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.

@jenatsky

I completely agree with your assessment. I too found that higher CBD and lower THC worked best for relieving chronic pain. I have a prescription for oxycodone I received in September for 28 pills and I still have more than half remaining. I too just tried a THC/CBD cream for pain today and we’ll see if it works on my new pain in my left hip. Radi-
ography showed no fracture or acute changes just more of my same old osteoporosis of both.

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Rain today has me sore from head to toe. I use the topical in all my joints!

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Wow! You must bathe in it on days like this. I forgot to say I also vape periodically throughout the day to supplement my tincture. So far I’m doing well enough.

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@joyce1109

Hi Chris,
I am in Wisconsin. Degenerative disc disease very painful in neck and back with sciatica. I want to avoid surgery in neck or back. Painful osteoarthritis
I have no idea where to start. Any suggestions and links to share please? I am a senior on Medicare and cannot afford the expensive products

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Hi Joyce, I checked online and Wisconsin hasn’t legalized marijuana yet, so you won’t be able to purchase THC until they do. However, from what I read there are some forms of CBD/THC combination tinctures. Tinctures are the oil that CBD/THC is made into and sold at different outlets. I’d suggest you do an internet search for ‘CBD stores near me’ and enter your zip code. Most common are dispensaries. But I think some health food stores near you may carry it. The best place to start is at a dispensary. There will be people working there that can help you by answering questions and you’ll find the most reliable quality there too. So to start, find local dispensaries that carry CBD. I’m not sure about the details of the THC used considering it’s illegal in your state, but a dispensary can explain that to you. I saw it explained online but didn’t read details. I searched ‘is CBD legal in Wisconsin’ and came up with information about your state. It did list some outlets that carry it too, but I’m not sure how close they are to you. Good luck!

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@anne4u

Hi Joyce, I checked online and Wisconsin hasn’t legalized marijuana yet, so you won’t be able to purchase THC until they do. However, from what I read there are some forms of CBD/THC combination tinctures. Tinctures are the oil that CBD/THC is made into and sold at different outlets. I’d suggest you do an internet search for ‘CBD stores near me’ and enter your zip code. Most common are dispensaries. But I think some health food stores near you may carry it. The best place to start is at a dispensary. There will be people working there that can help you by answering questions and you’ll find the most reliable quality there too. So to start, find local dispensaries that carry CBD. I’m not sure about the details of the THC used considering it’s illegal in your state, but a dispensary can explain that to you. I saw it explained online but didn’t read details. I searched ‘is CBD legal in Wisconsin’ and came up with information about your state. It did list some outlets that carry it too, but I’m not sure how close they are to you. Good luck!

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Thank you so much for researching and providing info for me!

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@donrealtesting

I have done the same thing working for years working towards finding the right formula. I get anxiety from a large THC content, not sure why. I have neuropathy and chronic pain from scarring following plastic surgery of my front upper torso. I purchased 2 different tinctures, one being a 4 to 1 from Vidda....., and the other 20 to 1, that being a broad spectrum CBD from the same company. Both are grown from Stanley brothers seed. I took the 4 to 1 yesterday and have serious pain today. So I just took my 20 to 1 again. Unlike the many that have told me THC is as much a pain killer, it really depends on you. For me the high medical CBD low THC is killing my pain. I can't compare my pain with other conditions, So i won't knock anything that help you with your pain. Pain is pain, but its source I'm sure makes a difference. THC does in fact work in the topicals for me.

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With IBD every day is another adventure. On a particularly bad day a little indica THC always kills the pain.
Always on Imodium and dicycalin. You become a slave to the symptoms.

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@donrealtesting

Yes I suffer from bad neuropathy.

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@donrealtesting
I suffer from real bad neuropathy - from the top of my head down to my toes. It is very painful. My Dr. has me on Neurontin (Gabapentin) and Lamictal (for the nerves) along with Tramodol and naproxen sodium (for the pain). With that combination it has been keeping my pain level at a bearable level of 4-5 and gives me some quality of life. I’m able to get out and do things and go places. I’m not stuck in a bed or chair unable to move or get up because of the pain being too much.

