Docu on CNN Sunday about Medicinal Marijuana
 

Fun Fact: Dr. Gupta is a Neurologist who turned down the job of U.S. Surgeon General to work for CNN. Here's the link for that http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/...rgeon.general/ .

I saw Gupta on CNN plugging this docu today (more info below). He stated that he was wrong about the benefits of MMJ. He also stated that people with neuropathic pain do benefit. Either way, I thought it was worth sharing. Lord knows some of us are on much stronger and more lethal medications just to make it through a day with the neuropathic pain we with CRPS / RSD experience.

See Trailer at http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/vi...promo.cnn.html

Premieres on CNN Sunday, August 11 at 8 pm ET

Once considered a more underground activity, marijuana has become increasingly popular over the years, resulting in legalization to grow, sell and smoke it in states like Colorado and Washington. Cannabis has become one of the most controversial topics in America, but just decades ago it was a legitimate medication on U.S. formulary. No matter the circumstance, the debate over marijuana still exists and one question remains the same. Is marijuana bad for you or, could it actually be good for you?

In “Weed” – a one hour documentary premiering on Sunday, August 11th at 8 pm ET – CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta spends nearly a year traveling the globe to shed light on the debate.

While it is part of a lifestyle for some, it is a lifeline for others including five-year-old Charlotte Figi. Charlotte suffers from a rare condition called Dravet’s syndrome, making her prone to up to 300 seizures per week. Like many people who use marijuana for medicinal purposes, parents Paige and Matt Figi tried every other option before resorting to this type of prescription. Sanjay follows their journey.

Sanjay takes you to Colorado where weed dispensaries and pot cafes have become the norm. Dealers, doctors, users – Gupta meets with various people, like the Figis, offering a raw insight to what’s been dubbed “The Green Rush.” He also talks to experts about whether marijuana can be addictive—and whether it can contribute to long-term damage in the brain.

Sanjay’s final stops are in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem where he meets with some of the pioneers behind marijuana study, offering access to decades of innovative and cutting-edge research.

Weed: Sanjay Gupta Reports will replay Sunday, August 11th at 11:00 pm ET and Monday, August 12th at 2:00 am ET.

Thanks for this Vrae. I'll have to wait until it's available on YouTube or something though!

The MMJ thing is a very interesting debate. I've read a lot about it, and it's hard to sift though the evidence because the whole subject is shrouded in a cloud of hippie-phobia, fear and suspicion. I suspect that in common with many drugs, when widely available it causes a lot of physical and social problems among casual users - BUT it can be beneficial in a medical setting when used for particular conditions.....such as neuropathic pain....like.....for instance.....CRPS.... :rolleyes:

It's biggest problem is that it was first and foremost a recreational drug (used by a negatively-viewed social group) before any medical benefits were realised - so its use is associated with all those negative social stereotypes. Making it available to everyone on the street was never going to improve the situation long-term, which is a shame. If the medical community had started its use, we wold not even be having the discussion - MMJ would just be another prescription drug that also had a criminal street value and use.

Personally I would like the chance to try it for myself legally. I don't want to have to smoke it, but I'm interested in the drug itself and it's reported neuro-pain benefits. There's just so much social stigma attached to it though, that I can't see it happening. When your (effective) drug options are so limited, and traditional painkillers are as effective as Smarties, not being able to explore something like MMJ properly is a tragedy.

Just my view :D

Bram.

Just checked my guide and its not on CNN here :(

I saw him speak this morning on the ???????? talk news show. I forgot the interviewer's name. It's a british guy.

As always Bram the Brit, you crack me up / make me smile. Thanks for that! :)

I strongly agree with all you have said above. Hopefully it won't be too long after it airs on TV that they will offer it online as well. Or as soon as it's run out of TV ad dollars. :rolleyes:

That stinks! <sigh>

Piers Morgan?

That's the guy. Dr.Gupta was on his show too. I watched it this morning, I believe it was recorded perhaps from last night?

