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.

@ess77

@fibromyalgia001, @jetsetter, @siosal and all...I'm currently using a 1:1 tincture, 250:250 cbd/thc. Those times I wake up aching disturbing my sleep, I take a half dropper more. I also take 1 melatonin and my regular night-time meds, including Robaxin muscle relaxant, requires for RLS that's pretty bad, and helps me w/tremors, walking, lifting my legs...

This a regular routine that works for me. I'm not pain, etc free, but life is so much better. I sleep almost every night through, with a 1am, 3am, and/5am potty break. Never know, but back to sleep I go. I may need to increas the dosage soon, depending on the next few months. But, an easy adjustment at anytime 😊.

Hope this info helps. Blessings on getting the right doctor and the best for you.
Elizabeth

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Thank you Elizabeth, I’m looking forward to resuming the THC after I figure out what’s going on with the pain management doctor.

I have another question - what unit of measurement are you referring to when you say 250:250 CBD-THC?

Thank you!

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@siosal

If the/cbd—-1:1
If just cbd, I use cbd with delta 8

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Thc not the!

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@jetsetter

Thank you Elizabeth, I’m looking forward to resuming the THC after I figure out what’s going on with the pain management doctor.

I have another question - what unit of measurement are you referring to when you say 250:250 CBD-THC?

Thank you!

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@jetsetter and all...mg. 250mg, 300mg, 150mg and so on...ess77

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@motorcarrier

Itoo have been considering THC/CBD for pain relief but I'm concerned about adverse interactions with my statins, beta blockers, and levothyroxine. Does anyone have any experience, positive or negative, with these combinations?

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I’ve researched cannabis drug interactions extensively as I’m on immunosuppressants and have chronic pain and neuropathy.

Cannabis interacts with hundreds of drugs, including, at least what I’ve read, statins and beta blockers. These and other cannabis drug interactions can be very dangerous, as cannabis may reduce or increase your medication levels in your blood stream. And, potentially reduce their effect or cause toxicity in your body and you may not be aware of this until damage is done.

I would recommend you consult with your physician prior to using it.

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@ess77

@jetsetter and all...mg. 250mg, 300mg, 150mg and so on...ess77

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Can you double check that? The THC chocolate bars we buy are 100 mg which is 10 servings - I usually take a half serving or 5 mg.

So 250 mg would equal about 2 1/2 whole candy bars or 25 full servings.

I think this issue of units of measurement is a big problem when it comes to CBD and THC.

I’m sorry to challenge your answer, but I’m trying to get accurate information. You could very well be right, please don’t take offense.

Thanks for sharing.

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@sueinmn

Yes, we have carpet on the stairs only, and a bit in my sewing room & one bedroom - both scheduled for replacement with hard flooring in the spring. Everything else solid oak, bamboo, or ceramic tile. We also find the hard surfaces easier to maintain and a lot more clean, I'm just slow to make changes...and then...Covid.
We too have been clearing out, as are many of our friends. I find it surprisingly easy to accomplish, as I have cleared out too many relatives' homes. I love it when cupboards and closets are empty enough to keep organized, and I find I don't miss the belongings. But leave my sewing, art & craft supplies alone please.

My husband finds CBD helpful for his pain, I am waiting for an OK from cardio to try it.
Off to my projects!
Sue

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Caution with CBD oil that is listed as Full Spectrum, which contains some THC which can have a negative effect on cardiac illness, BP, heart rate. Correct to check with your doc or Dr. Google.

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@ess77

@jetsetter, @sueinmn, @artscaping, and all...If your state recently approved medical marijuana, the procedure for getting medical marijuana will be different but may be similar.
I'm in Florida. We legalized MM several years ago. There are many doctors registered with the state, but I only see a partner in my primary care doctor's office, with a large local hospital community, and previously saw a partner in my prominent pain doctor's office. I was quite picky about who I went to see for this prescription.

I've had good help with these choices. My doctor knows my meds and health issues and can prescribe the strain of marijuana and the best methods of use, tincture or oil or vape or whatever. She recommends the combination or not, and has been so helpful. I new nothing about this area, never tried marijuana when it was in vogue in college, and I don't want any kind of side effects, none. So, after several tries, we settled on tincture, 1:1, CBD:THC, lotion/topicals, and whatever in those areas.

It's a great help for me, couldn't be off all the pain/anxiety meds without this wonderful MM. I'm a better person, don't have pain all day over my whole body. I have moments of no noticable pain. Other times of a lot of pain. But, with the bedtime tincture and night-time meds, nothing for pain, I'm actually sleeping and have some enjoyment in life for the first time in years.

