Medicinal Marijuana
 

I am not considering using the marijuana as part of the treatment. But, I wonder if anybody is using it (of course I am assuming that it is legal to use in your state). My friend who has breast cancer is having trial for her pain.

I am interested to know from anyome who have used or still using it how effective it is for pain.

thank you.

Mary

Ask your doctor if weed is right for you...
 

From what I understand, with the "right" strain, it can be quite effective.

However, the "wrong" strain can actually enhance the pain.

I have tried it on several occasions, both "medical" and the more recreational varieties - it's been legal for decades here - but sadly it did not do anything for the pain in my case, nor do I enjoy smoking it.

I do know however it can be incredibly effective for some, especially for cancer patients.

Joe/Jack is right, and sometimes you need to try different strains to find one that works for you.

My mom was prescribed Marinol for uncontrollable nausea (med side effect) when she had cancer. Her pain was controlled by the narcotic so I don't know how effective it was for that specifically but it did help overall.

judi

My friend just arrived from Arizona. She went there to try the right "strain" and she decided to go through the treatment next month. Her friend has the machine to process the "oil". Her friend has MS and it helps with the spasm very effectively.

Even her doctor from Mayo here in Jacksonville also encouraged her to go for it.

I was told CVS is selling a medicine called Marinol which is basically a marijuana. But, since this has gone through "processing", this may not be as potent as when you really make it.

I read that the right strain could treat cancer, but if its used for pain, specifically nerve pain, is it for treatment or is it just to mask the pain. My concern about it is, does it reach a level where it will no longer be effective -- just like pain killers??

I have no idea about whether one develops a tolerance to it. It makes sense that you would, since neuropathy can be a lifelong condition whereas the treatment of nausea from cancer and chemotherapy is for a limited time.
I would really like to try it since it probably has fewer side effects than the narcotics I am on, and i have read many good things about its effectiveness for neuropathic pain, but while it has been legalized in my state, you have to get it from approved places of which there are exactly zero. Isn't that a clever way to handle a political hot potato?
Wouldn't it be lovely to be comfortable?

Are we talking about PN or cancer?

If by treatment you mean, "Will MM stop the neuropathy and regrow damaged nerves?" then no.

Gabapentin & Lyrica have upper limits beyond which more will not be effective. Opioids have no such upper limits, but have other serious risks associated with high doses.

Chronic marijuana users/abusers can build tolerance, but that tolerance can be negated/reversed by stopping usage for a few days, and there is no physical withdrawal. It is virtually impossible to OD on MM alone, though interactions are possible.

Side effects will depend on the individual and the strain (or blend of strains).

Doc

There's no provision for caregivers or growing your own?

Doc

Medicinal Cannabis and Painful Sensory Neuropathy
 

Not that I know of. It isn't decriminalized in any way. The whole subject was very controversial and I think this was a way of appeasing both sides. We are a strange state.