Medical marijuana is used by many patients across the world.
Some do this legally and others are forced to obtain marijuana illegally to help cope with their symptoms form their illness.
I would like to hear from patients who smoke medical marijuana. Has the marijuana been an affective treatment for your illness?
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I am a 51 years old female, and about three weeks ago suddenly started to get hot flashes. Two days later we happened to be on a party, where I smoked one hit. I noticed that I did not have any hot flashes till the next day.
I was wondering if it was a coincident, so I experimented on myself. I asked a friend of mine, who is a medical marijuana user to help me. Every other day I smoked one hit before bed. The following day when I smoked I had no hot flashes at all, or very mild ones. I slept well, and did not have night sweating either. The days I did not smoke they came back. After about 20 days the hot flashes gradually disappeared. Now I don’t have them without smoking either.
THC = “THE HEAVENLY CURE”
HOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA CURED MY MORNING SICKNESS
& NEARLY SAVED MY LIFE!
9/9/2011
By Danielle Kekoa
I am a 32 year-old, wife and home schooling mother of five children with baby #6 on the way.
With each previous pregnancy my morning sickness got progressively worse and the vomiting more violent throughout the day and night, to the point where the nausea completely immobilized me for nearly 12 weeks straight, but thankfully eased up after the first trimester, so I was expecting this one to let up around that time too. Well, nothing could have prepared me for the never-ending, nine-month nightmare that was ahead in the days to come, continuing on as the unrelenting, excessive nausea and vomiting persisted with no hopeful end in sight. Early on in this pregnancy when the tummy torture continued far beyond three months, I figured out that I have Hyperemesis Gravidarum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperemesis_gravidarum) and actively searched for a cure.
I tried every imaginable natural remedy under the sun (ginger chews, sea bands, preggo pops, herbal supplements designed to soothe stomachaches, B6 & Unisom, ect.) only to find little or no relief. Plus, I really want to know who had the bright idea of creating a cure for nausea in a pill form? Good grief! Anyway, as you can imagine, having five children along with a home to manage full-time, it is not an option for mom to be laid out, curled up in bed all day or profusely bowed down to the porcelain puke bowl. With mom out of commission, my children would undoubtedly suffer from neglect and the home would be a chaotic, miserable place to be.
My “morning-noon-& night” sickness was unbearable for everyone in the entire family, especially my poor hard-working hubby who felt completely helpless since he really couldn’t do much to relieve my suffering and the bulk of the burden was placed on him. Smells, tastes and textures were beyond unbearable as I could hardly keep anything down at length. Simple voice vibrations or footsteps on the floor often sent me hurling towards the bathroom and lengthy phone conversations created chaos for my condition from merely talking too much. At night I couldn’t lay down next to my husband in bed (on a memory foam mattress, nonetheless) due to the slightest movement of his presence, nor could I even have a blanket covering my belly because of the tendency to throw-up from the light pressure. Ultimately, I just gave up the hope of having a restful night’s sleep since my body went into breakdown mode every 2-3 hours demanding food and forcing me awake with fierce pain in my abdomen. To avoid this anguish every night I resolved to a 3:00am bedtime or later to minimize the midnight madness which set my whole day in a vicious cycle of sickness.
The brutal hunger pains would come on so strong sending me from zero to 60 in an urgent quest to find food or face disaster. The sensitivity in my stomach was so intense that it virtually crippled my ability to walk around my house, go down the stairs, drive my car or do any other minor movement beyond ten steps. Often I threw up blood from the rawness of my throat, until I learned to chew my food better and eventually switched to an essentially liquid diet. The extreme force from the frequent gagging caused me to pull my ribs multiple times, making it even more painful to puke. My poor sweet children who were taking care of me couldn’t even run up and give me a hug because of my inability to be touched for too long. By the end of my pregnancy the enamel on my teeth had been eradicated so much from the acid coming up that a space in-between my two front teeth began to form. The lowest point in which I hit rock bottom was when I slipped on my own vomit and fell flat on my back in a mad dash to the kitchen sink trying to avoid making a mess. Eventually we just scattered trash cans around the house to prevent another accident for when I couldn’t make it in time. The only plus side of this whole pregnancy was that I gained 25 lbs less than I usually do, but I would have easily traded the extra pounds just to feel good and keep food down.
My family was in turmoil and getting desperate, so desperate that I began to abandon my hope for a “natural” remedy and started seeking Big Pharma for relief even though I distrust their drugs with a passion. I tried a sample of Zofran, but it didn’t do much to help ease my affliction, and the experimental nature and the unknown side-effects of the drug concerned me so I continued to search for alternatives. My interest peaked when my research led to a pharmaceutical product called Marinol (Dronabinol), a widely available anti-nausea prescription drug on the market with the active ingredient of synthetic THC, the compound found in cannabis. Although personal testimonies from patients using this drug claim it’s not as effective, neither has the safety of using Dronabinol during pregnancy been established, it has been esteemed as an effective pill among physicians. So the question in my mind was, if synthetic THC was so great according to the FDA and can help relieve nausea and vomiting, why not just try the real thing?
