Chronic pain and medical marijuana

@authorchris Greetings. I was just passing by and was drawn into your post's message. I was introduced to myofascial pain syndrome about 8 years ago.....at least that was when my neurologist told me and we started trying to "reduce the pain". When two nurse friends found out I was sitting on the edge of the bed crying during the night, one of them introduced me to medical cannabis. That was early on and there were not a lot of discerning choices. However, I chose to stay as educated as possible as the industry began to blossom so rapidly.

Of course, you know that everyone is different.....and some have conditions that prohibit certain types of cannabis. I do know that the dispensaries often have special cannabis pharmacists who can advise. Is your pain in defined locations or just all over your body?

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

This sounds like the same symptoms as my Granddaughter. Legs feel like she is in Boiling water or a Tub of Ice Cubes. Can't stand and can't sleep. Its Really Horrible. She was diagnosed with Complex Regional Syndrome Pain, CRPS.

I wish we had access to medical marijuana here. Just passed the legislature but it takes time to get it to the people who need help.

I only mentioned my THC/CBD use to my doctor once and he commented that the CBD with the THC would help the effectiveness for pain relief. Then he left the practice and now I have a Nurse Practitioner who took his place. She worked in a pain management setting before this job and seems to think it’s her job to limit access to drugs for pain. So I have not mentioned it to her or to my rheumatologist. Recreational THC is not legal here. What levels of CBD and THC do you use? Just curious since it’s hard to find information online.

It seems to work better than most drugs to relieve pain. I don’t smoke or vape it, just using edibles.

Thanks for your help.

Limiting opioids to relieve pain seems to be the mantra of so-called pain management specialists, even after all of their remedies have failed

The pain management is careful to tell you that they do not prescribe opioids from the git-go. Guess we have to figure it out ourselves.

Good afternoon @jetsetter. I am happy to tell you the levels of CBD and THC I use. I do have one question. What and why do you use edibles? I am always looking for consistency and edibles have been the one selection that I have found to be inconsistent. I remember trying cookies. I never quite knew if the next one would be like the one today. Do you just divide them in similar-sized bites?

I use tinctures only except for topicals. I find that tinctures can be measured precisely and can be counted on for consistency. I also find that when placed under the tongue, the relief can come within 15 - 20 minutes.

So...here goes. I use a 1:1 CBD/THC in the morning. I call it my get-up-and-go solution. In the afternoon, depending on what I am doing and how high the barometric pressure happens to be, I use another 1:1 dose or a 2:1 CBD/THC. I can choose a Rich CBD or a Rich THC.

In the evening, my dosage depends on my pain level. If it is high, then I may use a 1:3 CBD/rich THC. If the pain is under control, I will use 1 1/2 to 2 droppers of 2:1 Rich CBD/THC.

Regarding topicals, I have used the same brand for several years. My dose options are 3:1 CBD to THC for chronic pain and a 1:3 CBD to THC for acute pain.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions. As we continue to share, we all benefit from being presented with additional insights and options.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

The problem is that so far I have found them not too successful with their remedies.

Hi Chris,

I have loads of questions for you. Thanks for sharing this information about medical cannabis.

As for your question, To help with pain, I sometimes use gummies or chocolate bars with THC and/or CBD, purchased at a shop that sells to medical and recreational customers in a different state than where I live.

These edibles are examined by the industry and were purchased in states where cannabis is legal and regulated. They are packaged with various amounts of THC. For example, one gummie is labeled as having 10 mg of THC and .23 CBD. Another one is a chocolate bar with 10 pieces each about 10 mg THC.

I take 2.5 mg THC and take 25 mg of CBD oil (Charlottes Web brand) at the same time. As you have found, the CBD helps the THC work better for pain relief, and the CBD also lowers the euphoric effect so you can function. I’m sure there are variations in the amounts contained in the pieces when I cut them up. It states on the package that “actual value may vary by 10%”. It does help me cope with the excruciating neck pain I’ve been experiencing lately as nothing else does.

Now I am curious about the 1-1 THC/CBD. Is that 1 mg THC to 1 mg CBD? Not sure I understand the doses. Also not sure what rich THC and CBD is. I’m guessing that this product is prescribed by a medical marijuana provider?

I certainly hope I can access medical marijuana here soon, but I’m not optimistic. I know you must prove residency in the state that you are accessing it in, so even though I live close to a legal state, many of my doctors are in that state, I cannot use their medical marijuana providers. There is no recreational cannabis in that state yet. My state will take at least a couple of years to get up and running.

I wish you the best and I really appreciate your candid answers to some tricky questions. Thank you

FYI: If anyone tries to stay low carb to keep inflammation triggered pain down, the gummies I have now have 3 carbs each and I was taking three daily. That's pretty high! I now try to just use tinctures even though I don't like the taste. I'm in Florida and have a medical marijuana card but find the cost of product very high, I think states that allow recreational use can cut the cost in half.

I've read it takes 4-6 weeks of consistent use to work.