A Medical need

Hello and let me introduce myself; my Name is Bill and I am not an active marijuana user. I quit smoking cigarettes about twenty years ago because of a lung condition, but now am facing having to go back to it out of necessity. I am under constant medical care and I must admit, that the Doctors are prescribing some really expensive medications with some really strong side effects. I legitemately have cronic problems. I have had my left hip removed (actually three times as the first one got infected and they had to take it out, put in a temporary with anti-biotics then remove that one to replace it with my third and final perment hip). The hip replacement was caused by extremely painful arthritis. Now my other hip is going bad. There is no cure for arthritis and the pain is incrediable. To top that off, I went in for a colonoscopy and they found Crohns Disease and Diverticulitis as well as irritable bowl syndrome. There is no cure for that. The medication they prescribe is $320 per month and it is only to control the pain, not the disease. If that wasn't enough, I have Myestenia Gravis (Hospitalized orginally they thought it was a stroke) and have been diagonosed with Macular Degeneration by an optomolgist. I see about ten different doctors, all costing thousands of dollars per month and none of the illnesses I have is there a cure. Only surgery to remove parts fo my body. After awhile, there is not much to remove. I see a nurologist because I have very little feeling from my waste down. It seems your nerves that run through your body are much like an electrical wire. If the insulation of the wire, the plasic or rubber, deteriates, then the electrical wire shorts out. So does your nerves and it is called Nuroopathy. The medications I take are obscene. The number of Doctors I go to reguarly is obscene. The pharmacy bills that I pay each month are unconsciencable. One of my very good friends has Muscular Dystrophy (MS) and takes medical marijuana to relieve some of the pain. while attending one of my regular doctor appointments, I asked my doctor if he thought that there was a legitamate and a sound medical reason for me to try it. The pain was getting severe and I was quickly reaching a point where I was not about to take any more prescribed pain medications. When you are in the hospital, they load you up with so much of that stuff that you really do question your senses and sensibilities. I couldn't take that anymore nor would I. I was really concerned about substituting one harmful medication for a better one, but having to deliver that medication by inhaling harmful smoke into my lungs. That was a really tough call for me. I was told that maybe I should try some non-smoking type delivery such as baked goods and keep what remained of my health. Here is the thing: IT WORKED. No, I can't honestly say I enjoy when I have to take it. I am in pain. I wished I could lie to you and tell you that I got some sort of high or feel good from the use of marijuana, but I can't. I am just hurting too much when I finally break down and take my medication. But here is the thing. I have over a reem of paper (over 500) pages of medical test, reports and recommendations. It was only when an "Old" Doctore who didn't believe in medical marijuana finally gave me the green light to at least try it and see what happens that I got any sort of relief at all. Now here is the really weird part. My son is in Medical School in Tennessee at Vanderbilt. My other son is a Registered Nurse and one other is a paramedic in the back of an ambulance saving lives. None of them could believe the change that came over medically when their "old man" starting using "dope" as they like to call it. Now comes the final son, he graduated from Harvard Law with honors. He explained to me what jury nulification is and suggested I "go for it". He said it would probably take him three weeks to present to a jury just my medical records and explain the condition and the pain. But he assured me that there is not a jury in America that would go along with some government mandated law that was unjust. Basically, his recommendation was that every single person who really had medical justification for use of marijuana join together and take this to court. The law is based on precidence meaning that prior case law and the outcome of those cases, pretty much determines even if some prosecutor is going to pursuit litigation. The Attorney General of the State of California has issued a legal opinion basically saying it is the humane thing to do and yet, each of us has our very rights violated day in and day out. I can assure you, that given enough time, there will be enough cases taken to court that after loosing case after case, they are going to have to legalize marijuana. To many people can see because of it. Too many people can go home after Kemo theropy and not throw up. To many AIDS patients and those in pain can live a little bit better life because of Marijuana. No, I don't agree with all that is written in this forum, but even though I disagree with so much of it, I will fight to the death your right to say it and use it if it truly helps you in your medical condition. I stand on the back of so many who have gone before me and paid the ultimate price for me to write this note today. I am here because many others went through so much pain to just make it possible for me to have some kind of relief. I am sorry, I don't like getting high. I am sorry, I don't like it misused. If it helps you, by all means, use it. Thank you for this forum. Thanks to all of the people who have shared countless hours of information and education I needed to get to this point in my life. Without you, I would have probably died in pain. I owe you, each and everyone of you out there that have risked everything for people like me. Thank you.

