STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER

Lula73

Sheila-I’m so sorry things have changed with the change in treatment. I have 2 things to offer up that may help-curcumin for pain and inflammation (I take the Solgar brand as it has significantly higher availability, works faster, and works longer and is water soluble). I recently started CBD oil and it has made a significant difference in my mood. It’s also supposed to help with pain and inflammation as well. Like you, I’ve been on antidepressants for years. We tried adding a second antidepressant and it didn’t go to well. With the CBD oil I have somebody hope for my mood. Hope this helps you!

bcincolorado

Sheila I'm so sorry you are in such pain! I do not know where you live if medical MJ is available or not. My DH suffers quite a bit with many health issues and his doc actually recommended he try it. It is the only thing that has given him any relief. He could not sleep through the night before because of the pain and was a huge grouch as a result. He limits when he uses it and suffers most of the time until night time when we will not be going anywhere. You cannot drive with it all.

bella2013

How do you obtain CBD oil and how to you use it?

Thanks

Amica

Pi-Xi

Love it! Why do I think that holiday is going to end up in the summer?

Seconding Bella, on the CBD oil questions. I wonder if it is available in Canada.

But there is some information at this link:

info on hemp and CBD oils

Egads007

Amica - Still illegal in Canada......

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4656913

Lula73

I stumbled upon the store. I took my son to lunch and we had to park several shops up from the restaurant. One of the shops I passed had a small sign so I walked in. The brand is Dove Medica. It's organically grown and produced right up the road from where I grew up. Here’s the link to their site. I’d give them a call and discuss your needs with them before buying. They had additional strengths in the store as well that you can probably order by phone.

https://www.puritibydovemedical.com/

Micmel

welp, last night I slept like ass. Seriously, at least they should get our sleep hammered out and make sure whatever meds we need to sleep we get. I laid there thinking about everything. From my life and mistakes to questions I’ll never get the answers too, from having such. Financial strains. The wonder of our next meal sometimes rings truthful. My stomach ended up hurting. So badly. I think I’m getting an ulcer. I’m never hungry I am sure that’s no good for stomach acid. Ugh I hate all of this. I don’t know why I even bother waking
up somedays. Just to say oh another day of not living. And more hours of fighting cancer or finding a comfortable spot for my spine. Somedays I just feel done with it all. Like impending bus running me over would sound like a way better option then suffering somehow everyday I have left. I’m watching friends suffer and dying. It guts my soul. No wonder my stomach is rotting. Sometimes I wonder why a god would allow such disease and pain. I hope someday to really get the chance to know that answer. I need the answer.

Amica

Egads007

thanks for the very useful link, like the following information

"CBD oil is considered a Schedule 2 drug in Canada and should only be sold to those with a prescription, according to Health Canada. But it is widely available online and at head shops... people should go to the Health Canada website to find producers that are licensed and legal.

Until marijuana is legalized in Canada, the only people who can legally buy cannabis or cannabidiol oil from a licensed producer are patients with prescriptions.

Dried cannabis and CBD oil from licenced producers will become legal once the federal Cannabis Act passes."

CBD oil and Canada law

So it looks like in Canada, you can get a prescription for CBD oil. I wonder how many doctors are willing to do that. I have to admit I know nothing about legal marijuana prescription practices in Canada or the U.S.

Lula73

The reason these CBD oils are becoming widely available and laws are changing where a prescription used to be required won’t be is because CBD oil does not contain THC - the part of the plant that causes the high. Cancer patients weren’t enough to get this change completed (go figure). The finding that the oil also helps with seizures and parents were being arrested for making it/giving it to their children to stop debilitating sometimes constant seizures under a doctor’s recommendation was what tipped the scales. Additionally the way the laws were written it classified all of it as marijuana and made no distinction between THC and non-THC components.

SheliaMarie

Micmel - there you go again, putting words to my regular thoughts. I’m sorry, love. Xozo

JJOntario

I can't believe that science has not perfected painkillers yet.

runor

I live in Canada. I get CBD oil in the mail. No prescription. It is easy to find and get. Not arrested yet. Mind you, illegal grow ops surround me and now massive legal ones are under construction so me with my boring old CBD oil is really not what the cops are worried about.

I was taking it because I was told it has great tumour supressing abilities. But once my lumpectomy was over and the tumour was allegedly gone, I kind of didn't see the point. I felt no different taking it than not, so I quit. But getting it was never a problem.

Meow13

runor, how to you take it and does it help with joint pain?

Amica

runor

I feel like I have such bad luck right now that I would be one of the few people to be arrested for trying to purchase CBD oil mailorder.

