Disabled Vet Losing Hope in Central AR

I sure could use some normalcy in my life right about now. For 5-6 years now Iâ??ve been an all but silent advocate for a patientâ??s right to medical marijuana; careful word of mouth and the blue moon PayPal contributions to NORML were about the some total of my efforts. I was trying to stay under the radar, trying to avoid attracting any undo attention, for I am a military veteran with chronic pain who is ever dependent upon the Veteranâ??s Affairs for medical and disability payments, and I smoke for medical relief every day, several times a day and have for years.
I have unmanaged constant symphonies of pain every moment, fentynal patches leave severe bouts of nausea lasting 2-6 hours while letting in an inordinate amount of pain. From 165 pounds and 5% body fat, my weight dropped to 117, no concern exhibited by my medical care givers. Neuropathic pain is a real nemesis, entirely parasitic and devoid of mercy. Then thereâ??s spasticity, deeper than nightmares. Somehow through all of this, sometimes I struggle with maintaining a balanced perspective - emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Every medication prescribed has unintended side effects and the very real potential of causing irreversible damage to my body. Every year people die from taking the medications delivered to me by the VA Pharmacy.
Anyone even remotely educated on the topic of medical marijuana would instantly recognize the many-fold potential for better management of my condition and symptoms with the simple addition of daily marijuana maintenance program. In my case, it has been the only effective treatment for nausea, Iâ??ve gained and maintained 27 pounds of mostly lean muscle mass and I eat regularly as opposed to 2-4 day binges of eating literally nothing, pain levels in general are unchanged in intensity but there is a distance gained from the pain to where it is no longer as suffocating, neuropathic pain is moderately reduced in both frequency and intensity, spasticity responds amazingly to certain varieties, and lastly my general psyche is more balanced, resilient, stable. And this is with what I understand to be "dirt" weed, I can't imagine the possible benefit from carefully cultivated strains.
Just before the Christmas holidays the VA screened my urine for illicit drugs, I was only informed they were checking my fentynal levels, lo and behold, I had a lonely THC spike. Now things with the VA are uncertain with sometimes conflicting scenarios being bandied about (i.e., denial of services, retesting, treatment, etc.). So, I find myself in need of advice on how to chart my course through this idiocy. I have Medicare but have never used it, I would love to find a Central Arkansas doctor who is tolerant or open to a patientâ??s self-administered medical marijuana and who could write the prescriptions for the rest of my medications. Any suggestions or insights in how to manage the VA situation would be most welcome, too. Thanks in advance.

My brothers in the same predicament. From what I'm hearing the VA is beginning to look at this more realisically and some VA hospitals are looking the other way on MJ use. One loop hole tp keepp in mind is to talk to your VA doctor and see if he will prescribe you Marinol. The VA can legally prescribe it. Then you can try all the different strains of cannabis you want.
In the case of my brother he just gave up and continues to live in severe pain.

Where the law is saner! It is purest madness that cannabis is not legal everywhere, at least medically! To deny suffering people pain relief in the name of ancient racism and modern profits is the cruelest insanity!

I wish I could help you more, but all I can do is offer you moral support. There is scientific conformation that cannabis works on your conditions in my "Granny Storm Crow's MMJ Reference List". (linked in my sig) Having studies that support you, can give you a bit more confidence when dealing with doctors.

One bit of "quiet activism" you may want to try is to mail (anonymously) studies from my list to the doctors you see and any politicians you care to bug. Educating doctors and politicians is a vital first step to legalization.

Hang in there! One Australian newspaper was recently predicting that by the end of 2010 there would be 25 or more US MMJ states. Once we get #26, it's a "done deal"!:thumbsup:

Granny :hippy:

"Veterans administration cannabis policy" - got 12,900 results. (Hint, hint ;) ) Seems that Michigan's VA is a bit more sensible than Arkansas!

Michigan Leading the Way for Veterans and Medical Cannabis - Salem-News.Com

And out of that article I got a reference to the VMMA who may be able to help you- but YOU get to run that search! :p

Incidentally, the Salem-News is a small, but good online paper for both vets and cannabis users! Nice folks run it! :thumbsup:


Granny :hippy: