Discussion:
Cannabis recommended for MS with light symptoms?
(too old to reply)
Ernst K. Locker
2005-09-07 11:30:41 UTC
Permalink
Hello,

I am aware that cannabis can be used to ease muscle cramps and pain when MS
has progressed pretty far already.

But recently I have read an article which states that cannabis can also be
used for therapy of lighter forms of MS and has been approved by the Canadian
health authorities for this purpose.

My girlfriend has been diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS recently. So far
she has only had one major attack, she experienced numbness and had problems
with her balance then.

This has been treated with steroids and has eased off by now. At the moment
she just feels a little bit dizzy at times.

Would anybody recommend to give Cannabis a go at this stage?

Or is it only good for more serious forms of MS?
--
***@gmx.net
Jennifer
2005-09-07 12:53:47 UTC
Permalink
But she really doesn't have any symptoms....

You say she just has a bit of dizziness. Basically, she can take a
prescribed med for that. MJ might make her not dizzy while she is taking it
and shortly thereafter but not long term. Plus, she would need a docs note
to make it legal and her neuro might not be willing to issue a script for
symptoms that mild.

Its her own decision if she wants to try it and see if it helps. The way I
look at it, she should investigate traditional meds first and if she gets no
relief then try MJ.

In my case I have no symptoms but noticed my muslces were getting spastic.
Because I figure skate I needed to try something. I tried a med from the doc
and it works like a charm. I know for some people it doesn't, but I'm lucky

Jen
"Ernst K. Locker" <***@gmx.net> wrote in message news:***@e42ilk.de...
Hello,

I am aware that cannabis can be used to ease muscle cramps and pain when MS
has progressed pretty far already.

But recently I have read an article which states that cannabis can also be
used for therapy of lighter forms of MS and has been approved by the
Canadian
health authorities for this purpose.

My girlfriend has been diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS recently. So
far
she has only had one major attack, she experienced numbness and had problems
with her balance then.

This has been treated with steroids and has eased off by now. At the moment
she just feels a little bit dizzy at times.

Would anybody recommend to give Cannabis a go at this stage?

Or is it only good for more serious forms of MS?
--
***@gmx.net
Sylv
2005-09-08 01:58:41 UTC
Permalink
Hi Jen;
Post by Jennifer
In my case I have no symptoms but noticed my muslces were getting spastic.
Because I figure skate I needed to try something. I tried a med from the doc
and it works like a charm. I know for some people it doesn't, but I'm lucky
Spastic muscles (everywhere!) are driving me nuts. Can you tell me
what helped you?

Sylvia
Jennifer
2005-09-08 02:49:01 UTC
Permalink
baclofen did the trick. I do a lot of stretching for skating but was finding
myself with increasingly tight hamstrings. I also would get up in the
morning and end up walking on my tip toes until my muscles relaxed.

I now take just one pill in the evening before bed. Sometimes I take another
in the morning if I have morning tightness. It has been such a relief!!! i
never realized just how tight my muscles were until I took the meds. I
called my neuro back the next day and told him I was a dumb ass for not
taking it sooner,

Jen
Post by Sylv
Hi Jen;
Post by Jennifer
In my case I have no symptoms but noticed my muslces were getting spastic.
Because I figure skate I needed to try something. I tried a med from the doc
and it works like a charm. I know for some people it doesn't, but I'm lucky
Spastic muscles (everywhere!) are driving me nuts. Can you tell me
what helped you?
Sylvia
Sylv
2005-09-08 16:04:44 UTC
Permalink
Thanks, Jen!

I used to take baclofen, but then my former neuro switched me to
Zanaflex.

Was thinking about going back to it. For one thing, it's a LOT
cheaper!

I will bring this up when I see my new neuro (5th one in 10 years
*sigh*; why do they all have to retire?)

Sylvia
rose
2005-09-08 16:31:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Sylv
Thanks, Jen!
I used to take baclofen, but then my former neuro switched me to
Zanaflex.
Was thinking about going back to it. For one thing, it's a LOT
cheaper!
Sylvia, my neuro switched me from valium to zanaflex -- baclofen had
given me some kind of bad reaction. he (the neuro) said that Zanaflex
was approved specifically for M.S.-related spasticity, so it might be a
better choice for me. i gave it a go and in my case, it worked about
the same as Valium, but at like 6 times the cost...so i went back to
valium.

kind of funny, whenever ANYthing is approved *specifically* for M.S.,
the neuros always want to prescribe it -- and more often than not, find
out it's about the same as other, older, generic meds in terms of
effectiveness, but lots more EXPEN$IVE.

i've heard so many folks say Baclofen was like a miracle drug for them,
and it's actually affordable -- damn, i wish it had worked like that
for me -- oh well!

