The Wonder Drug

[parafarmer]

By Dallie Howerton/Press Columnist
Published: Monday, March 5, 2007 5:04 PM CST
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As a person who has diabetes and arthritis for which I am prescribed pain killers, an article in the Boston Globe this week peaked my interest. Written by Lester Grinspoon, a professor at Harvard Medical School, it's titled "Marijuana As Wonder Drug."

The article focused on a new study in the Journal of Neurology being hailed as unassailable proof that marijuana is a valuable medicine saying, "It is a sad commentary on the state of modern medicine--and US drug policy--that we still need 'proof' of something that medicine has known for 5,000 years."

The recorded use of this medicine goes back to ancient times and became a well established Western medicine whose versatility and safety were unquestioned--safer than most medicines prescribed every day. If marijuana were a new discovery rather than carrying so much cultural and political baggage, it would be hailed as a wonder drug.

more:
http://www.carthagepress.com/articles/2007/03/05/news/09%20dallie.txt

[parafarmer]

sorry I posted this twice computer frooze up

[mike bauer]

I tried every under sun. Got blasted on the best weed possible. All I got was stoned and in pain. I am up for anything... but weed is probably not going to do much either... but get stoned. And if thats what you want, just get weed, get stoned, who cares where you get it.. or if its legal? Weeds been around so much... who cares?

[mike bauer]

I tried everything under the sun. Got blasted on the best weed possible. All I got was stoned and in the same pain. I am up for anything... but weed is probably not going to do much either... but get stoned. And if thats what you want, just get weed, get stoned, who cares where you get it.. or if its legal? Weeds been around so much... who cares?

[David Berg]

I know it doesn't work for everyone, but I sure as heck wish it was a legal opton for anyone it does help. I remember Alan said it made him more acutely aware of his pain. There's another poor guythat has the worst time finding *anything* that has any effect whatsoever.

[Myc0]

I was lucky enough to take a puff for the first time in two years, several months ago. It did wonders for my neuropathic pain and spasticity. Not only did the pain finally subside, but my whole body felt fucking amazing! That is the first time in two years that I have had any physical sensation other than discomfort and pain. And it was also really cool because it felt like I could feel energy flowing through my legs, despite the fact that I have zero sensation in my legs, except for the neuropathic pain. My legs were also very calm and relaxed instead of being all spazzy and tight, for a change. The addictive painkillers I take don't do much for my pain except take a little bit of the edge off. And I don't want to take spasticity/neuro pain meds unless I absolutely have to because of the price and side effects. The herb is SO much more effective, not to mention healthier and cheaper than all of the pharmaceuticals. It's a crying shame that the backwards laws/politics in this country prevent people from having access to this incredible gift from God.

[Wise Young]

I just added a poll to see how many people with neuropathic pain respond to marijuana. Wise.

[rfbdorf]

I expect that many people would have to say that they don't know if it helps them - they haven't tried because of its illegality.
- Richard

[JeffH]

In my experience, when taken as a tincture, marijuana reduces my spasicity and pain.
Smoking eases the pain but has little effect on tone.

And, medical marijuana IS legal in Oregon (and other states).

YMMV
Jeff

[rollin64]

seems to help my spasicity some but it kinda makes me focus more on my neuro pain. plus the paranoia is a bitch.

[rfbdorf]

In spite of its legality here, there's enough negativity so my wife won't consider trying it.
- Richard

[alan]

It heightened my perception of every sensation I have. That included all the painful sensations, as well as the tingling (with the increased tingling in my legs, I was able to distinguish letters and numbers my mother "wrote" on the legs with her finger - I can't do that, normally.)

[CapnGimp]

ONLY thing that works on my NP. Neurontin gave me a 'false' alarm on breast cancer and 0 help. Tried Amitryp and tegratol, zero help there also.
The ONLY bad side effect from pot is that it depletes the 'foldin' money' stores quickly, a condition only remedied by legalization.
Never had a bad reaction or SAW one for that matter in anyone. Saw a few LAZY heads in my time tho. Happens with MOST of the drugs used to treat NP anyway, lol.

