Im sure a touchy subject but i have to admit to using marujuana as a last ditch effort to treat my pain.In theory i could apply for a medical marujuana card but Drs just dont know enough about it to prescribe,by law here they have to put strength and strain of marujuana.

If it works - it works. At the end of the day that really is what matters. I am not sure where your located, but if its in a state where medical MJ is legal, you should visit one of the clinics and discuss your treatment objectives with someone there. They should be able to recommend a strength and strain. My understanding is that some strains tend to promote fatigue much more than others - a key issue when trying to treat Fibro. If your doctor is willing to work with you - you could test different strains and strengths, track those against your symptoms and validate which works best for you. (see what I did there.... sort of like a back-door FibroTrack plug!)

As for the whole debate on Marijuana being legal or illegal - for me it really boils down to this: PLEASE: Show me WHERE in the US Constitution the US Federal Govt. is granted the authority to tell free citizens what they can and cannot choose to put inside their own bodies? Where is the Govt. granted the authority to tell citizens what plants they can and cannot grow on their own property for their own private use?

Its rhetorical. I have read the Constitution many times. The truth is that the Govt. is not granted this power, but they have seized it regardless. When the Govt. takes actions like this, when they pass laws that blatantly exceed their Constitutional authority and nobody does anything about it, then I consider it our patriotic duty as Americans to ignore such laws. That's my take on the whole thing.

This actually cropped up as an issue and really made me angry several months ago. Not about pot, but rather about coca plants. I was doing some research on natural remedies and treatment options for chronic fatigue because Michele was really struggling. Caffeine is not great for her, we know this from testing, so we were looking for other options. Well, I got to reading about how for thousands of years the indigenous people of South America have chewed coca leaves and brewed them into a tea. Coca leaves either chewed or brewed into a tea are a mild stimulant an based on all I read a really good "boost" against fatigue with few lasting negative side effects.

I was pretty psyched. I started to look around online to find where I could purchase some dried coca leaves so we could brew a tea.... but I rapidly found out that this is not going to happen. Even possessing a coca plant can get you 20 years in prison in the US. Cocaine is made by processing the coca plant in a complex manner, so the Feds outlawed the entire plant and made possession of the plant a felony. Amazing. Owning a plant = long prison term. Insanity.

Maybe one day the US will revert to being a free country, but for now if you want to seek all the treatment options that may benefit you, it will require a willingness to be a criminal.

My sister had MS and for a while she smoked marijuana. Although I never knew it until years later, she smoked it for two years and was convenienced that it helped her. She hasn't smoked it for years, but I am telling you if I thought for once that it would help her now, I would find a way to get it.

Good Luck

Sorry ive been MIA for a while.Pain levels have been high.Im in Canada so medical pot is legal with a medical use card.They make it difficult though because they wont tell you designated growers but you need to have one to apply for the card.I did finally contact an advocate in BC and he gave me some designated growers to contact.They even have a clinic with Drs that can prescribe it for you as i dont think my Dr would even know how too although she is aware that i use it for pain occasionally.Anyway im basicly doing all the paperwork etc to apply.

Terrry i agree,its the same problem as Hemp.Fear-mongering and lack of education affect so many things .

I have tried it. It did help. A friend of mine is licensed and asked me if I wanted to try it. I have tried both smoking a couple times and in edible form of brownie, jolly rancher, and cereal bar. I did not have access to the information about what strains so couldn't track what kind worked better but they do affect me differently. Here in California it is apparently fairly easy to get a license. My friend plans to take me. One issue I have though is when brought up in a conversation my family was extremely against it. My mom does not know I've ever tried it. I figured out not to say I had after the way she was talking about my sister's use of it. Was not worth the fight. So I just kept my mouth shut. I don't like having secrets or lying (even by omission). The impending fight about it with my family makes me worried about using it.

Jan 11th 2013, 05:40:40 Quote by skybluefusion

I have tried it. It did help. A friend of mine is licensed and asked me if I wanted to try it. I have tried both smoking a couple times and in edible form of brownie, jolly rancher, and cereal bar. I did not have access to the information about what strains so couldn't track what kind worked better but they do affect me differently. Here in California it is apparently fairly easy to get a license. My friend plans to take me. One issue I have though is when brought up in a conversation my family was extremely against it. My mom does not know I've ever tried it. I figured out not to say I had after the way she was talking about my sister's use of it. Was not worth the fight. So I just kept my mouth shut. I don't like having secrets or lying (even by omission). The impending fight about it with my family makes me worried about using it.

