Got Crohn's? Smoke a J?

[graceanne]

Note: I find the use of the word tard or retard extremely offensive. My son has a learning disability (Downs) it would be said in clinical speak that he is retarded, meaning slow to learn, it does not mean stupid, nor does it mean he is incapable of learning.
I will ask you respectfully to stop using the word, you have no clue of the hurt it causes.

Agreed!

 

[DVS]

I deleted all of the sympathy seeking catch phrases in this post. It wasn't my desire to seek sympathy. My sister is severally afflicted with Downs Syndrome. I don't appreciate the word tard, retard, or the phrase mentally retarded. Of course, when explaining the issue, it's sometimes necessary to use certain words and phrases. I understand that.

I also understand that people don't know this, and I usually cut them some slack because of it. But, this world is becoming more and more politically correct to the point almost anything you say can be considered offensive. So, even though I was taught that people will be people, I've become more and more vocal about this.

I also don't enjoy hearing about Sarah Palin's son referred to as "her downy". Yes, I have heard that, too. But, it's worse when it comes from people who are quick to complain about how others offend them. They are quick to tell me that I've offended them, but they are so narrow minded that they can't see past their own issues to realize something they've said might actually have offend me.

Sorry. It might seem like some of the sympathy seeking catch phrases found their way back into my post. I call it anger.

 

[DVS]

Nah, none of those issues here, it's just that most people don't really understand the complexity of this condition or its seriousness, so "look weed cures it" is kind of detrimental, it makes the lingeringly sick no matter what look crazy or something. It's kind of cloaked in toilet humor and shame and vagueness and assumptions. Shit, my own MD's are always asking about my diarrhea, and I probably have less diarrhea than many people without CD - does smoking weed un-obstruct a small bowel obstruction? No? Then "remission" is not really something to bandy about.

I agree that people seem quick to say there is a cure for things. I've seen it far too many times to believe so quickly. I recently saw a news story that said people who smoke pot are thinner than people who don't. Of course, they didn't mention how they came to this conclusion or why it is so other than to say it might be something in the drug that burns fat. Now, don't you think that is something people will hook onto? Pot, the new diet drug!!

I didn't read the article of the OP. I just posted because I once smoked pot and thought I'd add my personal experiences. Just like those of us here would add our experiences in BDSM. Experience is so much better than any study, if you ask me.

But there are some things that are good about pot. Whether they can be cultivated into something society can use still remains to be seen. And while there could be a bias in my opinion, I wouldn't say something unless I thought it to be true. And I always make sure to say it's just my opinion or my experience. I couldn't care less about any articles, pro or con. Like most difficult issues of the day, both sides are far apart.

 

[Sweetdaisymae]

I also don't enjoy hearing about Sarah Palin's son referred to as "her downy". Yes, I have heard that, too. But, it's worse when it comes from people who are quick to complain about how others offend them. They are quick to tell me that I've offended them, but they are so narrow minded that they can't see past their own issues to realize something they've said might actually have offend me.

Sorry. It might seem like some of the sympathy seeking catch phrases found their way back into my post. I call it anger.

Good to meet another "family" member xx
No sympathy, just shared anger!

 

[DVS]

Good to meet another "family" member xx
No sympathy, just shared anger!

 

[catalina_francisco]

(Peeking out from lurking for a moment)
I am someone who has never touched drugs of any kind, marijuana included, never been interested or thought it a good thing to do. That being said, I am on the verge of giving it a go out of desperation. Fortunately it is not illegal here and if you go to the cafes you get a menu I'm told and a variety of ways of ingesting it...smoking, eating or drinking. My choice would be eating or drinking. I can identify with Netzach mentioning facing the prospect of a cane or wheelchair in the future. I don't have Crohn's, but my arthritis is out of control majorly, and our continued cold temperatures are not helping.