Truth be told, I have smoked pot nearly my entire adult life off and on, minus all the years I was pregnant because of the expectation to “be healthy” and refrain from certain substances in fear of harming the unborn baby. Although I did drink caffeine regularly and wine on occasion with no worries, I guess the strong stigma in society that “drugs are bad,” especially during pregnancy, led me to refrain from smoking marijuana on a consistent basis. Of course, most people don’t see a stigma attached when it comes to prescription drugs heavy-laden with harmful chemicals because they are “legal” and given by “doctors” despite the numerous negative side-effects. But for some irrational reason using a natural-grown herb is dangerous and harshly frowned upon in our culture – doesn’t make any sense. Luckily for us, medical marijuana became legal in our state which was a great way for my husband and I to responsibly utilize the benefits of this medicine while finally eliminating the “criminal” element of buying in a back-alley. Plus, being able to purchase from a regulated dispensary provided us with an impressive variety and selection of the finest herbal remedies available on the market which allowed me to experiment in finding the most effective method in treating my specific condition.
Back tracking a little…Once we first found out the “surprise” of expecting the blessing of baby #6, we soon began to dread the first trimester tribulation of terror, not knowing it would persist nine months all the way till the end. Right off the bat, as my husband saw my suffering and felt so hopeless that he couldn’t make it better for me, he suggested that I smoke a little weed when needed or eat some edible cannabis throughout the day to soothe the sickness. After all the failed attempts from other remedies, I finally gave it a try. Initially, I started to eat the edibles, but this was challenging since the nauseous feeling makes eating undesirable and it often takes up to an hour or so to feel the effects. As the sickness rapidly occurred more intensely, I desperately decided to take a few puffs one evening, despite my hesitation to smoke……And miraculously, much to my great surprise, the nausea disappeared instantaneously within 30 seconds or less. Words cannot express how ecstatic I was to discover the true benefits of THC = The Heavenly Cure. Turns out that I wasn’t alone, as I researched this more I discovered many other expectant moms suffering from extreme nausea and vomiting who found relief in this phenomenal plant as well.
The next time I saw my midwife (who has 30+ years experience and has delivered over 1,000 babies), I asked what her thoughts were about Zofran and Marinol vs. real THC just to confirm what I already knew. Without hesitation she didn’t approve of the prescription meds, but candidly told me that she often tells her moms to eat a “pot muffin” in the morning to help with nausea, and she also carries other edibles for moms who may need it during labor to help with pain and anxiety before delivery. In addition to that, she suggested that if I needed immediate relief that it would be okay to take a few puffs, but she did lean against too many eating pot brownies because of the high sugar content.
After getting over the guilt and experiencing tremendous benefits, I began to use THC as needed in various forms with nearly 100% success in relieving the suffering ignited by Hyperemesis Gravidarum, with the only apparent side-effects of being happy, hungry, , hopeful and best of all not hurling my guts out every hour – it was heaven sent, indeed!
My children noticed instant improvement in my mood, appearance and demeanor, and they all were thrilled to have mommy in a “happy” mood, as was my dear hubby. He has been so amazing through this process and undoubtedly was overjoyed to see me revitalized and functioning. One of my daughters even made a comment one morning shortly after my “magic muffin” kicked in saying, “Wow mommy, you look so much better, I can tell because you’re moving around and you’re smiling.” So throughout each trying trimester I consumed this natural grown herb that worked in miraculous ways for me. For the most part I was able to manage my illness well enough with a strict eating schedule (small bites every 2 hours even through the night), a high protein diet combined with eating my mini “magic muffins” made with “hash infusion oil” for long-term (2-3 hour) relief, taking cannabis tincture and smoking in-between for immediate action. This was effective enough to reduce my vomiting to once a day allowing me to hold down enough food and nutrition so I wouldn’t lose too much weight and could function semi-normally with the occasional “hard day” where I struggled to maintain. On the nights I was able to get some rest, it worked well as a sleep aid and at times the effectiveness allowed me to attend social events with friends and family as long as the time was strictly limited.
Unfortunately, at 32 weeks my condition rapidly spiraled downward one day as I apparently got bacterial pneumonia (probably from having my face in the toilet all the time), and couldn’t get my vomiting under control for the life of me. I was pale and ready to pass out, headed towards virtual collapse when my husband walked in the room to find me hunched over a trash can in dire condition then he made the split decision to rush me to the hospital. The excessive loss of fluids caused my body to go into shock and pre-term labor requiring me to be on an IV and strictly monitored until my condition stabilized. Of course all the constant commotion, poking and prodding because my veins were drained, the rapid contractions, lack of food and my medicine, along with the nice-n-tight fetal monitor elastic bands strapped around my belly only aggravated my sickness even more. I needed to eat, but I couldn’t even keep a tiny bite jello or apple sauce down and the cafeteria food resembled prison waste, or at least it seemed that way as it rapidly returned to the toilet bowl.
