Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hi Vickie, I have chronic pain, and even if it you don't want to hear it, they are using marijuana more and more for it. It is getting so hard to get any opiods for the pain, and the Drs are pumping up the medical marijuana. What about it bothers you? I tried the marijuana, and it made me paranoid, but for many people it is the only thing that helps. They are talking about putting it in the elderly patients food because they could tolerate it better and you don't get all the side effects of the pain meds. Are you on pain meds? I am on Vicodin, and have to go to a pain clinic to get it as my Doctor won't prescribe it, and there are days I don't need it so I don't take it, but then they give you less pills at the pain clinic. But you don't know when you are going to need it so it is good to have a months refill, but they are afraid you are going to sell it instead of taking it. I think at 71 years old I am not in the business of making money, I just want to help myself, and keep my stress level down, but my fear is someday I won't be able to even get the Vicodin for my pain. How do you feel when you are in pain?marield65

Now able to separate the components in marijuana into THC and CBD's. You can get many products, including pain patches that only contain CBD's. Is no mental effect at all with the CBD's, it comes from THC. You don't have to smoke anything, if you're in the state that it's legal.

@19lin, I understand and I agree. I asked only because you said "certain nationalities".
JK

I am totally in favor of medical cannabis for pain control. I think it should be legalized across the board. My earlier concern was about the odd discussion regarding nationalities that seemed like it was going in a negative direction.

@lizer Hi Elizabeth! You seem very similar to me. I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1999. Over the years, I have additionally been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, sjogren's syndrome, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis and, recently, Lupus. I understand how daunting it can be. I have three grown children (two girls and a boy), four grown step children (three boys and a girl) and four grandchildren. I, too, have a wonderful husband. I also work part time and care for my mother who lives with us (she has Alzheimer's). I have had my moments of depression and "why me" or "not yet another issue"! Luckily, I have doctors I trust. I am on antidepressants - which also help with the fibro pain (you may want to check into this if you are not already taking them) - but they greatly help to keep me from falling into the abyss of deep depression. I also try to do water exercise at least two to three times a week and I recently purchased a treadmill so I can walk regardless of the weather (I can not take extreme heat, and I live in Texas - go figure! LOL). You must try to move the majority of days out of the month. I totally understand having what I refer to as "lost days" - I literally am so exhausted I stay in bed all day. But I do not allow myself to have too many of those because it actually makes me feel worse if I stay in bed too long. You state you were diagnosed in 1998. Has something changed that you are having more difficulty lately? Perhaps something new is going on? Have you spoken to your doctor? I also do my best to remind myself of my blessings - kids, grand kids, husband, my pets, my sisters and friends, the fact that I don't live in a third world country and, thus, have access to good medical care! I have air conditioning - HUGE blessing! I also sleep on a Temperpedic mattress. I highly recommend them to anyone with fibromyalgia (I do not work for them or a store - I just truly believe in the product). I also find taking jetted bathes help - or a hot tub would be similar. Listening to up beat music is also helpful. Do your best to stay in touch with friends - at least the ones who are supportive and understanding. Stop seeing or talking with the energy drainers in your life or those who are constantly negative toward you and your issues. Also, this is a great web site to get information, support and understanding. I pray you find new friends and new ways to get relief! Thanks for sharing your story!

@leticia Hi. You sure have been through the "wringer", so to speak. I have some similar issues - fibro, RA, Sjogren's, Lupus, spinal stenosis, PTSD, restless leg, depression. I have been on antidepressants for years. I do find them very helpful. I have never had cancer or had to deal with the problems of chemo. I am so sorry you have gone through so much. Yes, at times it gets totally overwhelming and we stumble emotionally. Don't be too hard on yourself, as it is to be expected from time to time. And you may be short changing your friends - perhaps there is one or more who genuinely want to listen to you and let you vent about your pain and circumstances? I know I have friends like that and I, in turn, listen to them. Of course, every time I talk with them isn't totally about my pain and medical woes. I talk about positives, too, be they working in a garden or something silly my dog did or an interesting movie I saw. I also try to keep a daily blessing journal and remind myself of what I DO have instead of all the things I don't. I can walk - blessing! I have air conditioning - blessing! I have a good husband - blessing! I do not live in a third world country suffering from these conditions with no easy access to medical care - blessing! I also try to swim two or three times a week and recently purchased a treadmill so I can walk regardless of the weather. Sometimes, however, listening to up beat music and other things just doesn't cute it. At those times, allow yourself to feel it for a while. Be upset that life has handed you some truly bum cards! Realize that you don't always have to be "Susie Sunshine". Cry - it's okay. Let it out. Then pull yourself together, have a warm bath, and go back to putting one foot in front of the other. Sometimes we forget that we don't always have to have a "stiff upper lip". If your husband is supportive, go ahead and break down with him. Tell him just to hold you and not say anything. Just give you a moment to cry and be mad about all of it. You'll be okay. You have dealt with this stuff for years. Sometimes I think our emotions get stuffed inside and become toxic when we don't - at times - acknowledge them and release them. Even writing yourself a letter about how angry and sad and hurt you are and then reading it and burning it or flushing it down the toilet can give you relief. I pray you feel better soon! Hugs!

that should be "cut" NOT cute!

@kelseydm, hi. My name is Judy. Im not new to Mayo but haven't been here in a couple of months. I have type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, gastroparesis, arthritis,lichen sclerosis, and a heart attack last September. Since i have so much inflammation going on i thought i might try hemp seed oil or maybe CBD. I was wondering if anyone in this group had experience with it.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Judy
Or Danybegood1
Y

Maybe one of the monitors of this website could give you a link back to our discussion on this CBD subject. It was extensively talked about just in the last couple days. I'm not sure how to go back to it. You read it I'm sure anybody would be willing to answer questions that you might still have if we can.

CBD discussion can be found here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd/bookmark/?ajax_hook=action&_wpnonce=dddf891284
Tip: If you click the Search icon at the top of the window (small magnifying glass) and type a search word then press the Enter key, it will bring up a list of links for you.

Hope this helps...John