@hazelblumberg I have lived in Virginia, Hawaii and Florida and received treatment through pain management doctors for spinal stenosis, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, CRPS, and fibromyalgia. I have been on everything from Vicodin to Fentanyl patches. Florida is the first state I've lived where MM is legal. All of the pain management doctors and I have been to will absolutely, no questions asked, kick me out of the pain management program if I use marijuana of any kind. I have had to sign contracts agreeing to this. Of course, to be fair, the list also includes any other illicit drugs. I get drug tested at each visit before any prescriptions are issued. In 2015 I moved from FL to VA and was taken off ALL pain medication by my PCM in Virginia and the pain management clinic wouldn’t treat with opioids. Why? Because and I quote "you don't need it." (There were issues with bias against Military Spouses being hooked on unnecessary pain meds) I had more cervical epidurals, PT, acupuncture and massage therapy. I was still in terrible pain. ADL- Activities of Daily Living, which is basic self-care of bathing and dressing became increasingly difficult to accomplish. Eight months ago, I finally got a doctor to listen to me and I was prescribed Vicodin. The amount I received was less than one pill a DAY, but hey, I could at least choose what hour of the day I wished to have less pain!
When I moved back to Florida in March, I went to a pain management group that had an affiliation to a doctor I saw in a different part of the state. I was given the choice to go back on Fentanyl patches because (by titrating my opiate dose up over time). I declined. I am on 1 Percoset 10/325 4 times daily. It doesn't take away my pain entirely like the Fentanyl patch did. It lessens it to the point that I can live a better quality of life. If my doctors here in Florida stopped prescribing opioids for the pain I suffer, I would gladly seek MM. Until then I will stay doing what I am asked to do. I never have felt high or been dependent on pain meds. Hazel- I write this because I thought you would like to hear why I choose to go to a "brute who’s obsessed with power and control" Sometimes we have no other choice.

Jen

Contentandwell, the prices of xifaxan are INSANE! Who can afford it, with or without insurance? Yikes!

Yep, I think we're the beta testers for everything. I'm definitely not into the idea of testing on animals. But I'm not crazy about what the druglords are doing to us people, either.

Boy, you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. I am so sick of medical professionals. But they know we need them. I haven't even really discussed MM with my primary care; all she said is that there're a bunch of hoops to be jumped through. A friend of mine who's using MM told me that she'd be glad to purchase some for me so that I could see if it helped. I may well do that. If it helps, then I want it. And why in the world are there three MM dispensaries here in Tallahassee if no one wants us to use them???

@hazelblumberg, Hazel, you are right, the cost of xifaxan is insane but if it saves you from the HE episodes associated with cirrhosis, and you can manage it then it's worth it. My immediate thought was that I could manage without it but my husband said we should go ahead and get it, what are we saving the money for if not to help ourselves at times like this? It made a huge difference, completely ending the episodes for almost a year but then as my cirrhosis progressed I did have some more episodes so I had to add lactulose back in. YUCK, lactulose is the worst.
JK

@hazeblumberg. Having your friend get you some to try is a great idea. Try to get the tincture for pain without THC or with low THC. If you get stoned you might lose balance which is not good as we are older. Good luck.

Actually @gailb and @hazelblumberg it is not 'a great idea'. It is clearly illegal to share in any manner medical marijuana.

Hi Hazel (@hazelblumberg) - Not sure if this will help but I found this website that tells you what is needed to qualify for medical marijuana in Florida: https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/medical-marijuana/FL/qualification

Reading through it looks like they are not making it easy. Caveat from the webpage:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Medical Marijuana Access in Florida
Some medical marijuana patients will claim they have a doctor's prescription for medical marijuana, but marijuana prescriptions are in fact illegal. The federal government classifies marijuana as a schedule I drug. Therefore doctors are unable to prescribe marijuana to their patients, and medical marijuana patients cannot go to a pharmacy to fill a prescription for medical marijuana. Instead, medical marijuana physicians will supply patients with a medical marijuana recommendation in compliance with state law. Patients have to undergo a full physical examination and assessment of medical history before receiving a recommendation for a qualifying condition.

Possession and cultivation regulations is yet to be determined, but is expected to be addressed during the rulemaking process. Check MarijuanaDoctors.com frequently for status updates as the program begins to unfold.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

John

Here is the State of Florida page - Office of Medical Marijuana Use:
http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/office-of-medical-marijuana-use/index.html
Here's a link on the page above that lists all of the doctors in Florida that are "approved" or have undergone the state's training:
http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/office-of-medical-marijuana-use/_documents/completed-cme.pdf
John

Karl, @oldkarl, would you tell me what clinic you visit?

Jim