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.

@sprinrosa64

Right now I go to UPENN PAIN CENTER in PHILADELPHIA they are trying different drug cocktails with no good results yet, so I have been using Mindfulness Training and found a fantastic book MANAGE PAIN BEFORE IT MANAGES YOU, I find it very helpful But I have not looked into Mayo Clinic , there is not one near me and I hear it's tough to get in , do you know anything about how one gets accepted

Jump to this post

@sprinrosa64 Not all pain centers are the same and may use different approaches. UPENN is wonderful, but if their program is not helping or you'd prefer a different approach then Mayo PRC may be the place for you to consider. Here is a link to Mayo Pain Rehab Center so you can learn a bit about it. If you are interested, click the blue box to apply for an appointment

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691

I recommend getting the ball rolling with Mayo and establishing a patient number. Get your foot in the door and all the basic steps like insurance acceptance first then your doctor(s) can begin gathering and submitting your referral and records. It takes time.

You can self-refer but the best approach is to have your doctor refer you. I had my primary care provider refer me as he had my entire health history, records, tests, etc... Please note that Mayo is in high demand and the PRC program typically has waiting list. In my case it was well worth the wait. Having chronic conditions pretty much means they will still be prevalent in the future when you get scheduled.

I live in NY and yes, Mayo was far away. Medicare and my supplemental insurance were accepted and covered the whole program 100%. I incurred travel, hotel and meal expense out of pocket, and attended the Jacksonville, FL location.

I'm sorry you are not experiencing relief through injections. I went that route also and realized injections had no purpose for me other than upregulating my CNS and causing more pain. Many chronic pain approaches are band aids, unfortunately. The power for change and acceptance really comes from empowering your mind to catch and correct cognitive errors, and manage chronic pain through moderation, scheduling, stretching, exercise, reduction of chemicals, emotional and behavioral changes. I LOVE the book you are reading, and your approach to pain management by using mindfulness. Are you practicing meditation and diaphragmatic breathing techniques as well?

Our life box gets smaller due to chronic pain, if we let it. I commend you on thinking outside the box. Will you let me know your thoughts on Mayo PRC and if you think it may be doable?

REPLY
@faust73

I have seriously been considering medical marijuana. It's legal in lots of states and NJ where I live it is legal to purchase it.

Jump to this post

MM is legal in Jersey , you must get a state card , simple to get , then you are ok to purchase

REPLY
@rwinney

@sprinrosa64 Not all pain centers are the same and may use different approaches. UPENN is wonderful, but if their program is not helping or you'd prefer a different approach then Mayo PRC may be the place for you to consider. Here is a link to Mayo Pain Rehab Center so you can learn a bit about it. If you are interested, click the blue box to apply for an appointment

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691

I recommend getting the ball rolling with Mayo and establishing a patient number. Get your foot in the door and all the basic steps like insurance acceptance first then your doctor(s) can begin gathering and submitting your referral and records. It takes time.

You can self-refer but the best approach is to have your doctor refer you. I had my primary care provider refer me as he had my entire health history, records, tests, etc... Please note that Mayo is in high demand and the PRC program typically has waiting list. In my case it was well worth the wait. Having chronic conditions pretty much means they will still be prevalent in the future when you get scheduled.

I live in NY and yes, Mayo was far away. Medicare and my supplemental insurance were accepted and covered the whole program 100%. I incurred travel, hotel and meal expense out of pocket, and attended the Jacksonville, FL location.

I'm sorry you are not experiencing relief through injections. I went that route also and realized injections had no purpose for me other than upregulating my CNS and causing more pain. Many chronic pain approaches are band aids, unfortunately. The power for change and acceptance really comes from empowering your mind to catch and correct cognitive errors, and manage chronic pain through moderation, scheduling, stretching, exercise, reduction of chemicals, emotional and behavioral changes. I LOVE the book you are reading, and your approach to pain management by using mindfulness. Are you practicing meditation and diaphragmatic breathing techniques as well?

Our life box gets smaller due to chronic pain, if we let it. I commend you on thinking outside the box. Will you let me know your thoughts on Mayo PRC and if you think it may be doable?

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your reply. Everything you asked about how I am living with this pain is what I practice every day. I have come along way from those dark days 2yrs ago but I am not done searching for a way out yet. I was wondering if Mayo would have answers to physically get be somewhat better or is it more mindfulness approach ? I know that's a tough ? to answer for you without knowing facts but you have any thoughts along those lines ? Actual physical surgery is my hope , I have had 17 procedures in 3yrs with no answers and am still open to another ,if it can help. I feel the mind body therapy can only take you so far, I know it has kept me alive but I want more. Do you think Mayo could be surgical answer or is it more pain management. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

REPLY
@momalin

Mississippi is the state where I live.

Jump to this post

Senate Bill 2095......is the Mississippi law for medical cannabis. It appears to be similar to Minnesota. You will need to have a medical practitioner identify your medical conditions and complete a form so that you can have a "card". There is probably a state office to help you.

