Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Update: Medical Marijuana & What Works for Me

Aly, That is good that it works for you. I found that when i had tried it, my pain seemed more instense but after awhile i did finally get up and do something. I wonder why my pain seemed more instense? Also how do you stay away from the munchies, cause i would end up eating everything in site exspecially sweets.

Thanks Sue, I'm just takin' it one day at a time here.

I must say it has done absolute wonders for my mental health. My wife told me yesterday that I was "nice again" - like the man she'd married. The pain just wore me down so much that I didn't really see how it was changing me.

Now that I know there is relief to be had, even if it only lasts for a short while, my entire perspective has changed. All I wanted was some way to escape the pain even just for a few minutes now and then.

This just feels right, I have that feeling that I am on the right path again. This is what I needed.

I also woke myself up around 5am screaming in pain. Perhaps I ought to eat some pot cookies before bedtime...lol

Take care of yourself,

Chris

that just sounds so promising chris!

though i don't think my mental health was ever as bad as others', i can really see a difference in myself now as compared to the fall. i feel like i'm back to my old much happier self again. this fall was really hard (when i was in a great deal of pain and stuck at home unable to really function), and all i could think back then was that i had no idea how others that deal with that long term handle it; definitely gained a great deal of respect for others during that period of time.

just saying, i think mental health is as important as physical health, and at least for me, the two are so intimately connected.

again, so happy for you.....and your wife

Hi Aly, like Chris, I recently became a member of my local Compassion Centre and it's been a revelation to me. I've learned more in the last few months than ever before about the medical uses for MJ. They have awesome Nature Squares that work a real treat. I nibbled on one for an entire day (house cleaning day) and found the effect to be much better than smoking, and much gentler on the high effects. I have a vaporizer as well, but haven't been able to use it until recently, as we've been having our electrical redone and I never know from day to day which sockets actually work!

They have this salve that is stunningly fast and effective. I rub a tiny amount (tiny is relative, by the way) into the area where I need relief and within minutes, no more pain!!! Honestly, I wish the general public could get this stuff. Way better than any prescription NSAID salve. My rheumy was blown away when I told him about it.

Hugs,

That's great that there is progress on that front!

I heard a theory the other day, it made me stop and think

Remember the classic movie "Reefer Madness" ?

College staple, because it depicted all pot smokers, completely absurdly over-the-top, one step away from the loony bin?

The theory was that the film and other similar propaganda efforts were supported by William Randolph Hearst, infamous newspaper publishing giant from the early 1900's, (and "Citizen Kane") who was threatened not by marijuana because of how it might affect people, but because if it was legalized, then hemp might be used as a much cheaper replacement to paper, lumber mills, which were a big part of his profit base...

have no idea if it could be true, but it sure made me go "hmmm..."

i sure wish it was legal here in NY state. i've been reading and sharing each person's report with my husband. i've told him i won't do it illegally (he really doesn't want me to) but i just think this sounds like such a great option. so much of my pain and problems is due to muscle spasms.

i was doing so well lately, the upper back was finally getting back to manageable. then yesterday, the upper part of the SI didn't feel quite right, then the lower back muscle started to spasm, getting very tight, very hard, and over the course of the evening, the spasms worked their way into my upper back, then my neck, then my face, all along the left side. i took a muscle relaxant and hot bath and went to bed with it mostly settled down, but 4-5 hours later, woke with it spasming again, and laying on spasming muscles, just make them spasm more (that's the case for me at least), so i had to get up. also, the pain affects my stomach, so i have gastritis to contend with today as well.

i'd take another muscle relaxant now, but i hate how "stoned" it makes me feel, great for bedtime, but terrible for the middle of the day, so instead i've arranged to work in the recliner, with ice packs and a heating pad.

it sure would be nice to have medical marijuana as an option; feel like i'd be able to control the amount i took much easier, and that it would make me feel a lot less "stoned" than the muscle relaxant does, or at least not any worse. and knowing it doesn't have to be smoked, or that you can buy premade food items where it is legal, that just sounds so promising. and the thought of a salve is even more exciting. i sure do wish it didn't have such a stigma and would be legalized everywhere..........

but really am happy for those of you who have this as an option......
i know for some of you, you really wouldn't be able to function without it.

Medical Weed,just had some,it works for me,,Helps me mentally deal with the pain,,but since i've been on remicade my pain has decreased 90+%,,,,,

ummmmm,,whats was i just thinking/saying,,??can't remember,,someone at the door?,,,,,,1 sec,,,,I'm hearing things no 1 at the door lol,,O look something shiny on the lawn,,gotta gooooo,,,, ;-)

HA HA HA HA LIKE IT

The compassion club I go to offers Pot Cookies, Tinctures, a bottled mist-spray (presumably to keep in your desk at work?) and the actual plant form as well. There is also a prescription pill available that should be legal anywhere (I once heard that George Bush, Sr. was taking it for his glaucoma).

I had a burst of energy and motivation today that caused me to start organizing my horrific desk. I discovered unpaid bills, letters and forms that needed to be finished and mailed off and a CD my auntie in Wales sent to me a year or two ago...a CD she wanted returned...inside the addressed envelope, there was an apology letter dated in June 2009...well it's off now.

The effects are truly astonishing. I ate a 1/4 of a cookie before bed last night and slept for twelve hours straight. Wow, does that ever feel good. Of course I awoke in greater than usual pain but I attribute that to the ridiculous hike I took through the woods a couple of days ago.

There are lesser known side-effects though:

Sudden compulsions to write poetry
Increased interest in purchasing magazines

I'll let you know about more as I discover them.

I hope you can find something that will help - ever considered moving to California...or Canada?

Take care Sue

Chris

Hey Dow, I remember hearing that in the old days of tall ships and such when your country was shiny new, all the ropes were made from hemp. It was a massive industry, so much so that all Americans were legislated to apportion a small amount of their land for the growing of hemp to help in times of war and such.

Then certain influential people wanted to make greater profits on a product they could control more easily and suddenly, growing hemp became a problem, then a stigma, and then a crime. The change was quick and the effects dramatically changed the fortunes of many people.

There are similar arguments for many other products derived from "hemp" like oils, for example. It's too bad that the people typically talking about this stuff have blood-shot eyes and use the word "dude" way too often.

Chris