Does medical marijuana work for chronic pain?

Posted by mmoss @mmoss, Mar 27, 2021

Does Medical marijuana work for chronic pain. Looking for alternatives to Vicodin.

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

I am reading a lot about CBD oil ... what does it taste like? I can’t stand the smell of marijuana so if the CBD oil has the same taste/smell I know I will gag on it!

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@artscaping

Welcome @bonnieh, you are not jumping in you are just joining us as we explore medical cannabis options and opportunities, Do you still see your Mayo doctor? Do you live in a marijuana legal state? In some states like Minnesota you must have a specific diagnosis and chronic pain is one. In other states you can just register with a dispensary. They often have pharmacists who specialize in helping you get started and monitor your experience,

In other states you are your own prescriber and must monitor your own experiences, Choosing medical cannabis doesn’t mean you are replacing prescribed medications,, You only need two products, topicals and tinctures, And you need to memorize this phrase....you can always have more, you cannot have less. Take it easy. Here is a good site to start,

If you would like to get started please let me know where you live and what you are now using for pain.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering,
Chris

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I live in MN. I see Mayo doctors every 3 months in their pain center. I am currently taking Hydrocodone every 6 hours and Pregabalin 3 times a day for chronic pain. I also get 3 nerve blocks every 3 months.

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@rashida

I am reading a lot about CBD oil ... what does it taste like? I can’t stand the smell of marijuana so if the CBD oil has the same taste/smell I know I will gag on it!

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Hi there @rashida, There are different flavors for tinctures,,,,,,tangerine is one I have now. There is also lemon and orange and some without added taste, And then there are some yucky ones. You only hold it under your tongue for a minute or so. Give one a try,

May you be safe and protected,
Chris

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@bonnieh218

I live in MN. I see Mayo doctors every 3 months in their pain center. I am currently taking Hydrocodone every 6 hours and Pregabalin 3 times a day for chronic pain. I also get 3 nerve blocks every 3 months.

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I find that it hardly has any taste and no smell. The taste that it does have is slightly sweet, and of course the texture is oily. I have only smelt marijuana smoke once, and I find smoke of all kinds offensive, but CBD oil is not like that. It is very mild. and since one takes so little, one hardly tastes it at all.

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@joycemarie

I have been using CBD oil for nearly a year now. It has not eliminated my arthritic discomfort, but it has certainly helped. My physician advised me to mix 6.5 parts Voltaron with 1 part CBD oil to use as a topical wherever I have chronic pain. Then I also take a teeny spoonful orally twice a day at meal times. I have noticed not negative side-effects.

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@joycemarie Interesting combining the CBD oil and Voltaren. .Hello, joycemarie. I've just read your message and think I'll try that tonight. I use Voltaren when I need additional help with chronic or flare and it does help, but this will improve the relief I think. I use tincture 1:1 and am adding a bit more THC next order since the pain is worse now. I have THC spray I add at night or daytime when I'm worse, a little iddy bit. Being so careful not to overdo the THC since don't want any additional effects.

But, MMJ helps me sooooo much and I'm off all pain meds, but Cymbalta for anxiety and fibro pain, and Robaxin muscle relaxant for cramping/leg and back issues. I use Voltarin on lumbar and will add some THC. Have topical lotion for pain but it's pretty pricey.
Thanks for your input.....blessings, elizabeth

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@bonnieh218

I live in MN. I see Mayo doctors every 3 months in their pain center. I am currently taking Hydrocodone every 6 hours and Pregabalin 3 times a day for chronic pain. I also get 3 nerve blocks every 3 months.

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Good evening @bonnieh218. Since you live in Minnesota and are a Mayo patient, you can follow the guidelines for cannabis use at this link.

https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/cannabis/index.html

Your Mayo clinician can verify that you have a condition that qualifies you for medical cannabis. After you have registered and paid the fee, you can be scheduled for an appointment with the pharmacy specialist. There are 3 options in Minnesota, capsules, topicals, and tinctures. Once you have made a starting decision you can begin treatment. And then you will have support from the staff at the dispensary while a patient.

It might be interesting to know that Minnesota has received awards for the research and development undertaken here. And it might also be good to know that Bachman's has done the development and owns the Leaflne dispensaries.

Good luck. Don't forget to check in with us so others can benefit from your experience.

Chris

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@artscaping

Hi there @rashida, There are different flavors for tinctures,,,,,,tangerine is one I have now. There is also lemon and orange and some without added taste, And then there are some yucky ones. You only hold it under your tongue for a minute or so. Give one a try,

May you be safe and protected,
Chris

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@artscaping thank you - that’s good to know! I could handle the taste of tangerine or orange! Did you say it comes with a mini spoon? What’s the name of the one you get? Now I will have to look for it here in Ontario. It shouldn’t be difficult as I believe it is legal here ...

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@joycemarie

I find that it hardly has any taste and no smell. The taste that it does have is slightly sweet, and of course the texture is oily. I have only smelt marijuana smoke once, and I find smoke of all kinds offensive, but CBD oil is not like that. It is very mild. and since one takes so little, one hardly tastes it at all.

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@joycemarie thank you - good to know!

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@ess77

@joycemarie Interesting combining the CBD oil and Voltaren. .Hello, joycemarie. I've just read your message and think I'll try that tonight. I use Voltaren when I need additional help with chronic or flare and it does help, but this will improve the relief I think. I use tincture 1:1 and am adding a bit more THC next order since the pain is worse now. I have THC spray I add at night or daytime when I'm worse, a little iddy bit. Being so careful not to overdo the THC since don't want any additional effects.

But, MMJ helps me sooooo much and I'm off all pain meds, but Cymbalta for anxiety and fibro pain, and Robaxin muscle relaxant for cramping/leg and back issues. I use Voltarin on lumbar and will add some THC. Have topical lotion for pain but it's pretty pricey.
Thanks for your input.....blessings, elizabeth

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@ess77 and @joycemarie Voltaren Extra Strength (blue tube) on its own eases my pain to a tolerable level. Great stuff! I actually read the instructions only recently and realized it shouldn’t be applied liberally (which is what I had been doing)! There is a dosage card inside the box which I also had not noticed before - box had been tossed out already!) and one should not exceed the dosage amount measured on the card.

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Volteran is a NSAID drug sold OTC now in a non-prescription strength 1% diclofenac topical gel. It is just like Naprosyn, Alieve, and other OTC non-prescription NSAID drugs. Too much is not a good thing with these drugs. Please be sure to read the lengthy instructions and information pamphlet provided with your medications as it can save your life. Makes no sense to do all these positive things for ourselves only to turn around and cause unintended harm to ourselves instead. As a retired RN I can assure you the information provided by drug makers is important for your well being if you use medications. Don't take it for granted!

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