Hi Bram
 

I will watch that show for sure. My take on the issue, is that heavy narcotics I am allowed, but not this substance. Which is worse for you? I am a 60's child, no question about it, however I cannot do this in my state. Even if I thought it worked, I would lose my benefits for medicare, and most likely my good reputation with my PCP and pain doc. I do wish there wasn't such a stigma. I would try it to see for myself if there was any benefit for PN and RSD etc.
I am sad that micro management of our lives has been so severe. I met the Lady down here who has ALS, this helps her symptoms, and her husband and her were arrested for growing. They dropped the charges, as they are now involved with state legislature in which I signed the petition. We have enough on the petition to bring it to the state agenda. I think I will be dead before this state says OK for it. Florida is backwards. ginnie

It is madness when you think about logically...I mean yes, marijuana has side effects - but are they any worse than the side effects of constant morphine, or tramadol, or even ibuprofen? My bet is probably not. But if you are tested and have even a hint of THC in your blood then you are a hippie drug-user and not to be trusted with any other strong medicine. It beggars belief really.

It's a true shame of our times that even campaigning on the issue leaves you branded with a social stigma. In a hundred years, our ancestors will laugh (and probably cry) at so much of what we have done, and so many of our ridiculous beliefs and rules.

Hope you sleep well folks, I'm off to try...:rolleyes: ouch ouch

Bram.

I've often thought how folks with RSD back in the 1800s, for example, coped with RSD and got to thinking.......There were no gate keepers. If one needed morphine one was able to acquire as much as they wanted. My wife now takes handfuls of Ibuprofen, done with the gate keepers for now. So, modern in medicine we may boast, many with long term horrible pain are worse off today perhaps than 150 years ago?

I keep checking my guide her waiting for it to magically appear :Dunno:

It is legal for medical use here. I'm looking into getting my card and already have someone who is allowed to grow and supply to help me. My pain doctor does not support marijuana, but he has no problem loading me up on lortab and other medication with no worry about me needing my organs to last the rest of my life... lol

Lol fbodgirl!

The closest I can get is knowing a guy who knows a guy who might know a guy who knows a dodgy dude who might be able to get him some.....for a price....nudge nudge, wink wink.....:rolleyes:

And if I do get some I don't have many choices about getting it into my system... I can smoke it (lung crap, stinks, messy), bake it into cookies (really? What if my kids get hold of them?!), use a bong (don't even know what that is lol). I'd much rather take a neat little pill of a definite substance than risk my health smoking something which may, or may not, be marijuana. It could be any kind of strength - the gentle wafty deep thinking type, or some horrendous skunk version that will turn me schizophrenic and rot my few remaining brain cells.

Why oh why can't the law and medical boffins realise that this drug just came to our consciousness the wrong way round? Ok so the hippies mellowed out on it first. But now we know it might have medical uses, why can't we investigate it properly, make a pill that administers the stuff safely and in a measurable quantity, and just accept the fact that there will always be some folk using the stuff out on the fringes...

I am flat out scared of ending up whacked out on drugs. But by that I mean things like horrendously high daily doses of morphine that leave me unable to function normally as a human being. If MMJ were here - tested, legal and safe - I'd try it like a shot. But it isn't, and as long as the flag-waving, blue-rinsing, buttoned-up, tight-trousered brigade have a crazy manic voice in the media, we won't.

Oooh hark at me. I get like this sometimes when I find a hobby-horse to ride up and down on....:D

Bram.