Over the past few months I have had moments of having to crawl up our stairs, slowly, and when able to walk, taking 10 minutes to get up 12 steps, collapsing in exhaustion at the top. I am tired of the pain, am on advice to only take tablet form painkillers once a week if possible (not possible right now), and they don't even begin to touch it anyway. So yes, I am at the point I am ready to go ask the experts which cake or cookie they advise for what ails me and give it a go. Tempting fate perhaps, but I find myself thinking it has to be better than this right now. Thank goodness F is patient and even cuts my dinner for me when I am unable to do it myself.

Catalina

 

[Keroin]

Is pot a miracle cure? Nope. Can it help with certain ailments? Yes. Does it help everyone in the same way? Nope.

I am 100% OK with marijuana - for fun or for medicine. I don't push or promote it, but I see a LOT of misunderstanding about it among those opposed to its use.

Medicinally, I have found relief from severe tooth pain, nausea, cramps, headaches, and more. I would much prefer to use marijuana than prescription medication.

 

[midwestyankee]

Is pot a miracle cure? Nope. Can it help with certain ailments? Yes. Does it help everyone in the same way? Nope.

I am 100% OK with marijuana - for fun or for medicine. I don't push or promote it, but I see a LOT of misunderstanding about it among those opposed to its use.

Medicinally, I have found relief from severe tooth pain, nausea, cramps, headaches, and more. I would much prefer to use marijuana than prescription medication.

If only it were possible to tweet brownies. :sigh:

 

[graceanne]

(Peeking out from lurking for a moment)
I am someone who has never touched drugs of any kind, marijuana included, never been interested or thought it a good thing to do. That being said, I am on the verge of giving it a go out of desperation. Fortunately it is not illegal here and if you go to the cafes you get a menu I'm told and a variety of ways of ingesting it...smoking, eating or drinking. My choice would be eating or drinking. I can identify with Netzach mentioning facing the prospect of a cane or wheelchair in the future. I don't have Crohn's, but my arthritis is out of control majorly, and our continued cold temperatures are not helping.

Over the past few months I have had moments of having to crawl up our stairs, slowly, and when able to walk, taking 10 minutes to get up 12 steps, collapsing in exhaustion at the top. I am tired of the pain, am on advice to only take tablet form painkillers once a week if possible (not possible right now), and they don't even begin to touch it anyway. So yes, I am at the point I am ready to go ask the experts which cake or cookie they advise for what ails me and give it a go. Tempting fate perhaps, but I find myself thinking it has to be better than this right now. Thank goodness F is patient and even cuts my dinner for me when I am unable to do it myself.

Catalina

Wow. Do you have rheumatoid arthritis? That's what my roommate has, and that's what she uses marijuana for, and she says it really works well for rheumatoid arthritis. If you take it, I hope it helps. *hugs*

 

[DVS]

(Peeking out from lurking for a moment)
I am someone who has never touched drugs of any kind, marijuana included, never been interested or thought it a good thing to do. That being said, I am on the verge of giving it a go out of desperation. Fortunately it is not illegal here and if you go to the cafes you get a menu I'm told and a variety of ways of ingesting it...smoking, eating or drinking. My choice would be eating or drinking. I can identify with Netzach mentioning facing the prospect of a cane or wheelchair in the future. I don't have Crohn's, but my arthritis is out of control majorly, and our continued cold temperatures are not helping.

Over the past few months I have had moments of having to crawl up our stairs, slowly, and when able to walk, taking 10 minutes to get up 12 steps, collapsing in exhaustion at the top. I am tired of the pain, am on advice to only take tablet form painkillers once a week if possible (not possible right now), and they don't even begin to touch it anyway. So yes, I am at the point I am ready to go ask the experts which cake or cookie they advise for what ails me and give it a go. Tempting fate perhaps, but I find myself thinking it has to be better than this right now. Thank goodness F is patient and even cuts my dinner for me when I am unable to do it myself.