Since improvement was grim, my fluids and potassium levels were dangerously low, blood tests still had to be done and I needed to be on antibiotics, I was admitted through the night in an effort to give modern medicine a try to help me recover. That’s when the real nightmare began as the next 48 hours would prove to be the single most traumatizing and torturous event in my life. It was the time when I learned that the hospital is no place for sick people to be comfortable, rather it’s a place that makes you want to die. The anguish worsened especially through the darkness of night, alone as I watched the clock slowly ticked by under the cold florescent light, accompanied with the hourly intrusion from the nurses bathed in whore house perfume coming in to stab me with more needles.
All I could do was drink buckets of water, only to have buckets of water come right back up, and uncontrollable buckets of tears flowed down as the excruciating pain and desolation took control of my soul. The only solution the staff had to offer was some saltine crackers and to pump me full of the maximum doses they would legally allow of the anti-nausea meds, Zofran and Phenergan, but it barely helped take the edge off my misery. The vicious round-the clock vomiting continued without ceasing and so profusely I was ready to beg for a c-section, risking the pre-term health of my baby just to end the insanity of the agony I was in. I truly felt like I wanted to die, while my worried husband was at the house alone with our five children preparing to tell them that mommy wasn’t coming home. Well, I didn’t know what the outcome would be, but I knew for certain I was not going to stay another night in that sterile living hell of a hospital cell.
By sunrise the third day I was finally able to compose myself enough to eat some runny cream of wheat cereal and keep it down long enough to have an urgent word with the doctor (who was already aware of my medical marijuana use) about going home. I became even more desperate to take matters in my own hands when the nurses blew out all my veins and couldn’t get another IV in my arm to replenish the magnesium levels needed for discharge. They told me I would have to be admitted another night unless I could swallow two vitamins which seemed hopelessly impossible after the dreadful night I just had, but I had to at least try. When the doctor arrived I told it to her straight about how my morning routine works by taking a bite of my “magic muffin” before getting out of bed so my stomach could be settled long enough for me move around and manage my sickness throughout the day. I told her I had one in my purse and if I had any hope of swallowing those pills and getting home, I needed to eat it. Knowing the medicinal benefits of cannabis, she agreed off the record to let me take it, but not before stressing the hospital policy that they cannot prescribe medical marijuana nor allow patients to take medicine from home. So officially the doctor said “no” while nodding her head “yes” saying that she wasn’t going to go through my purse or look back as she left the room so I could do what was necessary for me to recover. Her approval gave me comfort, even though I wasn’t going to comply if she refused to agree. Since the cocktail of anti-nausea meds maxed out and failed miserably, I was going to eat my muffin regardless of what the hospital staff had to say, so I took a bite and eagerly waited for it to take effect. Much to my expectation, within 30 minutes my desperate need for relief became a reality, I was revived back to health and my life felt restored. Next, I ordered some soup for lunch, took those stupid vitamins, kept them down and was up and about moving, smiling, showering and singing praises that I felt so fantastic.
That night I went home and rejoiced with my family about my rapid recovery and we all celebrated as hope and health were restored. I maintained my marijuana regiment, ordered pizza, ate an entire piece without incident, and was able to keep food down for three whole days before my tummy became upset again. From that point on, I was able to manage my condition to where my days were bearable enough to keep me out of the hospital and allowed me to carry my healthy baby boy to term and deliver him in the comforts of our home with my midwife where we planned for his birth.
From the extensive research I found, smoking cannabis, using it as a tincture or eating edibles while pregnant has little to no detectable negative effect on an unborn baby, although studies are not conclusive, concerns in the medical establishment are not high in the slightest. What we do know for sure is that that malnutrition, excessive weight loss, dehydration and hospitalization are definitely not good for the mom-to-be or a developing baby in the womb which is why medical intervention of some kind is absolutely necessary for survival. While most pharmaceuticals are often risky and experimental at best, the facts remain consistent throughout the dawn of civilization that THC has tremendous positive effects for relieving chronic nausea and vomiting, and I strongly recommend it for pregnant women (and others) who are desperately in need of finding a cure or at least short-term relief.
Predictably, medical marijuana during pregnancy is still a subject surrounded by a lot of controversy and criticism, especially in certain circles of people, but for me personally, it has allowed me to manage my condition enough to fully endure and survive my pregnancy, and be the kind of joyful, caring, attentive wife and mother my family needs and deserves (with strict limitations on my mobility, of course). My husband and I are thankful that having Hyperemesis Gravidarum happened on baby #6 as this experience has been enough horrendous hardship for us to call it quits, get fixed and definitely make this our last child. My only regret is that I didn’t discover this morning sickness “miracle herb” sooner, but I am committed to raising awareness and helping other expectant mothers who are seeking the truth in healthy, alternative and extremely effective remedies to relieve their pain provoked by pregnancy.
I can’t believe that smoking pot has helped my HORRIBLE HOT FLASHES!!! I am a nurse, and have had a total hysterectomy- and am in surgical menopause… and the ONLY answer is smoking weed.. thanking GOD FOR HIS PURE NATURAL ANSWER TO MANY MEDICAL AILMENTS!!!! GOD HAS A PLAN…. FOR SURE!!! XOXO
I’ve suffered from depression for the last 5 years. Over the last two months Ive started enjoying marijuana and it really is helping me keep a level head long after the THC effects from the weed have worn off. My sleep is much deeper and I have a much more positive outlook. I think medical marijuana is a good path to go down!!
