Disabled Vet . . .

In June of 1996 I was wounded in the terrorist bombing of a US military barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, called Khobar Towers. Nineteen young men died that night, and over 200 more men and women sustained wounds. I received a significant blow to the head knocking me out for a minute or so, and I have had a headache almost every day of my life since.

My problems are threefold: chronic refractive daily headaches with migraine, a seemingly permanent post-concussive syndrome (that was not my first one), and PTSD (also not my first time). Each can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of the others, as can their resulting prescriptions.

In the decade since, I was treated by the best and brightest military and civilian physicians, tried every known regimen and medication, but still I got worse. I was retired by the military, unemployable, disabled, newly divorced (she couldnâ??t handle the transition), and living alone. If not for my wonderful daughter, my folks, and my dog Baylee, I would most likely have left this life to see whatâ??s next.

When I decided to stay, I also decided to live the rest of my life on my own terms, and it was then that I started to try MM for my conditions. Florida isnâ??t an MM state, but I did consult with my doctor and he agreed it was worth a try, and so for the first time since college I tried it. Almost immediately I saw a decrease in the headaches, and with the co-benefit of depression/anxiety relief it was as if the sun came out after a very long time.

Instead of OxyContin or Demerol, I can now control my headaches with the MM and simple Darvocet most of the time, and I no longer live in a narcotic haze with the corresponding constant fatigue. My depression has lifted, and my PTSD symptoms have been reduced as well. Donâ??t get me wrong, I am not â??magicallyâ?? whole again, but I can look to the future with hope instead of despair. MM has given me back my life, as it has done for so many others.

To be honest I am still a bit conflicted, having been raised to obey the law and now always at risk for legal problems, but my father once told me itâ??s â??better to be judged by twelve than carried by sixâ?�. [Originally in reference to self-defense, but applicable also to suicide vs. possible arrest] I have conquered my depression, moderated my pain to a livable level, and been well enough the last year to have met (soon to marry) a very special woman. For these blessings, I must risk the authorities while thanking God for His bounty.

My parents are victims of the Drug Warâ??s propaganda campaign, and have always seen marijuana as dangerous and addictive. But, they have also seen the positive changes in me since beginning this treatment. While they are concerned like me about possible legal problems, they are happy my life is turning around and that I have finally found some relief.

Some will say I should move to a state with MM legislation, and I have considered that, but I believe to move that far from my child would risk bringing back the depression. I cannot go back to that, and no one has the right to ask me to. This is my home, and here I will stay.

MUCH respect for ya and welcome to the forums. I'd suggest you should take a look at our cultivation forums. There are some good people there that could teach ya how to do for yourself regarding the smoke.

Rule 1-10: Tell NOBODY! Keep your activities on the hush and nobody is the wiser.:thumbsup:

Have a good one!:jointsmile:

I have major respect for a soldier, welcome hun

Glad to know you are doing better, and thank you for your past service. It is greatly appreciated.

good to hear a real world situation where marijuana helped out. It won't be the answer to all your problems but people all over have said it before and will continue to say it: "if everyone smoked weed the world would be a much happier more relaxed place to live".

I can see your reasoning for being scared and not wanting to be in conflict with the law but look at it this way; uncle sam already fucked you once so I personally would consider it fair payback. There is no repairing your mental health and the physical conditions you have traded for service in this war. I am not anti bush so to speak and I am not on a political spiel but you have to stand up for yourself and it sounds like you are.

For that I have deep respect, especially since you aren't will to move to a free for all state like CA where marijuana is practically legal. Instead you have decided to stick it out in your own state and for that I think many people will be rewarded who also have a like mind in the long run. Soon it will no longer be a "drug" but a miracle herb.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MajMike

In June of 1996 I was wounded in the terrorist bombing of a US military barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, called Khobar Towers. Nineteen young men died that night, and over 200 more men and women sustained wounds. I received a significant blow to the head knocking me out for a minute or so, and I have had a headache almost every day of my life since.

My problems are threefold: chronic refractive daily headaches with migraine, a seemingly permanent post-concussive syndrome (that was not my first one), and PTSD (also not my first time). Each can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of the others, as can their resulting prescriptions.

In the decade since, I was treated by the best and brightest military and civilian physicians, tried every known regimen and medication, but still I got worse. I was retired by the military, unemployable, disabled, newly divorced (she couldnâ??t handle the transition), and living alone. If not for my wonderful daughter, my folks, and my dog Baylee, I would most likely have left this life to see whatâ??s next.

When I decided to stay, I also decided to live the rest of my life on my own terms, and it was then that I started to try MM for my conditions. Florida isnâ??t an MM state, but I did consult with my doctor and he agreed it was worth a try, and so for the first time since college I tried it. Almost immediately I saw a decrease in the headaches, and with the co-benefit of depression/anxiety relief it was as if the sun came out after a very long time.

