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.

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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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My pain doctor has only given me 5 mg oxycodone a total of 45 pills for a month. Ever since I had COVID-19 it feels like the oxycodone not only lasts under 5 hrs, also seems inconsistent from pill to pill out of same bottle. Have goggled and many people are also complaining giving oxycodone 1 out of 5 stars.. for pain and they are taking 20-30mg every 6 hours. I tried the CBD/THC gummies but I didn't think they worked at all for me 20 mg and my reaction to them gave me worse pain, but they can work to sleep if pain levels are low.

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@ga29

I asked my pain management Dr if he would object if I tried medical marijuana and he said no. It’s legal in FL, but you must go to a specific doctor who prescribes it. The state must issue a license, so is expensive! Much more than the prescriptions insurance helps pay for. Seems the government could be more helpful if they wanted to help seniors as they say they do.
If your doctor won’t allow you to try it, to reduce your level of misery, I would consider finding another. All the best to you in the new year!

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I hope you’re not putting a price on your health? Loving your life around what your healthcare insurer allows you to receive at times is not healthy.

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@mamafluh

My pain doctor has only given me 5 mg oxycodone a total of 45 pills for a month. Ever since I had COVID-19 it feels like the oxycodone not only lasts under 5 hrs, also seems inconsistent from pill to pill out of same bottle. Have goggled and many people are also complaining giving oxycodone 1 out of 5 stars.. for pain and they are taking 20-30mg every 6 hours. I tried the CBD/THC gummies but I didn't think they worked at all for me 20 mg and my reaction to them gave me worse pain, but they can work to sleep if pain levels are low.

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A common dose of oxycodone is 5mg with Tylenol 325mg and it is not a long acting medication as the half-life is 3-5 hours which coincides with what you stated as effectiveness. You might try talking to your doc about switching to Morphine Sulfate (long acting) instead, which may provide you with better pain relief if it’s chronic. My journey took me from Tylenol w/ Codeine #3 and eventually to #4 then to Morphine Sulfate LA to Buprenorphine Patch 20mcg.

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@fala

I think it is important to note that Medical Marijuana is not the same as the CBD you buy over the counter. I have Idiopathic PN and buy CBD at a local Dispensary. I forgot to take it one day and was ok for about 24 hours. The next day I was late getting my pills and the pain that showed up very quickly was extreme. My feet were letting me know to NEVER be without my pain-relieving CBD pills. I wish OTC worked, but only Medical. works for me.

Anyone ever had this happen? Something NEW to add to my list.
Last week when my PT came for exercise, my blood pressure was taken as usual. It has always been 120-130 (I am 87). That day it was 168 and kept going up. I was advised to go to an ER which I did.( I also had palpitations in previous weeks, but no rise in BP.) Well, they did every test imaginable, including brain MRI, CT scan and lots of blood work. I was released the next day with instructions to go to my GP, then a Cardiologist. My blood pressure was up and down with extremes changes. Only once did it go over 200 since I have been home, but I have NO ANSWERS! I am writing this to ASK if anyone knows if this is at all related to Peripheral Neuropathy? I am not diabetic and just the ordinary arthritis here and there. Why did this flare up? I live alone and this needs to be figured out! I am following all the usual BP rules. Any ideas out there??

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It is said that the “entourage” effect obtained with a combo of THC and CBD works wonders, but, MMJ is not for acute pain relief.

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@artscaping

Good morning @joycemarie, Welcome to Connect. Thank you for posting your cannabis usage and the benefits. Voltaron is kind of scary to me. What CBD oil do you use as a topical? I use a P & B balm. 1:3 CBD/THC for acute pain and then 3:1 CBD/THC for chronic pain. The only RX medications I use are gabapentin and duloxetine. You mention a teeny spoonful at meal times. Is that CBD only? I used to put a dropper in my beverage. Now I just use it as a tincture. Stay with us, We need your feedback,

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

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Can you tell me what concerns you have about Volteran?

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@marycdickens01

Can you tell me what concerns you have about Volteran?

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Hi there........I am sorry that I gave the impression that Voltaren was concerning. I used Voltaren 20 years ago and was concerned about overdoing it. My orthopedic surgeon was hesitant to prescribe it. At that time, it was only available as an Rx for pain in the US. I got mine when my friend who lives in Mexico was able to bring it to me or I visited her. Now that it is more accessible in the US, I haven't used it. What I found worked the best were the patches. Have you tried them? They come in a couple of sizes, about 10 to an envelope.