Hi fbodgrl
 

My pain doctor would not support this issue either. This state does not allow it. I too am allowed pain killers, which hurt organs. I also would lose my medicare if I ever did this. So much for freedom to choose in this country, or in least the majority of the states. I am getting older, doubt it will happen in this state while I am alive. ginnie:grouphug:

What if it was legal in your state? Would it effect your Medicare? How would they know? I ask because I haven't had my SSDI approved yet (waiting on my hearing)

Hi fbodgrl
 

I don't know to tell you the truth. I do know that Obama care has a clause in it that will require drug testing for all medicare patients. My pain specialist did require this when I first went there, but has not tested me in over a year. I still am afraid, as I can't take the chance that I would lose my benefits. Just that alone hanging over my head is enough to pause. Maybe doctors are required to report, I don't know. I do know that my particular docs. would not approve even if it was legal in this state. I have questioned them. I also admitted to trying this years ago, and yep it is in my records. There is a stigma against this in my state for sure. All I really can do is sign the petition in favor of it. The whole mess is utterly stupid, over a plant, really..... do you know they classified it worse than cocaine and morphine? They consider it the worst of all the drugs. Now to me, considering all that I have read, it is only a way to control people. This is about politics, and controlling the population. Maybe we have to look up Obama Care and see for sure, if medicare would be in jeopardy in legal states. You have a right to be concerned! I also think if you get SSDI, or medicaid, they are going to require testing, as they don't want you to spend money on this substance, legal or not. What a mess...ginnie PS, my medicare part D won't even allow me asthma medication, they are never going to allow TCH!

I'm not so sure there is a drug testing clause for those on medicare because of Pot. My wife has medicare and because her very limited choice of doctors coupled with DEA threats to most Pain specialist, she no longer uses medicare or sees any chicken-chit doctor. Those narcotics did little for her but make her constipated, although in her earlier days with RSD they were of benefit. And she felt insulted every time they drug tested her. She was always compliant to a fault. She said she would not use pot as a pain killer unless it was legal. But on a federal level, not state, if they ever impose restrictions on doctors who treat those on medicare, then people should raise holy hell.

I finally went to my primary care doc & told her I wanted to try Marinol. I have tried every drug percocet, ultram, opana, lyrica, neurontin savella, vicodine, morphine plus many others that didnt work and took my brain away. I tried smoking, bought a vaporizer (no smoke and less toxins), candies, baked goods, tincture oil then finally one day tried a chocolate bar that works. I only take a small chunk and the effects lasts 3-4 hours. It costs $15.00 per bar which is a little pricy but worth every penny since Im no longer on other drugs. I researched Marinol and took the info to my doc. It took me 1 week to figure out the dosage. The pills come in 2.5 mg, 5mg and 10mg. It is synthetic and is not as effective as the real stuff but for $5.00 for 90 pills it is worth it. It is normally prescribed for cancer patients (nausea) and anorexia. I am in so much pain I get physically ill and do not want to eat. My use is for pain but it helps with depression also. My insurance co pays for it and my doctor supports me because she knows how much pain I am in. One last note...I can totally function and it has calmed me down so much I am crying less and have more of an inner peace which helps me deal with this horrible disease.

Here's a link to this documentary. Thanks for all the feedback!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-bYi-LkDTo

Thanks so much for posting this Vrae :)

Wow. WOW. Obviously they don't mention CRPS (who would :rolleyes:) but you can see the potential - calming and repairing the brain, pain reduction, seizure reduction etc are all things many CRPS sufferers can identify with.

I found myself sooooo frustrated that the research side of cannabinoids is so hampered by the 'hippie pot-head' side of the drug, which seems to be used by companies as a reason NOT to look at it seriously as a potential medical drug.

This documentary shouts loud and clear that MMJ could be an amazing medical breakthrough in many terrifying diseases - BUT the THC part of the drug needs to be taken out of the equation so that the medically active and interesting part can be studied properly. The fact that they have a strain so low in THC and high in the active ingredient, which is used medically with great success should surely mean that the doctors can isolate and use just that strain for research, and not get all wound up about the risk of patients getting high....

I find it medically bizarre that this fight is going on - unless you stop and think about the way the medical community works. Just looking at that guy with the diaphragm condition and all the dangerous drugs he used to take makes you realise what is really behind this reluctance on the part of drug companies to look at MMJ seriously. They wouldn't make as much money. If doctors are prescribing ten different strong drugs to a patient to treat symptoms, why would they want to replace all that steady income with just one?

