Marijuana for Chronic Pain Experiences

Posted by ashby1947 @ashby1947, Mar 1, 2021

Hello Everyone - I have severe osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine ( along with a bunch of other things - stenosis, etc). My Pain Mgmt doc just signed me up for Medical Marijuana. I have no problem with marijuana, and like many of you, probably enjoyed it in our youth during the 70's. But fast forward to a 74 y.o. woman trying to figure out how best to use it for chronic pain. Florida has Medical MJ laws, which I'm trying to figure out. But in addition, the dispensing of it is not something with which I am familiar! So many different dosages and forms. I would very much appreciate hearing about your exploration and experimentation with MJ for pain mgmt. What have you tried? what has worked? what dosage? problems? suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help. I hope you are having a good day! Sue

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

wheelerma | @wheelerma | Mar 4, 2021

In reply to @jenatsky "I have severe spinal OA and I’m prescribed Buprenorphine patch 1x week. I still require PRN..." + (show)

I got no relief from the the patch on 20 mg. Disappointed! Glad it works for you.

ashby1947 | @ashby1947 | Mar 4, 2021

In reply to @jenatsky "You should check out American for Safe Access where you can learn about current marijuana plants,..." + (show)

Very informative and interesting information. Thank you for the referrals.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Mar 4, 2021

In reply to @wheelerma "I got no relief from the the patch on 20 mg. Disappointed! Glad it works for..." + (show)

I presume you mean 20mcg (not mg). Buprenorphine allowed me to get of morphine but I still require prn oxycodone. I’ve never had injections and refuse to. Having been a nurse for 35 years I know the bad side effects steroids have. I also drink green tea w/ ginger, matcha tea, golden milk shakes since I’m not on anti inflammatory drugs

jmb73 | @jmb73 | Mar 5, 2021

I live in FL too and have a mj doc. I have Sjogren's , severe osteoarthritis , and severe fibromylagia. Plus I am on doxycycline for Ocular rosacea and that makes me very queasy. When I first got the approval, I received a list of all the mj docs recommendations. But it seemed like too much plus I have asthma and COPD and my lung doc said never to Vape. Luckily, I met with a consultant at the dispensary before I started using mj and he said the motto is "go low and slow". He also said that if I take too much THC, and feel weird or excessively sleepy, to take straight CBD and that will off set the effects of the THC. CBD helps with nausea and after my Gamma brain surgery, the neurosurgeon had me take 2 cc's of CBD and it really helped with the headache and nausea after he took the helmet off. I use tinctures and just started one with a 1:1 ratio as my pain has gotten worse. I take 3 drops sometimes every 2 hours. However, I always have straight CBD in the house. Indica makes me too tired and very sleepy so I avoid it. CBD has really helped me and I hope it helps you. Good luck.

ashby1947 | @ashby1947 | Mar 5, 2021

In reply to @jmb73 "I live in FL too and have a mj doc. I have Sjogren's , severe osteoarthritis..." + (show)

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with mj. My pain mgmt doc gave me info on Trulieve clinics here in JAX, and it says to start the process with a consultation with one of their certified consultants. As I've been doing a little research, that seems like the best idea. I am also getting the sense from the many Connect friends, that taking mj is a very individual experience and each person must tweak it to suit her needs. Hope this is a good day! Sue

wheelerma | @wheelerma | Mar 5, 2021

What mixture does everyone use? I was hoping to get advice at the store but they just get your order ready and you pick it up. I know nothing about this.

lioness | @lioness | Mar 5, 2021

@wheelerma I use New Age cbd where it's grown is organic farm and certified free of any contaninates It's 100% cbd hemp oil

cgmc | @cgmc | Mar 5, 2021

I had been vaping and using tinctures for a few months. However, my Primary Doc did some research and said it would interfere with my antidepressant. I had also experienced this, so decided against continuing with the marijuana.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Mar 5, 2021

In reply to @wheelerma "What mixture does everyone use? I was hoping to get advice at the store but they..." + (show)

Most likely the mj dispensary will have someone who can steer you. Many states have dispensaries that offer educational classes for seniors who are new mj. You can also checkout YouTube for videos to learn how to use what ever you use. If you never smoked I suggest you use tinctures. If you vape cartridges are much easier to use and control with many varied combinations of THC and CBD in varying strengthens.