Chris

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@artscaping

Hi there........I am sorry that I gave the impression that Voltaren was concerning. I used Voltaren 20 years ago and was concerned about overdoing it. My orthopedic surgeon was hesitant to prescribe it. At that time, it was only available as an Rx for pain in the US. I got mine when my friend who lives in Mexico was able to bring it to me or I visited her. Now that it is more accessible in the US, I haven't used it. What I found worked the best were the patches. Have you tried them? They come in a couple of sizes, about 10 to an envelope.

Chris

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I have searched the internet for information on voltaren (diclofenac) patches and/or gabapentin patches and I haven't found anything about them. Where are they available in the U.S.?

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@catharbert

I have searched the internet for information on voltaren (diclofenac) patches and/or gabapentin patches and I haven't found anything about them. Where are they available in the U.S.?

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Goodevening @catharbert. The Voltaren patches have only been available in Mexico. I was able to acquire them in San Miguel de Allende. Once Voltaren became OTC in the US, it has been difficult to find them in Mexico. I will ask my associate the next time she reaches out to me. What format of Voltaren are you able to find in the US?

May you be content and at ease.
Chris

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Is medical Marijuana legal in Arizona? In my experience in Oregon my pain management said nonway would he would help me at all if I used ut? Is it even worth asking pain management about it?

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@fala

I think it is important to note that Medical Marijuana is not the same as the CBD you buy over the counter. I have Idiopathic PN and buy CBD at a local Dispensary. I forgot to take it one day and was ok for about 24 hours. The next day I was late getting my pills and the pain that showed up very quickly was extreme. My feet were letting me know to NEVER be without my pain-relieving CBD pills. I wish OTC worked, but only Medical. works for me.

Anyone ever had this happen? Something NEW to add to my list.
Last week when my PT came for exercise, my blood pressure was taken as usual. It has always been 120-130 (I am 87). That day it was 168 and kept going up. I was advised to go to an ER which I did.( I also had palpitations in previous weeks, but no rise in BP.) Well, they did every test imaginable, including brain MRI, CT scan and lots of blood work. I was released the next day with instructions to go to my GP, then a Cardiologist. My blood pressure was up and down with extremes changes. Only once did it go over 200 since I have been home, but I have NO ANSWERS! I am writing this to ASK if anyone knows if this is at all related to Peripheral Neuropathy? I am not diabetic and just the ordinary arthritis here and there. Why did this flare up? I live alone and this needs to be figured out! I am following all the usual BP rules. Any ideas out there??

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Good wintry afternoon @fala. I am so impressed with the manner in which you have attempted to "ride your own wave" at that age of 87. I think I just might need some hints from you as I will be 80 in a couple of months.

I am not able to add to your list today as my blood pressure only rises when my anxiety takes over the day and I feel like I am heading for a panic attack. I now take duloxetine (Cymbalta) and that seems to even me out and keep my BP in control. Do you walk as part of your exercise? What is the elevation where you live? I lived at 6000 ft for 23 years and was part of a trekking group that walked almost every day and sometimes weeks at a time. According to my PCP......my cardio system loved that altitude and kept my BP in line. I do take losartan for medical support.

So.....I would like to concentrate on your idiopathic PN now if that is O.K. I have idiopathic SFN, small fiber neuropathy, diagnosed about 8 years ago. Under the care of a neurologist, I started with gabapentin. The results were unimpressive. Two of my friends were nurses and one had extensive experience with Medical Cannabis. She became my guide. These were the days when you found the dispensaries a few miles out of town and down a foresty road. There were only a few choices. I did stay within the rules and got the required validation from one of the doctors approved to write prescriptions. Why? Because the products had to pass state regulations to even be in the dispensary. They also had to have 3rd party approval that they were and the dosage was what it was supposed to be.....consistent.

Fala.....once I transferred to medical cannabis....I have never looked back. I use 1:1 CBD/THC for get up and going and a 2:1 CBD/THC for nighttime. Those are tinctures. Other than these cannabis tinctures I also use topicals for what I call the neuropathic itch.

You are right on target staying away from the "street" products. And remember you are your own prescriber. Sometimes the medical dispensaries have special pharmacists to help you select the most appropriate product. As I read your post I got the feeling you are taking pills rather than using a tincture? Tinctures can be quicker if you hold the dose under your tongue. The medication will go through the membrane right to your brain. You get quite the head start that way as you bypass the digestive system.

What else can I do for you that will help "figure it out"?

My very best to you Fala, please tell me about your progress or just tell me about you. Remember, I am following in your footsteps.

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