Do you use CBD and/or THC for pain/inflammation from RA or Sjögrens?

Posted by jba @jba, May 31, 2022

I have both of these autoimmune diseases. I have seen a few posts from others who use CBD or THC. can any share about this? I am interested in: Do either, or a combination of the two, help? In what way(s)? What concentrations? Balanced between the two?
I have been certified and registered by the Minnesota State Health Department for Medical Marijuana and will be connected with an approved pharmacy/dispensary. It will help me navigate this process to hear from anyone with experience. Thanks for any feedback/information!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

I use Indica RSO for pain and sleep.
You don’t smoke it, it dissolves in your mouth.
I use Sativa during the day as it gives you pain and nausea relief without sedation.

REPLY

I use the 8 CBD to 1 THC under the tongue drops to help me sleep. It helps with nausea too. I have tried to get Sativa as it's supposed to give you energy but all the dispensaries nearby are out of stock. Indica made me too tired. But I know it helps the pain.
Good luck.

REPLY

I had commented in a different post that I have used medical cannabis for the past 5-6 years for both sleep and pain. Reynauds and Erythromelalgia.
I have been able to purchase dry flower and infuse coconut oil with it. So, I take it at night in my tea for sleep. Very effective. For nighttime use...high THC indica. For daytime use...high CBD for inflammation and pain. Effective and still leaves you functional.
My only caveat is that it took some time to figure out what worked for me. But no different than trial testing pharmaceuticals, and it puts the control in my hands.

REPLY

I use full spectrum CBD oil to help me get to sleep and stay asleep. No cannabis in this state!

REPLY

@jba, good questions, and helpful responses from @cantek @1950 @wiedd and @jmb73. You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- RA Pain and CBD oil: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ra-pain-and-cbd-oil/

The Sjögren's Foundation also published this helpful information.
Ask the Expert: CBD Oil and Sjögren's: https://www.sjogrens.org/blog/2020/ask-the-expert-cbd-oil-and-sjogrens

REPLY
@wiedd

I had commented in a different post that I have used medical cannabis for the past 5-6 years for both sleep and pain. Reynauds and Erythromelalgia.
I have been able to purchase dry flower and infuse coconut oil with it. So, I take it at night in my tea for sleep. Very effective. For nighttime use...high THC indica. For daytime use...high CBD for inflammation and pain. Effective and still leaves you functional.
My only caveat is that it took some time to figure out what worked for me. But no different than trial testing pharmaceuticals, and it puts the control in my hands.

Jump to this post

I will try the high CBD for daytime. I’ve been using Sativa flower during the day but I’m not really interested in the THC during the day.
But what a relief to be able to sleep with Indica at night!😅 I use the RSO ( concentrated and strong) reccomended by Dr. Byer at Canna MD. He knows his stuff!!

REPLY

Firstly, I am not a doctor and this is not a doctors advice...just from my personal experience.
The pharmacy from which you will receive your prescription will be able to provide some general suggestions for what you can try for your particular conditions. Sleep, pain, inflammation etc....can be targeted by certain strains (either Indica or Sativa), and by certain ratios of THC-CBD. THC is responsible for the “high”, but CBD does not have psychoactive ingredients so will not make you high.
After those initial two choices it can become a little overwhelming to see what your choices are based on the variety, terpene (oil) profiles and strength of each type of flower, or oil. Strength of the product is generally listed as some percentage of what the THC-CBD content of the product is. Best to start Low...Go Slow.
Then you will also be able to choose what form of the product is best for you.
Smoking is least desirable (for me), but is the fastest onset into the bloodstream. Vaping heats the oils but does not combust the product, so you don’t get all the other particulates and chemicals associated with smoking. It also is an immediate onset. And lastly, for me anyways, is using some form of edible product (infused oils, gummy bears, oral sprays, concentrated oils). These take the longest time to get into the system, but are usually the longest acting. My caveat on edibles is that they are effective but you need to start very slow, with small doses, and see how you respond to it. Slowly ramping up over time. I take an oil at night before bed (in my night time tea) and it does not really “cut in” until I am asleep, so I don’t have to experience the “high” associated with high THC products. But it does help me with sleep, and tends to reduce swelling by morning. Anything edible has to do a first pass through your liver and so the onset will be a bit different for different people depending upon your metabolism....slow or fast. For me, it peaks in me about 2-3 hours after ingestion.

REPLY

Thank you for your helpful reply!
I am not familiar with Indica or Sativa, and would like to hear more about terpenes, which, I believe, have some sort of calming aromatic affect? Is that similar to some sort of aromatherapy?
Thanks! 🙂

REPLY

Make an appt with. Medical Marajuana MD, they will explain everything and make reccomendations for your health issue.

REPLY
@jba

Thank you for your helpful reply!
I am not familiar with Indica or Sativa, and would like to hear more about terpenes, which, I believe, have some sort of calming aromatic affect? Is that similar to some sort of aromatherapy?
Thanks! 🙂

Jump to this post

Terpenes are the components that give something it’s aroma. The smell of a rose for example...so, different plants will have a different profile. These are also talked about in relation to essential oils....same terpenes.
Lots on Web regarding terpenes....
We use a lot of essential oils in the house, so I’m quite familiar.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.