Highly recommend this avenue if you find the best doctor whom you trust. It is only cash purchases, even the doctor is paid in cash. No insurance coverage. It's only legal by state law, still illegal federally, so my Mayo doctors don't participate in the MM at all. They all know of course and what I use, and I do think many approve, but they don't comment.

Hope this helps in this search for relief. Blessings and keep searching for good health. elizabeth

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I don't necessarily agree with your comment that THC works best for pain. It may work best for your pain but are you speaking of THC plus CBD or THC alone? I've tried the highest THC I could buy and I've been using marijuana since I was 16 yo and it did not stop my pain. But higher CBD with lower THC did. Read my prior entry on Chronic Pain feed.

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I’ve been reading many of the comments here, and I would like to share my experience with medical marijuana. I have chronic nerve pain in my arm and hands from a condition known as Parsonage Turner Syndrome. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any form of medical marijuana which helps with the pain. It does help me sleep better at night. I use a tincture with a ratio of 5:1 CBD:THC. I had to look online for a dispensary which sold tinctures listing the ratios of CBD:THC. Most of the dispensaries did not.

As far as the dosage, you have to read the entire label and the online description carefully. A product might read 250mg CBD : 250mg THC. This is the entire amount of CBD and THC in the bottle. If the bottle has a 50 doses at 10 mg per dose, then each dose is 5 mg CBD and 5 mg THC. It takes doing some reading and perhaps a calculator to understand the label and dosage.

Just like with medications, everyone’s experience with medical marijuana will be different. It will take some trial and error as well as the expense.

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@jetsetter

Can you double check that? The THC chocolate bars we buy are 100 mg which is 10 servings - I usually take a half serving or 5 mg.

So 250 mg would equal about 2 1/2 whole candy bars or 25 full servings.

I think this issue of units of measurement is a big problem when it comes to CBD and THC.

I’m sorry to challenge your answer, but I’m trying to get accurate information. You could very well be right, please don’t take offense.

Thanks for sharing.

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@jenatsky, @jetsetter, @athenalee,@sueinmn, and all...Hello, Jetsetter; My tincture is 250mg:250mg, CBD:THC. My dispensary sells dark chocolate/peppermint edible bar that's 100mg each. I'm not challenged at all, nor do I take these conversations personally, at least unless someone makes the mistake of being not nice about the southern states.. I might get riled up, but only briefly. We are here sharing our experiences working toward healing, sharing out personal solutions and stories; And, what works for me may not be good for you. But, we get lots of good information and suggestions as patients, going through many of the same issues.

The tincture from my dispensary comes in 150, 250, and 300mg on a 1:1 combination. Of course, they have other products that can help. I don't use vape at all, as my lungs and breathing are issues with Sarcoid, Chronic bronchitis, and more. I don't generally use edibles since I want more control over the amount I take in and I don't want any additional calories. I have eaten several in the past but really prefer tincture, under the tongue for absorption. It seems to work well for me with my health issues, ie stomach, esophageal, intestinal.

I've never had any issue with units of measurement. I hope this clarifies somewhat. I don't use CBD by itself. During the day, I use the tincture, just 1/2 dropper instead of full. I also keep a small vile of THC spray and 1 spray will reduce my pain level if needed. But, it does seem and I was told the THC and CBD do their pain jobs better when used together. I find pain relief from both, but its only worth taking it in combo for me, as I get better overall results.

There you go. Hope this helps. Just from my experiences. I love my MM and the freedom from dangerous drugs I was taking; Blessings to all...elizabeth

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@jenatsky

I don't necessarily agree with your comment that THC works best for pain. It may work best for your pain but are you speaking of THC plus CBD or THC alone? I've tried the highest THC I could buy and I've been using marijuana since I was 16 yo and it did not stop my pain. But higher CBD with lower THC did. Read my prior entry on Chronic Pain feed.

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@jenatdky and others...I have some relief with CBD alone, with general pain, but mostly with the pain I have caused by anxiety and stress I think; That's the way it appears to me, Last year, I tried the combination, 1X1, and found the best relief I've had in 20-30 years. I use it at night and sleep quite well unless the leg/feet/hips/back pains are worse from overdoing. Then, I usually add the 1/1 lotion and/or add a Robaxin or Voltaren cream to help with the topical pain level. I've been known to take a spray of Thc or add 1/2 dropper of tincture in the middle of the night. That calms my issues pretty well, of course, added to my regular medications.
Yes, I read several of your posts on the pain site. I'm relaying my personal experiences. I never used marijuana in college...wasn't around in HS. Wasn't interested in trying something that would alter my mind...didn't drink much alcohol either, unless it tasted good and not for a numbing effect or buzz. Not my thing. But now, I rely on MM for real, serious help.
blessings, elizabeth

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