rose
NBD
2005-09-08 18:11:26 UTC
Permalink
Have you tried Quinine Sulphate ?
It helped me.
NBD
Post by Sylv
Spastic muscles (everywhere!) are driving me nuts. Can you tell me
what helped you?
Sylvia
Michael
2005-09-08 02:46:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jennifer
But she really doesn't have any symptoms....
You say she just has a bit of dizziness. Basically, she can take a
prescribed med for that. MJ might make her not dizzy while she is taking it
and shortly thereafter but not long term. Plus, she would need a docs note
to make it legal and her neuro might not be willing to issue a script for
symptoms that mild.
Its her own decision if she wants to try it and see if it helps. The way I
look at it, she should investigate traditional meds first and if she gets no
relief then try MJ.
I'm curious, Jen.

Considering that cannabis has never killed anyone...

... considering that even the US DEA recognizes:

"nearly all medicines have toxic, potentially lethal affects, but marijuana
isnot such a substance...Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the
safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of
rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine
of medical care" (DEA Docket No. 86-22, 57).

... and considering that cannabis has been proven to alleviate spasm,
spasticity, neurogenic pain and several other MS symptoms in a substantial
proportion of users (about half, which is twice as good a result as any
other medication meant for these purposes)...

... why on *earth* should it be considered a "last resort"????
Jennifer
2005-09-08 05:46:03 UTC
Permalink
my thinking is that unless you have tried something legal, than it should be
a last resort.

Yes, I know medical MJ is legal, however unless you have a script it is not.
Based on the symptoms this person described I doubt they would be able to
obtain a script right off the bat. I think symptoms would have to drag on
for awhile and the neuro might want other drugs tried first,

Honestly if it were that easy to get a script I could get one. But my
symptoms are more like the ones described...mild...and therefore my neuro
wouldn't even think about it.
Post by Michael
Post by Jennifer
But she really doesn't have any symptoms....
You say she just has a bit of dizziness. Basically, she can take a
prescribed med for that. MJ might make her not dizzy while she is taking it
and shortly thereafter but not long term. Plus, she would need a docs note
to make it legal and her neuro might not be willing to issue a script for
symptoms that mild.
Its her own decision if she wants to try it and see if it helps. The way I
look at it, she should investigate traditional meds first and if she
gets
Post by Michael
Post by Jennifer
no
relief then try MJ.
I'm curious, Jen.
Considering that cannabis has never killed anyone...
"nearly all medicines have toxic, potentially lethal affects, but marijuana
isnot such a substance...Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the
safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of
rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine
of medical care" (DEA Docket No. 86-22, 57).
... and considering that cannabis has been proven to alleviate spasm,
spasticity, neurogenic pain and several other MS symptoms in a substantial
proportion of users (about half, which is twice as good a result as any
other medication meant for these purposes)...
... why on *earth* should it be considered a "last resort"????
bobbyD
2005-09-09 19:42:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jennifer
my thinking is that unless you have tried something legal, than it should be
a last resort.
Yes, I know medical MJ is legal, however unless you have a script it is not.
that is the same for all medications we get.

Cannabis should be a FIRST resort,, there is too much REAL information that
proves plain and simple the beneficial effects of marijuana, for those
patients in the clinical trials,, who were not far into their disease but
rather very mild,,,

Marijuana is - FACT a safe non dangerous drug for treating MS that is the
ONLY DRUG shown to give the patient with Ms a BETTER QUALITY of LIFE!!!!

it is only people's fears and misinformed views on this far far less
dangerous drug.

as for smoiked carcinogens that is SOLVED with the use of a Vaporizer,, i
have used many of them from the 800 dollar volcano to a 15 dollar glass
vaporizer pipe,,,

there is no smoke in it no carncinogens, in it,, it is THE SAFEST drug there
is for MS period.

people have to get off the fear mongering bandwagon and wake up,, it is a
drug available like every other drug for MS in CANADA!!!!!

many many Neuros or even your plain old GP can sing the forms for you,, i
just counselled someone and they got their exemption last week,, easy,, 7
grams a day 40 plants,,, doesnt matter how tall they grow,, 8 ounces per
plant,,, times 40!!!!

doctors are now waking up to marijuana being LEGAL and a real choice for
many,,, many people in Canada with MS.

i have heard of many negatives withg Baclofen i have iut myself but dont use
it cause it is more dangerous than my marijuana,, and my pot relaxes my
muscles just fine,, also opens my RESTRICTED airways,, it is a vascular
dilator not restrictor like cigarrettes,,, it opens airways,, in my throat
and lungs,, i have not had a eusophegus muscle lock in years,, i dont use my
airway dilator anymore,,, i dont have bouts of not being able to breath,,,,

marijuana is perfect for New DXed folks,,, it is safer less destructive to
your system than Baclofen, neurontin, valium, topamax, betaseron, paxil,
serax, i can go on and on and on listing the drugs we use for Ms that are
100 times more deadly than pot could ever be,

i recommend marijuana to anyone with Ms it is the ONLY medication that the
British Medical Journal of Neurology states

