Medical Marijuana and MS

[pnowsitall]

Hey folks on MS World.

I am trying to start a thread about anything and everything to do with mmj and our disease, the wonder MonSter.

It looks like a lot of people on here are interested, or come by and check out the discussions.

Has anyone else here experience the benefits of mmj and their disease?

Topics to disucss:

Growing- if you are in legal state, and what questions you have about horticulture, nutrients, etc.

Symptoms- what symptoms does mmj help you with? How do you feel medicating everyday, as opposed to taking oral medicine, i.e. Baclofen, Neurontin, Abilify, Provigil

Doubts- what kind of doubts do you have in trying this?

Strains- What strains have helped you most?

FAQ- What effect does mmj have on the brain?
Why is it beneficial for us?
What properties does it have?
Antiinflammatory/Neuro-protective qualities

This post is probably confusing, and I'm not the best in expressing ideas the best, so anyone else on here, please add anything and everything you want.

I want this to become a daily sort of blog.

[Look2theStars]

I'll start it up. I am a proud MMJ user and was DX back in May, 2011.

I am on Copaxone as well.

The main reason I started using marijuana was for the burning pain in my leg. I was on a heavy dose of Gabapentin and really wanted to cut down on all the pills. I was consistently burned out, tired and very moody. I wanted to go a more natural route.

So, marijuana has helped me so much. My mood is better, my pain is reduced and I feel so much better. I use a vaporizer, as it's not burning smoke, just vapor. Tastes incredible too. I'll smoke occasionally too.

I live in Boulder Colorado, so it's beyond easy to get weed here, especially since it's legal here now.

I'd love to talk specifics, like growing and different types of strains with anyone. I am looking forward to this forum. I'd love to help any way I can. Thanks for starting the group Philip!

[pnowsitall]

Any people from the following states, and who are involved, please give us your 2 cents in how the process is in your state, etc.

Washington
Colorado
Rhode Island
Maine
Etc....

Thanks!

[pnowsitall]

So Looktothestars,

Were you using mj before you were diagnosed, or did you start more after your diagnosis?

I will be honest and say it was a part of my life since my teens, but I haven't had so much respect for the plant until now.

I had Optic Neurtis as my initial excacerbation. Every now and then, I get the pressure above my right eye, and mj takes that pain away, so perfectly.

In addition, I have suffered from spasms in my upper and lower extremities, have nausea, fatigue, and it is really hard to properly take care of yourself with mj if your not in a legal state.

Growing is going to become my next hobby! Who else grows their own medicine?

[Look2theStars]

So Looktothestars,

Were you using mj before you were diagnosed, or did you start more after your diagnosis?

I will be honest and say it was a part of my life since my teens, but I haven't had so much respect for the plant until now.

I had Optic Neurtis as my initial excacerbation. Every now and then, I get the pressure above my right eye, and mj takes that pain away, so perfectly.

In addition, I have suffered from spasms in my upper and lower extremities, have nausea, fatigue, and it is really hard to properly take care of yourself with mj if your not in a legal state.

Growing is going to become my next hobby! Who else grows their own medicine?

Oh, I used MJ back in the day like around High School and college years (mid to late 90's). I did not use again until last April. I honestly never thought I ever would use again. Then of course MS came into my life.. The subject kept coming up here and there, and I was like, screw it, I am doing this..

The weed nowadays is ridiculous compared to the old school haha.. I have smoked (vaped) every single day since last April 25th..

Oh seriously, I can't wait to start growing!

[MS TOO]

I personally know several people using MMJ for various heath issues, mainly pain management. Myself and likely many many more people would eagerly get off some of these pills and go a more natural route, if only the Federal Government would reclassify MMJ. As the federal government does not recognize the medicinal uses of MMJ, it is classified as a schedule 1 drug. Meth, cocaine, morphine, opium, etc are all schedule 2 drugs as the government recognizes their medicinal uses.

Some of us have careers where we can be called in to provide a urine sample for anlysis. MMJ can be detected for several weeks after use meaning there are many of us that cannot take advantage of this natural medicine which I have seen work in people with severe pain.

I know I have seen several studies, including one recently by the University of California, Davis that showed without a doubt that MMJ helped relieve pain in a double blind study with controlled samples.

Come on Uncle Sam, do the right thing and allow people to use MMJ instead of the heavy drugs that are prescribed to us!

[mlissa67]

I liked your post!

I'm in Texas, it's not legal here, but I sure wish if was. I sure wish they'd vote it legal here. I'm willing to try it for pain but I guess I'll keep waiting.

[pnowsitall]

There is a bunch of research and data out there.

I am glad we have some people providing some inputs. It is too unfortunate MS TOO that it is still in the schedule 1 classification, and who knows, one day it will change.

I found some research that indicates mmj is neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and plays a similar role as do our DMD's. It is all on the web, and if anyone asks, I can share those articles. The data is really intriguing!!

Anyway, I'll be honest and say that I medicated prior and post diagnosis. It has been more heavy post diagnosis.

It makes me feel better, and that's why I choose to do it. Especially after diagnosis, and what I read.

Does anyone else feel this way?

[pnowsitall]

Looktothestars, same here. Can't wait!! Hope to move to Rhode Island soon, and would be great to share some tips, do video's, etc.

Sorry, but this is a fun hobby!!

It would be a great idea, if some day, there would be a doctors office that would take time to research mmj's effects on the brain, by use of MRI's.

I really think that mmj pauses ms in its tracks. I haven't had an excacerbation since Dec 2011, while using Rebif, and mmj. Anyone else think so?

[pnowsitall]

hola?

Hippies where are ya?

[pnowsitall]

Hey all,

Just trying to bump the subject, get more responses, passionate caregivers, or any fellow herbers.

[pnowsitall]

Responses Needed!!

Hey all,

So anyone have some good stories or testimonials?

I have a lot!!

[sw8689]

Well, I'm from Vancouver BC, and I really want to start using it for pain management, but I'm afraid of the stigma it has with my doctors and friends. I'm afraid that they will think I'm using my MS as an excuse to use MJ. It's crazy what people come up with, but they do, and if I start I'll be in the closet because of the community I live in. It's not because folks don't use it recreationally and even at the most uppity events, it's just the constant use that I would be doing.

I am going to start by ordering a vaporizer online, and a friend of a friend is going to supply me when I'm ready.

I'm not going to get a prescription, I'm not going to bother because I know my GP isn't a fan of it, and I don't know how our MS clinic is on the subject. And it's really not too much of an issue here if its personal use.

if anyone has any recommendations on a vaporizer, I would appreciate some guidance.

Oh, and I am on the other spectrum of a hippy.. but was one for a while in junior high!

[pnowsitall]

Hey There

Its great that you are giving it a thought.

As far as vaporizers, there are a few that I would recommend.

It depends on what kind you would prefer, whether a handheld, or standing device. The best I would say are:

Pax, by Ploom - Rated one of the best, but pricy
Atmos Raw - Rated #1, but sometimes combusts medicine
Magic Flight Box - Really good vaporizer, really vapes well, just uses batteries, and is fragile
Volcanoe - The best, uses bags, but is extremely expensive, $600

Take your time in trying the medicine. It takes some time to get used to, and you may get a bit nervous at first.

Phil

[Look2theStars]

Good options Phil.

I personally use the PAX by Ploom. It's truly amazing. Well worth the price. Durable, dependable, and it's like you are holding an iPod. What I also like is with a vaporizer, you get to start truly tasting the weed. It's clean, smooth and tastes great.

So, PAX is the way to go