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

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?

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  

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.

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

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

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!

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?

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.

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.

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....

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?

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