IBS & Medical Cannabis

[lozo86]

Hello,

I've been dealing with IBS for the past 10 years and have been informally diagnosed for two years.  In the past 24 hours, I have been surfing the net for information about IBS and came across info linked to medical marijuana on the matter.  Through further investigation, I have realized that medical marijuana and IBS have been a common, or seemingly growing trend in legal medical marijuana states.  
I currently live in Arizona, and as many of you may now know, it has become the 15th state to legalize medical marijuana.  
My question (to a doctor, before I visit a doctor in person) is, would you say that the pain, bloating, and severe discomfort due to IBS be significantly treated by Marijuana?
*I have had experience with marijuana in the past, and am aware of the "relaxing" effect of it.  Also, since IBS is partly triggered by anxiety and/or nerves, would this be a very effective form of treating my problems?  (I have issues with constipation by not being able to "go" days at a time, and when I do "go" it's very "fluent" and uncomfortable.  It also affects my social life, since I tend to stay home to avoid GI issues in public)  

NOTE: I have tried a variety of fiber diets as well as other diets specified by my doctor...the reason I am here is because I am afraid to ask my doctor in person because I do not want to appear as a "stoner" looking for a fix.  I have tried a variety of things, and nothing has significantly helped.

Can someone advise me and inform me (from a medical aspect) about cannibis use for such disorders?  Thanks.

- A very concerned and curious IBS treatment seeker

[lozo86]

Hey,

Thanks for the reply and the heads up!  I thought this forum had doctors who responded, oh well.
I'm actually scheduling an appointment with a Gastroenterologist this week, so I'm hoping an endoscopy is in demand for some specifics!  I have had EKGs, stool testing, ultrasounds, and diet monitoring for further results.  Not until a couple of years ago, after explaining my plauging situation, a doctor came to the conclusion that I most likely have IBS due to my symptoms and situations.  I have experienced nausea, but only when I feel really sick and have to go to the bathroom more than 4 times in a day (which is every once in a long while)...I'm assuming this is due to my body's fluid loss, therefore I replenish with water and the nausea somewhat is alleviated.
I was just very curious seeing all of these people with symptoms like mine getting medical cannabis treatment with drastically helpful results!  Most of whom have been through diets and other treatments with little results.

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  This is not the expert forum and there are no doctors answering questions here.  In my opinion, it could be helpful to your problems, but this would never be something I would try personally.  However, a doctor might not fulfill your request for medical marijuana because you are not having nausea.  Have you had any testing done to make sure you have IBS not something else?  What treatments have you tried?