Ah pain…what a dismal symptom we all share but one that tells us, perhaps we are missing the point! While the stage presents us with a plethora of possibilities that perhaps and hopefully minimizes our pain, we continue to look for the eternal elixir that will erase it once and for all. But unfortunately the cure eludes us and we continue to drag our feet and ask our peers and professionals for anything that will perhaps will finally help us. I have done just this for so many years and finally gave up. My body could not take the experimentation that never gave the results it was looking for. Instead I had to look at what needed to do from within. How could I work with what I was putting into my body, that is….what was the chemistry and how was my body dealing with what I was putting into it. In other words…. what was I eating,,,, what drugs or medications were I taking (half-life) and what were they doing to my body to make me miserable and was I causing me to be sick? Was my environment contributing to my sickness? Were there things that I did that added to made me sick? The reasons I am saying this is because our histories add up to us. My history is me – but I am also my families history – I carry my history and theirs and as I get older – I am likely to feel and experience and develop what they had as I grow older. So, with that in mind, I have learned that I inherited diabetes and now have medication for that and have had to change my diet because of that. I also have migraines which I inherited but also have because of the car accidents I have been in… my medications are for that but that has effected my diet and living because I also have vertigo…. etc.
As you learn about yourself…I have gone back to the basics of eating good clean food namely fruits and vegetables .
For arthritis type illnesses – avoiding dairy, corn, eggs, nightshade veggies, canola oil; but to counteract: eat apples, apricots, bananas, leafy greens, potatoes, radishes, parsley, turmeric. For more information: refer to Anthony Williams Books – Medical Medium, Life Changing Foods. All of his books are #1 New York Times bestsellers. Use a diary to map out your symptoms including you pain – when you have them, where they are and what you have used in the past. What medications you used, what therapies were tried, and then also begin a dietary change. DIET is a huge part of your recovery. You are what you eat. Much of what is in the American diet is poison. No soda…only water… No processed foods…no juices… no sugars… you get the jest. BUT you need to do one step at a time. Your tongue will object to stopping you eating salt and sugar…but over a 6 month period – you will prevail but this is your life. You want to be well. It takes time. You will see. I had to prove it to myself one day at a time.

@kimspr3

Hi Ginger, I don't understand why they have no information, guidance for you. May I try with your permission? name of you disease? I feel so bad.

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@kimspr3 It is not curable. Patients are in other countries [they think I am the only one in U.S.], and are far and few between. There is no impetus to do any research. It is an orphan disease. There are a few research papers only. I'm not worried. I maintain my kidney dis-order with good diet and mindful living.
Type III collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy
Ginger

Thank You Ginger, you seem to have everything under control and happy for you. Thank you the Information. Never to late to learn. Regards

@artscaping

@karen00, @johnbishop This situation is disconcerting.
Let's tackle the dosage first. Cannabis products must show MG and the ratio of CBD to THC. In addition, if you are using a tincture there will be a dropper in the bottle and more and more I am seeing the mg printed on the side of the dropper just like in your kitchen measuring cup.

As to what dosage is right for you using a tincture distribution system…..that will depend on the time of day and whether you hold it under your tongue or blend it with your morning coffee. When the cannabis tincture is held under the tongue it passes through the porous membrane under the tongue. Results will be quick….10-15 minutes and will last about 3-4 hours. When you put your tincture dose in your beverage it will have to go through the digestive system. The results can begin to show within 45 minutes. If it has a second wind, more could be released. I haven't done this for a while but I remember this lasting about 3 hours.

So…now to the more difficult part. You need to have some help coming to a decision about the size of the dose. A couple of days ago, I actually counted the drops for a member so that she would understand. If you are using the dropper measurement that is easier.

For help with the amount to use, you need the help of one of the dispensary staff or a representative at the pain clinic or the pharmacy distributing it. The folks in the dispensary want to get it right so you will appreciate their service and trust their products. Let's say it is morning…..and you want to start off with a relatively pain-free day. You might choose a 1/4 dropper of 1:1 CBD/THC or a 1/2 dropper of 2:1 CBD/THC. You will be encouraged to start with less if this is your first experience and with less if you are testing a new product. Also, your body adjusts to the cannabis just like all other medications so you will need to up the dose at a later date. One company is now offering Cannabis "flights". There is a link below.

I think you will be seeing some better measuring options. I am happy to help with any questions you may have. My cannabis journey is about 4 years now. I have a pretty fail-safe system. A day with only cannabis for pain, the growing pain of small fiber neuropathy (SFN).

