how to approach a Doc

[lovemyhens]

I am diagnosed w/ seronegative ra. I was how I would approach my rhuematologist with a recommondation. I have a pretty good feeling that she won't recommend me, but i don't think i can get a recommendation through another doc unless they are a rhuematologist.

I also have had cronic back pain, and i have been seeing a chiropractor religously for over 3 years, but he definately doesn't support the NM MM laws. I live in the bible belt of NM and I am a bit intimidated to approach a doc.

lovemyhens Reviewed by lovemyhens on 07-07-2010. how to approach a Doc I am diagnosed w/ seronegative ra. I was how I would approach my rhuematologist with a recommondation. I have a pretty good feeling that she won't recommend me, but i don't think i can get a recommendation through another doc unless they are a rhuematologist. I also have had cronic back pain, and i have been seeing a chiropractor religously for over 3 years, but he definately doesn't support the NM MM laws. I live in the bible belt of NM and I am a bit intimidated to approach a doc. Rating: 5

[eastbaygordo]

I have a right winger for a pain mgmt doc and I've been wearing him down bringing him study after study detailing cannabis's medical healing powers.

He tried to use the excuse, "well I can't believe it can be useful for so many things" and I pointed out Asprin, Viagra, Neurontin, Rogaine and other off label uses for many medicines.
I probably didn't sway him but I got him thinking.

[Sandia]

I am diagnosed w/ seronegative ra. I was how I would approach my rhuematologist with a recommondation. I have a pretty good feeling that she won't recommend me, but i don't think i can get a recommendation through another doc unless they are a rhuematologist.

I also have had cronic back pain, and i have been seeing a chiropractor religously for over 3 years, but he definately doesn't support the NM MM laws. I live in the bible belt of NM and I am a bit intimidated to approach a doc.

Lovemyhens,

I have finally found someone who has a similar condition! My wife has RA that she was diagnosed with 2 years ago. About a year later I started developing similar symptoms where my body is attacking my joints. After MANY rounds of bloodwork and review of all my radiological data, I have some sort of autoimmune disease that they have not been able to pin down.

My pain management doctor of two years was the one to recommend cannabis. I brought this up with my Rheumatologist and while she was reluctant to recommend this, she is ALL for me pursuing this course of action.

For me, it was really not a huge issue to become a patient in the program. The hardest part was actually getting up the courage to openly discuss this form of treatment with my doctors. Every one of them that I approached had NO issues with me pursuing this.

I found that with all of the issues that I have, the relationships I have with my doctors, and being open and honest was the key to success in obtaining the recommendations and ultimate approval in May for the program.

I am under the chronic pain category but also qualify under the autoimmune mediated arthritis category as well.

I am in the greater ABQ area.

Best of luck and let me know if I can help!

Sandia

[lovemyhens]

Sandia,
I was on Plaquanil for 2 months, started with 1 pill once a day then graduated to 2 pills twice a day....felt like i was dying a slow death. Althought it help my RA symptoms, i suffered from stomach upset, constant vertigo, headache, weakness on one side of my body, tingling, skin burning sensation, numbness. I thought it was maybe my RA flaring, or even worse...i thought it could be MS....so my doc had me stop plaquenil, and within a week most symptoms subsided and in 2 weeks I felt like my old self, but then the joint pain came back.
So now she wants to start me on sulfasalazine 500mg 3 x daily. i have read the side affects...uhg. if this doesn't work then its methotextrate.

I have only had a rhuematologist since january, and my diagnoisis since about march. Although in my DR's notes she has stated i vaporize on occasion, i am reluctant to ask for a recomondation so soon. I may way for a couple of months and see how this new med works, and if makes me as sick as the plaquenil, but helps with the joint pain, then i will ask for a recomendation.
i want a recomendation TODAY, but i don't want to break the trust of my doc. so i am going to hold off for just a few more weeks.

But in the meantime, i will enjoy reading the forums.

Sandia,
what kind of symptoms do you endure, what is a flare feel like to you? and what meds do they have you on? I don't know anyone with RA to compare my symptoms with, and i feel all alone. I don't have much, if any, joint swelling, except on my left big toe, but i sure experience stiffness in the morning.

anyway...i would PM you, but don't know how...lol

[Sandia]

Sandia,
I was on Plaquanil for 2 months, started with 1 pill once a day then graduated to 2 pills twice a day....felt like i was dying a slow death. Althought it help my RA symptoms, i suffered from stomach upset, constant vertigo, headache, weakness on one side of my body, tingling, skin burning sensation, numbness. I thought it was maybe my RA flaring, or even worse...i thought it could be MS....so my doc had me stop plaquenil, and within a week most symptoms subsided and in 2 weeks I felt like my old self, but then the joint pain came back.
So now she wants to start me on sulfasalazine 500mg 3 x daily. i have read the side affects...uhg. if this doesn't work then its methotextrate.

I have only had a rhuematologist since january, and my diagnoisis since about march. Although in my DR's notes she has stated i vaporize on occasion, i am reluctant to ask for a recomondation so soon. I may way for a couple of months and see how this new med works, and if makes me as sick as the plaquenil, but helps with the joint pain, then i will ask for a recomendation.
i want a recomendation TODAY, but i don't want to break the trust of my doc. so i am going to hold off for just a few more weeks.

But in the meantime, i will enjoy reading the forums.