Big drug companies make billions because people are prescribed their products by doctors. Potentially, MMJ could take away millions in revenue from them. Let's not pretend for a second that drug companies would smile sweetly and do what is right for the patients, when it would mean taking a big hit financially. Or that medical practices who have agreements with these companies would just throw that mutually-beneficial partnership out of the window.

Here in the UK it feels even more taboo and many years away from any possibilities.......:rolleyes:

I'd try it tomorrow given the chance to use the medical stuff. I don't want to smoke or get high. But the active drug? Yes please.

Bram.

Hi Bram
 

I really agree with what you have said.

I’m not sure if it is possible to grow an MMJ plant that doesn’t have any THC and only CBD’s, but they are definitely able to take the THC down to a very small level. The Charlotte’s Web Plant has a waiting list in Colorado (the one with high level CBD’s).

Pharmacopeia’s synthetic marijuana is called Marinol. Apparently it lacks in the therapeutic compounds that are found in Cannabis. Here’s a link I found on Marinol vs. Natural Plant http://norml.org/component/zoo/categ...tural-cannabis

I agree with you that profits on current drugs for all kinds of diseases would take a monetary hit, and I’m not sure that you can patent any MMJ . Here is a link I found about Patenting MMJ http://www.theweedblog.com/pharmaceu...cal-marijuana/

They specifically talk about a pharmaceutical company in the UK that’s trying to do just that. Although they are charging outrageous amount of money for their version of what could be potentially grown in your backyard. Heaven forbid we might know what is good for us and try and heal ourselves without specific direction from a pharmaceutical company. It’s a weed for God’s sake. It’s grows naturally.

Anyway, here’s another very interesting video on the subject. A scientific view looking at the chemistry behind MMJ. I saw this years ago and found it fascinating.

Part 1 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh0...nabinoids_tech

Part 2 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh0...n-1-newrelated

Vrae, you are a mine of fascinating videos and information on this subject - thank you so much! :)

I consider this argument in a similar way to that of euthanasia (I know they are very different subjects...) People want to talk rationally about euthanasia - other people panic at the mere mention of it and speak of it as a 'crime' or 'a license to kill the old and disabiled'. The discussion gets nowhere because the media blow up the scary stuff and any reasoned argument is lost. The same thing happens with MMJ - we want it discussed rationally and scientifically, but all the media can see (no doubt prompted by those with a vested interest in it NOT being developed) is the 60's, pot smoking lazy wasted hippies, and psychological damage from THC.

It seems so simple to me - the US and others have to stop producing strains of the plant that are very high in THC, and concentrate on generating plants with minimal THC and as much of the active substance as possible. I thought the 'Charlotte's Web' plant idea was fascinating - and though it's great that those brothers have produced it and are helping give people access, they are still the ones selectively breeding plants with higher and higher levels of THC. Those high-THC plants are known to create big social problems (adding to the negative issues stopping medical research), and they know that but are obviously making considerable cash from selling their products in legalized states.

It always comes down to money....:confused: so so sad, when you think of the possibilities that most medics (at the moment) are so reluctant to investigate....

I hope things change - and fast. I want to know whether MMJ really might help us, and if it can, I want it to be available safely from my doctors in a prescribable way. Or....I quite like the idea of being able to just get it safely and legally myself :winky:....but....I don't want the streets filled with teenagers with weed-induced problems because it's available to just anyone....OMG it's complicated!

Oh well. I'll keep reading and hoping and mailing my MP :rolleyes:

Bram.

Big pharmacy
 

The pharmacy industry will do all it can with all their money to stop the production, and use of MJ. They would lose a lot of money if people figured out for themselves how to treat some conditions. It is political, and a way to control the population. Heck our Government won't even work with the med. machine to help reduce the cost of medicines in this country. Can't see them ever giving in to public demand. They will go to the mat with this one...ginnie:mad:

Check out this page from gov.uk......

