Jump to this post

Bobcon, this is a late response to your question. Since marijuana is still illegal at the Federal level, my PM doctor said if I use it M he will have to kick me out of his program. He even drug tested me after 3 months to see if I was using marijuana, which I wasn't. At some point I will decide if I need my pain meds increased, will I start using marijuana instead. I don't want to take more pain meds.

Anyway, we have to fight for marijuana to be made lawful at the Federal level so we can use it to supplement our pain management.

REPLY
medic7054 | @medic7054 | Mar 13, 2017
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jerseygirl926, thank you for starting a new discussion about medical marijuana. We have a large amount of members discussion marijuana on Connect across many conversations. A few members have specifically talked about New Jersey and the New York area, although no one has specifically mentioned marijuana versus hydrocodone this may be a good place to start the conversation.

I would like you to meet @medic7054, @tonyc55, @upnorthnancy, and @chefbrown who have all talked extensively about the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain as well as other ailments.

@jerseygirl926, have you discussed weaning off of hydrocodone by using medical marijuana with your medical provider? Does he or she advise this as a viable option?

Jump to this post

Why do you need to ask your provider if it is ok to wean off of hydrocodone? Start slowly when using marijuana and gradually decrease dose until you are "comfortable" with the level of pain you can live with.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.