Medical Marijuana

pupfoster1

Hey girls,

Strange question but just curious.  Has anyone out there tried pot for their aches and pains POST tx?  I know it can help during chemo but I'm wondering if it could help with some of the post surgery pains that OTC isn't helping with and don't want to get hooked on the narcotics.  

Thanks,

Sharon

kathleen1966

I was offered this by numerous friends while in treatment.  I never took them up on it but am curious to hear if it helps.  I think I need it now more than ever (I can't seem to relax and am having a lot of coping issues)

slinky

My sis used this and found it to be extremely helpful - she had lymphoma.

faithfulheart

Sharon,

not sure if I will get band from bco, However ....... I personally found med. marijuna very helpful during my tx. My onc. was the one who suggested it to me. Never been a big fan of the stuff,  but

it really got me through the SE of tx!!!!  Post tx? Aches, pains, they hurt!  How many pills are we supposed to take. I believe there is a place for med. marijuna after all the crap thats been done to our bodie's.  You can take percecet or have a brownie!!!!  Organically grown, I think it's very helpful for chronic pain.  I know a women dx with bc 5 years ago, the tamox SE were so bad she stopped it. This women went purley  herbel and is feeling great , she even has learned to cook dinner with it!!!  She actually has studied up on it quite a bit and believes it shrinks tumors! ! Her doc supports her too.  I am NOT suggesting anyone stop there tamox, I am just telling you what my friend did.

Sharon, if you go get a perscribtion, it can be very helpful in pain manegment,  thats my opinion.

I don't use it on a regular basis, but if my pain is very intense, hubby gets the medicine!!!

I guess I should say my goodbyes now since, I will probebly will be kicked off this site, oh well if it helps anyone it's worth it!!! The power of prayer is awesome too!!!!! You are in mine sweeti!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why am I the only one who has posted, come on girls lets help sharon out!!!!!!

Come out of the closet you crazy pot heads!!!!! LOL LOL LOL

Steph

LindaKR

I've been seeing an osteopath for dibilitating pain issues from the Aromatase Inhibitors, first question he asked was if I had tried it for the pain.  I haven't.  He said that he has serveral patients who didn't believe it would work, but were willing to try, and they were happily surprised.  Since medical marijuana is legal in Oregon, and I'm having pretty intense pain, my husband has been encouraging me to try it.  I'm considering it, as it's important that I stay on the AI's, it makes a big difference in my chance of recurrence.  I'd love to hear other's comments on it. 

I don't think that the moderators will ban this, since we are discussing a legal method of pain control. Right now I'm controlling my pain with opiates, so is it really worse to use marijuana?

mspradley

My oncologist gave me a prescription during tx and it worked wonders for my nausea. Over a year later, I have horrible leg pain thanks to tamoxifen, so I take one before bedtime on nights that I can tell my legs will be cramping and aching.  This usually means I am either dehydrated or have had too much caffeine (or both).  It does work!

SharonMH

Hi  The other Sharon here. I am for whatever helps us. DH and I used pot back in  1969  Oh   we grew our own. Would use it again if it would make me feel better  Oh Steph  I am out of the closet as a crazy pot head. But look at all of us. We are good people and I am proud of all of us  We have come so far.SharonH  

slinky

Not sure why anyone would be kicked off for talking about medical marijuana when it is legal in some states?

DebRox

I agree, I do not think the mods will ban this discussion as we are talking medical mj. It is legal in California as well.



I decided to try mmj while undergoing chemo for anxiety. I felt it was better to take mmj versus Xanax which can be a highly addictive narcotic.



What I found for me personally is that mmj is a downer/depressant. It actually contributed to my feelings of sadness and depression versus alleviating anxiety. I found I was better off taking Xanax during chemo rather than mmj. I ended up taking 2 xanax tablets with each chemo infusion, day before and day of, so I did not really have to worry about addiction to Xanax.



I did try both types of mmj (indica and satvia) with the same result, a downer, I just did not like how I felt and how it affected my brain while taking it. I tried it all of 4 times and it is just not for me.



Everyone is different in their experiences and their needs. Wish everyone the best in coping with their pain and anxiety.

Outfield

Well, I felt sometimes felt like a bit of a freak because I DIDN'T use it!  No judgement of others implied - I was just scared to try it because when I smoked back when I was younger it made me paranoid.  I figured I could not handle any of that paranoia on top of the cancer-anxiety I already had.  But that's just me.  

faithfulheart

Ok, the leg cramps hurt really bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes one hit before bed, no cramps and you will sleep like a baby!!  It really, really helps. I'm serious!!!!  Hey sharon H, I am proud of us all too!!!!

strongest group of women I know!!!!!!! I was just kidding about getting kicked off, (I think?))))))

