Have you tried Cannabis yet for your aches, pains or other medical conditions?

[GailL1]

As more states legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use — 30 states plus the District of Columbia to date — the cannabis industry is booming. Among the fastest growing group of users: people over 50, with especially steep increases among those 65 and older. And some dispensaries are tailoring their pitches to seniors who are seeking alternative treatments for their aches, pains and other medical conditions.

In fact, I heard today that Coke is contemplating a new drink in states where it is legal - medically legal - with cannabidiol, or CBD,  formulated without THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient.

No prescription needed - but seniors need to exert caution for several reasons:

1.  it remains a Schedule 1 substance — meaning it’s illegal under federal law - it’s legal in some form in 30 states and the District of Columbia. 

2.  products bought at marijuana dispensaries aren’t FDA-regulated, as are prescription drugs. That means dose and consistency can vary.

3.  There are side-effects

4.  Use caution

• Talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor you’re thinking about trying medical marijuana. Although he or she may have some concerns, most doctors won’t judge you for seeking out alternative treatments.
• Make sure your prescriber is aware of all the medications you take. Marijuana might have dangerous interactions with prescription medications, particularly medicines that can be sedating, said Dr. Benjamin Han, a geriatrician at New York University School of Medicine who studies marijuana use in the elderly.
• Watch out for dosing. Older adults metabolize drugs differently than young people. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, try the lowest possible dose first to avoid feeling intoxicated. And be especially careful with edibles. They can have very concentrated doses that don’t take effect right away.
• Elderly people are also more sensitive to side effects. If you start to feel unwell, talk to your doctor right away. “When you’re older, you’re more vulnerable to the side effects of everything,” Han said. “I’m cautious about everything.”
• Look for licensed providers. In some states like California, licensed dispensaries must test for contaminants. Be especially careful with marijuana bought illegally. “If you’re just buying marijuana down the street … you don’t really know what’s in that,” said Dr. Joshua Briscoe, a palliative care doctor at Duke University School of Medicine who has studied the use of marijuana for pain and nausea in older patients. “Buyer, beware.”

Bottom line: The research on medical marijuana is limited. There’s even less we know about marijuana use in older people. Proceed with caution.

more at:

Kaiser Health News 09/18/2018 - Day-Tripping To The Dispensary: Seniors In Pain Hop Aboard The Canna...

[GolapskD569635]

I can share my experience. I buy cannabis products to reduce my migraines. I began having migraines after working in a lab. Actually, I've been working in this lab for four months. My activity decreased due to migraines, but I couldn't sleep almost every night. My cousin told me that she buys marijuana gum and CBD oil at the local Brampton dispensary to avoid a headache. The same day I went to this store. Since I drink a few drops of CBD oil in tea daily, my migraines go easier. I almost don't feel them. Besides, I stopped having exhausting dreams. After a night without dreams, I always feel rested and full of energy.

[AnnR238197]

My son had a problem that he had to suffer for several years, because we tried everything to help him, but not one medicine did not help, soon the doctors also refused to help because they did not know what to do. I had to deal with my own problem somehow.

[aruzinsky]

Yes.  I have a condition similar to fibromyalgia in which my muscles hurt when they contract.   Recently, one hour before walking for exercise, I ate edibles containing 10 mg THC and 10 mg CBD, which was enough to get moderately high.  It had absolutely no effect on my pain.  If anything, it caused me to notice pain that I previously learned to ignore.

[SIMPLEGAL]

Pain will definitely bring one to tears. My sympathy to all who suffer.

---

@aruzinsky wrote:

Yes.  I have a condition similar to fibromyalgia in which my muscles hurt when they contract.   Recently, one hour before walking for exercise, I ate edibles containing 10 mg THC and 10 mg CBD, which was enough to get moderately high.  It had absolutely no effect on my pain.  If anything, it caused me to notice pain that I previously learned to ignore.

---

[Kath1948]

I think the THC is not letting your body relax. May I suggest that you just use CBD. There are so many forms CBD comes in now.   I only use it if I can't sleep or relax to be able to sleep. Your kind of pain......you'll just have to trial and error. I do....

I don't like manufactured pain killers anymore.

[aruzinsky]

---

@Kath1948 wrote:

I think the THC is not letting your body relax. May I suggest that you just use CBD. There are so many forms CBD comes in now.   I only use it if I can't sleep or relax to be able to sleep. Your kind of pain......you'll just have to trial and error. I do....

I don't like manufactured pain killers anymore.

---

I don't want to "relax" during exercise.  The opioid, pentazocine/nalozone, was completely adequate for purposes of exercise but it became unavailable to me because of the medical community's hysterical knee jerk reaction to the alleged "opioid crisis."

[Kath1948]

I hear you!!   I only use cbd if I can't sleep which is not often. It also hangs on till half of the next day; not so great.  How about coffee....no?  Does that aggravate your

pain?   I can't imagine have all over pain all the time. Opiods.....another rant I could get into.

I don't know if  it's my age or because of my condition, that I'm so opinionated and don't care what others think of my personal honesty. I should have adopted this frankness years ago; maybe things would have been better.   LOL  It's Sunday, so I'll give it a rest....after I click " Post ".

You know what, AARP is almost just as slow as it has been for years now. Why do they just ignore the speed?  It's a big part of the reason that I don't come in much.

[aruzinsky]

---

@Kath1948 wrote:

I hear you!!   I only use cbd if I can't sleep which is not often. It also hangs on till half of the next day; not so great.  How about coffee....no?  Does that aggravate your

pain?   I can't imagine have all over pain all the time. Opiods.....another rant I could get into.

...

---

Caffeine and other stimulants reduce my pain slightly. Pentazocine also acts as a stimulant for me, but not for normal people.  That's why I can't take it before bedtime.  When I am motionless in bed I don't need a pain killer, anyway.  There is some pain after holding the same position for hours, but, it's not a big problem.

[fffred]

@aruzinsky 

hi there, I'm curious as to how the "opioid period", I'll call it, is an alleged crisis. Maybe that's food for another thread, but if you could give me the brief outline though, or direct to some links, I'd appreciate it.

For myself, no Cannabis nor other painkillers though. not yet. Use methotrexate for my arthritis but that treats the disease, not pain.

---

@aruzinsky wrote:

---

zocine/nalozone, was completely adequate for purposes of exercise but it became unavailable to me because of the medical community's hysterical knee jerk reaction to the alleged "opioid crisis."

---

[aruzinsky]

---

@fffred wrote:

@aruzinsky 

hi there, I'm curious as to how the "opioid period", I'll call it, is an alleged crisis. Maybe that's food for another thread, but if you could give me the brief outline though, or direct to some links, I'd appreciate it.

For myself, no Cannabis nor other painkillers though. not yet. Use methotrexate for my arthritis but that treats the disease, not pain.

---

@aruzinsky wrote:

---

zocine/nalozone, was completely adequate for purposes of exercise but it became unavailable to me because of the medical community's hysterical knee jerk reaction to the alleged "opioid crisis."

---

---

Deaths due to opioid abuse is not a crisis because irresponsible opioid abusers are getting what they deserve.  It is a gross injustice to make responsible people with chronic pain suffer for the self-inflicted injuries of opioid abusers.  Just to be clear, I want opioid abusers and their sympathizers to die.

[SIMPLEGAL]

---

.

---

[AnnetteW715670]

Yes recently. I was having severe pain out of nowhere. 8 hr wait in ER and Dr office was closed. A friend stopped by with a one hit marijuana and insisted I at least try it and so I did. I don't do drugs or drink alcohol. My pain stopped almost immediately. Turns out I was passing a pancreatic stone. I felt like I was in an upper abdomen childbirth. I could not believe it worked. I have been wanting medicinal for 50 years because I have an epileptic son who could benefit bit let me tell you the pain benefits are unbelievable.

[Kath1948]

I use cbd suppositories, so that I don't have the drowsy, head high. It Does help with pain so that I can do things a little easier. The thing is, that I don't take it regularly; just when I need it. I am on Revlimid for 21 days, and off of it for 7 days. The seven is when I use cbd ( suppos. or tincture), but still cbd is not a 7 day routine.

[Frozenoem]

@Kath1948 

About all I can say on subject is I felt human once more after consuming half of a Mint Chocolate Brownie last night with Tincture.