I have suffered from acute Social Anxiety since I was 5 or 6 years old. The only relief I have ever found has been from marijuana, I started smoking in when I was about 16 in high school. Alcohol only made my anxiety tend to heighten. It has really been my saviour and Im slowly guiding myself off marijuana slowly and my anxiety isn’t escalating in the process.
I believe not being able to travel and take my medications with me, including medical marijuana, VIOLATES, Americans with Disabilities Act. IT means equality FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. I AM UNABLE TO LEAVE MY HOME STATE, WHERE IT IS LEGAL, BY WALK, FLY, CRUISE.
THIS MEANS CHANGING MEDS COMING AND GOING. THAT IS NOT GOOD, I COULD GO ON ABOUT IT BUT ASSUME THE READER CAN THINK IT OUT. PLEASE, SOMEONE DO SOMETHING SO WE CAN ALL HAVE AND TAKE WITH THEM ALL THEIR MEDS.
Hello all,
I am an 18 year old male based out of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. This last year I had 6 operations on the bottom of my foot to remove a virus that kept spreading throughout my foot. The procedure itself is extremely painful and damaged nerve endings in the arch of my foot so that when I walk it hurts.I had a tonselectomy the week after my fourth operation on my foot.
Also I was in a car accident when I was younger where I damaged my lower back. Physicians always try to prescribe opiates like vikatin, or percocet. These analgesics are damageing to a variety of organs(primarily your liver, and have side effects such as nausea. After constantly feeling feeling sick and being in pain, I tried medical marijuana.
My grandmother is also licensed so i was able to obtain high quality medicine. I can honestly say, it is the ONLY medicine that works for me personally. It’s an excellent pain reliever,nausea alleviater, and stress reliever. I would choose alternative medicine any day over the pharmaceuticals.
Now, many dispenary operators, care-givers, and patients alike have the process down to a science where they can tell you what kind of strain helps with whatever your condition may be and possibly how strong you would like the content to be. For all those who are interested in medical marijuana, I urge you to research its medicinal properties and help those patients around you. Thank you
I have hot Flashes, and one day I was watching the science channel and they were saying how marijuana helps with menopause. Well i had been to the Drs. five times and the pharmasit five times and went home to suffer after i paid them five times. I tried the marijuana and it help me to sleep and i could go a couple of hours with out suffering thank God I found something because i was ready to kill something or some one. I really works.
I 52 years old, i am in menopause and it has been drving me crazy until I watch the science channel and they were taking about marijuana how it helps with hot flashes and night sweats. Well I tried marijuana and it has work. I had five appt. with the Dr. and Five with the Pharmasit and none of the meds work. But the marijuana did. I well be glad we it is legal becausw I dont like going aganist the law.
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I am a physician practicing in Marina Del Rey, Ca. I have treated many Vets with PTSD and have found good results.
Check out my blog.
http://www.greenbridgemed.com
Allan
I do not smoke legally but I do smoke to help with symptoms of kidney disease. It helps with my appetite and the extreme nausea that comes with the disease. I like to take a quick hit in the morning so I won’t feel sick all day. I use to smoke it for fun with friends in highschool. During my first kidney infection at 17 I tried it to help with my stomach because I was constantly vomiting. GUESS WHAT, it worked! The legal drugs given to me by the doctors only made me feel worse. So I have been illegally smoking since especially since my condition has worsened. I’m convinced doctors and others (pharmecutical (sp?)companies) won’t legalize because it will take away their profits from the non working drugs they sell. Its all about money, legalize marijuana and they won’t have any. Let it be known, I do not smoke to get high, however sometimes I can’t avoid it. I smoke out of a one hitter bowl usually only taking 1-2 hits. I do not drive following my meds (as i call it). Like other legal drugs that eliminate pain(oxy’s, vicodin etc)driving while on “weed” is dangerous, I do know this. However, its the hemp haters excuse that if it is legal through perscription people will drive on it, oh but I guess the legal heroine pill (oxy contin) is ok right?? The truth is the legal drugs sold in this country are a lot worse for your body then marijuana and if your suffering from a disease that causes painful stomach and digestive problems this green savior is the way to go.
Please help. I am 29 and suffer from Manic Depressive and have severe Hot Flashes. The doctors have told me the Hot Flashes can be attributed to a condition called Disaudinomia(not sure how to spell it). I am also male so not a menopausal issue.
I spent my youth smoking marijuana to control my hot flashes. Not even realizing this was a problem or that I was different. After years and progression of the disease I fell into a deep depression and ended up using heroin and attempting to take my own life.
Today, i’m 26 months “sober” and not having touched a single substance and on an SSRI to control the depression.
While the depression is controlled by the use of Zoloft, my Mania and Hot Flashes are worse than ever. My doctor and I have exhausted every “legal” avenue including 24 various drugs and are considering shock therapy.
I am uninsured and pay out of pocket. I know that today, if I were to smoke marijuana my mania would be suppressed and my hot flashes would disappear. What can I do?
My doctor says “well, it isn’t legal. But if it works, it works. I don’t believe that it will interfere with the treatments you are currently undergoing.”
