1. < Neuropathy

Burning Pins Needles in Arms and Hands

Posted by sir_buzzalot @sir_buzzalot, Nov 24, 2018

I just found this discussion group and thought I would reach out and possibly learn more about learning to live with my condition. I've had some form of hand pain for more than 15 years. After many MRI scans and lots of meds I had spinal surgery (c5-c6) 5 years ago for narrowing and possible pinched nerve. Unfortunately ended up with c5 palsy which is now better but still weak. Now I get severe pins and needles maybe 4 to 5 times a day with no trigger. Lasts 1 to 5 minutes and then vanishes. I haven't seen much about arm an hand neuropathy. The neurosurgeon has no clue, neurologist has tried more meds, finally the hand surgeon believes there's nothing with my arms and hands but stems from my neck. Got my cannabis license but don't like being in an altered state. Sorry for the long post. I'm open to ideas.

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

sir_buzzalot | @sir_buzzalot | Nov 25, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @sir_buzzalot, I would like to add my welcome to Chris's @artscaping. Chris has shared some..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @sir_buzzalot, I would like to add my welcome to Chris's @artscaping. Chris has shared some great suggestions that help her. I would also like to recommend that you join in another discussion that may be helpful where you will meet other members that share similar symptoms and learn what they are doing for treatments also.

Groups > Neuropathy > Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/

@sir_buzzalot have you found anything that helps you?

There is a good easy to understand explanation of small fiber peripheral neuropathy by Matthew B. Jensen. Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Wisconsin that may be helpful: https://youtu.be/8nrv7lRvvwU

John

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Thanks John. I’ll check out the other group in a bit. The video is interesting but the symptoms are quite different from mine which may be why it’s been difficult to get a diagnosis. I have yet to find anything that helps which combined with not finding any triggers compounds the difficulty in getting a diagnosis. It will be good to hear from other people living with similar issues as it really does seem a lot more supportive than the limited time with professionals.

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sir_buzzalot | @sir_buzzalot | Nov 25, 2018
In reply to @arnrob "Your recent post seems to have renewed my hope that, perhaps, I might be able to..." + (show)
@arnrob

Your recent post seems to have renewed my hope that, perhaps, I might be able to get some relief from this darn pain I have been wrestling with for 19 years. I do have my card from the Mass. DPH which allows me to have access to medical marijuana. Problem is I have never used that stuff so I do not even know how to begin or what to ask for. I would welcome and appreciate any thoughts/suggestions on what I should get and how to use it. I do thank you for your insights.
Arnrob

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Arnrob, even though I have had my medical card for close to a year I still am a newbie. I tried edibles but wasn’t clear on the dosage. Topicals really weren’t for me since my pain flares up out of nowhere and only lasts two to ten minutes. I really need something to stave off the pain or something that can take immediate effect. So I tried smoking but didn’t like the altered state feeling. So I ended up using indica cbd capsules but even there I would find myself in an altered state two hours after ingesting. Based on reading Chris’s post I’m going to check out tincture which may be easier to control.

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1 reply
arnrob | @arnrob | Nov 26, 2018
In reply to @artscaping "@arnrob, I hope I didn't miss you with my reply to another Connect member. Just in..." + (show)
@artscaping

@arnrob, I hope I didn't miss you with my reply to another Connect member. Just in case, here is the response to your question. If it is helpful…here are some things I learned after quite a bit of experimentation with medical cannabis. If a friend can be your coach, that is wonderful. If you can identify with one of the staff at the dispensary, that can also be good. I have James at the dispensary who is close to my age. When in doubt I ask for James.

After experimenting with quite a few of the product options, I eliminated those that were unreliable in terms of dosage or over promised and under delivered in general. Edibles…..my advice is to not go there. The dosage level is unpredictable. Choose one or two products that have a slow start up — 30 minutes or more. yet have longer effectiveness, e.g. 3-4 hours. Find dosage levels in these that allow you to medicate but do not interfere with activities requiring attention, e.g. driving.

For me, the long-lasting tinctures are my choice to be taken under the tongue or in a beverage. They are available with different CBD/THC ratios. So, you do need enough THC to activate the calming effects of the CBD. I choose 2:1 (2 parts CBD – 1 part THC) for my morning dose and one full dropper. If my afternoon discomfort, aka pins and needles, is a bit worse, I will choose a 1:1 (50% CBD and 50% THC). I use less than a dropper for this strength and put it in a beverage. Sip it while doing something relaxing…meditation, a good movie, yoga.