''provides the user a better quality of life'''


what the HELL more must be said to convince the skeptics here,, the people
afraid for some reason,, the stigma , of pot use???

you can use it in your home and there will be NO SMELL,,

i have bloody capsules with measured doses of both CBD's and THC,, 10000
times more effective than Satives,, no spray of alcohol,, no smoke no
smell,, a pill like any other pill but this one WORKS for ALLLLLLLLLL of my
problems arising from MS,,, alll of them not just one thing like Baclofen
does,,, all of them

if anyone still disputes the beneficial use of pot ,, they should talk to
one of the BMJ folks who typed up their reports on pot and MS!!!! for
publication,

you do not have to toke it,, or smoke it,, ,, VAPE it,,,, if your worried
or concerned with smoke smell of whatever you could be ,, as it is a legal
drug for MS and any police, interaction is illegal,, i can smoke it anywhere
smoking is allowed,, i can take it on any plane,, not smoke it,, carry it ,,
i can open my bag in the security, line ,, pull out 4 ounces of smelly buds,
show them i have it,, and proceeed as people in the line stand there
dumbfounded,,,

pot is a legal accepted medication for MS,, for treating more than one
symptom.

i am very happy to give up all the drugs i was on,, and rely mostly on
marijuana and a small dose of morphine,, thousandws of dollars per month
not being spent on me,, thru healthcare,,, thousands!!!!!!!

i cost healthcare system,, 30 dollars per month now,,, for only morphine,,,
i supply my own marijuana that i have tested for toxicity- no bud sprays, no
mold,, clean organic pot,,, well over 20% thc and very high cbd count .

the courts in this country instructed the government to supply me/us with
quality medicinal grade pot,, they cant ,, so they are Violating my
rights,,, to make this known benefitcial med available without haste,,, ,,
well since 1995 i have tried to get medical pot from the government and they
have Failed me.
Post by Jennifer
Based on the symptoms this person described I doubt they would be able to
obtain a script right off the bat. I think symptoms would have to drag on
for awhile and the neuro might want other drugs tried first,
this is totally wrong,,, the idea behind all of our treatment is to STOP the
progression before it happens,,,

so following this marijuana is ONLY AVAILABLE to RR/MS as this was the
group it was Tested on,, ambulatory , non pregressing ms,,

ahh exactly like the kind you have jen!!! you are the perfect candidate for
marijuana treatment,, and your Neuro is actually doing a misdeed informing
you incorrectly,,

dare i call it negligance???

why,, listen,, mariujuana is the only drug proven to provide a better
qwuality of life for MS,, so following this FACT,,, it is incumbent on your
Neuro to INFORM him/herself,, of this new drug for MS,,,

it is the duty of the neuro /doctor to inform himslef on the latest
treatment for your disease,, for this matter my old neuro - dr-oger at ubc
ms clinic,, phoned my previous neuro and gave him shit for not recommending
me Betaseron in 1996, as it was the new drug for Ms ,,, it is incumbent on
the doctor to keep up to date on whatever drug is Approved SAFE EFFECTIVE
treatment for MS

to do any less is just useless,,, stupidity,, and exact problem i have faced
for 10 years,, people misinformed,,, and talking non trueths,,,

FACT-marijuana is a safe effective treatment for newly DXed people with MS.

knowing this now,, it bothers me that people are so reluctant to inform
themselves and their doctors as well,, that they would like to try the
safest most effective drug,, regardless of the previous stigma,,,
surrounding the misinformation for 50 years!!!!!

how can the USa DEA still have not read the BMJ of more than 1 year
ago!!!!!! proving marijuana;s efficacy? and continue to deny its medical
value for its sick folks?????
Post by Jennifer
Honestly if it were that easy to get a script I could get one.
you could get one from many neuros her in Vancouver i know a few of them,,,,
who have no problems doing it,,, if you need a referral please emqail me in
private,,, i will give you the name of one such good neuro,,, who will fill
your exemption forms,, and tell you all you need to know about marijuana,,
and MS,,,


But my
Post by Jennifer
symptoms are more like the ones described...mild...and therefore my neuro
wouldn't even think about it.
a BAD neuro!!!!!! Sativex for MS is only RXed for RR/ms for MILD
neuropathic pain,,,