My email is pushrecords@yahoo.co.uk if anyone has advice.
I have lost my confidence in traditional medicine and am tired of living in agony. I’m confined to my home and have completely removed myself from any sort of productive life. As i write this, I have sweat running down my face from this agonizing disorder only Marijuana seems to cure.
I was diagnosed with MS in 2004. At one time I was on 6 different medications all taken at different times during the day and all NOT CHEAP. For someone who rarely even took an aspirn this was different. I had various symptoms but the one that got me the most was the involuntary twitching of my legs mostly at night. My wife kicked me out of the bed because I was shaking so bad at times. The medications were having no effect except putting extra strain on my liver. I had read bout marinol, I asked my doctor about it. Marinol (synthetic THC) was prescribed and it worked very well. the only problem was that I had no idea when it would take effect so it was difficult to judge when I should take it. I dealt with that because it truly worked wonders. 4 months ago I got a call from my insurance company and they told me that since Marinol was a tier three drug (not recognized as a legal drug with actual medical benifits) they would no longer cover it. I had been taking it for almost three years and the effects were wonderful, it really worked. Marinol replaced 5 of the six drugs I was prescribed. Since the insurance company would no longer cover it I would have to pay for it out of pocket. Well at $1700.00 a prescription that was totally out of the question. I’m retired living on a pension that I earned and I simply could not afford 1700 dollars every month. The effects of Marinol worked so well and I wasn’t getting it anymore I decided to smoke the actual herb. Obviously that works well actually even better than Marinol because I know when the effects are going to hit me. I explained this to the doctor and we decided to go for the medical marijuana card this state provides. This whole ordeal is surreal because for thirty years I was a policeman and had to retire because of the symptoms created by MS. I am here to say that I am now an advocate for this drug,, I have found out that for 10,000 years the Asians have been using it for medical purposes, the herb has absolutely no effect on the liver which is also a huge plus. I dont know of any place to purchase the drug so I suppose growing it is the next option. I want to say that the more I look at it the more my eyes open, It really does help people, it has real medical value and to tell you the truth as a policeman I would much rather enter a situation where all involved were smoking weed than drinking alcohol. This is just an opinion from an old retired guy that finds the effects of medical marijuana to be wonderful. Thank You
I am glad to see this site up and running.
I am a 37 year marijuana user. Nothing outrageous, only a “wake and bake” person on poker weekends, just like to hit the bong a few times a week normally.
I have two normal kids, my sperm (when examined for my vasectomy) were normal, my sex drive is normal, I run a business and pay HUGE ASS taxes, I mow my lawn and paint my house when it needs it…gee, I smoke pot and still, somehow, I manage to be a fine upstanding citizen. Who hasn’t had an affiar, as most of our pot-prohibiting politicos have.
Sorry, you anti-pot-heads…we have the moral high ground here…
I am a 45 year old female who is in menopause. My doctor put me on hormones to control the symptoms, this only magnified the moodiness. Smoking pot relieves all of my symptoms (night sweats, hot flashes,moodiness and weight gain). When I cant find it because I live in a non approved state, the mood swings and sleepness nights are hell. This need to legalized
My mother wants to use ‘It’ for her arthritus. Will it help her and work if she eats it? And …
She’s a recovering alcoholic and worrys if ‘It” will cause a compulsion? She would love to hear from somebody in her shoes that ‘It’ is working.
sacrament@happyhippie.com
Thank you for your time,
JR2
This is my blog page.
All kinds of interesting news articles.
Medical Marijuana for Dummies:exerpts from the book
Ohio Patient Network – NEW STUDIES DESTROY THE LAST OBJECTION TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA-Human subjects used in study, vaporizer study
lots more….
http://marijuanapatients.blogspot.com/2008/02/salem-newscom-articles-written-by-dr.html
Marijuana Vaporizers for Patients: Salem-News.com Articles written by Dr. Phil Leveque
I was and am an aspiring singer/songwriter and back in 96 while doing some volunteer work during a rehearsal I fell on the stage seperating my left pelvis from the sacral joint. It took 2 years being bedridden and in horrifying pain when a Dr. told me I needed a fusion so I could walk again. At this point I wasn’t a cannabis user, and never took even an aspirin. Just extremely healthy and quite the supermom actually. After being in the hospital for 5 days I ended up back in the ER the first night in so much pain I was screaming so they knocked me out for like 3 days I think. Still the pain persisted with a vengeance all over my entire body and my ex now in utter exasperation suggested I try using marijuana…I said no but that I would try anything so he got some for me and from that day on I have been able to fight my way back to try to get as much of my health back as I can. I have never had a caregiver through the entire ordeal, divorce, you name it,,,,marijuana has saved my life. I was diagnosed with Myofascial Pain Disorder and Fibromyalgia and now have large tumors in my back that hurt like hell when I sit down so I have to lay alot…I watch movies, play my keyboard, go for little outings just to keep me balanced as I’ve always been a nature lover and now I am getting my own apt. on Monday and want so much to help other people. I’d like to get more involved and keep telling my story because there is power in our testimony. I don’t care what anyone thinks about me anymore,,,I used to worry so much about that. I too would be anorexic if I didn’t smoke because I know how I am and because I’m alone alot after coming from a large family and then the divorce and accident and surgeries and more I cannot mention I would be in trouble without marijuana and I know it. You see in the past 5 years I’ve lost both my parents, my brother to a drug overdose, 2 beautiful neices and sooo much loss I actually have a good attitude considering and I contribute this to the regular use of cannabis. Still I know we have to be very careful and follow all the laws to the best of our ability and get involved…enjoying the website, thanks.
GardenGirl
Happy New Year to all, especially my Viet-Nam PTSD group in West Palm Beach,Fla. I start this blog trying to explain to those who understand what time it is and who donot so are very appriciative they have been blessed by surving so long not getting busted for trying to medicate with an herb, not constantly worrying, not massive meds prescribed. Knowing we are not the bad guys. The chronic and severe PTSD brothers know how hard it is to get to this point. Those CHRONIC and SEVERE, two words are not given out by the Veterans Admin. The reason is, the two words must be used in getting your 100% disability. I just would like to hear if anyone wants to hear more about my. Welcome Home Brothers. Please give me some feedback. Im Bill from Jupiter Florida. God Bless
In 1993 I was diagnosed with the most advanced case of thyroid cancer ever seen in a living patient at Oregon Health Science University Hospital.
I had experimental surgery, experimental radiation treatments, and experimental drugs. For 8 years I took more than 25 pills a day to cope with the symptoms of both advanced cancer and radiation poisoning. During those 8 years, I saw my doctor every month, I saw teams of specialists throughout the year, I saw the pharmacist repeatedly throughout every month, and I had fight for my life in the Emergency Room 3-10 times a year.
Within 1 year of joining the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, I was off of all drugs (except 2 hormone replacements) and had stopped going to the ER completely. I haven’t been to the ER since 1999. I see my doctor once a year to get my OMMP application renewed and to get referred to the specialists to verify the progress (or lack of progress) of my cancer.
I was diagnosed with M.S. (multiple sclerosis) in the year 2000. I moved back to Washington state where my parents lived and from there was able to get a letter from the doctor saying it was okay for me to smoke marijuana yet it’s not legal here for him to give it to me. I still have to go black market and get my meds. Why? Why? and Why? I’ve asked myself why did I get this disease and can’t find an answer..but to ask why I can’t get my medication when I need it..there is an answer and some place to point a finger. I wish just once some of our so called important Government advisors and what not would have to suffer like those of us that depend on the marijuana to make us feel more human..make us able to deal with everyday life. Just once I want them to know what it’s like to have to watch your back at every moment worried that the police are going to arrest you for buying medication. I also go through chemotherapy for my M.S. and it sure helps with that as well. Okay, I’ve vented and I’m done for now but I still want our government to know how it actually feels!
I have extreme pain from the drugs given to me for Hepatitis C. I have been given tramadol 300mg for pain but the side effects are so bad for me I would rather not take the drug. I keep resorting to marijuana even though it’s not legal where I live. I would not be able to work without it. I was pretty much bedridden and had to use a cane alot to walk. With marijuana it eases my pain and I can function like an almost normal individual. I am a closet user and was even drug tested to get this job. I’m a 40 year old mom and office manager and no one would think I use but I am tired of feeling like a criminal for needing my ‘medicine'(marijuana). I have to go to the ‘drug house’ to buy it and constantly worry about getting busted! It shouldn’t be this way and I’m taking a stand!
I am a medical marijuana patient for 2 years now. I had back surgery 3 years ago. I have permenant sciatic nerve damage, and have chronic back spasms. The pain can be overwhelming at times. There are times when the pain from the constant back spasms and the sciatic pain, keep me from walking. I have 2 choices.
A) take pharmies or…
B) smoke or eat marijuana.
I tried A, but i wouldnt be able to work because of the pharmies end up making me sleep for hours and hours, make me nausious, and eat away at my liver.
The last time i used pharmacuticals for my pain and spasms, i overdosed trying desperatly to control the pain and spasms.
I then tried medical marijuana, and to my suprise it has helped ALOT.
I can now work, i can now lead a normal life thanks to MM.
Contrary to popular belief, i have not become some lazy, do nothing, brain dead moron. I have a full time job, something i did not have while on the pharmies. I no longer have the fear of overdosing, dont go through the phsical and mental withdraws associated with pharmies, and dont have the fear of loosing my mind, or moving onto cocain or heroin like some people suggest that marijuana as a gateway drug.
I am so happy that the i can choose a natural substance, instead of chemicals that really began to ruin my life.
hi, just wanted to say you have a great blog!!! 🙂 great job!!!!!!!!!!1
New Radio Program Legalization of Marijuana and more KCAA 1050 AM “Can You Handle The Truth” Southern California
Hi :
My name is Trevor @ KCAA Radio and I am producing a Radio Program in Southern California called ” Can You Handle The Truth ” that supports the legalization of Marijuana.
It is being broadcast for the last month or so here is the Inland Empire. We really need some paying sponsors to help us keep this going and are open for any suggestions. I need about $500 per week in sponsors to keep this show on the air and it is pod cast worldwide at http://www.kcaaradio.com. I have a few weeks left to get a few paying sponsors. If you can help us let me know. I hope you like what you hear !!! We would be glad to advertise anything you are trying to promote on the show
If you want to call into the program it is Friday Nights 8 pm P.S.T. The call in number at the studio is 909-888-5222
I hope you can listen to a few of the past shows we have done and if you want to have any input we would love it.
Here is the link to listen to the past shows we have done and we have been running your spot for MPP.
http://yardtv.gotdns.com/kcaa-podcasts/truth/
I hope you like what you hear.
Trevor @ KCAA 1050 AM Radio
NBC News Talk for the Inland Empire
To financially help us keep the program on the air and on the ineternet contact
tgarnerkcaa@aol.com
or we can accept donations via Pay Pal. E-Mail us for the info to help.
I was diagnosed with bipolar over ten years ago, as a child. Nothing really helped, and the best of what did work didn’t make me happy, it made me a zombie. I wasn’t angry, annoyed, sleepy, grumpy, grouchy, upset, I wasn’t anything, I was just kind of there.
I took myself off my meds, figuring that at least untreated, I’d get the benefit of you know, having emotions, even if they were completely uncontrollable. That didn’t work out so well, and I ended up making a couple half-assed attempts at suicide, not because I “didn’t really want to die”, but because I so feared the pain associated with dying. Yeah, I’m a wimp.
I began using marijuana recreationally a few years ago, however, and discovered that pretty much all my symptoms vanished. I find myself feeling much more “level”, even when not currently under the influence, able to enjoy myself in most any context, where before, there was either soul-crushing dread, or insane manic fits where I wouldn’t sleep or eat for days. Instead of either being a zombie or having to deal with my symptoms, I had found another option.
I know, it’s not the typical glaucoma / cancer story, but cannabis has changed my life for the better, I only wish I had found it sooner, and that I didn’t have to go through the grey market to find it. Thankfully, living in New York, that may not be the case much longer. I look forward to being able to grow my own medicine without having to worry about having my home taken for me. For now, I’ll just have to pay the premium associated with illicit accquisition.
I am a cronic sufferer of neck pain due to an auto accident in 2002. Since then, I have tried almost every pain relief medication there is. I have epidural shots in my cervical spine every so often, and they help. Pot relieves the pain almost immediately…I sure wish it were legal.
Great Blog. I’m for the legalization of marijuana and I think that medical marijuana is a great way of opening the doors to that legalization (although I guess I shouldn’t say that as that’s the argument some people make against it.) Why? Consider that there’s no real good reason for marijuana being illegal in the first place. Then add to that fact that it can actually help sick people? It’s just insane to me that alcohol and cigarettes – two drugs which are much much more dangerous than marijuana and could definitely never be called “medicinal” – are legal while marijuana is not. It’s just plain insanity. Anyway keep up the good work. I can’t say I smoke it for medicinal reasons though. I smoke it because I enjoy smoking it. I find it to be an interesting change in perceptions. I also find it very relaxing after a hard day’s work.
I noticed that all the posted comments are by people with long term health problems. I thankfully am not that.
But I would like to tell you of a recent experience I have gone through. I broke my leg in 3 places it required surgery to fix torn muscles, & the inserting of 2 rods & 1 plate so the bones could heal in the correct alignment.
The pain medication was morphine,other available perfered medications like codiene & whatever else they experimented with wasn’t able to cut the pain from all the damage & the surgery.
While the morphine did work, I needed to take another medication for stomach lining protection, a stool softner , laxitives.
It just didn’t feel right to be putting all this stuff, with all these different warning labels into my body every 4 hours.
A friend told me to try pot for the pain & stop taking the drugs.
I tried it out & found that not only did smoking marijuana take my mind off the pain, I was able to & wanted to EAT! In less than 2 days my digestive system was working away, I had stopped all medication & just took a couple puffs when the pain would start ot get to me. Because I wasn’t taking drugs I could have a beer or 2 at night when my wife got home from work, or a nice wine with dinner, which we have done several times a week for over 5 years together. My life was basicly back to normal, except for the big cast I was lugging around.
I went to my family Doctor, told him what I had decided to try instead of the pain medications etc. perscribed by the surgeon.
He told me that marijuana is not recognized as being helpful for pain-in my situation- & he could not recomend it. He spoke on how there are people out there who put other substances like PCP to make pot get you higher, which are very dangerous.
I assured him of a source who had just good buds available.
He softly told me I am not the only patient he’s had that has used marijuana for pain management.
Asked me to keep him posted.
I don’t understand why this plant that can allow someone to function by getting a handle on their pain isn’t used more often?
While drugs with known side effects , that can cause serious & possibly deadly side affects not to mention addiction etc. are considered the ‘best approach’.
I am a working, tax paying business owner, I try to be a good person , I obey the laws, respect others, love my family & I am now a criminal because of Goverment policy.
I could walk down the street with a pocket full of morphine, & codiene & because I had a perscription in my name , there is no problem legally.
