Does medical marijuana work for chronic pain?

I've had some level of nerve pain, for about seven years now (it's worsened after two surgeries for the rare disease, achalasia). Treatment for chronic and acute pain require a different mindset by the patient. Unless it becomes an emergency I'm resisting medication. Medication for long term pain seems doomed to fail. The best treatment for chronic pain I've discovered, and I'm certainly far from perfect at it, is mindfulness meditation. It teaches a great deal, but mostly how to coexist with the pain (nor react poorly to it), not let it run your life. It does this by changing your perspective, how you relate to it.
In order to make this a successful par of treatment you have to give up on the idea of an instant relief, it takes a while to understand the benefits. In Oregon we have a group called Refuge Recovery (which was founded on Buddhist principles and primary serves addicts and alcoholics but is very welcoming overall) who teaches mindfulness.

Chris I would give anything if the Entourage Effect worked for me. My Cannabis Dr in Fl has guided me in all the possible delivery ways. I have tried the blend in adjusted ratios that minimized the THC and increased the CBD some, under my tongue over and over and it makes me hurt more every time. I will go to Leafly again and read. I unsubscribed a yr ago when nothing I tried helped. I am feeling some hope however that you are offering to help me. I do not want to do two weeks of IV Ketamine.

Have you considered CBT? It is an accepted treatment for chronic pain & no drugs

I was a smoker for about 30 years. I also smoked cannabis on & off for about 20 yrs. in my younger years. Today I have chronic Peripheral Neuropathy from SCLC treatment. I am petrified to start any type of smoking. I take 20mg. of oxycodone 3X to help me through the day. Which poison should I take? Bless us all on the daily journey. Smiling no matter what helps.

No I haven’t. Is CBT a Medical Cannabis product?

@oceanlady22 and all...Hello. I never tried marijuana in the '70s or prior to age 73. I have chronic pain from autoimmune diseases - sarcoid, vasculitis, degenerative arthritis, other autoimmune issues, and illnesses. I've been on hydrocodone, heave ibuprofen, prednisone, other steroids, gabapentin, Lyrica, steroid injections in my finger/hand/wrist/vertebrae-lower, cerebral, shoulder for torn rotator cuff, etc.

I began MM for anxiety, pain, sleep, insomnia, etc. about 3 years ago. Now, I'm off all pain meds other than MM. I take a capsule or tincture before bed of 1:1, CBD: THC. I don't take any of the other pain drugs, other than the occasional extra-strength Tylenol. I marvel at the help from the MM AND that I'm actually using marijuana at this age. But, it works for me. I highly suggest you ck it out for this purpose in these forms. I will not vape, cannot vape or inhale any substance due to lung damage from Sarcoidosis, multiple pneumonia, and infections.

Don't smoke if that's not for you, as it is not for me. I actually think the tincture is excellent and doesn't affect other organs, etc.
Just wanted to share these thoughts and hopefully put your concerns at rest.
Blessings on your continued pain journey. I hope I've helped you a bit. Elizabeth

@oceanlady22, Good evening. I can only imagine what you must have to deal with every day. I think there may be a way to help your hands without smoking. I also noticed the list of members who have been contributing to this discussion and you have attracted some of the best folks I know. Each has a success story to share with you. I can remember when most of them were writing posts of desperation. Each of them has found a reasonably effective solution to pain, no matter where it happens to land. No one totally eradicates pain generated by cancer, injuries, or nerve damage to name a few culprits. On the other hand, help can be on its way.

My SFN, small fiber neuropathy, has resulted from years of trauma, including, falls, accidents, and the recovery from surgeries. I just had orthopedic surgery #17. One of the incidents which left its mark on me was a fall from my horse on what I thought was sand. It was concrete and I ended up hanging upside down in a sling over the hospital bed for days because of the baseball-sized lump on the back of my head.

