Marijuana for Chronic Pain Experiences

@ashby1947 Having chronic pain can certainly be a hindrance to actively enjoying everyday activities. I use CBD to help me. @artscaping is very well versed on the benefits and figuring out everything about medical marijuana. There are so many more types and strengths, now. I know she will be able to assist you!

Please come back to this discussion and let us know what you decide to do, as t will benefit others, too!
Ginger

@ashby1947, Hi there Sue.......and thanks for the introduction @gingerw. Medical cannabis can be very helpful even to this 79-year-old woman who has been using it for pain management these last five years. I am very happy to get you started. Are you in Florida? Did your pain management provider help you put together a daily protocol for you? Frequently you will find that kind of help with product selection and dosage within the staff at the dispensary.

You can also find assistance from leafly.com, informative and authentic.

For the most part, you can eliminate the recreational products....edibles, vapes, and pills. To begin with, you only need to have just two products: tinctures and topicals. What pain or discomfort would you like help with right away? Do you need help with sleep or getting exercise in comfort, not pain? Let's begin and see how it goes. I will respond to your posts as quickly as possible.

May you be free if suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Hi Chris - Thank you for getting back to me. Yes, I am in Florida. When I look at the leafly website you mention, I get thoroughly confused. So many different products, so many different ways to dose, etc. I see the PA at my pain mgmt doc next week, and I think she will be able to provide me with some answers and direction. So far, I have gathered that I will have a consultation with a dispensary "Certified Consultant" - at a dispensary which my doc recommended. I notice varying THC percentages. Do you know anything about that?

I won't be using MJ all the time, since my radiofrequency ablations and facet joint injections seem to hold me for several months. However, a procedure wears off, then the pain. I have finally been able to use tramadol along with zofram (used to make be seriously nauseous); however, I dislike the side effects. I know the ablations and steroid injections will lose effectiveness as time wears on, so I want to be prepared now. Plus, who knows? I may prefer MJ and get better relief. I have some heart issues, so I'll have to monitor that also. But at my age, I will make some adjustments to get my best life.

Again, I appreciate your insights and experiences.

I hope today is a good day!
Sue

Chris, you are so wonderful. Your help in this area is indispensable for me and others of us who are new to this area. I never thought I'd use MJ for any reason, but it's such an important part of my pain/sleep/anxiety treatments. I couldn't get through this time of my life without the relief it gives me that allows me to be so much more active, and get good rest. Thank you. I'll be reading and learning from you as you help ashby1947.
Blessings to you and may your day be beautiful!
elizabeth

Good morning Sue @ashby1947. You live in the right place for finding medical cannabis options. Here is my daily MJ dose chart.
Along with breakfast.....a 3:1 CBD/THC tincture may be a good place to start and with some food in your tummy. This means that 3 parts aka 75% of the active ingredients are CBD and 1 part or 25% is THC. You need some THC to activate the CBD. Always choose high-quality cannabis and a reputable product development company.

You can start with just 1/4 of a dropper and then increase as your body accepts the doses. Just like any other medication your body adjusts and needs more. So then you go to 1/2 of a dropper and eventually a whole dropper. By holding the tincture under your tongue for 45 seconds you bypass the digestive system so you should feel results in 15-20 minutes.

Now, just notice and pay attention to your body and the effects of the tincture. For me, there is a calming and settling feeling. In the afternoon, you may want to be lazy so the 3:1 will be perfect. If you want to have more energy and engage in some exercise or walking...I up the THC and reduce the CBD. So....a 2:1 CBD/THC might be a good start. I now use a 1:1 CBD/THC.

Evening.....you can go back to the 3:1 it 2:1 for bedtime. I use no other medication for sleeping well.

So.....here is your plan for the day....ease into it, enjoy afternoon activities with renewed energy and then relax into uninterrupted sleep.

Let me know what you think and we can move on to topicals. Please tell me what areas in your body have pain...I use both a 3:1 topical balm for chronic pain or a 1:3 for acute pain.

It isn't that difficult...just a lot of being aware of your body, evaluating results, and adjusting dosages as needed. You can do this!

May your body be healthy and whole.
Chris

Thank you for that positive feedback. I am flying high to know that you have incorporated medical cannabis into your treatment routine.

May you have joy and laughter today.
Chris

Hello, I am Beth and have chronic pain too. Marijuana works wonders! Better than all the other medications. I only take one puff or one edible depending on how much is in the edible.

What kind and how much do you take? What do you "puff" on? What kind of edible? Thank you!

Hello Beth, I am steve and have been dealing with terrible pain for over 2yrs since a TKR and I use edible for sleeping but during the day I haven' t found what works. I tried smoking high CBD with no good results. I am looking into tincture 1;10 or smoking weed with higher CBD & higher TCH but would you know which Indica or Sativa for pain . Thanks

I began using Medical Marijuana about 2 years ago to help decrease my PRN narcotic meds, which it has done and continues to help me. It helps greatly to deal with the pain and associated symptomology.