Jennelle - sometimes for your own health benefits and reduction of stress managing the information you choose to share with others is necessary. That is ultimately your call. Increased stress and anxiety will negatively impact your symptom severity.

On the MJ thing - I am certainly no expert on the subject, but my understanding is that if you can find a good dispensary the people there should be able to explain different strains and means of taking it to you so you can seek one that will best address your symptoms. The "getting high" negative side effect would likely mean that using it at $!#ht to reduce pain and improve sleep would be best. Otherwise it may compound fibro fog and impact your motivation - both known negative side effects. Everything is a trade off but going about your day and being effective while high does not strike me as a viable way to live life. I have read of many fibro sufferers who use MJ at %*$ht before bed to reduce pain and sleep better. I hope this helps.

Here in GA its not an option.

The mj does sometimes increase the fog, but not really any more than the pain itself does or most of the pain meds out there. And it can vary by type and the different ways of intake (smoking vs eating) cause a different kind of "high" though it is not generally the high people expect that results when taking it for pain. For me the high is more of a boost in mood because I can actually lift my arms without crying from the pain, or pour myself some crystal light from the gallon jug without the pain making me gag. I haven't used it often, just a few times but do hope to find a good dispensery soon and become licensed so I do not have to beg and plead and worry about legalalities. I will always have the conflict for using it due to the controversity of it, but I've done a lot of reading about it and experimented and realize that this is actually one of my safer/better options. I'm glad I live in a state that makes it possible.

Im stalled i the process of applying.Technically its legal but the process to apply is so convoluted its hard.Theres no list of licensed growers anywhere yet to apply you need to find one and on the growers side they have to have registered patients to apply for their licensing.Then theres te problem of most Dr not wanting to prescribe and not knowing how to prescribe.Its a constant circle.I found a clinic willing to prescribe it as im eligible by law but they want $400 per year for the privilege.

An open clinical study with 56 fibromyalgia patients was conducted at the Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, to investigate effects of cannabis on symptoms and quality of life. Half of the patients were cannabis users and 28 were non-users. Information on cannabis use was recorded on a specific questionnaire as well as perceived benefits of cannabis on a range of symptoms using standard visual analogue scales. Cannabis users and non-users completed three questionnaires related to symptoms of fibromyalgia and quality of life.

After 2 hours of cannabis use, visual analogue scales showed a statistically significant reduction of pain and stiffness, enhancement of relaxation, and an increase in somnolence and feeling of well being. Mental health scores in a questionnaire were higher in cannabis users than in non-users. Researchers concluded that "the use of cannabis was associated with beneficial effects on some FM symptoms. Further studies on the usefulness of cannabinoids in FM patients as well as cannabinoid system involvement in the pathophysiology of this condition are warranted."

(Source: Fiz J, Durán M, Capellà D, Carbonell J, Farré M. Cannabis use in patients with fibromyalgia: effect on symptoms relief and health-related quality of life. PLoS One 2011;6(4):e18440.)

WASHINGTON -- A new study out of UC San Francisco has found that medical marijuana, combined with certain opiates, appears to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with chronic pain.

The study, published this month in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, found that patients who use cannabinoids inhaled through a vaporizer, combined with long-acting morphine or long-acting oxycodone, experienced a greater reduction of pain than those who used opiates alone.

The 21 chronic pain patients involved in the study were split into two groups. Those who combined four consecutive days of exposure to vaporized cannabis with morphine experienced a 33 percent reduction in pain, while those who combined it with oxycodone saw a drop in pain of 20 percent. The study is the first to examine the combined effect of these drugs on humans.

"Pain is a big problem in America and chronic pain is a reason many people utilize the health care system," said lead author Donald Abrams, a professor of clinical medicine at UCSF and chief of the Hematology-Oncology Division at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. "And chronic pain is, unfortunately, one of the problems we're least capable of managing effectively."

Abrams, a cancer doctor, has said that if the study can be corroborated by further research, marijuana could become a treatment for AIDS and cancer patients, augmenting with minimal side effects the benefits that narcotics provide to chronic pain patients.

Abrams said his study implies that patients may be able to get away with taking lower doses of opiates for longer periods of time if they take them in conjunction with vaporized cannabis

That's a laudable goal, since opiates, while a powerful pain medication, are also highly addictive and can prove deadly when they impair function of the respiratory system.

David Downs in the East Bay Express addressed the current problems of access that chronic pain patients face in getting medical marijuana, a problem that's only enhanced by the federal government's recent crackdown on pot dispensaries.