You really NEED to click the link in my sig and read! (and maybe use paragraphs next time?- it's hard to read big blocks of text.) I'm Granny Storm Crow, the long-winded "keeper of MMJ studies". I'm turning 62 this month, so you aren't talking with some "dumb, know-it-all kid".

So, I have your post up in another window and I'll go through it bit by bit with links and comments. I'll get you "up to speed" on MMJ. ;)

Is your arthritis osteo or rheumatoid? There are far more studies on rheumatoid, but cannabis is an anti-inflammatory and helps with pain in general.

Rheumatoid arthritis, cannabis based medicine eases pain and suppresses disease
Rheumatoid arthritis, cannabis based medicine eases pain and suppresses disease

IBS/ Crohns- I don't know if cannabis will cure it but it sure helps it a lot!

Mayo Study: Marijuana's THC Reduces Stomach Cramping
BBSNews - Mayo Study: Marijuana's THC Reduces Stomach Cramping

Cannabis may soothe inflamed bowels
Cannabis may soothe inflamed bowels - Current medical events - Hemp and Medicine - Welcome to www.hemp-info.ch! The specialist for hemp (Cannabis) in Switzerland

In the Human Colon: Cannabinoids Promote Epithelial Wound Healing
Elsevier

Crohn's Patients Report Symptomatic Relief From Cannabis
Crohn's Patients Report Symptomatic Relief From Cannabis: The Hempire - [cannabis, london]

Cannabis Helps Ulcers And Crohn's Disease
Cannabis Helps Ulcers And Crohn's Disease: The Hempire - [cannabis, london]

Bowel Study Backs Cannabis Drugs
Bowel Study Backs Cannabis Drugs: The Hempire - [cannabis, london]


Vision can also be protected by cannabinoids- these are about diabetic retinopathy, I'm afraid I have nothing on macular degeneration.

Neuroprotective and Blood-Retinal Barrier-Preserving Effects of Cannabidiol
Neuroprotective and Blood-Retinal Barrier-Preserving Effects of Cannabidiol in Experimental Diabetes -- El-Remessy et al. 168 (1): 235 -- American Journal of Pathology

Marijuana compound could prevent eye damage in diabetics
Marijuana compound could prevent eye damage in diabetics: The Hempire - [cannabis, london]


I do have some studies on cannabis slowing or halting neural problems such as MS and neuropathy, but nothing myasthenia gravis. Here's a few on neuropathy pain-

Cannabinoids Among Most Promising Approaches to Treating Neuropathic Pain
In MedPanel Summit, Leading Pain Experts Name Cannabinoids Among Most Promising Approaches to Treating Neuropathic Pain, Assert That Sociopolitical Climate Will Hamper Drug Approvals - Health News - redOrbit

Smoked cannabis in painful peripheral neuropathy and cancer pain refractory to opiods.
Clinical Studies and Case Reports

Efficacy of 2 Cannabis based medicinal extracts for relief of central neuropathic pain
http://www.ukcia.org/research/Centra...inEfficacy.pdf

A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of cannabis cigarettes in neuropathic pain.
A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of cannabis cigarettes in neuropathic pain.

Cannabis is a neuroprotectant, also-

Cannabidiol in medicine: a review of its therapeutic potential in CNS disorders.
Unbound MEDLINE | Cannabidiol in medicine: a review of its therapeutic potential in CNS disorders. Journal article


Cannabidiol and (−)Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants
Cannabidiol and (−)Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants

(edit- I don't know how or why the smilie is in the link- but the link works anyway!lol)

Now about that "harmful smoke", there is a device called a vaporizer. There are many brands on the market from the "Volcano" at over $500 to some on ebay that are $50 and aren't worth the money. I would suggest getting a Vapor Brothers- they are effective, quiet, durable, and small. The leftover cannabis after vaping, can be reused to make passable brownies. Delivered (discretely in a plain box), a VB should run under $150.

