Hydrocodone/Medical Marijuana

Posted by chilid @chilid, Sep 12, 2018

I'm 62 years old. After 15 years of taking 3200mg of Ibuprofen a day for achilles tendonitis (which damaged my kidneys...before the discovery of ibuprofen's affect on them; in about the year 2000 or so), my Dr switched me to Norco (10mg Hydrocodone, 325 Tylenol...sorry can't seem to spell the generic name). Another 15 years down the road, I started having lower back, hip & knee pain. The Norco has worked wonderfully at relieving the pain. The last couple of years, I've been having trouble sleeping. Can only seem to sleep an hour or two at a time, having to get up for bathroom runs numerous times a night. California in the meantime had legalized medical marijuana. In the sense of full disclosure, I have done pot recreationally since the early '70s, but decreasingly in the last 10 years or so. Now that it's "legal", I started taking edibles as a sleep aid; have not noticed that the marijuana has had any pain relief for me, but as a sleep aid, it's been wonderful. So, Norco for pain, pot for sleep has been my regimen for about the last 15 months, and I've been feeling 25 years younger; no pain, nearly full 8 hours straight a night of sleep. I'm waking fully rested & ready to take on my days. For the first time in the years I've been taking Norco, my Dr had me do a urinalysis, results, of course, showing both the hydrocodone AND the THC in the pot. He gave me an ultimatum: one or the other, but you can't do both (due to DEA laws, etc). At this point, being a somewhat stubborn person, I'm not willing to give up my newly regained increased quality of daily life. What are my options?

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@oregongirl

As soon as Texas approves Medical Marijuana, I will be back on it. I moved from Oregon and there was never a problem getting my pot. My Primary doctor signed me up for it. I agree it works for at night and does not mess with your Kidneys or Gall Bladder. I lost a Gall Bladder over a doctor putting me on Morphine and me trying to come off of it with no help. Stupid, but I did not know better. For the life of e I cannot understand states not approving Marijuana. I did not smoke it. I used the oil. Now I use Kratom under I can get the Marijuana again. Kratom works for me. Its legal.

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How does the oil work?I have 10 year low back pain.i got low bld pressure with d8 THC orally...abruptly stopped and got panic attacks.maybe topical THC would help.is that what you used

. It would be better than opioids

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No way I would give it up either. Legal or not I see what you're doing as necessary for your health with no addiction problems involved (at least that's what I am asuming). I use hydrocodone myself for neck problems from a car accident when I was a child.

Congratulations to you for fnding "increased quality of daily life."

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I am not sure where you live but in MN I was on 2 opioid pain meds and 1 year of THC. I took myself off the THC because it gave me that bad feeling, just did not like what it made me feel like. It was more mental than anything else. Is it a law in your state or your dr. It’s thinking like this that makes people find other sources.

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@tyyne21wigwam

How does the oil work?I have 10 year low back pain.i got low bld pressure with d8 THC orally...abruptly stopped and got panic attacks.maybe topical THC would help.is that what you used

. It would be better than opioids

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May want to discuss this w/ your GP.

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@kenc

May want to discuss this w/ your GP.

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I'm not sure hrs being straight with you. I'd read up on the laws and make a stink of a complaint when you find a new GP.

I've been lied to by more medical staff than I would ever have imagined. I take Norco (5/325s) at night;it's the cannabis and hydrocodone together that keep me from squirming off the bed.

If he's giving an ultimatum because of his political views, I would consider that unethical behavior unbecoming of a supposed healer. If he lied to you, you can't ever trust him ever agsin; he broke a (nearly) sacred agreement.

I think we've both known a lot of pot smokers over the decades. NONE of them have had issues with combining the two. Nobody I know has died, gone to the hospital, or been laid ip because of using both.

Lying is a massive 'sin' in my opinion. No excuse. Medical egos need to be popped.

And we should show appreciation for the good ones.

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@tyyne21wigwam

How does the oil work?I have 10 year low back pain.i got low bld pressure with d8 THC orally...abruptly stopped and got panic attacks.maybe topical THC would help.is that what you used

. It would be better than opioids

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No one can tell another what to do or not to do. We are all wired different, and pain is unique for each of us. We know that certain drugs are harmful and more harmful when mixed. Marijuana is one the these drugs, speaking from experience. Mixing might seem to work masking pain for a while, but sooner or later it will fail, and you are left with the side effects and withdrawal as you try and stop. Research what you are doing. My heart was pounding and had tight chest, trouble breathing. This was on minimal doses. You may think that by adding another drug you are getting the edge on the pain, but it is the exact opposite. I do just the tincture now, salves, and like products available with my MMC. I found the heavy drugs caused my pain. This likely went on for years, i weaned off so many, how someone know? Your body tells when you get pains from all your organs. Doctor was right chose one for the time being. Kind regards

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This was excellent info. Thank you! I no longer use CBD or THC of any kind because of terrible red reaction to stopping both abruptly.
Ended up calling 911. Your comments are right on the money.

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@cherip

I'm not sure hrs being straight with you. I'd read up on the laws and make a stink of a complaint when you find a new GP.

I've been lied to by more medical staff than I would ever have imagined. I take Norco (5/325s) at night;it's the cannabis and hydrocodone together that keep me from squirming off the bed.

If he's giving an ultimatum because of his political views, I would consider that unethical behavior unbecoming of a supposed healer. If he lied to you, you can't ever trust him ever agsin; he broke a (nearly) sacred agreement.

I think we've both known a lot of pot smokers over the decades. NONE of them have had issues with combining the two. Nobody I know has died, gone to the hospital, or been laid ip because of using both.

Lying is a massive 'sin' in my opinion. No excuse. Medical egos need to be popped.

And we should show appreciation for the good ones.

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I understand your view and have sided with it many years, because no one should be in pain.
Just know there is a difference between smoking some low grade weed and popping a pill. Older people with health issues and stronger weed and concentrated are different. I also get that Doctors following the money along with lobby's for other drugs and alcohol have painted Cannabis black. For this there is no excuse, its is beyond a lie. Standing in the way of cures for many life threatening illnesses, including cancer. It is a sin against ethics taken in their hippocratic oath.

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I hear you. I’ve heard recently that some doctors are allowing this bc it works and it is legal , at least in the state. I wonder if you do some research and find doctors that are allowing this your doctor may see the light!
And congratulations.

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