That often takes me through till bedtime. For breakthrough discomfort or anxiety that brings on more pain, I use a vape battery called the Palm and then a cartridge of whatever ratio works for me. The relief is immediate. However, wait at least 15 minutes before using it again. And a couple of no-nos. Do not use cannabis on an empty stomach. Do not mix cannabis with any alcoholic beverage. Remember this rule…..you can always have more….you can never have less. This might be too much information. So feel free to ask questions. You may soon run out past my realm of experience because my situation may be very different from yours. Be safe, be pain-free. Chris

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Thank you thank you. Most helpful. One question. I believe you also mentioned some kind of topical ointment/crème. Can this be purchased at a cannabis store or is this something that is best obtained via a compounding pharmacy? Can you suggest the specific ingredients?
Arnrob

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1 reply
arnrob | @arnrob | Nov 26, 2018
In reply to @sir_buzzalot "Arnrob, even though I have had my medical card for close to a year I still..." + (show)
@sir_buzzalot

Arnrob, even though I have had my medical card for close to a year I still am a newbie. I tried edibles but wasn’t clear on the dosage. Topicals really weren’t for me since my pain flares up out of nowhere and only lasts two to ten minutes. I really need something to stave off the pain or something that can take immediate effect. So I tried smoking but didn’t like the altered state feeling. So I ended up using indica cbd capsules but even there I would find myself in an altered state two hours after ingesting. Based on reading Chris’s post I’m going to check out tincture which may be easier to control.

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I will also be trying out her suggestions. Let us know how you make out - as will I.
Arnrob

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Chris, Alumni Mentor | @artscaping | Nov 26, 2018
In reply to @arnrob "Thank you thank you. Most helpful. One question. I believe you also mentioned some kind of..." + (show)
@arnrob

Thank you thank you. Most helpful. One question. I believe you also mentioned some kind of topical ointment/crème. Can this be purchased at a cannabis store or is this something that is best obtained via a compounding pharmacy? Can you suggest the specific ingredients?
Arnrob

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@arnrob, This is from a compound pharmacy called Ambrosia in Palm Desert. The compound consists of Lidocaine 10%, Prilocaine 2.5%, Ketoprofen 5%, Ketamine 5%, Amitryptiline 10% added to a base.
It takes the tingles away just long enough for you to go to sleep. You can also use it during the day as needed. I use a Papa and Barkly Relief Balm in a 3:1 from the Medical Cannabis Dispensary during the day. Chris

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1 reply
arnrob | @arnrob | Nov 26, 2018

Again, my sincerest thanks to you for help and support.
Arnrob

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lioness | @lioness | Nov 26, 2018

@sir-buzzalot just read your post I have fibromyalgia and developed pins and needles in my arms and hands couldn't figure it out Noticed it after I slept .I took the, pillow away, no pain. Also I do use chiropractic treatment now whether it was a pinched nerve in neck or removal of pillow I don't know .Good luck.

REPLY
arnrob | @arnrob | Nov 27, 2018
In reply to @artscaping "@arnrob, This is from a compound pharmacy called Ambrosia in Palm Desert. The compound consists of..." + (show)
@artscaping

@arnrob, This is from a compound pharmacy called Ambrosia in Palm Desert. The compound consists of Lidocaine 10%, Prilocaine 2.5%, Ketoprofen 5%, Ketamine 5%, Amitryptiline 10% added to a base.
It takes the tingles away just long enough for you to go to sleep. You can also use it during the day as needed. I use a Papa and Barkly Relief Balm in a 3:1 from the Medical Cannabis Dispensary during the day. Chris

Jump to this post

Great info. My thanks.
Now I am going to ruin it all. The only compounding pharmacy I could find is in Hew Hampshire. I live in Mass. They won't honor my request for the compound you described. Is it at all possible that you might be able to get an extra container for me and ship it up. Obviously, I will pay all costs. I realize that this request is way over the line and I do apologize. Desperation is a terrible motivator. Please do not hesitate to decline if this is too much for me to ask.
Arnrob

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Chris, Alumni Mentor | @artscaping | Nov 27, 2018

Unfortunately, this compound pharmacy is in California. I now live in Minnesota. The prescription does require my neurologists' approval. I am sure that your neurologist could prescribe this. The components are all known entities. And you do need to know that this is the third formulation I have had and has more oomph than my last one. Conditions change and so does the formula. I was able to find several compounding pharmacies in Mass.,-- Arlington, Acton, Worchester, West Springfield, Waltham and about 10 more. Are any of these near you? I just googled, compounding pharmacies, Massachusetts. I have always had mine shipped even if it was just to save me from driving off the mountain and to the desert. Let me know if you have success. Chris

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arnrob | @arnrob | Nov 27, 2018

Thank you for your incredible interest. Let me give it another try.
Arnrob

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