Fifteen years after Proposition 215 enshrined in the California Constitution a medical right to cannabis for the sick and dying, the sick and dying have the hardest time getting it. In fact, seniors and the sick had a difficult time getting access to medical marijuana even before the federal crackdown, back when many California patients had little trouble buying it, and the difficulty only increased as they progresssed from independent living to assisted living, nursing homes, hospitals, and in many instances, hospice.

"I think one of the greatest disappointments of the last sixteen years is that we have not been able to provide sufficient access for folks at the end of life," said Stephen DeAngelo, founder of Harborside Health Center in Oakland. "If you take a look at the things cannabis is most effective for, it reads like a laundry list of ailments afflicting seniors: stress, depression, anxiety, pain, insomnia. This is a tremendously underserved population."

The California Medical Association in October called for the legalization of medical cannabis "exclusively on medical and scientific grounds," arguing further research should be done on the drug to better determine its medicinal benefits.

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain. The drug Sativex, a cannabinoid mouth spray, is already on the market in Europe and Canada.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/08/marijuana-narcotics-help-p...

Edibles are now a hot commodity in the medical cannabis world. These days, the lower half of the PCC display case has quite an abundance of gourmet goodies, causing quite a few patients to pass up our most spectacular buds for the variety of medicated treats underneath them. They are in no way a new invention, in fact cannabis has been eaten just as long as it has been ignited and inhaled. But in the last ten years all sorts of exciting recipes and new methods have been introduced to produce edible medicine for patients who cannot or don’t want to smoke. The choices have far surpassed the traditional pot brownie and many talented providers have undertaken cannabis confections as their new passion.

Most people have had some sort of an experience with edibles, ranging from magical to memorably scary. For the beginner, eating your medicine instead of smoking can be a welcome change for your lungs, but it can also produce a wider range of effects you may not be expecting or prepared to handle. When marijuana is inhaled, the active components are absorbed directly into the bloodstream in the lungs and the effect is almost instant. You “feel it” right away, with the intensity depending on the quality of the medicine. This is not the case when marijuana is digested. It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour for the full effects to be felt, and the final result is often stronger and lasts longer. As scientific research goes further into the benefits of medicinal cannabis, many patients are discovering that eating cannabis provides a more gradual psychoactive effect and a more powerful body feel, which treats their medical condition better than inhaling smoke or vapor. Edibles are also a more discreet way of medicating and can be enjoyed where smoking is not possible.

Depending on the dosage of the edible, and the edible tolerance and metabolism of the patient, the range of medicinal effects can be all over the spectrum. The majority of edibles deliver a delayed, physically sedative feeling noticeably stronger than from smoking. Unlike smoking, the intensity of any particular edible is more likely based on the amount of cannabis used rather than what type of cannabis was used in production. Some newer edibles are produced using hash oil extraction and other sophisticated processes involving concentrates which increase potency and eliminate the need for eating large quantities of cannabis butter. As more people try to perfect the art of edibles, more choices are available for patients, but it can be hard to know what’s good or what’s best for you individually. Some patients relate stories of eating a single pot brownie and having powerful, all day relief from symptoms. Other patients swear they have eaten the strongest of medicated products available and feel “absolutely nothing”. With all the variety out there, here are some guidelines to help you find the medicine that will benefit you most.

A sampling of Edibles from PCC

Types - A good majority of the edibles you will encounter are baked goods- cookies, brownies, rice krispy treats, etc. Almost all of these are made with a base of cannabis infused butter. Depending on the skill of the provider and the strength of the butter used, the experience varies in how much of the flavor of cannabis you can taste. Cannabis may be pleasant to smoke and smell, but for some patients, the taste of cooked cannabis not enjoyable – and it’s not something that can simply be masked by lots of sugar. Other edibles are made with cold water hash (like our extremely popular HASH CHOCOLATE STARS), hash oil or hash infused butter. Due to the concentration of cannabinoids, these edibles can actually provide a better overall flavor because less quantity of medicine has to be ingested. Edibles made with hash can also be more psychoactive and less physical or body effect than edibles made with cannabis butter.

Do keep in mind that eating one or more cookies, chocolates or brownies per day is not always a healthy choice, especially for those who are diabetic, overweight, or have food allergies. You will notice that many dispensaries, including ours carry edibles avoiding specific allergens i.e. vegan/dairy-free, gluten free, etc. We also carry edible alternatives to baked goods, such as tinctures, elixirs, cannabis capsules, and edible hash oil drops. These products each have their own specific advantages and sometimes provide faster, more manageable dosing. In addition to being digested by the stomach, tinctures are absorbed sub-lingually (by the thin skin under the tongue). Ideally cannabis tinctures are applied in small amounts and held under the tongue for as long as comfortable for the patient, and then swallowed. The effect is often noticeably clearer and more uplifting than the sedative feeling of cannabis butter edibles. Many patients describe the effect of tincture as most similar to the effect from smoking.

Cannabis capsules are very popular as they provide a nice mix of functionality and pain relief while ultimately delivering medicine in the familiarity of a pill. Cannabis capsules can contain tempered cannabis and oils or cannabis infused oils like sesame or coconut oil. If cookies and cakes aren’t your thing don’t give up, there are plenty of cannabis edibles that don’t involve a lot of calories.

Another alternative – learning how to make your own edibles using quality cannabis butter. It can sometimes be a less expensive option and provide better dosage control or flavor preference. We carry two different types of cannabis butter – each available by the cup for $25 and under.

Hash Chocolate Stars



The best way to find your favorite edible is with some experimentation and recommendations from your dispensary consultant/staff. The best edible is always the one that simultaneously provides the most medicinal relief and would be enjoyable even if not medicated.





Dosage - With any cannabis medicine you are not familiar with, it is necessary to start slow – especially with edibles. How a particular product will affect you cannot be guaranteed by labeling or recommendation. To confuse things further, many patients who report a high tolerance to smoking cannabis find they have a strange lack of tolerance to edibles. Regardless of the suggested dosage of the edible, expect a measurable amount of time between eating your goodie and feeling any medicinal effects. The biggest temptation is to eat more because “it’s been 15 minutes and I don’t feel anything yet”, which is a classic example of famous last words. You can always eat more, but once you have eaten too much there is not a whole lot of remedy except to drink plenty of water, eat something starchy like bread or mashed potato, and ride the temporary discomfort out in a cool dark place. Over-medication on edibles is something best never experienced but if it does happen; remember, you are going to be fine, cannabis is one of the safest and least toxic medicines available.

Switching to Edibles - Edibles are not just for those who cannot smoke or need to cut back smoking, as they can greatly enhance any patient’s routine. Ingesting cannabis before bed allows slowly released, all night relief from pain and insomnia, for example – where the effects of smoking might ware off too soon. For travel, many patients feel safer from law enforcement carrying non-smokable, smell free medicine – especially through airports, certain states or internationally. For patients for whom travelling without medicine is unacceptable, having edibles available can be a life-saver.

Final Thoughts - There is an infinite variety of edibles to choose from- drinks, lollipops, baklava — basically whatever your heart desires! In general it seems every patient has their favorite, a magic combination of how it tastes and how well it relieves symptoms. However, there are some simple things to keep in mind. As always, use moderation. Regular use of edibles can result in a rapid increase of tolerance and eventually become quite expensive. Many patients find that edibles are best when used to supplement their normal routine, not to completely alter it. A good balance of edibles and traditional cannabis use will keep your tolerance steady and provide maximum relief. The next time you are at PCC, let us know if you have questions about our growing edible selection. As with our cannabis buds, all our edibles are made using high quality standards and only high grade medicine!

http://berkeleypatientscare.com/2011/05/18/beginners-guide-to-medic...

I've considered edible MJ too. I just don't want to smoke it. I quit smoking cigs in 2006 and if I smoke MJ it just feels too much like that. My mom died of lung cancer (and other complications) in 2008 after being dx'd with cancer only a mere year prior. The act of smoking just isn't a pleasant thing all around for so many reasons, not for me.

That said, I DO partake more often than not lately. It's how my husband deals with his chronic pain (and has for years). So the MJ is readily available whenever I want it.

However, it makes me just not care about doing anything. Well, all I want to do is curl up and sleep. So that part is GOOD. If I am having insomnia issues, the MJ is great for that. Or during a nasty pain flare, I'll have a few puffs. It doesn't take me much to make me sleepy.

The problem is that neither my hubby or I have been able to convince a doctor how much it helps. Being able to buy medical MJ would be so much cheaper, that's for sure. If it became my sole method of pain relief (won't ever happen), it would be immensely cheaper! As it is (on street value MJ prices) if I began to like it too much or find myself using it as a crutch, then the cost we already have for it per month would also increase.

There's the rub. The gov't wants us on Big Pharma's customer list. Not on indie MJ grower's customer lists. It's Big Pharma that makes the money. Despite it being well-known that Canadians are fond of our world-famous MJ, the gov't doesn't think there is enough money in making it legal. Though in Vancouver, BC, at least, you can walk around with a joint in your mouth and even buy MJ legally.

Living with Fibromyalgia

I so wish governments would get moving on this issue especially as getting pain meds has become such an issue .Who knew that in this day and age pain would be so badly treated .