Does medical marijuana work for chronic pain?

Hi. So I use cbd/thc oil. A balanced blend between the 2. I found when using cbd only, it didn't help. I use a blend of cbd/thc, codine, pregabalin and duloxetine. I am not an MD, pain specialist or an advocate for medical marijuana or anything else. Up until now I had only tried marijuana when I was in college but I did not inhale, haha. I had been taking hydromorphone and a number of other meds including codine and pregabalin. Some of the meds where to combat the serious side-effects of the hydromorphone. I was very sick, addicted to opioids and STILL IN A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN!! I weaned myself off the opiods onto the marijuana. A very tough time. Here in Canada marijuana is legal. I experimented with various blends and strengths to find what works for me. Now, I am still in pain but don't seem to care as much? I am able to eat at least one meal a day and function well enough to get my cows fed. I have ACNES which is severe nerve pain all of the time, 24/7 365. Hope this helps

Good evening @arniec......and let me extend a hand to welcome you to Connect. It is good that you have found that medical cannabis can help with your neuropathy pain. And you are correct.....the Indica strain is best for "body" buzz as you call it. That is where I started about seven years ago. I do want to shake my finger at you a little bit. I gave up vape cartridges because of the potential damage to our lungs. Would you be willing to try a tincture......you even have a couple of different dosages......a 1:1 CBD/THC for the morning "get up and go routine" and then a 2:1 CBD/THC for evening and bedtime?

Let me know if you are able to convert to liquids. I also use a topical balm. The 1:3 CBD/THC is for acute pain and the 3:1 CBD/THC is for chronic pain. I hope you can send me a post when you've given it a try. I am looking after your health.

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

to add to my first comment...I'm looking at the tinctures, and they don't specify the strain. Sativa gives me a headache. I've used RSO's in the past as it least they indicate the strain of origin. However the result was very unpredictable which made it rough during the day as I may micro dose during the afternoon.

Hi, I just developed neuropathy in my fingers and my feet and toes, I have chronic neck and lower back pain from 8 compressed discs, radioculopathy, sciatica and the restless leg syndrome that I've had on and off for 4 years has come back and is excruciating. Gabapentin and Prampexiole gave me chest pain. I haven't used marijuana in such a long time. I don't like smoking it or the vape. It hurts my chest. I need something for acute pain. What is the name of the combination of the CBD/ THC you mentioned? I would like to try that. I am very open to using edibles. I live in CA.

Hi Chris, thank you for the response. Never did a tincture. I don't like edibles, as the results are unpredictable. The vape scare was due to bootleg cartridges, which I do not buy. I have not seen any other issues with vaping. I also smoke a little in the eve, like the equivelent of half a joint. For what it's worth I just had a chest xray (some concern from my dr) and it was fine. I tried CBD in many forms, and nothing. Skin treatments were tried (lidocaine patch - rx strength), and nothing. The pain is deep, not on the skin. And please...no "shaking the finger". I've had this for 5 years. I have a Dorsal Root Ganglion implant, seen 2 pain mgt drs, a neurologist, an accupuncturist/alt medicine dr, 4 psychologists, 2 psychiatrists, and googled over 1K hours (including pubmed). My sensitivity for judgement, criticism, and anything remotely negative is near 0. This is a very taxing disease, and all I have are "tools" that each do a little at best. Unfortunately a little+ a little +a little + a little + a little = a little. No cure in sight, and I don't see any promising treatments out there. So yes, I'm a real crab-ass. thanks Arnie

Hello @arniec, I'm Rachel, its nice to meet you. You mentioned seeing 2 pain management doctors, psychologists, neurologist, etc... Join the club, my friend. No cure in sight, you are absolutely right! We all can get a little crab-ass about that.

I found my tools from attending a 3 week out-patient program at Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehabilitation Center. It's a highly successful approach to living with and managing chronic pain. Perhaps you haven't found the right approach yet, to see you through the long haul. Just a thought.

What do you think?

Maybe a possibility. I’d like to learn more about it. It would be a big decision as I’d have to spend 3 weeks in rochester I assume. I would want to make sure insurance covers it (I would think so). How would I learn more about it?

@arniec Mayo offers the pain rehab program at all 3 locations:
Minnesota
Arizona
Florida
Where are you closest to?

Minnesota is closest (chicago)

@arniec Ok, so you're like me and would need to travel. I came from NY and attended FL. I am on Medicare and needed to adjust my supplemental insurance plan to have out of network coverage. After doing so, Mayo Pain Rehab Center (PRC) was 100% covered. Travel, lodging and meals were out of pocket costs.

Yes, it is a big decision, and a big commitment. Here is a link explaining the program:

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

As you will see, PRC is a comprehensive rehabilitation program that incorporates 4 main components:

- Physical
- Behavioral
- Emotional
- Chemical

This approach tackles the whole person because that is what it takes for successful long term chronic pain and symptom management. I will be honest and tell you that it is no cake walk. You must really want to embrace healthy, positive change and be committed to working the program so the program works for you. I graduated October 2020 and will attest that my experience was life changing not only for myself, but for my friends and family also.

What do you think so far?