Good luck and please let me know if you run into a hurdle somewhere.
Chris

REPLY
@sprinrosa64

Thank you so much for your reply. Everything you asked about how I am living with this pain is what I practice every day. I have come along way from those dark days 2yrs ago but I am not done searching for a way out yet. I was wondering if Mayo would have answers to physically get be somewhat better or is it more mindfulness approach ? I know that's a tough ? to answer for you without knowing facts but you have any thoughts along those lines ? Actual physical surgery is my hope , I have had 17 procedures in 3yrs with no answers and am still open to another ,if it can help. I feel the mind body therapy can only take you so far, I know it has kept me alive but I want more. Do you think Mayo could be surgical answer or is it more pain management. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Jump to this post

@sprinrosa64 Mayo incorporates a physical approach to rehab. Physical rehabilitation is equally as important as emotional and behavioral rehab. The goal is to teach folks how to use their bodies again despite pain. Remember, once pain moves from the acute stage to chronic...
"hurt does not equal harm".

Our bodies decondition from chronic conditions because we protect our hurting parts, hence fight or flight. The goal is to teach how to use our bodies again through a scheduled, moderate and modified plan which steadily increases movement in a safe manor. It begins with a daily stretch routine which works every joint from jaw to toe. Daily physical therapy and cardio provides strengthening and endurance.

May I ask where you have had 17 procedures in 3 years? Wow! I'm sorry nothing has worked. Have you stuck with UPENN for all of this? Has any medical doctor given you hope for an eventual "fix", 3 years later? I am not medically qualified and do not know your specific situation, but based on personal experience of my own 3 years of experimental procedures, shots, medications, infusions, injections, urgent care trips, doctor hopping, etc.... I was desperately hoping for a fix, but never found one. Doctors of course were doing everything I asked of them which wasn't actually in my best interest. I had to take a deep, long, hard look at myself and come to terms with the fact that there was no fix, only pain management. I read that you have nerve pain since your TKR. Unfortunately this can happen after surgeries and is called Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS).

Only you know what's best for you, and if and when you are at the point of reckoning or want to keep pursuing options. Maybe 2nd, 3rd opinions out of your area...large teaching medical hospitals or universities. Have you considered this yet? What do your friends and family think you should do?

REPLY
@sprinrosa64

Thank you so much for your reply. Everything you asked about how I am living with this pain is what I practice every day. I have come along way from those dark days 2yrs ago but I am not done searching for a way out yet. I was wondering if Mayo would have answers to physically get be somewhat better or is it more mindfulness approach ? I know that's a tough ? to answer for you without knowing facts but you have any thoughts along those lines ? Actual physical surgery is my hope , I have had 17 procedures in 3yrs with no answers and am still open to another ,if it can help. I feel the mind body therapy can only take you so far, I know it has kept me alive but I want more. Do you think Mayo could be surgical answer or is it more pain management. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Jump to this post

@sprinrosa64
Here's a video about Central Sensitization Syndrome which I mentioned in my previous post. Perhaps it will clarify chronic pain after surgery and how it may occur:

What are your thoughts after watching the video? Did it resonate with you?

REPLY
@rwinney

@sprinrosa64
Here's a video about Central Sensitization Syndrome which I mentioned in my previous post. Perhaps it will clarify chronic pain after surgery and how it may occur:

What are your thoughts after watching the video? Did it resonate with you?

Jump to this post

WOW Rachel this video is excellent , it is so much of what I have been going thru. I just started with UPENN a few months ago, I have been to numerous doctors, probably to many because everyone h ad the answer. The 17 procedures includes 5 surgeries and numerous nerve blocks and injections. This Mayo video gave me alot to think about, but Ido believe I will give them a call to see what I need to do too get things going with the hope of going to Jacksonville . THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHT

REPLY
@sprinrosa64

WOW Rachel this video is excellent , it is so much of what I have been going thru. I just started with UPENN a few months ago, I have been to numerous doctors, probably to many because everyone h ad the answer. The 17 procedures includes 5 surgeries and numerous nerve blocks and injections. This Mayo video gave me alot to think about, but Ido believe I will give them a call to see what I need to do too get things going with the hope of going to Jacksonville . THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHT

Jump to this post

@sprinrosa64 It is absolutely my pleasure. You have got nothing to lose by inquiring. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance along the way. Sending positive vibes for positive change. Will you keep me posted?

REPLY

Yes. It definitely helps with pain from my migraines and IBS. It did take a like of trial and error to find the right one.

REPLY
@rwinney

@sprinrosa64 It is absolutely my pleasure. You have got nothing to lose by inquiring. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance along the way. Sending positive vibes for positive change. Will you keep me posted?

Jump to this post

I met with my ortho doctor this morning and he is all for me looking into Mayo , he will help anyway he can Thanks for your support and I will keep you updated

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.