Smokeless Cannabis Delivery Device Efficient And Less Toxic
Smokeless Cannabis Delivery Device Efficient And Less Toxic

Decreased respiratory symptoms in cannabis users who vaporize.
Decreased respiratory symptoms in cannabis users who vaporize.


There's a LOT more like that in my list. (The "old format" list is less confusing) I would suggest that you keep a journal to keep track of your symptoms and use. Cannabis can make opiates work more effectively (yes I have studies for that, but I don't want to overload you), so watch your dosages when you use cannabis. Some folks have cut their pain meds to 1/3 of their original dose.

Thank you for having an open mind toward cannabis. :thumbsup: It really IS an amazing herbal medicine! When you consider the preventative aspects of cannabis- halting the progression of MS, slowing or halting neuropathic degeneration, preserving eyesight in diabetics, preventing amyloid plaque (a marker for Alzheimer's), and so much more- you begin to see that all use could be considered as medical- whether the user perceives it that way or not.

So welcome to our community, it's good to have you! :D

Granny :hippy:

Thank you for your help Granny. Wow. I am overwelmed. I think I will be spending the next couple of days trying to read up on all the information.
I am trying to locate decent doctors in California to go over for a full medical check up and discussion of the various medications I am currently being prescribed and taking with the hope of reducing those numbers considerably. If you happen to have or know of a really decent doctor who is aware of the use of Marijuana, I would certainly appreciate the name and phone number anywhere in Southern or Mid California. I plan to drive over each month from Arizona for medical check-ups and monitoring of the results. If I need to move to California for treatment, I will.
Thanks again for information on the vaporizer as inhaling smoke probably bothered me more than anything. I certainly do not disagree with anyone who likes to "inhale" and I appreciate their rights to do so. I only hope they allow the same respect in return to those who do not wish to inhale. I am glad there are alternatives for me and I will spend countless hours reading up on your post. Again, Thank you so much for the help.

Bill,

I am a 40 yr old dad, ex-navy, been married 19 years, and have been a MMJ user for a year now. I have had over 8 knee surgeries and that is where I get most of my pain from the arthritis that has built up along with my Degenerate bone loss in them. I was taking 8 pain pills a day just for the knees. I also suffer from RLS ever since I got out of the military and I was taking a low dose of a Parkinsons medication along with a beta blocker for my heart. Not to mention the prescription strength anti-inflammatory.

My doctor(s) all 3 of them discussed and we tried the MMJ route. I am now off ALL my meds and have my life back. I am more active and alive than I have been in years.

My docs are writing up a case study on this. My swelling in my knees have gone down over 60% just with MMJ. My pain is almost completely gone, I sleep like a baby, swelling is down, and my heart is staying on track (its a brain issue, bad wiring :cool: )

My family and kids are all on board with this and they now are convinced like I am that MMJ is a great thing.

Storm Crow gave you lots of great info. I have read most of that before I made my decision. But let me tell you.. The hardest part is finding a dose and method of taking MMJ that fixes the problem while allowing you to function better than before.

I make THC capsules. This allows me to make sure I get the right amount that I know works for me. If I need more I take another capsule or hit the vaporizer. I cook with MMJ alot also. I keep myself on a good level of dossage all day long and life could not be better.

if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

I haven't been to central or southern Cali in years, best I can do is give you the link for NORML's "friendly" doctors. They are mostly "in and out" doctors, while you need someone who will do in depth work. I am hoping one of them can recommend a doctor who can meet your needs.

CA NORML Medical Marijuana Information

To be legal in California (and use the dispensaries), you will need to be a legal resident. I wish the MMJ states would recognize each other's patients! If you run out of your prescription drugs in another state, you DO NOT need to see a doctor in that state to get your prescription filled. (It IS a bit more of a hassle, but it can be done!) Why isn't it like that with cannabis?

I'm glad I could give you some help! :D


Granny :hippy: