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Can I go from daily Morphine to pain control from CBD oil
I am new at this, so please give me some leeway.
I currently take 2 60mg ER morphine with 3 30 mg fast acting for break thru pain. I have been at this amount for at least 6 years now.
There are many problems taking morphine and with the current anti drug climate I am looking for other ways to manage my pain.
My hopes lean in the direction of CBD oil, and I have had some good results with it so far. It probably will work from 50 to 60% of the time.
I am thinking that I can use CBD oil with THC for the times CBD doesn't work by itself.
One hope I have is I will not be as physically dependent on the CBD and THC as I am on Morphine. Maybe even have some normal days.
My question to the group is, Has any one had any experience in this regard? Will the CBD with THC help me with my withdrawal from the morphine?
My actual time on morphine is close to 14 years. The hardest question is will I be jumping from the frying pan to the fire?
I know I am asking a lot but any help or personal experience would be a great help.
1oldcarnut
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@1oldcarnut -- welcome to Mayo Connect. I have no medical background or training but I would seriously recommend that discontinuation of opioids should be done under professional supervision. I found some information in another discussion here that you might want to read:
Chronic Pain > Discussion - Need guidelines for long term, long-acting morphine withdrawal plan:
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-guidelines-for-long-term-long-acting-morphine-withdrawal-plan/bookmark/?ajax_hook=action&_wpnonce=3b5e013730
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention might be a good place to start. Here is the main page for CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/guideline.html. It includes:
– Opioids: Guideline Information for Patients http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/patients.html which doesn’t include info on discontinuation
– CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6501e1.htm This information is written for health professionals and includes some information on discontinuation, but individual circumstances vary the methods to be tailored to the person.
There was also a reference video by Dr. Hooten that was not available or was moved. I did a search and found several videos by Dr. Hooten on YouTube that might help you:
Opioid Epidemic Chat with Dr. Hooten - YouTube
-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OaH5MdGTng
Understanding Unintended Prolonged Opioid Use - YouTube
-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQGttgdSfqU
MCP 60 Seconds With Dr Michael Hooten on Prolonged Opioid Use
-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCxThe3YAFo
I'm tagging other members who may have some additional information to offer. @colleenyoung, @beausonge, @IndianaScott are you able to share any thoughts to help @1oldcarnut ?
John
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4 ReactionsHello @1oldcarnut I am Scott (aka indianascott as referenced by John aka @johnbishop NIce to e-meet you here.
My wife was on ER and regular morphine for over 25 years, but she succumbed to her brain cancer and never had to deal with the issues of withdrawal. Plus we live in a state where cbd oils and certain THC-containing materials are still considered by our Attorney General to be illegal so I also do not have any advice on that aspect of your question.
I can say, though, I agree fully with John in believing the very best place to begin this discussion is with your physician. I would say this about weaning oneself off any prescription drug. Over the course of my wife's illness she was on and off a multitude of drugs and each time any of them were changed there was a very specific process they used to wean her off.
Sorry I cannot be of more help,
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3 ReactionsI am glad you are finding relief, and using CBD to get it. Your question was whether you could switch from Morphine to CBD oil. I think you need to ask your pharmacist. The reason I say this is because you will likely have withdrawals from the morphine if you don't step it down, You can tell the pharmacist your pain is better and you no longer need the morphine any more. I'm guessing you are either taking MS Contin or something similar. You could try stepping it down yourself, but the safest thing to do is ask a pharmacist the best way to step it down so you are wearing a sweater in July (and still freezing cold) and you have the cold sweats. There's also nausea and throwing up which are possibilities from withdrawal. Good luck with your CBD, may you have long term relief for the years to come!!!
Patch
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2 ReactionsJohn I liked the article about extroverted introverts this sounds like me thanks for article
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1 ReactionMe too @lioness! Fits me to a T.
I am speechless thank you for all of the information.
It will take me a couple of weeks to get through it and I will return then
Again thanks to you and to all of the replies.
Ken
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1 ReactionHey, I've seen alot of folks advising you to ask your doctor. I of course dont disagree but what you may find is your doctor may not be able to fully disclose their opinions to you since Cannabis and CBD oil is illegal in the USA. I'm in Canada and in 3 days Oct 15th 2018 (I believe that's the official day) cannabis in all forms will become legal across the country and there is much discussion about what this will bring. In addition to perhaps not being allowed to enter the USA (booo) this will begin a huge boon of information and studies so information will be available for folks in your situation. Even here, Doctors are shy to fully share with patients until the legality changes. However, there has been much evidence from individual reporting of pain management from CBD oil. My guess is you would just experiment slowly and see what happens! Perhaps within a few months call a physician in Canada or continue looking online because alot will be changing up here in terms of information and our doctors will be able to publish their findings and share info with patients with less hesitation.
Honestly, anytime we try as patients to blend western medicine with eastern or a more holistic approach, the information is lacking and its really up to us to try things out carefully and share our results. Maybe one day the two will be more easily interchangable, but I fear that may not be easy with the profit driven pharmaceutical influence. Unless of course, pharmaceutical companies get involved in Cbd oil, in which case the studies and results will come at us all faster than we could imagine!
Anyway, good luck , and stay focused on Canadian health over the next little bit as things change here. Perhaps that will give the USA a reason to double check their antiquated laws!
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4 ReactionsHello @larissaz, welcome to Connect. Easy there with the antiquated laws eh? ☺☺ I'm with you on making it easier for those with pain to get some relief with medical cannabis and CBD oil. We as patients need to educate ourselves and take control of our own health along with working with our doctors on treatment plans.
Here are some sites that will help you learn more about medical cannabis:
Site to learn the specifics for Medical Cannabis
-- https://healer.com/
For Minnesota:
Minnesota Office of Medical Cannabis
-- http://www.health.state.mn.us/topics/cannabis/
Leafline Labs - Becoming a Patient
-- https://leaflinelabs.com/becoming-a-patient/
@larissaz, you are quite right. Recreational marijuana will be legal in Canada starting Oct 17, 2018. There has been a lot in the news lately and I have been watching closely. The exciting aspect about legalization in the north is the possibility that it will open doors to rigorous research. To quote medical journalist André Picard of the Globe & Mail "It is true that evidence is lacking, but research has been stymied by criminalization. Legalization should allow more and better research." This has the potential to advance evidence-based research around the world.
For everyone:
You may be interested in this episode of Mayo Clinic Radio where Dr. Jon Ebbert, an addiction specialist at Mayo Clinic, explains how medical marijuana is used to treat pain and disease symptoms. For more information on medical marijuana, visit: https://mayocl.in/2L9lzKb.
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5 ReactionsYes you sure can thats what i did ..i was litterally bed bound this time last year cbd oil has saved my life..
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