I was reading an article yesterday which indicated there is quite a bit of turmoil with doctors prescribing medical marijuana in Canada, because many of the doctors feel uncomfortable with it, feel clinical evidence is lacking, and don't know dosage etc. The Canadian Medical Association has decided to abandon its medical guidelines for cannabis once it is legalized, leaving even more doctors in the lurch. I have a lot of chronic pain and no doctor has ever mentioned medical MJ to me.

Whirlaway

I am a Canadian who had no problem getting a prescription of CBD by a medical doctor - pain clinic at cancer center. I am closely monitored, which I like, as it took a bit of time in my case, to get the proper dosage. It is delivered discretely to the door. My health care team is supportive. Surgeon actually suggested it as I had some radiation damage to one lymph node which caused nerve pain so I asked for referral to pain clinic with prescribes MJ. We are in a pilot project.

Moth, I also have osteoarthritis from an old sport injury and the CBD works amazing!! I am back to swimming, mountain biking, starting to kayak this week again and hopefully skiing  in winter. It also helps me sleep and keeps me relaxed. 

Lita57

Amica,

The usual CBD dosage is a dropper full (about 10 mgs). It's best to take it UNDER the tongue and hold it there for a minute. After, use a juice (a few ounces) chaser to swallow it (the taste makes ME gag). My palliative care dr wants me to start taking EVEN MORE now.

There is some good stuff and bad stuff out there...you have to do your research. I just CAN'T understand why the med establishment is so behind the times.....oh, wait a minute - YES, I can. MMJ will ultimately EAT into Big Pharma's profits.....duh! Opioids do NOTHING for my pain. Only MMJ seems to help, and it's keeping brain seizures (from my 20+ brain tumors) at bay. I have made "canna-butter" and "canna-oil" out of OG Kush and Granddaddy Purple buds (put 'em in cheese cloth and simmer them in melted butter/oil) and then made cookies and brownies. Be careful with edibles - See link below...you don't want to end up like Maureen Dowd. What an idiot! Everyone knows you start off with a QUARTER of a piece of cookie, candy, or brownie, not the whole damn bar, and then WAIT to see if you have a weird reaction. I guess Dowd never had any "stoner" friends from high school or college to show her the ropes?

I was not expected to live past January of this year, and I don't know how long I have left, as eye issues and my balance are indeed starting to get worse again after my Whole Brain Radiation from last year, but I put my faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA! It's what has kept me alive these past several months ). As long as I can still pretty much see, walk and string a couple of decent sentences together, I'm doin' great ).

LINK:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/201...

In Maureen Dowd's latest column for the New York Times, she describes her scary experience eating a pot candy bar while reporting on ...

Incidentally, I stay away from "sativa" strains as they can make you a little paranoid. Indica strains are more relaxing and sleep-promoting. CBDs will not make you "high" as they don't have psychoactive properties. Do you have a "friend" who could score you some stuff? That's what we used to do b4 it was "legal."

L

Meow13

Lita, good to hear from you. I am hoping with the opioid crisis the FDA might be more inclined to get safer pain relief out there. Unfortunately there are political dinosaurs out there that have comprehensive skills comparable to a turnip. I don't think there is any compassion for those who suffer.

exbrnxgrl

lita,

The biggest obstacle, IMO, to the medical establishment “being behind the times”is not the pharma companies ( yes, they have some part in it, but that’s not the biggest stumbling block) but the fact that cannabis is illegal on the federal level. This severely limits research funding, and in a nutshell, that’s a huge problem. No science based studies equals lack of data showing the positive aspects of cannabis. Yes, limited studies and mountains of anecdotes exist, but until it is no longer federally illegal, research will be limited.

You and I are fortunate in that we live in a legal state, both medicinal and recreational. I do a lot of experimenting with different products, dosing and levels of CBD vs. THC and, of course, different strains. After two years of trial and error, I’m feeling pretty confident (most of the time 😜).

Amica

That's useful to know Whirlaway. There is some kind of pain clinic at my Cancer Center. I see a Social Worker next week who is supposedly also staff at the Pain Clinic, so maybe she'll know more about how to obtain a prescription for CBD oil or other options. Ever since my core biopsy on the collarbone area my lymphedema has been more painful, and then I have several other sources of chronic pain.

Thanks for the info Lita. I am glad cannabis is bringing you some relief. My heart goes out to you. I cannot imagine how difficult this is for you, and you have a great attitude. Sending love and compassion your way.

Right now in Ontario Cannabis is allowed under prescription as a third-line treatment, meaning more traditional methods like all those awful narcotics have to be used first. I think opioids are more dangerous than MJ for pete's sake !

Amica

Whirlaway

Amica, starting with your social worker is a good idea! I did have to try the synthetic form first as required under Canadian protocol. Can't remember the drug name right now but I had a very bad reaction to it. I was just in the low percentage to be very sensitive. I have been taking the CBD oil since Feb. Good luck!