I am also going to attach a link to the current publication of Leafy. It is quite informative. I do want to respond to your statement about…."Am I the only one who isn't helped by CBD?"

The cannabis industry is in a boom stage. Organization, labeling, and information are left for later. Right now the dispensaries have to meet all of the regulations, maximize their inventory, never run out, and provide a positive customer experience. What also happens is that folks dose themselves with the wrong product, eg. Hemp Oil, and learn later that there isn't enough cannabidiol in the Hemp derivative. So….wrong product. The placebo effect also jumps in. Folks who don't want to be left out of the rising popularity of cannabis…..sort of makeup or embellish their results. Wrong purpose.
https://honestmarijuana.com/hemp-oil-vs-cbd-oil/
Thank you for stepping up and shouting it out………"this isn't working for me". We will be here for you. Chris

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Chris, Thank you for your valuable insight on CBD. Your expertise is appreciated 😊

Hello,
I'm Darin and i have chronic osteoarthritis pain in back, neck, shoulder and knees. I've tried many approaches and am surviving. I just need some moral and mental support from like minded survivors.We all have good days and bad but are always in need of an ear to bend and shoulder to lean on.Hopefully i can be both as well as receive.thanks for letting me join.

@kodiac6919, Welcome Darin. I’ve got a shoulder for you, It’s a replacement, That OK? We have a group of folks with lots of experience as patients and caregivers. We are not medically trained, Just want to be available for sharing and supporting the members of Connect. Of all the approaches you have tried, what has been the most helpful? I hope you are doing a bit better than surviving. Are you currently working with a medical provider?

If you are comfortable, please tell us a bit more about you. Are you working? Have a family? I look forward to getting to know you a little better. Be safe and protected today. Chris

@kodiac6919

Hello,
I'm Darin and i have chronic osteoarthritis pain in back, neck, shoulder and knees. I've tried many approaches and am surviving. I just need some moral and mental support from like minded survivors.We all have good days and bad but are always in need of an ear to bend and shoulder to lean on.Hopefully i can be both as well as receive.thanks for letting me join.

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@kodiac6919 Hello Daren . I have had osterarthritis most of my life . I have it all through me back,hips,shoulders,hands ,feet. I have tried all kinds of pain killers and with the new Dr. I have she put me on Meloxicam which does help .. But I also do meditation and mind over matter . I don't let it get me down . I keep busy doing things I love . I do Tai Chi and Qigong . But have days when nothing helps . This is my story and I'm sticking to it . Right now I have a fracture but not letting it bother me either . The other things I do are ice when its swollen Ice is also a anti inflammatory as Tumeric and ginger are also. Heat helps too Good luck As we age it is a challenge

@kodiac6919

Hello,
I'm Darin and i have chronic osteoarthritis pain in back, neck, shoulder and knees. I've tried many approaches and am surviving. I just need some moral and mental support from like minded survivors.We all have good days and bad but are always in need of an ear to bend and shoulder to lean on.Hopefully i can be both as well as receive.thanks for letting me join.

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@kodiac6919 Hi Darin, You’ve got my support! When were you diagnosed? The good thing about Connect is that everyone seems to chime in and offer a shoulder. I have fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. My pain is concentrated in my shoulders, back, and knees, but with fibro, it can be everywhere. I see a pain specialist. Do you? ………Karen

To be clear about the "chronic" part …. I had an accident in which I dislocated a spinal vertebrae (L5) .. in the surgery required they removed all the arthritic growth, spurs, and impediments to moving painlessly …but the major work was that they had to do a fusion of the adjacent vertebrae… the x-rays, CT scans, MRIs that I had before and after the repair gave me graphic knowledge of what the problem was and how it was fixed…I am doing so much better than my cohorts who have just lived with the problems that reduce effortless mobility… a good friend of mine who is just a few years younger was having so much back and leg pain …for years she went to chiropractors, and tried it seemed she fought very hard to avoid getting the second and third opinions that could graphicly show her the extent of her structural problems… After she found out what was really going on she willingly took the physical therapy and is doing sooooo much better … my professional work was as a University Professor… so I think "knowledge is power and that power is liberating." Good luck with your problem…

@kodiac6919

Hello,
I'm Darin and i have chronic osteoarthritis pain in back, neck, shoulder and knees. I've tried many approaches and am surviving. I just need some moral and mental support from like minded survivors.We all have good days and bad but are always in need of an ear to bend and shoulder to lean on.Hopefully i can be both as well as receive.thanks for letting me join.