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@cheriums

I have arthritis. Which causes the vertebrae to create bone spurs. I also have degenerative disc disease, common in mature adults. The combination of these narrowed the space for the spinal cord to pass thru. And also for the nerves to the legs to be pressured by inadequate space. Initially the problem was largely in the L4-5 area. I had surgery first, last year, to open up that space. This year, L3-2 needed the same intervention.
I am hoping this is IT. The surgeries are painful and recovery is slow. But I am still able to walk -- not like I could before. But I haven't finished healing and recovering. So I haven't given up hope, not at all, that I can regain that ability.
How was it explained that an injection could help with the collapse of vertebrae? An injection of? If the injection can be tried once to see if it helps? I would ask what the risk(s) would be of the injection.

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In response to @cheriums…thank you for responding. The injection was recommended as a step prior to surgery to see if I could have improved function without having to do the surgery at this point. It would be done once to see if I notice improvement. If Medicare approves the procedure, I will review potential side effects at that time…..of course, I am researching on the internet which can be somewhat extreme. It try to stay on research sites for the most reputable, balanced information. Did you feel the surgery was worth it or would you have continued to avoid doing it? What factors, if willing to share, helped you make your decision?

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@redhatter54

@donrealtesting
I suffer from real bad neuropathy - from the top of my head down to my toes. It is very painful. My Dr. has me on Neurontin (Gabapentin) and Lamictal (for the nerves) along with Tramodol and naproxen sodium (for the pain). With that combination it has been keeping my pain level at a bearable level of 4-5 and gives me some quality of life. I’m able to get out and do things and go places. I’m not stuck in a bed or chair unable to move or get up because of the pain being too much.

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@redhatter54
Honestly I haven't been tested for neuropathy but having so much surgery, think its a given. Was on Tramodol to get off Dilaudid, while on a host of of Gabba, Cymbalta. I got off the Tramodol as I felt like it was causing me more pain. Had me on so many it's hard to know if there are interactions between drugs, or allergies/ and having a reaction over time.
Researching on line reviews or complaint of these drugs may help. Getting off the Tramolol like them all was slow and painful, and i'm sure my doctor had to load me up with something to do it. It can be dangerous getting off some of these too fast. I'm just your average joe, I got off all the drugs my doctor put me on without his suggestion. After I had accomplished this he wanted to put me on an suboxone, I said no way. He was anti Cannabis. I got him to agree to a nurse that would prescribe me alternate treatment care with it. Your body will tell you when the drug your taking has stopped working, and side effects kick in. I don't understand why they work and then pain get worse. I know just adding more drugs to the ones you already take is probably the way drug interacts with others cause side effects and wear the body down in time. I had lower abdominal pain from Tramodol, scared me to death.

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@jenatsky

Wow! You must bathe in it on days like this. I forgot to say I also vape periodically throughout the day to supplement my tincture. So far I’m doing well enough.

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Yes in fact I do! Just went to the dispensary today. I don't really bath in it, but I need my doctor to allow me more. Why are they limiting my topical. Freaking Florida laws. It's like they charge you the most to get it, and then by default give you the lowest. I 'm not even allowed flower. I barley use it so my doctor will up it if I want like an 8th. I still have a little so need to use it up.
They suggested 100 percent THC for the salve instead of the 50 50. Going to try that. This is a test, this is only a test. Good grief!

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@migizii

In response to @cheriums…thank you for responding. The injection was recommended as a step prior to surgery to see if I could have improved function without having to do the surgery at this point. It would be done once to see if I notice improvement. If Medicare approves the procedure, I will review potential side effects at that time…..of course, I am researching on the internet which can be somewhat extreme. It try to stay on research sites for the most reputable, balanced information. Did you feel the surgery was worth it or would you have continued to avoid doing it? What factors, if willing to share, helped you make your decision?

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The surgeon I saw is part of a group I trust and respect. Orthopedic surgeons who have taken care of athletes and dancers who are well known. (Their signed pictures and posters are all around the waiting room.) One replaced my arthritic hip. When the surgeon told me the strength in my legs and feet would continue to decline if I did not have the surgery to open up my spine and that I would end up in a wheelchair, that was all I needed to hear to decide to go ahead with the surgery. I live in a third floor apartment in the city, I don't have a car, I take public transportation. A wheelchair?
I'm still recovering from the last surgery 3-4 weeks ago, I still have pain and I can't yet walk the way I could before. But I can walk, I need a cane to climb the stairs to my apartment. But I can do it.

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