Amica

thanks Whirlaway

And why would they try synthetic when there is natural available? I think a natural substance, something that was actually growing in the good earth, is almost always going to be better.

Amica

And now for a Rant on my favorite object of frustration, Ontario's threadbare healthcare system.

My initial appointment with my oncologist was precisely 30 minutes. Her nurse later told me that I had delayed the doctor and taken up too much time, so that the doc's schedule was off for the rest of the morning (inappropriate for her to even say that to me.)

So what's that supposed to mean? If only 15 or 20 minutes was scheduled for an initial oncology appointment, then the Ontario cancer care system is truly f*d up. An initial appointment with an oncologist should be at least 30 to 45 minutes in my opinion.

I'm already stressing about my next oncologist appointment on August 23rd, because I have even more questions than before. First question I am going to ask is: "How long is this appointment?" And if she says "20 minutes" or God forbid less, I will say, "Not long enough. Please book me for a follow-up 20 minute appointment over the next few days so I can actually ask questions, and not be going through life-and-death issues in a breathless rush." If she won't do that or is offended I honestly feel like getting a new onc, or is this just the way it is in Ontario.

Mominator

Amica, I'm so sorry for what you're going through in your MO office.

That nurse is out of line. If you have questions, they should be answered. 

I wouldn't even ask how long your appointment is scheduled to be. That might make them head for the door. 

Instead, make a list of your questions, and prioritize them if you want. Then just go through the list. 

I  bring two copies of my list of questions, and hand one to the doctor. Doctor would look over list and answer them, usually in order. I'd make notes on my copy. Some doctors would even make notes on their copy and had the list back to me. 

Best wishes, Mominator 

Amica

thanks Mominator

Yes I do the same thing, with the two copies, only I didn't do it for the first visit with this onc.

I think the nurse thought she was being helpful, which is even worse, like giving me a heads up. SMH.

Why do you think they will head for the door if I ask them how long the appt is scheduled for? It's better that I know so I don't go over. If they are thinking 10 minutes, and I expect 30 minutes, someone is going to end up unhappy.

My previous treatment for BC was in the U.S. There is no medical system in which the patient is in control, but in Canada, that is even more so. Hopefully a medical system at least takes the patient's needs into account. But so far I have not found that to be the case in Canada. This system is all about saving money; both the doctors and patients get squeezed.

JJOntario

This is good for a chuckle. I'm in Ontario Canada. I tried to book with my Ps who I seen at the beginning of my dx, I wanted to see about doing some reconstruction and the earliest appt he had was in July 2020. Frustrating beyond words.

Micmel

that's utterly disgusting. I am so sorry that is something you should not have to worry about! Wow I'm speechless. I know I am going to be bankrupt from medical bills I cannot pay. But atleast they don't refuse us treatment, or put such ridiculous time to wait. Honestly I have never heard anything so unbelievable... I really don't even have words. Honestly

Mominator

Amica, I think they will head for the door when you ask them how long the appt is because the power of suggestion. Oh no, she's planning on taking a lot of time. I would just ask all the questions on my list. I've never had a medical doctor tell me that we've run out of time. (Counselors and therapists are different. But you can pick up next week.) 

Maybe I'm just lucky with my doctors, or my country. 

I think you should have the right to ask all your questions without some nurse telling you you've run overtime. 

I think doctor appointments are booked for the average number of patients a doctor can see per hour. Some patients take less, others take more. I don't think the nurse should make you feel rushed because you have more questions. 

Also, I live in USA not Canada. 

Good luck with your next appointments. 

Amica

JJOntario

That's horrible.

My Dad's elderly companion was in an Ontario hospital for about 5 weeks, ill with undiagnosed cancer, in excrutiating pain. It took them forever to get her off of simple Tylenol and provide appropriate pain meds because it took them a couple of weeks to diagnose the cancer. She died BEFORE EVER SEEING AN ONCOLOGIST. Not even once! They say this doesn't happen---only it does. I don't know if it would have made a difference since she was deathly ill, but at least she would have suffered less. Before that she spent about 8 months seeing a gasteroenterologist who was treating her with antacids for stomach pain and they were too cheap to do the proper imaging to discover she had pancreatic cancer.

And guess who pays most (85%) of the doctor's liability insurance costs in Canada? The government--meaning the people. lol

TaRenee

Oh my gosh at my HOT FLASHES! (They don’t flash off, they seem to last forever, but they sure flash on!

Is it really something that I'm going to have to deal with as long as I am on my meds? Someone please tell me it gets better. I am miserable most of the night from then and I'm embarrassed for dripping sweat when I'm around other people. They understand, but dangit! I am so over this SE!!!!!

Amica

TaRenee

You have my sympathy. Did you go into chemo-induced menopause?