Sativex is not approved for ms spazticity,, only for mild neuropathic pain
at this time,,, like muscle tightness,, stiffness,, relaxes them giving you
neuropathic pain relief,,,

i am very passionate about this subject,, i have a number of people i am
presently assisting,, with their medical marijuana treatment,, these folks
never j-walked in their lives,, they had tried/taken all the meds we have
for MS,, and now they are finding great help with marijuana,, they have one
goal- find relief from their pain at all costs,, try anything,, do what
works,,,, well it is very peculiar that people in their 60's who never
smoked a joint in their lives would be willing to try pot- why?? they have
reached the end of their rope using conventional drugs, and suffer so many
unwanted side effects they will try anything,,, so they do,, now they know
the truth,,,

so if pot has no medical value why would a senior citizen, a little old lady
,buy bags of pot?? and smoke it,, by herself????

bobbyD
Post by Jennifer
Post by Michael
Post by Jennifer
But she really doesn't have any symptoms....
You say she just has a bit of dizziness. Basically, she can take a
prescribed med for that. MJ might make her not dizzy while she is
taking
it
and shortly thereafter but not long term. Plus, she would need a docs
note
Post by Michael
Post by Jennifer
to make it legal and her neuro might not be willing to issue a script
for
Post by Michael
Post by Jennifer
symptoms that mild.
Its her own decision if she wants to try it and see if it helps. The
way
I
Post by Michael
Post by Jennifer
look at it, she should investigate traditional meds first and if she
gets
Post by Michael
Post by Jennifer
no
relief then try MJ.
I'm curious, Jen.
Considering that cannabis has never killed anyone...
"nearly all medicines have toxic, potentially lethal affects, but
marijuana
Post by Michael
isnot such a substance...Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the
safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of
rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine
of medical care" (DEA Docket No. 86-22, 57).
... and considering that cannabis has been proven to alleviate spasm,
spasticity, neurogenic pain and several other MS symptoms in a substantial
proportion of users (about half, which is twice as good a result as any
other medication meant for these purposes)...
... why on *earth* should it be considered a "last resort"????
Richard Long
2005-10-21 01:24:16 UTC
Permalink
Dr. Hashimoto refused to sign my forms & went on a tirade about Sativex.

What now?

I've been w/c bound since '95 & tried a lot of things - Cladribine, Rebif,
baclofen....

Thank God for the Compassion Club.
bobbyD
2005-10-21 20:32:23 UTC
Permalink
richard ,, please email me ''phatbhat at telus.net''

i have some info etc for you,,,

bobbyD
Post by Richard Long
Dr. Hashimoto refused to sign my forms & went on a tirade about Sativex.
What now?
I've been w/c bound since '95 & tried a lot of things - Cladribine, Rebif,
baclofen....
Thank God for the Compassion Club.
Peter K L Milnes
2005-10-22 23:33:48 UTC
Permalink
Sativex has only been approved in Canada so far. As usual our government is
dragging it's heels through the kwango NICE, after being the instigator in
the development program being carried out in West Sussex. Are you using
Hydrocobalamine (Vitamin B12) like my wife and Stephen do? This is done on a
monthly injecton basis. Did Dr.Hashimoto give any reasons for his tirade?

For pain relief try and get hold of some Cannabis in plant form (dried).
Then use it in an infusion, at about one teaspoonful to a mug of boiling
water (you may add a teabag for taste). This will keep pain at bay more
successfully than smoking it as you risk cancer etc. from the effects of
inhaled smoke just like smoking tobacco.

All the best, Peter.
Post by Richard Long
Dr. Hashimoto refused to sign my forms & went on a tirade about Sativex.
What now?
I've been w/c bound since '95 & tried a lot of things - Cladribine, Rebif,
baclofen....
Thank God for the Compassion Club.
rose
2005-09-08 16:16:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ernst K. Locker
Would anybody recommend to give Cannabis a go at this stage?
Or is it only good for more serious forms of MS?
hi Ernst,

i think i'm a little confused...did you mean cannabis for spasm and
tight muscles, even though her symptoms are slight, or did you mean
cannabis as a neuroprotective agent, or...?

there has been some research that shows cannabis has some
neuro-protective qualities, but i've been using it
regularly/semi-regularly since '96, and still went from RR to SP in
2000. most likely, she won't have really NOTICEABLE slowing of disease
activity due to cannabis.

if she IS having the kinds of symptoms that it helps with -- nausea,
spasm, spasticity, insomnia -- then sure, why not? i don't think i've
EVER heard that it only works, or works better, on more severe symptoms
-- the things it works on, it works very well on, whether the symptoms
are mild, moderate, or severe (in my experience). although when they're
very severe, sometimes an adjunct prescription pill-pop is required,
but for the most part i try to stay with weed as much as possible, only
adding in valium when the spasticity is very severe, or tegretol when
the 'nerve burn' gets to be more than medpot alone can knock back.

best of good fortune to you both,
rose
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