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...dicine-sativex

It's about the changes to UK laws (June 2013) around prescribing and using Sativex. It's declared as the ONLY cannabis-based product allowed to be prescribed medically....license to print money :rolleyes:

Bram.

Decades ago the Dupont Corp. lobbied hard to stigmatize and outlaw hemp and was successful. Hemp was what made our "ropes" and it was a product that could not be patented. But Nylon could be and the Duponts invented it.

Thanks for all the feedback!
 

There are SO MANY uses for hemp. Some places around the U.S. sell all kinds of hemp products. Everything from clothes to lotions. Just FYI to anyone reading this, you can’t get “high” from hemp. It doesn’t have any THC in it, or such small amounts that there would be no euphoric high if you did smoke it.

There are also many ways to use cannabis. It’s ridiculous that it is a class 1 scheduled drug. I mean really? It’s in the same class as heroin , opiates, etc. IMO alcohol is a far more lethal drug, and it’s in the majority of homes in the U.S. I don’t want kids getting their hands on marijuana , but it’s already available to them almost anywhere on the streets and in the schools, etc. It’s a sad truth.

The U.S. declared the war on drugs, and it’s a complete failure. We sent out the message to other countries that if they didn’t follow suit we would not trade with them. I admire the countries that have decided not to let the US make this decision for them anymore. Like Israel; I applauded their efforts to study the effects and benefits of MMJ.

I guess I will go ahead and state the obvious; I use MMJ. I very seldom need any kind of narcotic pain killers. Is it the only drug I need? No. Does it help with my CRPS symptoms? Yes, most definitely. I have access to a CBD syrup that is really helpful. I am so thankful that I live in a state that is more forward thinking than others. I really believe that if we all stand together on the issue, that is when change is possible. I do believe that other states are slowly coming to the same conclusion. There are at least 20 states that have legalized it for medical use. http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/v...ourceID=000881

Oh, and by the way, I’m not a hippy. :) I don’t celebrate 4/20 on the steps of the capital, or anything like that, but I do privately smile when I see the progress that is taking place in Colorado and in other states around the country.

Anywho, that’s my two cents. Thanks for letting me share and have this conversation here. :)

Unfortunately. I think you are very right. I wish for a revolution on this topic.

:D Vrae, you go girl! I'm glad you have access to it and find it helps - that's what we need. Shame you're not a real hippie type though lol...I could have sent you a tie-dye skirt from our local market...:winky:

My issue is that I know I could 'get hold of some' as it were, if I asked around enough in the seedy pubs in town....but I would be breaking the law in doing so, risking ridicule for my family, risking my future 'relationship' (that's a joke :rolleyes:) with the NHS, and getting a fine and a criminal record... I also wouldn't know what on earth I was getting - could be low CBD high THC or low THC high CBD. I'd have no idea, and I don't WANT to get buzzed or high, stink my house out or have to buy a bong!

That's the big issue - if they don't legally control some medical form of the drug for those of us who need it for a condition it helps, then we would be forced to try to find that same help illegally and at risk to our health. It's madness.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! Oh I envy you Vrae, I wish the UK had more sense with this. I've heard Sativex isn't even much cop in terms of it's effects - that it's not as good as it could be because the manufacturers aren't using the best 'recipe'. Plus to get your doc to prescribe Sativex, you have to have already tried all the powerful narcotic meds and failed. Well I don't want to put my body, my brain or my family through two years of me on a morphine cocktail. Surely MMJ is kinder to your body than morphine and it's other chums? :rolleyes:

Half of me wants to ask my pain specialist for it, half of me worries that I'll be labelled as a drug-seeker because I've even asked about it.....

The world is run by money and big companies who control governments and the laws they put into place. Very rarely do governments do things for the good of their citizens - they do things because they are being paid to, or bribed, or blackmailed; or because it will give them influence over someone/something. It's sad but true the world over. The alternative is a Utopian dream that will never happen while money can get its owners so much power and influence....