Me thinks the legal shops in state are hiring bakers who actually know how to cook vs dump a little of this or that in a pkg of cake mix 🤣.

*edit* and we do seem to have more mature, herbologists My age) who are trying to make mixes for other than recreational users.👍

My Brain is working on all cylinders, and I'm hungry again.

Doubt if I ever 🤷‍♂️, would smoke like in my youth but, pain free after lack of balance for me and broken bits and pieces, rebreaks and again since 8-2018.

Actually think my outlook is improving, as I await 6 - 8 specialists to come up with an answer.

I had been feeling like cr*p for last year, still capable of functioning but, absolute 💩.

Now, feeling much better😆😎.

Think brownies will be in my future without pain.

Froze

[Kath1948]

Brownies are a good late night snack😁

I have a balance problem also from side effects.

I process my own ...herb...but usually I purchase cbd. Processed goes into food of all sorts. Raw leaves go in salads or eayen plain, or dried and used like....oregeno?

It's trial and error as far as dosing ..with processed.

Don't eat the brownies too often because your body will have to have more to get the same benefit. I think I use just cbd, maybe every couple of months when needed. A reset button is good

[Frozenoem]

Will have to work on dosing admit it. But, I felt human for first time in a year+.

Weight loss of 60-70 lb's Jan. -March 2019 still losing weight, yet I still eat same things as I have for 40 years, now with more frequency - honestly feel like a hobbit must eat at least 6x per day (full meals) not snacks to remain at 160-180.

I could use a little munchy-ness🤣. Tried unscientific test to see if unhealthy diet of cheesecake, cannoli's (I can cook) in addition to normal meals, etc could put fat on me. Total failure.

More weight loss and not by normal excretion means. Honestly feel like my body is consuming itself.

But, despite the feeling that issues are insurmountable, I  feel hopeful once more. If it's pot talking, I'll take it.

Balance is a 24 hour per day. Issue, might be crystals in ear but, need my back to work to try that idea.

Snow is soft to fall upon but, frostbite could be a problem.

Already came close to discovering that theory.

Dropped twice with heavy snowblower  atop me, managed to pick up it before me. Nice distribution of weight on snowblowers. No pot or brownie consumption prior to using snowblower. Arising again was a bugger.

Thyroid, blood, cancer, MRI's ,CT scans, Xrays feel like I should be glowing. All normal-to date 10 specialists and no answers.

I think I'll work on dosing but, need answers. 

Froze

[Kath1948]

I have Multiple Myeloma and I'm doing well, actually. It is not because of cannabis, I don't think though, because I don't use it that often.

My chemo/treatments end in April. At that time I will use alternative natural herbs/cannabis, to see if I can stay in remission for at least a couple of decades.Since I'm doing well, I don't want to use " my way ". My dr. seems to know what he's doing in my case. He's proud of me too 😉

So at this point I use cbd topicals or my own processed topicals and leave it at that.....most of the time. I'm a senior  ( duh, AARP ), and I plan on making it to 100+. Cancer is a ....bear, but I'm not going to let it push me around.

[ChasKy53]

---

@Kath1948 wrote:

I have Multiple Myeloma and I'm doing well, actually. It is not because of cannabis, I don't think though, because I don't use it that often.

My chemo/treatments end in April. At that time I will use alternative natural herbs/cannabis, to see if I can stay in remission for at least a couple of decades.Since I'm doing well, I don't want to use " my way ". My dr. seems to know what he's doing in my case. He's proud of me too 😉

So at this point I use cbd topicals or my own processed topicals and leave it at that.....most of the time. I'm a senior  ( duh, AARP ), and I plan on making it to 100+. Cancer is a ....bear, but I'm not going to let it push me around.

---

Hi Kath,  I have Multiple Myeloma also, since late fall of 2011. I had a stem cell transplant in Sept of 2012 and a second one in September of 2017. I have been on no maintenance chemo for 13 months and am still in remission. When I come out of remission again they have two different non-chemo therapies they can use on me. Each one should work for up to 4 years each, hopefully by then they will find something new.  On my last visit to Vanderbilt University Hospital (Ingram Cancer Center), my doctor told me that Myeloma is now becoming a manageable disease for many people. I hope that you are one of those people too.

How long have you had Myeloma? I hope the best for you.