Catalina

While I totally agree with your choice of ingesting by eating or drinking, back when I was indulging, it was difficult to control the dosage that way. Also, it takes longer to feel any effects when you eat it. I'm not sure about drinking it. Back then, all we had was brownies etc, and you never knew how much pot was in each brownie. Now, because it's legal over there and you even have menus, I'd guess things have become more refined in that area.

Just as a side note about smoking pot, I've never smoked cigarettes. Sure, I tried, when I was in high school (@ 50 cents a pack), because it seemed I was in the minority by not smoking. But, I just couldn't handle the harshness of the smoke going into my lungs. I would cough, gasp and wheeze so much, my throat hurt terribly. It also seemed like my lungs were on fire. I even tried the menthol types, but they just added a menthol taste to the pain.

I NEVER experienced any of that with pot. I know the general thought is that pot is more harsh than cigarettes, but for me it was totally not the case. As I've said before, any harshness was just when the quality was inferior. Again, I can only say this was my experience and I won't ever say this is how it is for everybody. I just don't like all of the stereotypes associated with pot. I could list so many things that I personally didn't experience that was and is considered the norm with pot smoking. Maybe I'm unique, I don't know.

Might I suggest that if you do decide to give this a try, you go into this with minimal expectations. That way, you will be pleasantly surprised if and when you feel any benefits. I know it can be bad to expect too much from something and then be let down.

Also, some people take a while to feel anything. It was that way with me. I smoked for a little while before I finally felt anything. I don't remember how long for sure, but I didn't feel anything the first few times. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Now, anything I've said might be echoed or countered by those "in the know" over there. Like I said, you have menus! There has had to be more thought put into all of this if you have menus. Good luck, if you decide to do this and I hope you find relief...if not from pot, from something else.

 

[graceanne]

Also, rumor has it there is marijuana that's kinda chocolate flavored. I'd try that one, first.

 

[Netzach]

(Peeking out from lurking for a moment)
I am someone who has never touched drugs of any kind, marijuana included, never been interested or thought it a good thing to do. That being said, I am on the verge of giving it a go out of desperation. Fortunately it is not illegal here and if you go to the cafes you get a menu I'm told and a variety of ways of ingesting it...smoking, eating or drinking. My choice would be eating or drinking. I can identify with Netzach mentioning facing the prospect of a cane or wheelchair in the future. I don't have Crohn's, but my arthritis is out of control majorly, and our continued cold temperatures are not helping.

Over the past few months I have had moments of having to crawl up our stairs, slowly, and when able to walk, taking 10 minutes to get up 12 steps, collapsing in exhaustion at the top. I am tired of the pain, am on advice to only take tablet form painkillers once a week if possible (not possible right now), and they don't even begin to touch it anyway. So yes, I am at the point I am ready to go ask the experts which cake or cookie they advise for what ails me and give it a go. Tempting fate perhaps, but I find myself thinking it has to be better than this right now. Thank goodness F is patient and even cuts my dinner for me when I am unable to do it myself.

Catalina

For basic bone-ass basic "pain relief" I think this stuff DOES work really well, and I'd be making it a part of my balanced breakfast if I lived in the Netherlands, for sure. Good luck to you and I hope hope hope you feel better. And DVS is right, you need to stick with a few times and have low expectations going in, and if you feel a little paranoid or jittery this tends to stop happening after a few exposures. (Not a smoker, but sure hung out with a lot of 'em)

My arthritis wound up being vasculitis, so once more - steriods for me and a free extra disease - BUT they did help with the pain a lot, and the skin fuckery.

 

[neci]

There is only one laboratory, located in Mississippi, that is allowed to cultivate marijuana for research purposes in the United States. They hold a monopoly on all the pot allowed to be used in scientific testing. Scientists are not legally allowed to study marijuana in the US without their consent.

 

[DVS]

There is only one laboratory, located in Mississippi, that is allowed to cultivate marijuana for research purposes in the United States. They hold a monopoly on all the pot allowed to be used in scientific testing. Scientists are not legally allowed to study marijuana in the US without their consent.