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@kodiac6919 Hi Darin. Along with peripheral neuropathy, I have osteoarthritis, so I have an idea how you feel. I have it in my neck, shoulders, hands and knees. Meloxicam and Tylenol keep the pain down to where I can function. The hardest place for me is my hands because I'm a pianist, and it limits my playing, especially my right thumb joint. Sometimes I rub on Volteran gel, which is temporary but it helps me go to sleep.

Jim

@jimhd

@kodiac6919 Hi Darin. Along with peripheral neuropathy, I have osteoarthritis, so I have an idea how you feel. I have it in my neck, shoulders, hands and knees. Meloxicam and Tylenol keep the pain down to where I can function. The hardest place for me is my hands because I'm a pianist, and it limits my playing, especially my right thumb joint. Sometimes I rub on Volteran gel, which is temporary but it helps me go to sleep.

Jim

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@jinhd Hi Jim Have you checked with your Dr. about taking Meloxicam and Tylenol The reason I ask is I'm on Meloxicam for O.A. but the Dr told me not to take any nsaids so I space mine out . If I take a Meloxicam I take my Aleve later in the day Just asking

@lioness

@jinhd Hi Jim Have you checked with your Dr. about taking Meloxicam and Tylenol The reason I ask is I'm on Meloxicam for O.A. but the Dr told me not to take any nsaids so I space mine out . If I take a Meloxicam I take my Aleve later in the day Just asking

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@lioness Because I had peptic ulcers ten years ago, my doctors don't want me to take nsaids. The pain specialist suggested Meloxicam rather than Ibuprofen because it's easier on the stomach. Tylenol (acetaminophen) isn't an nsaid, so I take it at bedtime, and Meloxicam in the morning. Every doctor I see has a list of the medications I take, and none of them have expressed any concern. I take 15mg in the morning.

I took 800mg of Ibuprofen 4x a day for 20+ years, so no surprise that I had a stomach bleed. After two surgeries on my shoulder I no longer needed the Ibuprofen, so I had backed off to taking it only as needed.

Jim

@artscaping

@kodiac6919, Welcome Darin. I’ve got a shoulder for you, It’s a replacement, That OK? We have a group of folks with lots of experience as patients and caregivers. We are not medically trained, Just want to be available for sharing and supporting the members of Connect. Of all the approaches you have tried, what has been the most helpful? I hope you are doing a bit better than surviving. Are you currently working with a medical provider?

If you are comfortable, please tell us a bit more about you. Are you working? Have a family? I look forward to getting to know you a little better. Be safe and protected today. Chris

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@kodiac6919 Good evening Darin. I see that you have attracted quite a few shoulders. Looks like you will be able to have your choice. I am wondering if you have been enlightened about some additional options/treatments for supporting your quality of life.

At this point do you have some questions or concerns? One way to stay ahead of the pain is to meet it halfway. I have found that MFR (Myofascial Release) does that for me. As the fascia in our bodies gets constricted and loses its fluidity, compression and restriction occur on the nerves. We all have fascial covering on every structure in our bodies.

To learn more about it we have a discussion page: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/ . There is also a great video on youtube titled "Strolling Under the Skin". Be comfortable and at ease tonight. Chris

@jimhd

@lioness Because I had peptic ulcers ten years ago, my doctors don't want me to take nsaids. The pain specialist suggested Meloxicam rather than Ibuprofen because it's easier on the stomach. Tylenol (acetaminophen) isn't an nsaid, so I take it at bedtime, and Meloxicam in the morning. Every doctor I see has a list of the medications I take, and none of them have expressed any concern. I take 15mg in the morning.

I took 800mg of Ibuprofen 4x a day for 20+ years, so no surprise that I had a stomach bleed. After two surgeries on my shoulder I no longer needed the Ibuprofen, so I had backed off to taking it only as needed.

Jim

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@jimhd I was mistaking about Tylenol it is the dangers of the liver I think I was thinking about Remember when some lunatic was spiking the Tylenol then they started with the caps you can hardly get of now . I always tried to stay away from all nsaids and tylenol dosent do a thing for me.

@lioness

@jimhd I was mistaking about Tylenol it is the dangers of the liver I think I was thinking about Remember when some lunatic was spiking the Tylenol then they started with the caps you can hardly get of now . I always tried to stay away from all nsaids and tylenol dosent do a thing for me.

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@lioness I've found that they really do help my arthritis pain. The Voltaren gel also has some nsaid, but because it's topical it doesn't go to organs. Thanks for pointing it out.

Jim