[Kath1948]

I was diagnosed Oct. 2018, so I am happy that my now maintainence will be remission in a couple of months.

I realize anything can happen to break remission and your team is ready, just in case...now that is the epitomy of medical support, huh?

Thank you, thank you, I feel inspired and encouraged!

I am 71; I know you didn't ask, but I'm learning that most MMers are seniors.

👍😁🌹

[Frozenoem]

Maine is quasi-legal have tried the smokeable variety, and about all it did for me was allow me to sit through my iron butterfly album (finally) Ravi Shankar albums on iPhone, meditate on my navel and do some old pain relief self meditation DMR (Deep Muscle Relaxation).One-two hits were all it took, should last forever if that's normal now.

Brownies (edibles) with tincture did allow pain relief, maturing stinks. The parts and pieces broken and healed from my youth have come back to haunt me for 16 months non-stop. Ribs, sternum, lower lumbar and coccyx (jaws of life anyone) and arthritis meds as memories since  age of 17?

Used to have much higher tolerances for pain, now not so much. Edibles were recommended by one of my doctors and shop was down the street from hospital. Both edibles and smokeable forms did finally solve issue of Parkinson's-like tremors in my hand, caused by another blasted medication.

I guess my question to those that would care to answer is -

Do you actually gain pain relief and still are capable of functioning using your brains?

I can't retire completely for 2 more years. Semi-retired due to weather, good days and bad.

I need pain relief that won't kill me. Celebrex 400Mg twice per day for arthritis and blood thinners to prevent strokes.

Celebrex May cause strokes you may get relief but, it might kill you.🤬

I'm allergic to most other medications, and have been hospitalized taking similar anti-inflammatories. Just love carrying an Ana-kit just in case of everything.

Host of other med's but, they're relatively safe compared to above. Still have PDR set to protect myself from food coloring- like Tartrazine.(FD&C yellow #5) is the same as taking an aspirin Allergy and forget about breathing.

Legality of hemp growing doesn't matter when speaking of marijuana or CBD cannabinoids - rings a bell.*It feels like century since my last cadet training course.

Hemp only uses would be fiber or ropes not, the same as marijuana, only same family no medicinal value. Have growers of both types within the area🤣. Really good, pure soils, mountain streams not to sound like travel ad.

My heating pad is calling

Froze

[Kath1948]

I have Multiple Myeloma and I've mentioned to my oncologist that I use cbd; not often but when needed for pain or sleeplessness. He seems to be ok with it, because he didn't tell me not to use it. Maybe because I have cancer, he feels if it helps, there is not much to lose, unless it hinders chemo or makes my numbers change in a bad way.

 Like the report says, I am very sensitive to cbd and THC.  I rarely use THC. I'll save it for when I am really hurting. Another way to use CBD is in a suppository. There is no weird head high and it actually works better.....in my case.  I have to admit that I cannot use cbd more than 2-3 days in a row ( once a day ). I tend to get irritated/moody and so I have long periods of not taking it. I don't smoke it, I consume it or use the suppository.

Sometimes I eat the leaves raw or use the dried leaves in a recipe of ..any recipe, actually. Dosing is the key. Just because it looks like a tiny bit, it is very potent. Sometimes all I have to do is apply it topically for some skin problem ( infused in coconut oil ). Even that will effect me, besides the topical benefit. DOSING is the one thing us seniors must be cautious with. Start from a teeny drop and go from there. Better yet, seek out someone that can advise you on dosing....not one that uses it solely for recreation.

[BenBreda]

@BHG Cannabis has been extremely helpful to reduce my back pain.

I used to get super anxious using traditional marijuana, so I switched to CBDs after a friend suggested I try it.

Now I use CBD all the time, with no psychoactive effects but all the health/pain reduction benefits.

[aruzinsky]

---

@GailL1 wrote:

As more states legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use — 30 states plus the District of Columbia to date — the cannabis industry is booming. Among the fastest growing group of users: people over 50, with especially steep increases among those 65 and older. And some dispensaries are tailoring their pitches to seniors who are seeking alternative treatments for their aches, pains and other medical conditions.

In fact, I heard today that Coke is contemplating a new drink in states where it is legal - medically legal - with cannabidiol, or CBD,  formulated without THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient.

