@knocerine03

Hi, I'm Gail, and I'm extending another welcome to Mayo Connect. I too am a Volunteer Mentor on the Connect site and as such am not a medical professional. I can only offer my support and my experience. I have used CBD, which is a derivative of Marijuana / Cannabis, without the "stoned"/high effect from the THC in marijuana. I used it to help me withdraw from Tramadol, 50 mg, which I had been taking for my back pain and surgery. I'm so sorry to hear of your pain and struggle to be whole again.

First, let me say that I was prescribed hydrocodone for my back and hip pain and took it for a couple of years. It never really helped my pain, but I felt high, so I didn't care as much. I had been having this hip pain off and on for about 20 years. Then a few years ago the pain was there every 3 months, progressing to daily about 5 years ago. Three years ago I was leaning forward to cut some roses, when I suddenly felt extreme fatigue in my right hip and leg. That became constant grinding pain that kept me from going up stairs and walking freely. I still didn't talk to the doctor about it. I finally was forced to see a doctor for my acute and suddenly debilitating pain that put me in a wheelchair 2 years ago. I had an MRI and found I out I had multiple problems, including that my L5-S1 was impinging on my spinal cord, and my L4 was herniated and had slipped onto my L5. I had spondylitis, stenosis, degenerative disk disease, a compound fracture of my C7, and radiculopathy. I had outpatient surgery called a laminectomy to remove part of my L5 disk to relieve the pressure on my lumbar spine December 22, 2016.

The relief of pain on my left side was immediate. I was so grateful for that. However, the pain on the right side from my L4 continued. I continued to take medication for the pain, but I had trouble walking and could hardly go up steps anyway. I was prescribed Tramadol, 50mg, 4 times a day. It is a synthetic opioid that really helped me with the pain. I took it 4 times a day. My surgeon said I would need major surgery to repair the L4, so he wanted me to try other ways to relieve the pain. I had 2 rounds of physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, and nothing helped. I explored stem cell therapy. Then I read about ART, Active Release Technique, on the Mayo Connect community. I decided to try it and within 3 weeks of treatment, my pain was almost completely gone. I was very happy. I go monthly now for a tweak.

I decided to stop my Tramadol, and used CBD during the time as I reduced one pill a day for 3 weeks, then another pill reduction for 4 weeks, then I stayed at 2 pills a day for another 4 weeks using the CBD to help me with the anxiety and brain fog I felt. It really helped me to be able to keep reducing my pills. I broke my last pills in half and continued to take half in the morning and half in the evening. I now only take half a pill when I have pain. I'm moving right now, so I've managed to hurt my back again unfortunately. I go for an ART treatment tomorrow.

It sounds as if your problems are worse than mine. I don't know if ART is appropriate for you. I recommend that you Google, Active Release Technique, and read about it. If you think it might help, then look for a practitioner in your area. Chiropractors are the ones who have gotten this training. Research who has the most training and certifications for different aspects of ART. Before deciding to do any treatment, show your MRI to the ART practitioner and be certain you talk with your doctor about what you're thinking about doing.

It is possible that CBD or THD/marijuana could help your pain level. Researchers have found that neither CBD nor THD are addictive. However, THC will make you feel high. Since we are all different, you may be able to function just fine with the high it produces, or you may not function well when you are high. I don't know if you will be helped by the marijuana, CBD, or ART, but I believe they are worth trying as long as your doctor agrees and it's legal in your state. I am including 3 links so you can learn more about the marijuana/CBD option. I'll post them separately. Please let us know how things are going for you. I'm hoping the best for you.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor