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1312898 tn?1314568133

Use of medical marijuana

I have wanted to use MMJ for months now.  I know I would be approved but I am scared that my doctors will stop treating me.  I know that it will cause my to relax immensely and I would sleep like a baby.  

Also, I am worried that I might gain weight from the 'munchies'.  I am also afraid of police storming my home.

In France and Denmark, use of Cannibnoids are the first line of treatment for MS.  

I guess my question is:  how do you talk to your doctor about it and would a pain specialist stop treating me.  Is the type of product high enough that the paranoia and munchies aren't a problem?

Red
17 Responses
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704043 tn?1298056844
red flame im serious- sick-well leave it to me!!  thanks 4 reply! im a misfit!
Helpful - 0
1312898 tn?1314568133
congratulations Mustang---Debs you are too funny

cainer--I have never heard of anyone getting sick,quite the contrary.  

I have some news with this topic but I will start a new thread
Helpful - 0
704043 tn?1298056844
    lol  well if it would help!  but goverment wants their share- so   but il admit i tryed it- oh my  i was sooo sick!  are some people allergic to it? i barfed my toenails- but just wondering why, i hear it helps -but i sure was not  hungrey either- that was a plus but wwell never done it before- maybe you have to build up a tollerence?
Helpful - 0
923105 tn?1341827649
Just to add, that these are a tricky plant to grow, they only come into bud after 8 hours of sunlight - so planting them now you could end up with trees ;)

Debs

Helpful - 0
1056851 tn?1318720978
Happy to say i got my license to smoke and produce my own...came in the mail yesterday....well off to the garden!!
Helpful - 0
1453990 tn?1329231426
The problem with pills and edibles are that they are hard to titrate and take longer to act.  The vaporizer acts quickly and is convenient to titrated the dose to the desired effect.   Oral preparations of synthetic THC (Marrinol) have been around for more than 25 years.  Marrinol has been associated in 4 deaths since it was introduced.  No known deaths have been associated with smoking marijuana.  At some point, people seem to get too stoned to smoke any more.  There is a LD-50 (Lethal Dose) for oral ingestion.  Sativex, a mouth spray for multiple sclerosis patients, who can use it to alleviate neuropathic pain and spasticity is available in Canada.  delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC mimic a neurotransmitter produced in the human body.  

Marijuana is much more complex.  At least 85 cannabinoids (THC is only one of them.) Cannabidiol (CBD) has also been show involved in antidepressant, anxiolytic,[and neuroprotective effects.  The human bodies endocannabinoid system responds to the range of cannabinoids in different ways.  Some of the 85+ compounds are anti-inflammatory, where other seem to effect the immune system activation.

So the idea may not be to consume just THC, but a range of cannabinoids.  Now, I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies would like to sell 85 drugs rather than letting you smoke a little herb, but at this point, there is very little research going on in the US, since the DEA still lists marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance right up there with GHB, Lysergic acid diethylamide ("LSD" / "Acid"), Peyote, Mescaline, and Heroin.

If you decide to use marijuana be an educated consumer.  Medical Marijuana and the current stuff coming out of the dispensaries in Colorado is often between 10-30% THC.  The stuff I smoked in high school in the late 70's was about 1-2.5% THC.

Bob

Helpful - 0
1221035 tn?1301000508
You could always ask for Cesamet (nabilone).

It is FDA approved in the US.

It is a synthetic cannabinoid with therapeutic use as an antiemetic and as an adjunct analgesic for neuropathic pain. It is a synthetic cannabinoid, which mimics the main ingredient of cannabis (THC). Chemically, nabilone is similar to the active ingredient found in naturally occurring Cannabis sativa L.

Although it doesn't have the official indication (except in Mexico), nabilone is widely used as an adjunct therapy for chronic pain management. Numerous trials and case studies have demonstrated various benefits for condition such as fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis.
Helpful - 0
1453990 tn?1329231426
The studies say that it can effective reduce neuropathic pain and reduce muscle spasticity.  Sleepy kind of depends on the strain you choose to use.   Indicas (like Purple Kush) get me  sleepy, so I only go there before bed.  In the evening, I usually go for something that is a high percentage sativa.  Sativas (like Durga Mata) are often characterized as uplifting and energetic . The effects of a sativa marijuana are mostly cerebral. They give a feeling of optimism and well being, as well as providing a good measure of pain relief for certain symptoms.   You can try various hybrids since some strains work better for some people.

At least that is what seems to work for me.  Again, I smoke before bed.  My job requires me to be sharp during the day.

Bob


Helpful - 0
788554 tn?1257693252
So, dumb question?  What does it do for MS?  Spasicity?  Parasthesias?  What does it make you feel like?  Sleepy like muscle relaxers?  I hate that feeling.
Helpful - 0
1312898 tn?1314568133
Thanks Bob,  I am relieved to hear about the differences with the vaporizer and edibles.  

In Michigan, the bill approves  ALS, end stage cancers, cachexia, glaucoma, Crohn's, Hepatitis C, and Nail Patella...

The only specific statement that includes MS is in the pain provisions:

"Patients are also offered legal protection if they have a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or treatment of said condition that produces 1 or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe and chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis. "

So I think it's worth a shot, maybe I can reduce other medicines.  

Red
Helpful - 0
1453990 tn?1329231426
Colorado is in a unique position.  Medical Marijuana is not authorized by statute as it is in all the other MMJ states.  Access to Medical Marijuana in Colorado is guaranteed by the Colorado State Constitution and has been for the last 10 years.  MS is a covered condition in the original wording of Amendment 20.

"ARTICLE XVIII, ADDING A NEW SECTION TO READ: Section 14 Para. 1 (a) ...
(II) A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition, or treatment for such conditions, which produces, for a specific patient, one or more of the following, and for which, in the professional opinion of the patient's physician, such condition or conditions reasonably may be alleviated by the medical use of marijuana: cachexia; severe pain; severe nausea; seizures, including those that are characteristic of epilepsy; or persistent muscle spasms, including those that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis; or ..."

It was a simple as going to a doctor explaining the muscle spasms and MS and he signed the paperwork.  Get it notarized, get a money order for the state processing fee and mail it with a return receipt.  Done.

Since it is Constitutional right here in Colorado, Doctors refusing to treat patients taking MMJ might run afoul with the State Health Department if they refused to treat.  We are still fighting through issues like should Law Enforcement have access to the state database so they can see if someone is in legal possession, etc.  

I find that the vaporizer and edibles don't give me the munchies like smoking it used to.

Bob
Helpful - 0
1312898 tn?1314568133
that's a great idea the healthy snacks.  My nephew told me that the strain is so pure that it sort of zonks you out.  Don't know of course.  Interesting

Red
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The only thing I might be able to help with is the "munchies" issue.

You can find something that has low calories that has good taste to munch on. My sister still smokes, and she lost weight by finding the things she likes the taste of, to munch on when she gets "high". This includes different veggies, fruit, rice cakes, wheat thins, and real fruit juice ice pops.
Helpful - 0
1312898 tn?1314568133
Thanks for the link.  California is more progressive than Michigan.  
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1394601 tn?1328032308
California


SUMMARY: Fifty-six percent of voters approved Proposition 215 on November 5, 1996. The law took effect the following day. It removes state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess a "written or oral recommendation" from their physician that he or she "would benefit from medical marijuana." Patients diagnosed with any debilitating illness where the medical use of marijuana has been "deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician" are afforded legal protection under this act. Conditions typically covered by the law include but are not limited to: arthritis; cachexia; cancer; chronic pain; HIV or AIDS; epilepsy; migraine; and multiple sclerosis. No set limits regarding the amount of marijuana patients may possess and/or cultivate were provided by this act, though the California Legislature adopted guidelines in 2003.

Notice multiple sclerosis is included for those in California.  Here is a good site for all the states and their provisions under the law.

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3391
Helpful - 0
1312898 tn?1314568133
That's actually a big step for our country I know.  The fact that it is still against the federal law is just crazy.  Obama told the DEA that they have better things to do.  

I live in Michigan.  I really had hopes that California was going to pass the bill to make it completely legal
Helpful - 0
1394601 tn?1328032308
These are the states that allow the use of marijuana for medical use at this time:

Alaska | Arizona | California | Colorado | District of Columbia | Hawaii | Maine | Maryland | Michigan | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey | New Mexico | Oregon | Rhode Island | Vermont | Washington

My state has a bill introduced just this month to join them.  So far, it seems to have backing.  Time will tell....
Helpful - 0
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