I worked at a facility licensed by the government (DEA) to grow and test pot and poppies. This was in Missouri. It was controlled by the government, and we were paid by government funding. That's all I'm going to say, or the men in black will come and get me.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Wow. Do you have rheumatoid arthritis? That's what my roommate has, and that's what she uses marijuana for, and she says it really works well for rheumatoid arthritis. If you take it, I hope it helps. *hugs*

Thanks. Had rheumatoid arthritis when I was around 13 which mainly affected my feet. Every time I went to ballet lessons, my feet ballooned to the point I couldn't get any shoes on for the next few days...so ballet was given up. Now they say I have osteo, but as no-one including me has much faith in the medical field here, I keep an open mind. Is fairly disheartening when you go to a specialist in the hospital rheumatology department and get told, 'Well what do you expect us to do? You have arthritis, so you will have pain, nothing we can do.'' That then lead to a GP telling me that 70% of pain is in the brain anyway and if you just ignore it and do something you enjoy, you will not feel pain anymore...of course, when they found I still had major pain when I was doing things I loved (on the rare days I could do them), they were stumped and gave me the advice of learning to live with it and hope it goes away.

Catalina

 

[catalina_francisco]

While I totally agree with your choice of ingesting by eating or drinking, back when I was indulging, it was difficult to control the dosage that way. Also, it takes longer to feel any effects when you eat it. I'm not sure about drinking it. Back then, all we had was brownies etc, and you never knew how much pot was in each brownie. Now, because it's legal over there and you even have menus, I'd guess things have become more refined in that area.

Just as a side note about smoking pot, I've never smoked cigarettes. Sure, I tried, when I was in high school (@ 50 cents a pack), because it seemed I was in the minority by not smoking. But, I just couldn't handle the harshness of the smoke going into my lungs. I would cough, gasp and wheeze so much, my throat hurt terribly. It also seemed like my lungs were on fire. I even tried the menthol types, but they just added a menthol taste to the pain.

I NEVER experienced any of that with pot. I know the general thought is that pot is more harsh than cigarettes, but for me it was totally not the case. As I've said before, any harshness was just when the quality was inferior. Again, I can only say this was my experience and I won't ever say this is how it is for everybody. I just don't like all of the stereotypes associated with pot. I could list so many things that I personally didn't experience that was and is considered the norm with pot smoking. Maybe I'm unique, I don't know.

Might I suggest that if you do decide to give this a try, you go into this with minimal expectations. That way, you will be pleasantly surprised if and when you feel any benefits. I know it can be bad to expect too much from something and then be let down.

Also, some people take a while to feel anything. It was that way with me. I smoked for a little while before I finally felt anything. I don't remember how long for sure, but I didn't feel anything the first few times. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Now, anything I've said might be echoed or countered by those "in the know" over there. Like I said, you have menus! There has had to be more thought put into all of this if you have menus. Good luck, if you decide to do this and I hope you find relief...if not from pot, from something else.

Thanks, today is a good day...can move, walk and have minimal pain. Your experience is valued and I will keep it in mind when and if I go down this path. F has offered to get it for me, but so far hasn't...but he is taking me to Paris for my birthday.

Catalina

 

[catalina_francisco]

For basic bone-ass basic "pain relief" I think this stuff DOES work really well, and I'd be making it a part of my balanced breakfast if I lived in the Netherlands, for sure. Good luck to you and I hope hope hope you feel better. And DVS is right, you need to stick with a few times and have low expectations going in, and if you feel a little paranoid or jittery this tends to stop happening after a few exposures. (Not a smoker, but sure hung out with a lot of 'em)

My arthritis wound up being vasculitis, so once more - steriods for me and a free extra disease - BUT they did help with the pain a lot, and the skin fuckery.