Sharon pm me if you want to talk about it. Yes, you should not take it for anxiety, thats what xanax is for. We are talking about pain management at night. I agree with the others. Xanax is an addictive drug,  if abused and not needed, this is tru, but . Breast cancer patients , we tend to have a bit of anxiety!!!  I take xanax too!!!!!  Now I am really out of the closet!!!!!  

Love to all...........................................

S

panamajayne

it sure helped me with the intense bone pain from Taxol

LindaKR

panamajayne - are you done with Chemo?  Have you started the AI or Tamox yet?  I'd really be interested in hearing if anyone with the pain from the AI's has tried it?

skigrl

I have horrible neauropathy in my feet, keeps me awake at night. So now I take a few puffs before bed and it relaxes me enough and helps with the pain. If I take it right before I go to bed I don't get the " munchies" . I was on neurontin for the neuropathy and I gained 10 pounds in a month on it. And it really didn't help much and I was a zombie on it also . I don't have a script for the pot, wouldn't it be more expensive that way? I have lots of contacts that I just buy it when I need it or friends just give it to me. Ok time for bed, now where did I leave my pipe?

jennyboog

None for me, never have actually....me and my DH say we're going to try it one day when we no longer have to piss for the Army   BC might give me a perfect reason to try, I saw a special on TV about it and how it might shrink tumors and helped with SE....definetly peaked my interest. 

pupfoster1

Oh how I LOVE you ladies! 

It was funny as I was wondering where everyone was when I posted this yesterday.  Lots of hits but no posts, but once one started you all came in to join.  And no I don't think anyone should get banned (love you Steph!!!:::)))from BCO b/c of this conversation---it was posted as Medical............ 

DC has supposedly legalized it, but I don't think they have any dispensaries as of yet, and yes I will come out of the closet---back in the day I did use it recreationally, but it's been so long I don't have any of "those" contacts anymore.

It was good to hear both sides too, sounds as though it helps most out but I appreciate your input DebRox as I do recall a time when I was a teen and it made me feel paranoid too.  Definitely DON'T need that now! 

Keep the feedback comin.

Love you all,

Sharon

LindaKR

Also, getting it legally would keep you from getting in trouble should you be caught with it.

peggy_j

Has anyone tried it for insomnia? I'm on tamoxifen and having problems sleeping (I wake up several times during the night. Not sure if mmj would help me get to sleep *and* stay asleep). Thanks everyone for sharing your experience, esp. DebRox. That was helpful. (I'm also crabby and crying, so I really don't want to sign up for anything else that's a "downer.")

DebRox

I tried it for sleeping as well because I have been desperate for sleep, I haven't slept a full night since being dxd in march.



I tried indica first. I found it far too strong for me as it made my mind go wild thinking all sorts of wild, paranoid things, including that I didn't need treatment etc. I won't go into details, but it frightened me. I tried it in the form of a pill and tincture.



I also tried sativa for insomnia. I liked that it did help me relax. It heightened my senses so that I could perform directed meditation, sending energy to parts of my body that required healing. But again mj is a downer. I have been prone to crying and thinking negative thoughts about my condition. Mj exacerbated my sadness and depression. I tried sativa in the form of vapor and tincture.



For my experience with mmj, I found that I do not like the feeling of my brain not in control of my thoughts, which is what it feels like to me. it is easy for me to go down the path of negativity which sends me into a bout of uncontrollable crying. These days I cannot even drink 2 glasses of wine without going down the negative path either. It must be a stage I'm in.



Cancer sucks!

faithfulheart

Ok guys,

here's the key, the AIs can cause lots of aches and pains, but like we have all discussed, nobody wants to have anxiety or feel like a zombie!!!!! Oh not to mention how hungry it will make you if taken to early.  Sooooo , that being said,  Yes it really helps my pain! Get your kids to bed, take off your make up , if you where it, brush teeth, get in bed, shut and lock your door, we don't need the kids to know, they would not get it, and why should they have too!!!  So right before you go to sleep take a puff, just one decent puff should do the job. You will feel the pain subside and watch a little tv, or whatever with DH, he might want to partake, that can always be fun. I do recommend getting a card, but  I never did, I guess when people found out I had bc, they came out of the wood works with the stuff!!! They have different kinds though, and there are some just for pain, thats where the card comes in handy. You can go to the mmj pharmacy and choose the kind that best will help you.