[jccarolina]

My hubby an me both think it works for pain especially with his diabetic neuropathy but for some reason I can't use it anymore, :thinking:
it started making me sick about 2 years ago.

I don't know if it's the combo of drugs I'm on now, the Hep C, or my COPD, but if they would legalize it here and I could use it again, I'd rather use mj than all these opiates I'm on now :mad: ....

[TheDuder]

Weed definately helps my spasms and stiffness which can cause me pain,but haven't noticed it helping when my feet burn.

[andreas81]

i have a litlle more paiins its almost like the ciggars but my spasticity its less

[doingtimeonmyass]

It would be nice if it were legal, but I don't think so any time in the near future. What would it take? A bill approved by Congress then signed by the president? I don't see that happening. :(

I wouldn't mind being a tester of that THC medicinal spray.

[bbs]

I need the response: I wish I could try to find out!

bbs

[crppled007]

It heightened my perception of every sensation I have. That included all the painful sensations, as well as the tingling (with the increased tingling in my legs, I was able to distinguish letters and numbers my mother "wrote" on the legs with her finger - I can't do that, normally.)


Actually, I think you're stoned right now!:busted2: :busted2:

[dejerine]

Para

Interesting survey. Thanks

Capn

Not to mention that alcohol causes way more symptoms, but is legal. Someone here said it right when they said they never used any drugs at all prior to their injury and after CP here they are on all the drugs in the world.

I am sure what they give me has to be more toxic than marijuana. I can't wait to see what side effect pops up next.

I am about to decide that CP is really one horrendous disease; and horrendous represents positive progress in my attitude. It has been very, very tough.

[alan]

I'd try it again, in a lesser amount, to see if I'd get the anti-spasm effect without the heightened perception.

Marinol did nothing for spasms or perception.

[adi chicago]

i never tried ,should i?if helps me i will move to holland[here in romania =jail]

[harpo2]

Weed just makes me feel sick, but a couple of glasses of wine at night seems to lessen the pain a bit.

[Zoso]

It actually makes my neuropathic pain worse, if I smoke when I am already in pain. Smoking with no pain doesn't trigger it, so I just refrain from smoking when i'm hurting.

[harpo2]

Re my previous post. I got to thinking how much is enough? What's the dose that suits? I remember some other posts about booze and it's effect on NP and many say it works but you pay the price the next day as well as the effect on your family and friends. Just a glass of wine eases the pain a little for me. So is the level we are talking about just having the toke in a little container and take it out and have a puff to keep at a nice comfortable space or are we talking a Cheech and Chong level?

[mike bauer]

David and Wise.... Here it what I think after 4 very very long years of dealing with litealy the worst 24-7 non stop god awful pain. When you have it as bad as me... and I think I am in a relatively small club.. I trulu dont think anything can help. But... for people with moderate or little pan here and there... Pot will probably help. But I have taken Morphene at levels that even a milligram more would probably stop my breathing... and when I have stage 3 pain... it does nothing much at all. Now, I am not saying I would like to be without it... NO WAY, I wouldnt last 2 weeks. The gun would win! But, I just dont think anything is strong enough to really cut through the high level of pain, like I have, certainly not POT. I am on morphene, Avinza, Oxycontin, Percocet... and I cry like a baby, most every day.. and wither in a bed, until I can get through the worst of it.. and it lessens up just a little. I live in a place called hell. And believe me, if POT helps thosewith moderate pain... great, lets get it for them. I just hope they dont stop there and say, OK, we solved the SCI pain problem... Its called POT.
Cause if thats the case... Im screwed. My only hope is something really really powerful and that addreses the Nuro Pain directly... so far, its not there. Nothing I have tried... not one combination. Cymbalta, Avinza, Morphene, Lorazapam, On and On and On.. It "AINT" out there yet. We need to find it. Cause not many people with my level of pain, will last 4 years... not many!

[alan]

I haven't found anything effective for central pain in almost 26 years of the torture.

[Brog]

Have not tried it in over 20 years. Back then my pain was much less. I smoked it recreationally for years and found that it seemed to make the pain more noticeable- not better. Pain is much, much worse these days and I would re-visit this if I had contacts, but I would not expect significant relief based on the old "trials."