Thanks. Sorry to hear you have even more health issues to deal with. Seems once something goes, it often begins the ball rolling and our bodies betraying us. I get so frustrated. I still am not totally convinced all the pain I have is arthritis as it often seems to involve muscle pain as well as weakness, and on a few occasions I have woken to nosebleeds and also the veins in my right hand and lower arm being huge. I am at the point I don't bother going to the doctor much as I often end up leaving feeling as if they think I am wasting their time and imaging things. I figure it is difficult to imagine physical signs, but here medicine is so alien to what I am used to. LOL, I am used to a system where if you go with stomach pains, back ache etc., the doctor will at least examine you....here they avoid all reason to touch or examine a patient if possible. I remember after the car accident in Spain, when I returned I went to the GP about the swelling in my leg (which has now developed into that leg being larger and often losing feeling). The doctor didn't even want me to pull my jeans leg up to show him!! Incredible.

Catalina

 

[graceanne]

Thanks. Had rheumatoid arthritis when I was around 13 which mainly affected my feet. Every time I went to ballet lessons, my feet ballooned to the point I couldn't get any shoes on for the next few days...so ballet was given up. Now they say I have osteo, but as no-one including me has much faith in the medical field here, I keep an open mind. Is fairly disheartening when you go to a specialist in the hospital rheumatology department and get told, 'Well what do you expect us to do? You have arthritis, so you will have pain, nothing we can do.'' That then lead to a GP telling me that 70% of pain is in the brain anyway and if you just ignore it and do something you enjoy, you will not feel pain anymore...of course, when they found I still had major pain when I was doing things I loved (on the rare days I could do them), they were stumped and gave me the advice of learning to live with it and hope it goes away.

Catalina

Lovely. Your doctor is an ass. Have you tried a gluten free diet? I've heard it can be beneficial for people with both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. Also, my doctor put me on naproxin for my arthritis - I can't take it cause of the crohns, but have they tried on it?

 

[Netzach]

Thanks. Sorry to hear you have even more health issues to deal with. Seems once something goes, it often begins the ball rolling and our bodies betraying us. I get so frustrated. I still am not totally convinced all the pain I have is arthritis as it often seems to involve muscle pain as well as weakness, and on a few occasions I have woken to nosebleeds and also the veins in my right hand and lower arm being huge. I am at the point I don't bother going to the doctor much as I often end up leaving feeling as if they think I am wasting their time and imaging things. I figure it is difficult to imagine physical signs, but here medicine is so alien to what I am used to. LOL, I am used to a system where if you go with stomach pains, back ache etc., the doctor will at least examine you....here they avoid all reason to touch or examine a patient if possible. I remember after the car accident in Spain, when I returned I went to the GP about the swelling in my leg (which has now developed into that leg being larger and often losing feeling). The doctor didn't even want me to pull my jeans leg up to show him!! Incredible.

Catalina

Ugh, it's kind of somewhat like that here, although I'm fairly lucky, as once they identify one major issue with you they suddenly remember what they learned in med school and pay attention - no diagnosis, no brain activity, you're crazy. Diagnosis, and oh, shit, well now let's actually think.

The rheum I had came back with "arthritis" but a visit to dermatology and the telltale red explosion of papules (lovely) said otherwise. A LOT of things present as pain in joints and neuropathies (weakness, tingling, weirdness, which I had also in my feet)

Assholes. Your people are assholes! Unmanaged pain is bullshit. And just because it ORIGINATES in your brain doesn't make something less real.

With the actual dxd you have on rheumatoid, they should be smarter!

You probably have some autoimmune stuff going (which could manifest as almost anything) but the days of treating people presenting that way as crazy should be LONG gone. It's not like RA goes away forever on its own, does it?

I don't like taking the biologics, but they have worked well for me, up to a point. All the 60+ year old ladies in da house when I get infused are RA patients. They've come a long way making them a bit safer.