Sandia,
what kind of symptoms do you endure, what is a flare feel like to you? and what meds do they have you on? I don't know anyone with RA to compare my symptoms with, and i feel all alone. I don't have much, if any, joint swelling, except on my left big toe, but i sure experience stiffness in the morning.

anyway...i would PM you, but don't know how...lol

Lovemyhens,

WOW! Very similar situation on my end. I started out on Sulfasalazine FIRST but that made my insides horrid and had to stop. The Rheumy doc then put me on Plaquenil which I have been on for a couple of months now. It has reduced some of the swelling and pain I have been experiencing but still makes me have "emergency" bathroom stops. Unfortunately it is not working as well as she had hoped and I see her again at the end of the month. The next step we discussed is going to the methotrexate injections.

My wife was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. She has had very good success with the methotrexate injections. She began with Plaquinel but found that the methotrexate was much more effective. So much so that she has not had a flare up in over a year now!

As far as my symptoms go, I have had numerous joint surgeries and a total knee replacement. The surgeries (except for the knee replacement) have all essentially failed which has the surgeon puzzled. When I saw him last, I informed him of the diagnosis from the Rheumy and that made all the sense in the world to him. I have elected to not undergo ANY surgical procedures until we can get the autoimmune issues worked out...he agrees 100%. The knee replacement is actually starting to do much better. While I still have a lot of pain at times it is nowhere near what I experienced prior to the surgery. The swelling has gone down considerably.

As far as flareups, I am not sure that I have them. I am in constant pain and limited motion in my shoulders, back, and knees. My hands are also numb with pain in my wrists and finger joints. The Plaquinel has made this much better but I still have to take a ton of narcotics to essentially function. Not a good thing.

I have found that the cannabis, more specifically in the medible form, is very effective. I made muffins a couple weeks ago and once I had them in my system, I found that I did not have to take ANY narcotics! Unfortunately since I am on sooooo many and for such a long time, I went through pretty severe withdrawals. So I am now in a situation where I am titrating my narcotics down slowly instead of cold turkey. It seems to be working pretty well! Just going to take some time to hopefully come off of them for GOOD

I have a friend in in another state that has severe RA and has been using cannabis for a year now. She has been able to come OFF of the immuno suppresives totally now! I asked what she thinks is working. Flat out she said that the cannabis helps her tremendously. She too likes the medible route and feels that she gets more of the cannabinoids by ingesting via the food method rather than smoking or vaping.

I have only tried smoking it about 4 or 5 times. I don't smoke so taking the meds that way is uncomfortable for me. Vaping is effective now that I have gotten used to just how much to take....but, the effects last only about 45 minutes for me whereas the medibles last for several hours!

If you haven't had a chance to do so I suggest that you take a look at "Granny's List"....she has put together a compilation of hundreds of resources in one spot on how cannabis can help.

Take care and good luck with your med issues. If you have any other questions zap them my way!

Cheers!

Sandia

[chance942]

Sandia,

I overwhelming second your statement on being honest. This concept resulted in my enrollment in the MCP.

[lovemyhens]

Sandia,

I haven't tried edibles in a very long time. I may have to try that again.

Luckily my RA isn't to aggressive at this point, but i have noticed a rapid decline as to where I was a year ago.
I used to run, go to the gym, and was very very fit. Then i got a job that kept me from my routine, then I started getting sick.
I read that being a long distance runner causes the immune system to be beaten down.
when I was running, i felt great, except i was suseptible to colds and stomach flus more often than before my transformation.
I also noticed less aches, i was way more flexible, and my minds was at peace.

I am trying to run again, only when i am having a good day. i am also doing some weight training to help with the weakness i experienced when I was on plaquenil.

i was researching strains, and i was reading that cannabis with high cannabidiol is more helpful in treating pain than cannabis high in thc. Has anyone heard/experienced this? having higher cannabidiolMarijuana Extract Helps Arthritis Pain makes it less likely that your gonna get high, but thas ok with me....i want relief!

[7NuevoMexicano6]

Whenever you are talking Bout weed to ya drs. Co workers, Friends, you gotta know how to do it, my dr however, is a cool guy and i have known him for several years, ya see most dr.s are thinking that they have to write you a perscription for grass which is insane and untrue, and thats what he though, I showed him the application that i had and basically told him that all he is doin is diagnosing my problem, which he is, i told him that this is the correct way of goin about it and i am not bringing any heat to his Drs Office, he supported me and Filled out all the neccesary paperwork, Everything has been sent out and accepted by the NMDOH, I am waiting for my card, which shoulkd be arriving in a few weeks, http://boards.cannabis.com/members/7...5169-nmbud.jpg

[coolslayer]

Good luck.

[BosqueBoy]

Hi
I posted this reply in another thread, but I think it bears repeating.
Hi!
I've been in the Medical field for over 30 years. I have a couple suggestions to help with the Dr. issue.
First of all, if you read your application form carefully, you may notice that the Dr. doesn't have to recommend MM or prescribe it. All he has to do is certify that you have the qualifying condition. Most Dr"s are as new to this process as many of the patients. Explain to your Dr. that YOU have made the decision to medicate yourself with MM. Explain that he/she isn't recommendig or prescribing. Just certifying your qualifying condition. You paid your money to be sitting in front of the Doc. He SHOULD comply with your wishes. You MUST have documentation of the qualifing condition. PLEASE don't try to run a scam on the Dr. It just makes legitimate Pt's look bad.