Instead of OxyContin or Demerol, I can now control my headaches with the MM and simple Darvocet most of the time, and I no longer live in a narcotic haze with the corresponding constant fatigue. My depression has lifted, and my PTSD symptoms have been reduced as well. Donâ??t get me wrong, I am not â??magicallyâ?? whole again, but I can look to the future with hope instead of despair. MM has given me back my life, as it has done for so many others.

To be honest I am still a bit conflicted, having been raised to obey the law and now always at risk for legal problems, but my father once told me itâ??s â??better to be judged by twelve than carried by sixâ?�. [Originally in reference to self-defense, but applicable also to suicide vs. possible arrest] I have conquered my depression, moderated my pain to a livable level, and been well enough the last year to have met (soon to marry) a very special woman. For these blessings, I must risk the authorities while thanking God for His bounty.

My parents are victims of the Drug Warâ??s propaganda campaign, and have always seen marijuana as dangerous and addictive. But, they have also seen the positive changes in me since beginning this treatment. While they are concerned like me about possible legal problems, they are happy my life is turning around and that I have finally found some relief.

Some will say I should move to a state with MM legislation, and I have considered that, but I believe to move that far from my child would risk bringing back the depression. I cannot go back to that, and no one has the right to ask me to. This is my home, and here I will stay.

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If I was in your shoes, I would seek all possible remedies.

Have you tried, pressure points for healing? This book's info has worked for my headaches. Healing Yourself with Pressure Point Therapy, Simple, Effective Techniques for Massaging Away More Than 100 Annoying Ailments - Yahoo! Shopping

Good stuff...respect.

I have indeed tried that, as well as accupuncture, chiropractic care, bio-feedback, nutrition counseling, TENS, nerve blocks, and every other thing under the sun. My doc is a Mayo Fellow, specializing in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and headaches.

Keeping my fingers crossed for something new . . .

Thanks for your concern.

im in the same shoes u are but not from war but i fell about 6 ft right on my head with nothin stoping my fall now i have headaches pretty much every day and when i wake up in the morning thats the worse iv'e been going to treatment for about 5 mo now and nothin seems to be working my mri's of my head and neck show i have 3, c5, c6, c7,that are bulging and shows protrusion all i know is i hurt like hell pretty much every day and i have noticed if i say go out and work in the yard or lift over my head to much i can feel the headache coming on and if i don't stop i will have a bad one for around 3 or 4 days i feel cracking and poping in my back when i turn so i know how u feel and i feel every bit of it as i don't take anything for it i just suffer. but thats just me

Welcome to the boards and I am glad that MM has reduced your pain and suffering. Much respect for being a veteran, God bless you and maybe one day your pain and suffering will end for good so you can live in peace.

Respect to you mate!

Welcome to the forums, glad to have you here! :D

Hey brother,
Same shoes, different size(s),
I am retired Navy and was a sonar technician on board a navy destroyer when the first gulf war broke out. My name came up as a combat reconnaisance photographer (I was a navy journalist in my first hitch) and was assigned to a spec ops group. During a forward deployment, a mortar round land fifteen feet away from me. There were two shipmates standing between me and the mortar and they disappeared in a geyser of foam. I was knocked almost 25 yards to my left. It left me with my left leg twisted at the knee at a right angle, my right ear completly shot, my ribs and right harm concussed so bad it took almost six months for the bruising to leave.
And like Major Mike, they tried everything to relieve the pain and pressure.
Only MM does the trick. I had to move to Idaho to take care of my parents (My father was a soldier from WWII who had undiagnosed PTSD) and he evenutually took his own life. He felt that MM was evil too and I always wondered what his world would have been like if he'd tried MM for his issues.
It's good to see other vets fighting the fight for legalization.
I'm still in Idaho but will be moving back to my beloved Oregon soon.
Anybody know an MM doctor in eastern Oregon?
How about a nice lady?
Be blessed my friends, our day will come.

A couple of very moving stories here, respect to MajMike and celticpoet.

If only legislators would open their ears to people such as these surely we would finally have sensible and rational policies on MM.

Your story is unbelievably inspiring. I give you every ounce of respect I in my body. Good luck with everything in your future, and I hope you continue to realize the overwhelming amount of positive potential for this plant. God Bless, my friend. And happy smoking for all.

As millions have suggested for decades: Legalize it.

MM relieved my pain and helped my depression/PTSD, so much that I was able to rejoin the world. Now I am engaged (July 8 ceremony), and looking to the future with hope instead of dread.

Welcome.