Just learning about med. marijuana, and need help with everything

[pinheadcity]

Hello, This is my first post, and what I wanted to know is what would work better for stomach pain (pain believed to be caused by eosinophilic gastroenteritis) It has been ongoing for about two years now, and they have had me on Hydrocodone with Apap, and as i was building a tolerance, they made me take higher doses, so finally, after taking it everyday for almost a year, they listen to me when i say it doesnt work anymore, and it just makes me feel like garbage. So I told my doctor to refuse any refills at all for the hydro/apap, and he suggested acupuncture and herbals. He didn't say what kind, but my other doctor, the gastroenterologist suggested "natural substitutes for painkillers that target the nerves directly" however, neither of them verbally suggested straight up Medicinal Marijuana, My gastro doc is based out of San Francisco and my physician is in the east bay, but anyways, I decided since they wont give me a direct answer, i will take all my medical records to a doctor to see what his opinion is on me using Med. Marijuana as an alternative that will be easier on my liver. I was just wondering if anybody could give me advice, such as a Doctor in the Bay Area that prescribes/authorizes a club card, or what route i should go, I am generally sick of taking mouthfuls of hydro/apap to barely numb my pain anymore.

Sorry this is so long, i just havent ever thought about using it as an alternative before now. I am not much of a smoker in general, and my lungs take smoke in a bad way, so i was wondering if Edibles would be the route to go, and if they would subside my stomach pain longer than just smoking? Or if they have other ways to take it in without smoking it. Also, i have only smoked once years ago, and was wondering if like the drugs i am taking for it now, that i will build a tolerance to the marijuana, If you could help me at all, or give me any advice, that would be awesome, as you can see, i am a confused mess, and I am afraid to ask my two doctors right now directly about authorizing me a club card, because i dont want them to think that is why i am there, just for drugs. This pain is just so severe i need a fast solution! Thanks a lot, look forward to hearing from you!

gosh am i lost in this new alternative that has been brought to me
just wish my doctors would specify if this is the herb they want me to consider trying! and even if they dont, if i should take my two years of pain records to a different doctor, and again, if you know any good doctors that wont cost me near 400 dollars to get authorization from ( i called a few numbers) please send them my way!

[Storm Crow]

Hi Honey, this is Granny giving you honest advice. First go to your regular doctor and get a copy of your medical records. Next go to Norml's web site for California and check their list. My doctor charges about $200 for the first recommendation and $150 for the yearly renewal. You walk in with your records, get a quick physical, pay the nice doctor and get your recommendation. If you have LEGITIMATE health problems, it's that easy!

If you want to go by way of edibles, check this out... International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - Cannabis Recipes (http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=7602&highlight=elixer)

I strongly recommend that you get a vaporizer if you decide to smoke. Smoking or vaping gives you much faster relief and it is easier to judge your dosage (as opposed to eating). Vaping is much healthier than actual smoking. The little "box" types (Vapor Brother's, etc) are good and run you about 1/3 the price of the top-of-the-line Volcano vaporizers.

Doctors are prohibited from "narking" on you when you tell them you use cannabis. Likewise, they are protected from federal prosecution for recommending pot.

If you decide to grow, act like it's still illegal- DON"T TELL ANYONE! Growing your own meds is a great hobby!

Tolerance isn't a HUGE problem, it does happen, but it's not like opiates where you will need ever increasing doses (with the attendant side effects). If you find you are using more than you want to, take a week's break and all is good once more!

I think you'll find that pot is just what the doctor ordered!

[pinheadcity]

Thank you much! I just had an acupuncture session today, and as much as I want to continue it, It is a twice a week thing, and pretty pricey even with my insurance covering it, i was only going to use the Med. Marijuana as a last resort, but i think i may look into it soon, because i cant just take two days from working to get acupunctured, not to mention they want me to totally change my diet to help my chi flow better, i mean, i want pain relief, and cant wait until my chi is aligned in weeks or months from now. So i think i will call tomorrow and get copies of all my medical records and take your advice!

[Storm Crow]

Glad to help! For me, it's migraines, and I do not regret getting "California legal" even though it costs me about a 1/5 of a monthly paycheck each year (I love my job, but the pay is slave wages!). Just keep a low profile and enjoy! -Granny:hippy:

[missybit]

i have irritable bowel syndrome, and marijuana is the only drug that even comes close to making me feel like i don't have an alien child trying to claw its way out of my belly. i tried conventional medications for years, and NOTHING worked.

that said, changing my diet has helped more than anything, even the weed. smoking helps when i'm having an "episode," but for long-term maintenance, lifestyle change is key. i gave up caffeine and fried (and other "trigger") foods, and began regular gentle exercise.

i really, really hope you get to feeling better. i know how much it sucks.

[hazetwostep]

storm crow gave good advice. definitely invest in a vaporizer. i purchased one from vaporwarez for $150 and it works great! i really hope the medicinal marijuana works for you or at least that you find something that brings you good relief.

[GotWake88]

hydrocodone?? Wouldn't opiates make stomach pain worse?

[pinheadcity]

I dont know, the doctors have been dicking around with me for the last two years about it, after taking my painkillers daily for a year, i told my doctor i was done with them, and told him to deny me any more refills, which he said he was going to do after one more refill, i was supposed to taper myself off of it slowly because of the large amounts i had to take sometimes 6 tablespoons daily, i had asked my doctor if he could switch meds, because i grew a tolerance to it, and he just kept telling me to take more each time, but yeah, i didnt put into perspective that i didnt have any left at home to start the tapering process, so i am at disneyland not having a good time because of physical withdrawals from it, my doctor told me i was plainly not mentally addicted, but i was physically... this sucks, and i need something to help me through it, i am calling a good SF doctor when i get back to norcal and getting my recommendation, withdrawals on top of this severe pain is hell.. purely