Man I sound like I'm doing this all the time, the funny part is, I take a puff only when pain is real bad, leg cramps ect... But it does help you sleep, so if thats your problem, this could be a solution

for you. Jenny, you deserve a hall pass, from the pissin!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have earned your stripes sistah!!!!!

Anyway, love you all, and I don't want anyone to suffer, this is the proper use for this drug, it helps nausia, and pain, hence = helps bc patients!!!!!!

Its grown from the earth right? No pesticides though, make sure!!!!

XOXO

steph

barbe1958

Wierd, I find when I smoke that I feel the pain worse, but I just don't care. I don't like the pain sensation though, I just want to be pain-free! I live in Canada where we can use it without any legal hassles so I have for about 40 years. It's been used for cancer patients to treat the lack of appetite. I've never heard it used for pain until this thread!! Doesn't work for me, but that's smoking it. I've baked it in brownies before and that's a nice stone, but uses a lot.

Would the pill form help for pain? Why would it be different?

faithfulheart

Barbe,

I think you can get certian types for pain, thats wierd it makes it worse though, how is your pain level these days??

steph

LindaKR

I didn't realize there were so many different types.  I see my FNP in a couple of weeks, think I'll ask her opinion.  If it helps the pain it can't be worse for you than being addicted to opiates.

faithfulheart - you are so right that no on needs to know.  My brother and SIL have both been in trouble for it, so would need to be very careful so that they wouldn't have any excuses.

As soon as I was diagnosed people started asking me if I had my MMJ card. I even had offers of people willing to get it for me.  I'd always thought that it was only for peoplel with metastatic disease.

pupfoster1

I really think it would help but now I don't know how to approach things at this point.   Seems as though MMJ would be a lot safer than the Vicodin or Oxycodone I've been taking off and on. And it IS hard to go off that stuff---you get used to it!   Don't know if my onc would even write a script here in MD even if I could go in to DC to get it.  Like I said before I don't think there are dispensaries there yet.  Might have to "ask" around subtly.  

Anyone have experience w/getting it online?

(((Hugs)))

Sharon

buttercupwithab

I think that I agree that it is a more natural substance than the pills.  My neurologist gave me the app and signed it but I have been dragging my feet.  A member of these boards suggested that I at least get the app processed because it can take time and at least I have it if and when I need it.  I need to light a fire under my butt and at least do that.

Edited to add that my former Onc would not give me the app.  I don't know the current Onc's opinion - another good reason to line everything up before your need it.

FireKracker

Wish it was legal in NJ...ihave stomach issues forever.then BC...no dr.will write a script for me...they said in NJ youhave to be in constant pain (which all my drs know im not or have multiple sclarosis which i dont....they all know i smoke it but i cannot get the script...AND YES LADIES IT WORKS FOR ALL KINDS OF STOMACH ISSUES.Gosh i thought we would all get kicked off the boards!!!!!

karen1956

MMJ is legal in Colorado, but there was recent court case where a guy was fired after a ramdom pee in a cup.....the court upheld his firing.....Even though mmj is legal in Colorado, doctors don't Rx it, only recommend it....so you can get a mmj card....there are dispensaries on about every other corner in denver.....Marinol is the Rx form of THC...onc Rx it for me during chemo...didn't do anything for the nauseau....

SharonMH

Hi  SharonH here. Just want to know what kind of pain do you all have? I am one year out. I had a Mx and maybe 14 nodes removed. My chest and underarm are still very sore and I take Femera so I have a hard time sleeping .Not that I would start doing any kind of Medical Marijuana, but does it help? I do not take any kind of pain pills.Heard you do not have to smoke it. , You can cook with it and not just brownies. Also heard that they have a pill that you can take that does not make you high. SharonH

buttercupwithab

I've heard people say it's good for nausea.  Also, typical pain meds generally contribute to really bad constipation - a problem I already have too much of with constant chemo.  A down side to me (that I forgot in my previous post) is having to pay for it - insurance won't.  If it relaxes you and makes you feel good, though, why not?

FireKracker

YES it works for nausea and the drs know it....NJ just wont make it legal.

gentianviolet

I have a few questions.  I tried smoking and didn't like the coughing that went with it.  I have been grinding it up and putting it in capsules; I use a gram scale so I can raise or lower the amount I take.  I find it helps considerably (but does not eliminate it totally) with the pain in my hips and knees.  I would like to know if anyone makes it into a salve and if so, does using it topically also eliminate pain??  Any information would be appreciated.  Barbara