What do you think? Should we be using Cannabis to help relieve pain??

[Kimberly Walker (& Donald)]

SO, I COPIED THIS FROM RUETERS AND THOUGHT MAYBE WE COULD TALK ABOUT THE USE OF CANNABIS FOR PAIN RELIEF. WHAT DO YOU THINK - are ya for it or against it? Why or why not? Have you tried it? (we won't send the Cops to your house! PROMISE! =) Did it help?

GLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) - A cannabis spray used under the tongue helps to relieve the suffering of multiple sclerosis patients and people suffering from chronic pain, a British doctor said Monday.

The spray contains extracts from the drug and allows doctors to control dosage effectively and measure the effects.

So far the results have been encouraging.

"We are finding it is useful for a lot of patients," Dr. William Notcutt of James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth in eastern England
told a science conference in Glasgow.

An estimated one person in 12 experience chronic pain.

Notcutt tested the spray, which was developed and supplied by the British company GW Pharmaceuticals, in patients with experience of cannabis and in others who were not familiar with the drug.

The spray totally relieved pain in some patients while it helped others get a good night's sleep, which Notcutt said is a blessed
event for many chronic pain sufferers.

In addition to providing valuable information about the effectiveness of the drug in easing chronic pain, Notcutt told the British
Association for the Advancement of Science Conference that the study was also providing data on the best dosage and side effects.

"We need much more basic information on how to use this," he said.

Although the use of cannabis is illegal in most countries, patients with diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis have been
lobbying to use cannabis for medicinal purposes.

Only three patients out of the 23 in the two groups said they received no benefit from the spray. Side effects included a high
level of euphoria, or "high," panic attacks and fainting.

Notcutt refused to be drawn on whether his research would provide further support to those seeking to legalese cannabis.

"Our goal has been to return people to an active life," he said, adding that one patient had returned to work and others had resumed
driving.

GW Pharmaceuticals, set up in 1997, operates under licenses from the British Home Office (interior ministry) to cultivate, possess and supply cannabis for medical research.

It grows cannabis in secure, computer-controlled glasshouses in southern England. The plants used in the trials were grown to
maximize the benefits of cannabinoids, the active ingredient in cannabis.

Notcutt said the use of cannabis extracts for pain could pave the way for the drug to be used for other conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, surgical premedication, epilepsy and eating disorders.
By Patricia Reaney

[Kimberly Beers]

Intersting that's something to think about...

[deni]

Although I do not remember the name of the drug, there is already a marijuana-derived medication available in the US for cancer patients. The problem with it? It produces no false "high". Those who lobby for the use of actual marijuana use are more than likely after the high that accompanies it.

As far as the spray, it would be interesting to find out if it had mood altering properties or not. I, too would be interested in hearing if someone has used the product.

With the move to cut back on many pain management meds, it would be interesting to see if there are adequate substitutions that are a bit more natural and less addicting.

[Valerie Ferrell]

I do think Cannibis should be legalized for pain management. For me the deciding factor is that is a NATURAL alternative to pain control. No chemicals that God did'nt add!! I also know people who use it for pain control and they so not smoke enough to get 'stoned' although they do admit to an occasional buzz! lol I undertand it makes the pain level tolerable and lends to wonderful sleep filled nights!! I am saying sign me up!! I am so tired of all this synthecic stuff my body fights to break doen and process.

[calliope]

I can understand your need for more pain control, and for some, marijuana can help. If you do use it, please find alternative ways of ingesting it rather than smoking it. The street form can have many impurities and chemicals added to make it look like you are getting more. This can cause you to inhale things that damage lungs even faster than smoking. One joint is equivalent to 3 cigarettes in terms of damage. I would hate you to add lung disease to your current illness load.

Have you been able to try the synthetic prescriptions of TCH? I would highly recommend it.

YSIC
Cali

[Kimberly Walker (& Donald)]

Unfortunately, most of the information on this topic that we currently have available is tilted to extremes on both sides of the fence which makes it hard to feel like you are getting any accurate info. But there is a better middle ground beginning to form and it looks like Cannabis is making its way into modern medicine. I did find an article that I feel is more middle of the road on the National Pain Foundation site that I am linking here. I think is worth reading.

Marinol is the name of the "drug" that is currently available. The active ingredient in Marinol, synthetic delta-9-tetrahyrdocannabinol (THC), is an analogue of one such compound, THC.

Chemical compounds in cannabis, known as cannabinoids, are responsible for its numerous therapeutic benefits. Scientists have identified 66 naturally occurring cannabinoid.

Actually, studies show that about a third of the people who use Marinol report adverse effects that include: feeling "high," drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, changes in mood, muddled thinking, perceptual difficulties, coordination impairment, irritability, and depression. Now my life has changed a whole lot since 1978, and I haven't used "recreational" drugs since 1980, but those effects sound very similar to the ones I experienced when smoking marijuana.

Which brings me to my dilemma. Should it be determined that it would be really helpful in relieving pain for someone like me and it become legalized, I am afraid I would be hesitant to using it is because it could make me feel paranoid which causes anxiety and hungry for carbs which puts on the pounds. I already struggle with both of those now.

[calliope]

Hi...I am already on prescription TCH capsules, which are made from marijuana. In Canada, they are called either 'nabilone' or 'cessamet'. I was glad to try it; in Canada you can get a licence to legally smoke marijuana if you have certain illnesses. I qualified, but worried about being a poor role model for my children. Also, for years I helped people STOP smoking both cigarettes and marijiuana, and I know all the statistics for lung diseases when smoked. (One joint is equal to approximately 3 cigarettes in terms of lung damage.)

My rheumatologist originally added it during a psoriatic arthritis/FM flare, because he didn't want to increase the opiate prescription and didn't know how else to help. (We had tried everything, and it was before Lyrican and Cymbalta).

The pain relief is very different in nature than others such as NSAIDs and opiates. If you have ever had "laughing gas" during labour or dental procedures, you might have a sense of how it feels. It doesn't seem to really DIM the pain at all, but somehow, with it, your emotional reaction to the pain seems diminished. It is as if your mind feels it but doesn't care as much.

And the side effects are cool, at least for me. My libido jumped like 20x within a few days of starting the prescription TCH. It seems like I never get enough now; I suppose now I am a bit more like a man, with sex on the mind alot of the time. Also, it helps with the nausea.

I would recommend it for anyone, but only if you can get it in prescribed form, as street drugs can be prepared with anything. If you do use the leaves, I suggest making brownies or marijuana butter instead of smoking it.

Finally, I make sure NEVER to take too much because when it is mixed with morphine it can accentuate the sedation effect and overdose can be possible.