Steroids, well, it takes a LOT to make me submit to them, being covered in blisters and debating walking will do it, and it's kind of amazing when everything disappears in a month like it never happened. Once in a while, steroids are worth the bullshit, if you can get off them inside of a month or two. This is the second time in my life I've ever felt like they were more than medicine's worst idea.

None of this for sure applies to you, just hoping you can get to someone who listens and tries things.

Meh, off topic. I just remain REALLY unconvinced that a J will do that for me.

 

[neci]

I worked at a facility licensed by the government (DEA) to grow and test pot and poppies. This was in Missouri. It was controlled by the government, and we were paid by government funding. That's all I'm going to say, or the men in black will come and get me.

What year did you work there? Everything I've read and heard of has the University of Mississippi as the sole federally approved site to grow and research medical marijuana as a part of the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program. Just curious.

 

[Whoaseera]

I'm Just started Taking Remicade a couple months ago and so far it has gotten rid of most of my joint pain and has healed my fistulas. But if an intestinal flare up were to occur having the munchies would just make the pain and bathroom trips more frequent? right? I can see smoking it for the joint pain but only if my stomach was ok that day.

 

[DVS]

What year did you work there? Everything I've read and heard of has the University of Mississippi as the sole federally approved site to grow and research medical marijuana as a part of the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program. Just curious.

Because of the government shut down in 2011, it was downsized quite a bit. But before that, for the last 15 years, testing had been going on. I don't know what they were testing for. It might not have been for medical reasons.

It was licensed by the DEA who made unscheduled visits to make sure everything was kept within their guidelines. Obviously, it as a highly secured location. They mostly grew and tested opium poppies, but in the last years of their testing, more and more pot was being tested, too. That was the direction they were going, until the government shut down.

This was at a private research company farm. That company tests many things for the government. You wouldn't believe some of the things that are being tested there...some very serious and deadly stuff.

 

[Netzach]

I'm Just started Taking Remicade a couple months ago and so far it has gotten rid of most of my joint pain and has healed my fistulas. But if an intestinal flare up were to occur having the munchies would just make the pain and bathroom trips more frequent? right? I can see smoking it for the joint pain but only if my stomach was ok that day.

Yeah I worry about this, having just come off steroids the "munchies" don't even come close to the amount of food you start sending through yourself, as you probably know. If I'm not careful I can actually catch up to the healing and hurt myself badly with them - you may well know this experience.

When people talk about hunger on steroids, it's not "hunger" and there's no pleasure in the gluttony.

For non-high-dose-steroids folk - picture being in a state of constant "if I don't eat something I'm going to fall over" feeling. Not just "hungry" but that kind of "about to pass out" hungry. And there's no off switch, no matter how much you eat.

In my early days I re-hospitalized myself by finding myself finishing a casserole I had just made. In a 9x14 pan. Your thinking is pretty muddled on 60 mgs, so I was figuring I did well - it was gluten free!

 

[graceanne]

I'm Just started Taking Remicade a couple months ago and so far it has gotten rid of most of my joint pain and has healed my fistulas. But if an intestinal flare up were to occur having the munchies would just make the pain and bathroom trips more frequent? right? I can see smoking it for the joint pain but only if my stomach was ok that day.

I was on remicaid for years and it's awesome. However, when I'm sick it's not eating that makes me sick, it's what I eat. I can eat eggs until there are no more eggs in the US, and never be sick ... and I think I have. lol But only when I'm relapsing, I don't like eggs otherwise.

 

[graceanne]

For non-high-dose-steroids folk - picture being in a state of constant "if I don't eat something I'm going to fall over" feeling. Not just "hungry" but that kind of "about to pass out" hungry. And there's no off switch, no matter how much you eat.

In my early days I re-hospitalized myself by finding myself finishing a casserole I had just made. In a 9x14 pan. Your thinking is pretty muddled on 60 mgs, so I was figuring I did well - it was gluten free!

QFT..