BUT....we live in hope :)

Bram.

Hi Bram
 

Hi Bram, I had to take Morphine for many years. I asked to be taken off the drug. I was sick of it, and living my life around a pill. The doctor who prescribe it said I would have to take it the rest of my life. I declined that invitation.
I have considerable pain. I wish I had this other solution, or at least be able to try it for myself to see if there is any benefit. Don't think it will happen in this state in my life time. ginnie

Hi ginnie
 

I'm sorry ginnie, it really does suck :rolleyes: I so wish there was a better solution. Pain is dreadful - but sometimes the drug-fogged-faintly-dulled-but-still-there pain is even worse... I've only had morphine once with my CRPS, and that was in hospital right after my operation when my whole knee was screaming. I hated the fog that came with it, and it's not some magic pill that takes away the pain - it just sort of drapes a cloth over the pain. It's still there, but it's harder to think about. But then, it's hard to think about anything at all on the darn stuff...

I don't want morphine now. I cope with my daily 'normal' pain levels ok, and when it's bad I'm just miserable and get through it as best I can. I've given up on the painkillers I have, as they just don't work anymore. I suspect morphine wouldn't work as well as I hope now either, and to be honest, when I desperately need a painkiller to work and it doesn't, it scares me rigid.

Maybe all of us sufferers should move to a country/state that has a sensible attitude to MMJ. Might send a message to the medical community....or perhaps not.

Take care ginnie, and everyone else. Hope today is a better day :hug:

Bram.

Hi Bram
 

Me too, I don't like taking any pain meds anymore. I do if I can't walk at all. I actually go see my pain doc. tomorrow. She is such a good person. She would do anything to help me.
I have an opportunity to move. I want to sell my house. My son however doesn't want me to move to Colorado, where I thought about. he is worried i wouldn't tolerate the cold very well. Also he is my health care help, and he doesn't want me stranded alone with no support. So I suppose I am stuck in Florida, unless I can get him to move with me. When I am sure what the right move is I will act. Until that I have a lot to think about. Hope your day is good too Bram. ginnie:hug:

What part of Colorado? Also, I can see why those in Florida with RSD may experience pain from the barometric pressure going up and down because of the daily storms, but how does Colorado hash out with that issue? Colorado has both plains like Kansas and the Rocky Mountains, one extreme to the other. My wife (who has RSD) likes the cold better than the heat by far, me, on the other hand (has no RSD) likes the heat better than the cold. We live in Virginia where the weather is moderate so there are no extremes but I think there might be areas of Colorado that may be similar, not as cold as many would assume.

Hi Ginnie,

It might be a good idea to visit Colorado in the winter or even early fall before moving. I live in the mountains in Washington state where are snow starts falling in Oct. and often stays until early June - for me the pain is much more severe as the temps start to fall or my leg gets cold. Heat does also affect me but, not in the same way. When temps get above 90 my swelling get's much worse and a vascular rash appears but, the burning, shocks etc., don't seem to be any worse than they are on any given day. With the cold the random 'live wire' electrical shocks become more constant and it is these types of shocks that make it hard for me to cope.

Hoping whatever decision you make works well for you and your son!
Tessa

Hi Bram and zookester
 

I was looking at Crippled Creek Colorado, and a few more towns that catch the tourists, and have strong Art Communities. I would fit right in. However Sean ( my son) did the research, and found out just how cold it is between Colorado springs and the great divide, or Denver and the great divide. I did a lot of art shows there when I was working. Camped in Lima's KOA with the kids. I always have loved the mountains, but I am not sure I could handle this kind of cold, and or isolation for months at a time. My mother was who headed down this way, and I stayed here after she passed. I also did Shows in Virginia, Roanake?? spelling???? Love this country of ours in many locations. Trying to figure out what to do is very hard. Where I live, it is hurricane prone, and to tell you the truth it is playing russian roulette, and I don't like to gamble. No one in my neighbor hood has insurance now. Citizens out priced all but the very well to do. Taxes are through the ceiling. I will keep listening to my friends here, about their locations, and what is good and bad concerning medical issues in the cold or where ever they live. Thank you both for posting to me. ginnie:hug::)

