What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia, which literally translates as pain in the fibrous tissues of the body, is a disorder of the musculoskeletal system causing pain and fatigue; the cause remains unknown. Question most patients who suffer with this condition about their symptoms and they will tell you that they ache everywhere; that it feels like they have overdone a gym session or overworked their muscles in some way. Twitching and a burning sensation in the muscles is also often reported. Fibromyalgia is predominately a female disorder but it is one that affects people in all age groups.
Fibromyalgia was officially recognised as a medical condition when it was classified by the American College of Rheumatology in 1990. The publication of diagnostic criteria saw an avalanche of reported cases and subsequent studies show the prevalence of fibromyalgia in the general population to be between 1.3% and 7.3%.
What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
- Extreme and widespread pain
- Chronic headache
- Jaw pain
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbance
- Joint stiffness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Bowl and bladder abnormalities
- Numbness and tingling
What are the Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Fibromyalgia?
The following chart shows fibromyalgia-patient reported benefits marked out of ten
| Symptom | Score out of 10 |
| Fibromyalgia Tender Point Pain Relief | 7.53 |
| Myofasical Trigger Point Pain Relief | 7.54 |
| More Energy / Mental Clarity | 6.95 |
| Better Sleep | 8.96 |
| No Side Effects | 8.48 |
| Convenience of use | 5.75 |
| Cost/Benefit over other medications | 9.12 |
| Depression Relief | 7.77 |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief | 7.06 |
| Genitourinary Problem Relief | 6.95 |
| Skin Problem Relief | 6.24 |
| Blood Sugar Stabilizing | 5.7 |
Recommended Marijuana Strains for Treating Fibromyalgia
Because fibromyalgia is a syndrome – that is a condition with a whole variety of symptoms – it is very difficult to be specific about the best strains to use. However, the marijuana strain that seems to receive more plaudits than any other when used to treat this condition is Sour Diesel, a sativa dominant cross of Mexican Sativa with Chemo.
In the past , when I have smoked pot for fibromyalgia relief , it made my pain 10 x worse ! HOWEVER , since discovering the Sativa strain( any kind ) , it is a miracle medicine for me. Not only for pain relief , but my energy level is so much better, which of course helps even more with my pain due to increased movement and circulation !
I also suffer from a major back injury , with nerve damage. Needless to say , if my back muscles are relaxed , my pain level is lowered.
Living in Florida makes it tricky , but not impossible to get. My bigger issue is that I am a single mom , living with my last 2 kids out of 5. The problem is this : I have twin -soon to be 15 yr olds ( boy and girl) and we live in a small house where there is no place to go to light up ! I try to take a walk at night, but come home reeking! It is a crucial time for my “soon to be” driving permit teenager’s lives, no need to elaborate on the driving subject. Not to mention the respect issue here .( It IS illegal in our state) and even though I am 100% pro legalization, I do have a moral conundrum to face. The solution to my marijuana woes is to make tasty sweets in either candy or cake form , but let’s face it , have you ever smelled a kitchen after baking with our nature’s medicine ?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Bottom line ? The Sativa plant is a RELIEF !
Hi Lisa, it sounds like by conforming to a view that you know to be wrong you are perpetuating the myth that cannabis is a bad thing. My kids both know all about weed and have done since they turned teenagers. They get lots of information about it from school (probably inaccurate) and from the establishment (definitely inaccurate) I thought it best that they got some honest information from me.
If you get relief from weed then weed is a positive thing in your life, not something to be ashamed of. It’s the law that is wrong.
I think the biggest conundrum is knowing when they are mature enough to know that it is a secret, and why it is a secret.
As a matter of interest, both my kids are grown up now and one is a cannabis smoker and one isn’t. I’m not sure if that is relevant, but it shows that they eventually make their own decisions about it. They will anyway, I just think it’s better if it is an informed decision.
GIve them all the information, let them decide if it’s right or wrong. If they know their mum is in pain and that this gives her relief, I’m sure they will be cool about it.
I have fibromyalgia, lupis, diabetis, and obesity. Not to mention pain, pain, pain. I do not like to smoke, so how can I find relief from the Sour Diesel, the strain you wrote about. Any information to help would be appreciated.
Lise
Lisa-I’m also in NJ, I live with multiple sclerosis for the past 15 years and meniere’s diseases for the most recent few months ontop of my MS. Both of these illnesses are problems related to my AutoImmune System.
Because I do use medical marijuana there are many ways as described but if you wish to start off by trying to eat some. When you do find a way to purchase some on the streets? Because NJ has not begun distributing any just yet. When you wish to remove any extract from any plant to be used as medicine there are 2 simple ways. The first way is to saute the plant lightly in butter for about 5-7 mins, then mix this butter into a single cupcake and bake- or mix into a single Aunt Jemaima Pancake and cook. Or you could also try making Tincture one of the oldest forms of medicine made by soaking your plants in Vodka until about 95% of all Vodka evaporates. Then the remains are a combo of the plants extract + vodka. Only use this by the teaspoon to try.
There is nothing to fear as nobody has every died from marijuana just be careful of the alcohol content and how much you drink as for feeling drunk instead of relieved.
I continue to fight for my state right to medical marijuana in NJ and I will post more info as son as I am able to obtain it from health dept. Until then I must buy in the hood. On the Streets.
Happy New Year!
Chuck
I’m NJ, we are still waiting to see how this thing pans out.