Marijuana??? | Arthritis Information

 

I searched this before I decided to ask, and found that no one has really discussed it it helps with RA? Not sure if this topic is taboo but had to ask.
I am 64 years old and smoked (shared 1 joint) my whole life and that was as a teen so I have no knowledge.
I am presently taking MTX 7.5 mg weekly,, Prednisone 20 mg daily, naproxen 500 mg twice a day, and folic acid.
I am still swollen and in pain in my hands.
Has anyone used Pot to relieve pain, does it relieve pain?
I have a 66-year old aunt with RA who swears by MJ for her RA pain.   Thank you for answering, now I would also need to ask how much , or should I just try to figure this out myself?
The pain just does not go away! day or night!
[QUOTE=slo_hand2]Thank you for answering, now I would also need to ask how much , or should I just try to figure this out myself?
The pain just does not go away! day or night!
[/QUOTE]

I don't know exact amounts (I don't use the stuff - never much cared for it) but she has said that if she had a choice of unlimited vicodin or a joint a day she'd take the joint in a heartbeat.
I went to the store several weeks ago looking for fish oil, and compared the price to cod liver oil and decided to use cod liver oil, mistake I guess! [QUOTE=slo_hand2]I went to the store several weeks ago looking for fish oil, and compared the price to cod liver oil and decided to use cod liver oil, mistake I guess! [/QUOTE]

Cod liver oil has vitamins A and D in it; in high doses you can get toxic levels of those vitamins.  I take 10 capsules of fish oil per day - that's 5 times what the label says to take.

Definitely talk to your doctor if you're going to add any supplements to your RA treatment regime.  They're not without side effects.I only take one cap per day! [QUOTE=slo_hand2]I only take one cap per day! [/QUOTE]

If you don't mind my asking, what are you taking it for?
I use marijuana and it definitely helps. I use conservative amounts---1 to 3 "tokes" nightly. I recently purchased a vaporiser so I wouldn't be inhaling smoke.

If you decide to openly use marijuana as an RA medication, be prepared to be derided on this forum. I have been called many names because I openly endorse and use marijuana. However, I believe it is only through honest and transparent use that attitudes towards this natural drug will change.

I have also used large amounts of fish oil, made from the body of the fish for reasons described by JasmineRain, and that works quite well at controlling inflammation. [QUOTE=Gimpy-a-gogo]I use marijuana and it definitely helps. I use conservative amounts---1 to 3 "tokes" nightly. I recently purchased a vaporiser so I wouldn't be inhaling smoke.

If you decide to openly use marijuana as an RA medication, be prepared to be derided on this forum. I have been called many names because I openly endorse and use marijuana. However, I believe it is only through honest and transparent use that attitudes towards this natural drug will change.

I have also used large amounts of fish oil, made from the body of the fish for reasons described by JasmineRain, and that works quite well at controlling inflammation.[/QUOTE]

See Gimp, there are things we can agree on. Slo, don't worry about it. I suspect the ridicule was more aimed at my political leanings than objections to my medication of choice.

It's worth a try. Also, it's something you can produce yourself if it ever comes to that.Gimp, can you please explain to me what you mean about the vaporiser.  I smoke cigarettes and back in the day I smoked mj a little, I never like it, but I was also not in pain.  How does a vaporizor help you not breath in smoke?  Do you mean second hand?  Because if you are smoking pot and inhaling you are getting smoke or it wouldn't do anything for you.My Mother who had severe Ra nevr had a good nights sleep for over

From:
http://www.canorml.org/healthfacts/vaporizers.html
http://www.canorml.org/healthfacts/vaporizers.html


Why Cannabis Vaporization?

Vaporization is a technique for avoiding irritating respiratory toxins in marijuana smoke by heating cannabis to a temperature where the psychoactive ingredients evaporate without causing combustion.

Laboratory studies by California NORML and MAPS have found that vaporizers can efficiently deliver cannabinoids while eliminating or drastically reducing other smoke toxins.

Like tobacco, marijuana smoke contains toxins that are known to be hazardous to the respiratory system. Among them are the highly carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, a prime suspect in cigarette-related cancers. These toxins are essentially a byproduct of combustion, separate from the pharmaceutically active components of marijuana, known as cannabinoids, which include THC. Although there is no proof that marijuana smoking causes cancer, chronic pot smokers have been shown to suffer an elevated risk of bronchitis and respiratory infections. Respiratory disease due to smoking may therefore rightly be regarded as the primary physiological hazard of marijuana.

Cannabis vaporizers are designed to let users inhale active cannabinoids while avoiding harmful smoke toxins. They do so by heating cannabis to a temperature of 180 - 200° C (356° - 392° F), just below the point of combustion where smoke is produced. At this point, THC and other medically active cannabinoids are emitted with little or none of the carcinogenic tars and noxious gases found in smoke. Many medical marijuana patients who find smoked marijuana highly irritating report effective relief inhaling through vaporizers. Users who are concerned about the respiratory hazards of smoking are strongly advised to use vaporizers. Alternative devices, such as waterpipes, have been shown to be ineffective at reducing the tars in marijuana smoke (Report).


Thank you for explanation.  I was thinking of a different kind of vaporiser I guess!  My brother in law, an avid smoker, not for medical reasons, has been pushing me to try it for quite a long time.  I have 2 kids so that is just not an option for me but I thank you for the imput.Gimp; I only remember one member saying anything about you smoking pot, K~Maybe more than that....but I suspect several people are more than one person....if you know what I mean. lol lol you would not believe the people I know that smoke pot/weed/reefer and they are not young adults...they are older adults! No, Lovie, it's been much more than one. I could write a list but what would that accomplish? Most of them are not people who's opinions I respect, anyway.[QUOTE=Gimpy-a-gogo]If you decide to openly use marijuana as an RA medication, be prepared to be derided on this forum. I have been called many names because I openly endorse and use marijuana. However, I believe it is only through honest and transparent use that attitudes towards this natural drug will change. [/QUOTE] Amen, Aleva.... I never smoked pot on youth. Never really appealed... However, if I had a chance I'd try it to see if it helped with the pain. How can it be any worse than popping Percocet like TicTacs during a flare. I still don't sleep well even with the pain pills, if a little toke(sp?) would help, I wouldn't turn it down... Don't let other people's opinions upset you, Gimpy. You know what they say about opinions and everybody having one...I've read about medical marijuana prescribed for cancer related nausea and pain.  Haven't seen it prescribed for RA.  Don't know any doctors that prescribe it for RA.  If you want  a lifestyle of using an illegal substance that is your decision, of course.I use it, but due to not having been a smoker it irritates, i will be looking into the vaporiser.  I find that not only is is good for the pain, but help relax stress and aids sleep.  i don't use it too often, but compared to the effects of vicodin and Tramadol on my stomach this is a much better option, (if it wasn't for the fact i could loose my job from it).
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