Hi ginnie
 

I would definitely avoid living anywhere that is predominantly cold and isolated. The two in combination are not a recipe for happy days when you have something like CRPS...:rolleyes:

I am just starting my third year of this condition, and I can see the link between how I feel and the temperature/weather conditions very very clearly. It might not be the same for everyone, but I know of several people who would agree!

The cold makes everything about this worse for me. I get more deep bone cold pain, I struggle to get warm and keep warm, I find moving generally more painful. The burning increases as the pain worsens, and I then find moving around - which we all know is vital - even harder to do. I hate winters now. Here in the UK, winter means a damp cold that now just makes me feel completely miserable on most days. Cold = pain for me. If I had the money, in a heartbeat I would move to Italy or somewhere with a warmer more stable climate.

Right now it might be August in the UK, but this evening I am cold and hurting. I am wearing joggers, thick socks and a fleece zipped up to my chin. I crave warm drinks and am fighting the urge to put a blanket over me! Just the thought of the coming autumn and winter scares me to be honest. I used to love the crisp cold months, but now I fear them because I can no longer exercise enough to keep my body warm and active and well.

The warmer months have given me a refuge from much of the pain I suffer ten months of the year. But having experienced some relief, I don't want to go back to it! Oh, for the cash to move somewhere warm!!

Sorry for the moan and being so serious :winky:

Bram.

Bram,

You mentioned deep bone pain with the cold which is more often a symptom of arthritis or disuse (as well as a sequel to CRPS).. are you taking or has anyone mentioned Celebrex? Celebrex is of great benefit to those with arthritis/joint pain and also acts as a anti-inflammatory which has helped some with the edema caused by the CRPS. I haven't had any ill side effects from taking it so that is a bonus as well. Something to think about if you haven't already tried it.

Another life saver for me during the winter months is my stationary recumbent bike & treadmill. Both vital to my recoveries after each of the 6 hip/pelvis operations and now they have become an essential part of my daily pain coping arsenal. Oh yeah.. and our hot tub seriously the best when I just can't seem to warm up any other way.

Determined to find a way to continue to live in paradise!
Tessa

Ginnie,

Have you ever heard of Sequim, WA? You might be interested in looking this area up on google. It is basically the LA of WA with very little rain and warm temperatures most of the year. Here is a link about Sequim: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequim,_Washington

BTW.. I love Cripple Creek!! Beautiful :)

Hi Bram
 

You convinced me. I best stay put in this area. I can move inland away from the coast and be OK. I don't think I would do better in the cold. I do OK in this state. Thanks for the input, and go ahead and put that blanket on! ginnie:hug:

Hi zoo
 

I will look up Sequim. Glad you knew about Cripple Creek. Some of the small towns in between the ranges are just beautiful. Will go to the link you sent. thank you....ginnie:)

Hi Zook. I have arthritis in my knees, but I don't have the bone deep pain in my right knee, which has worse arthritis than the L that has the CRPS. The deep bone pain is not uncommon with CRPS from the reading I've done. I was pretty active before the CRPS and still use a stationary bike and exercise generally as much as I can, but can't use a treadmill as my knee is very unstable. I've tried quite a few different meds, but I can't use anti-inflammatory tabs because they gave me stomach problems after a few months, so I elevate if the swelling builds up, and generally I manage it pretty well I think. It's frustrating trying to keep well and mobile! Can't afford a hot tub, and it would have to be a 'pleasantly-warm tub' anyway, as hot water makes the burning worse! Ah the fun and games.....we all cope as best we can :)

Bram.