No prescription needed - but seniors need to exert caution for several reasons:

1.  it remains a Schedule 1 substance — meaning it’s illegal under federal law - it’s legal in some form in 30 states and the District of Columbia. 

2.  products bought at marijuana dispensaries aren’t FDA-regulated, as are prescription drugs. That means dose and consistency can vary.

3.  There are side-effects

4.  Use caution

• Talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor you’re thinking about trying medical marijuana. Although he or she may have some concerns, most doctors won’t judge you for seeking out alternative treatments.
• Make sure your prescriber is aware of all the medications you take. Marijuana might have dangerous interactions with prescription medications, particularly medicines that can be sedating, said Dr. Benjamin Han, a geriatrician at New York University School of Medicine who studies marijuana use in the elderly.
• Watch out for dosing. Older adults metabolize drugs differently than young people. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, try the lowest possible dose first to avoid feeling intoxicated. And be especially careful with edibles. They can have very concentrated doses that don’t take effect right away.
• Elderly people are also more sensitive to side effects. If you start to feel unwell, talk to your doctor right away. “When you’re older, you’re more vulnerable to the side effects of everything,” Han said. “I’m cautious about everything.”
• Look for licensed providers. In some states like California, licensed dispensaries must test for contaminants. Be especially careful with marijuana bought illegally. “If you’re just buying marijuana down the street … you don’t really know what’s in that,” said Dr. Joshua Briscoe, a palliative care doctor at Duke University School of Medicine who has studied the use of marijuana for pain and nausea in older patients. “Buyer, beware.”

Bottom line: The research on medical marijuana is limited. There’s even less we know about marijuana use in older people. Proceed with caution.

more at:

Kaiser Health News 09/18/2018 - Day-Tripping To The Dispensary: Seniors In Pain Hop Aboard The Canna...

---

Actually, there is a Schedule V prescription version of CBD, Epidiolex, but, it costs a fortune.

https://www.goodrx.com/epidiolex

No, I haven't tried CBD.  And, I haven't tried THC since having chronic pain (plenty before then).  I currently take the Schedule IV opioid, pentazocine/naloxone.

[GailL1]

@aruzinsky

Epidiolex Is prescribed for seizures from certain types of syndromes and has become a welcomed relief especially for children suffering from one of these conditions.

In my state, it was the efforts of many of these parents and others who worked very hard to get our medical marijuana legislation passed several years ago.  But even then, they had a hard time getting it for this use.  It really wasn't a big stretch for the pharma company to begin the approval process for this CBD compound.

But it it goes to show that we seem to be moving forward (slowly) in marijuana medical research.

Wonder what will happen to the price when the medical and recreational use begin to compete for the same organic source?  

[aruzinsky]

---

@GailL1 wrote:

@aruzinsky

Epidiolex Is prescribed for seizures from certain types of syndromes and has become a welcomed relief especially for children suffering from one of these conditions.

In my state, it was the efforts of many of these parents and others who worked very hard to get our medical marijuana legislation passed several years ago.  But even then, they had a hard time getting it for this use.  It really wasn't a big stretch for the pharma company to begin the approval process for this CBD compound.

But it it goes to show that we seem to be moving forward (slowly) in marijuana medical research.

Wonder what will happen to the price when the medical and recreational use begin to compete for the same organic source?  

---

CBD is not extracted from the same "organic source" as THC.  CBD is from hemp and you can't get high from smoking hemp.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp

[GailL1]

@aruzinsky

You might be right about this specific new med - it is hard for me to tell based on how the FDA worded the new classification or how the pharma company described its origins.  

HEMP Industrial Daily - DEA takes CBD off Schedule 1 with FDA's approval

However, with other meds being developed in the pipeline, the % of THC in some of these new medical compounds may have to be higher - thus competing with the same recreational type of cannabis.

 MarketWatch - Hemp is now legal in the U.S. - what that means for pot companies

[NavyVet649]

We don't use cannabis, but do use CBD Balm that we bought online. It helps with the pain, but doesn't last long. 

My wife's son used cannibis during part of the time he had cancer, for pain. Unfortunately, he still died at 17. 

[JenetteS696590]

Is it ok to take mm for chronic pain syndrome with diazepam for anxiety? Dr is aware I take it.