I was rear-ended on freeways several times, and I fell down stone steps in the theater because the surgery on my previously broken ankle was still healing. My arms, hands, and fingers became tingly, extremely cold, and painful. I did not take well to options like Ambien and Percocet. My two nurse friends took me under their wings and I was introduced to medical cannabis. Not to smoke or add to brownies.......just to use as a topical with an extra boost from appropriate doses of CBD/THC tinctures.

One of the things that happen to many of us is that we learn to tolerate a certain level of tingling, itching, and/or hurting. After we cross over what is tolerable or what we get used to, we need help. No vaping or smoking is necessary. Just rub it in for immediate relief and then follow up with a recommended dose of "drops" to find a more normal and pleasant day.

I am happy to support your efforts at finding a medical cannabis solution to hopefully help you find joy, not pain every day.

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

@oceanlady22, Good evening. I can only imagine what you must have to deal with every day. I think there may be a way to help your hands without smoking. I also noticed the list of members who have been contributing to this discussion and you have attracted some of the best folks I know. Each has a success story to share with you. I can remember when most of them were writing posts of desperation. Each of them has found a reasonably effective solution to pain, no matter where it happens to land. No one totally eradicates pain generated by cancer, injuries, or nerve damage to name a few culprits. On the other hand, help can be on its way.

My SFN, small fiber neuropathy, has resulted from years of trauma, including, falls, accidents, and the recovery from surgeries. I just had orthopedic surgery #17. One of the incidents which left its mark on me was a fall from my horse on what I thought was sand. It was concrete and I ended up hanging upside down in a sling over the hospital bed for days because of the baseball-sized lump on the back of my head.

I was rear-ended on freeways several times, and I fell down stone steps in the theater because the surgery on my previously broken ankle was still healing. My arms, hands, and fingers became tingly, extremely cold, and painful. I did not take well to options like Ambien and Percocet. My two nurse friends took me under their wings and I was introduced to medical cannabis. Not to smoke or add to brownies.......just to use as a topical with an extra boost from appropriate doses of CBD/THC tinctures.

One of the things that happen to many of us is that we learn to tolerate a certain level of tingling, itching, and/or hurting. After we cross over what is tolerable or what we get used to, we need help. No vaping or smoking is necessary. Just rub it in for immediate relief and then follow up with a recommended dose of "drops" to find a more normal and pleasant day.

I am happy to support your efforts at finding a medical cannabis solution to hopefully help you find joy, not pain every day.

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

@oceanlady22, Good evening. I can only imagine what you must have to deal with every day. I think there may be a way to help your hands without smoking. I also noticed the list of members who have been contributing to this discussion and you have attracted some of the best folks I know. Each has a success story to share with you. I can remember when most of them were writing posts of desperation. Each of them has found a reasonably effective solution to pain, no matter where it happens to land. No one totally eradicates pain generated by cancer, injuries, or nerve damage to name a few culprits. On the other hand, help can be on its way.

My SFN, small fiber neuropathy, has resulted from years of trauma, including, falls, accidents, and the recovery from surgeries. I just had orthopedic surgery #17. One of the incidents which left its mark on me was a fall from my horse on what I thought was sand. It was concrete and I ended up hanging upside down in a sling over the hospital bed for days because of the baseball-sized lump on the back of my head.

I was rear-ended on freeways several times, and I fell down stone steps in the theater because the surgery on my previously broken ankle was still healing. My arms, hands, and fingers became tingly, extremely cold, and painful. I did not take well to options like Ambien and Percocet. My two nurse friends took me under their wings and I was introduced to medical cannabis. Not to smoke or add to brownies.......just to use as a topical with an extra boost from appropriate doses of CBD/THC tinctures.

One of the things that happen to many of us is that we learn to tolerate a certain level of tingling, itching, and/or hurting. After we cross over what is tolerable or what we get used to, we need help. No vaping or smoking is necessary. Just rub it in for immediate relief and then follow up with a recommended dose of "drops" to find a more normal and pleasant day.

I am happy to support your efforts at finding a medical cannabis solution to hopefully help you find joy, not pain every day.

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