But if I want to use marijuana to help with my pain instead…I am a criminal.
I have used marijuana medically for fibromyalgia, chronic pain (osteoarthritis/DJD), insomnia, and anorexia. It helps, but the ‘smoke’ is a problem for me, and the criminalization, of course. The fact that it is illegal adds to my anxiety sometimes, so I stopped. The doctors seem to always get me back on tons of pharmaceuticals to manage all of my depression and anxiety disorders, and coupled with the pain meds, it’s a formula for disaster. I’ve almost died on drug overdoses, and drug interactions several times. It’s a catch-22 for me but at this time I take no prescription pain medication other than the awesome help from cymbalta. I pray marijuana is decriminalized in the U.S. before I wither away to nothing…
Having been diagnosed three years ago with severe endometriosis, severe adhesions and a large mass I had a 6 hour belly surgery. Six months after the surgery, the pain returned, steadily getting stronger until it was unbearable and the quality of life made the future pretty grim. A scan showed a 10cm X 10cm mass had returned, for which no surgeon was willing to operate because the prognosis was not very good as far as my being a surgical candidate. I have seen three surgeons, on both coasts, all of them pelvic/abdominal pain specialists. Was told by all I would probably end up with (best case scenario) a colostomy or (worst case scenario) peritonitis and infections (requiring immediate, repeat surgeries).
Have been on some pretty strong pain meds for the past year. Just trying to live with it. Am taking Fentanyl in a patch form 50 mcg, which lasts three days, with Norco for breakthrough pain. When this is not enough, and believe me, often its not…marijuana makes life livable. Without it I would have been gone long ago.
It helps me in every conceivable way. It helps with:
Nausea (from the meds),
Depression (from the pain and the duration of the pain and the seemingly hopelessness of the situation),
Sleep Deprivation (from the pain and also from menopause, which I entered at 40 because of the surgery I had. This includes severe night sweats, hot flashes, emotional swings),
Appetite (over the past year and a half I have lost 100 pounds, which is good, but now its getting to be too much and I keep losing. The marijuana helps my appetite, as well as seems to give me the energy to even go in the kitchen and cook something, as it seems i have to ‘budget every ounce of energy I have’) and, most importantly,
The Pain, Itself (cannabis seems to dull the pain, and at times will push it back completely when used with the other meds).
I live for those days.
I certainly pray that someday cannabis is made legal, so that people in my circumstances don’t have to suffer as much as they would without the medicine.
It truly has saved my life.
I am the only Marylander to testify before committees of the Maryland Senate and the House of delegates, this past year. I will be back there next year. I can also be seen in an episode of Viwepoint on Retirement Living TV. I survived polio and I will continue to fight for my right to as pain free as possible.
I am a suffer of PKD (Polycystic kidney disease) putting me into renal failure.. I get so nauseous and don’t want to eat.
I guess I could run to get dialysis.
To this day I have not had to go through.. I’ve been a smoker before I got sick.. I had known of marijuana’s ability to help with nausea like with cancer suffers.. I also have bad side effects from most meds for nausea.. I never did smoke when I was sick till I was really bad off and my wife asked me if I though that my help.. She was to the point of try anything.. it had been a week, So me beenin to the point of wishing for death I though what can it hurt.. She brings me the bong and 2 hits later I was feeling 100% better 20-30 mins later I was ready to eat something that was in 2000.. 7 years later and I still feel great.
If only the government could see beyond their fears of the past and look to the future what is good medicine.. Not what good for the back..
I have severe PTSD(shellshock) & bipolar disorder. Synthetic meds only aggravate my conditions, and force me to deal with debilitating side effects. Therapy does not help, even EMDR.
With the use of pot, I am an adequate mother & wife. I can run my business and manage my home. I am a functioning member of society and the community where I live…
I can give back.
Without it, I do not function at even the most basic and primitave levels.
My choice was to go back to smoking pot, or commit suicide.
Bottom line: POT HELPS PEOPLE!!!
Thank you.
Yes maam! A short history lesson concerning my glaucoma treatment. About 26 years ago I was diagonosed with glaucoma. My wonderful eye Dr. tried everything he could to relieve the pressure from laser treatment, eye drops and a silicone band placement. Nothing worked. I was preparing for the inevitable; when, a nurse recommended I try marijuanna as she heard that it helped glaucoma pressure. I had tried marijuanna before; but, was not a regular user. Found someone who new someone and got some to try. Have to admit the “buzz” was a very nice feeling. You might compare it to having a couple of beers. Anyway, on my next eye appointment my Dr. was stunned. He checked the pressure twice and basically stated this to me which I will never forget, “I don’t know what you are doing; but, keep it up because it is working.” My pressure was back within normal levels. Well, that is my personal experience. I have been using pot for the past 25 years to control my glaucoma pressure. Too bad I lost complete sight in my right eye before I started using it. Thanks to our dim-witted short-sighted government I continue to look for my “medicine” on the black market. When will the government bureaucrats wake up and smell the reality of what marijuanna is today. I see more and more reports of what marijuanna does to help people. In my opinion they should make marijuanna legal and alcohol illegal. Thank you, A concerned medical user of marijuanna.