Medical marjiuana

I am new to this site. This is my 2nd post. I expressed in my original post that my dad is suffering from alot of pain. He has stage 4 colorectal cancer that has metastisized to the liver. He has tons of pain in his belly area. He is on fentynal patch and oxycotin every 3-4 hours and still has alot of discomfort. I have heard alot about medical marjiuana but I cant find anything specific online that I can give my dad to read. He is fearful of the "pot" but I thought if I could find somemore specifics he might consider trying it. I also saw on a tv special that smoking it seems to work better than the pill. It seems like this is a taboo topic but I am trying to find something to help my dad somehow. Can anyone shed some light on this subject? Does it help at all with the pain or just appetite? I would greatly appreciate any advice. I am trying to get him to join the site but he just has little desire right now. He will read the posts I print out for him. He spends much of his time laying in bed. He is not able to go out or anything except for chemo because of this pain and the "blahs". I just want to find something that will give him a chance to have alittle of his life back. Thanks in advance and I will pray for all of you!
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Comments

  • Dharma girl
    Dharma girl Member Posts: 40
    Vaporizer
    My mom was just talking about this today. So I will be doing some research for her. I know that there is something called a vaporizer that can be used so you don’t have to smoke it.

    If I find out anything I will post.
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    Are you in a state where it is legal?
    That would be the first place to start. Usually requires a consult with an MD who would make recommendations on plant type and delivery system.
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    r2
    Hi. As for the medical mary jane ;) it helps with both pain and appetite. There are actually different plants that are grown specifically for different effects. As for smoking vs pills. It does appear that smoking works best however, I have been informed that the vaporizer works even better than direct inhalation of the smoke as it doesn't have as many bad inhalation effects. There are also teas, and foods prepared with it so that might make it more appealing for some. If you look up a medical dispensary online you could probably find out more about what is offered in regard to types of mj and different products available. Also, there are different strains that produce different "highs", some of which will be more of a mellow, lay around high while others will have more of an uplifting effect. You want to take this into account if you want to help him with pain and getting up and around more. Most strains are now a combination of sativa and indica plants. It's usally agreed that Indica strains have more of a "downer" high while Sativa has more of an "upper" high. You would want to find a product that contained a higher percentage of Sativa than Indica in it. So knowing the percentages of which strain is important if you want to get him up and around.

    Hope that helps some.
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    nothing to add to the pot
    nothing to add to the pot discussion- hope that you can find information that will at least encourage your dad to experiment with it!

    I just want to support working with his oncologist for better pain management. Different pain meds, different combinations, some for break through, etc. He needs to get on top of the pain and stay there. Also when he is feeling OK- maybe not 100%, but better, even if just a little- make sure he uses that time to take a shower, brush his teeth, sit in a chair for awhile- little steps will help.
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    OK
    First I don't know what state you live in, whether it's legal or not in your particular area. But in California, it's legal. We have stores we can go into and buy brownies, cookies or my particular favorite truffles. They help immensely with any nausea and also with the appetite. At our cancer class that we have to attend here before getting chemo, they advised NOT to smoke it, as possible lung cancer problem. My brother used to take the THC pills, and yes, he agrees they are not as good as the real thing.
    I never needed any of my nausea pills, I have I think three bottles of ondansetron I never needed, and my emend has gone to better places, I didn't have to ever use any nausea medication at all, and I'm (unfortunately in my mind)just as heavy as I was the day I was dx with cancer. I haven't gained, I haven't lost.
    That's my take on the old Mary Jane.
    Winter Marie
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member

    Vaporizer
    My mom was just talking about this today. So I will be doing some research for her. I know that there is something called a vaporizer that can be used so you don’t have to smoke it.

    If I find out anything I will post.

    Vaporizer
    I forgot about the vaporizer, yes, it is supposed to be highly recommended for ease in smoking (it takes away the urge to cough)however, again my chemo class recommended against it as they did the smoking of it.
    Again, I recommended the truffles. LOL
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member

    OK
    First I don't know what state you live in, whether it's legal or not in your particular area. But in California, it's legal. We have stores we can go into and buy brownies, cookies or my particular favorite truffles. They help immensely with any nausea and also with the appetite. At our cancer class that we have to attend here before getting chemo, they advised NOT to smoke it, as possible lung cancer problem. My brother used to take the THC pills, and yes, he agrees they are not as good as the real thing.
    I never needed any of my nausea pills, I have I think three bottles of ondansetron I never needed, and my emend has gone to better places, I didn't have to ever use any nausea medication at all, and I'm (unfortunately in my mind)just as heavy as I was the day I was dx with cancer. I haven't gained, I haven't lost.
    That's my take on the old Mary Jane.
    Winter Marie

    when I was growing up...it took me....
    about a half of a pickup truck load to figure out I really didn't care for it to much....It did however make me eat anything that didn't run away...Im not sure if it help me with any pain cause I never felt any pain while I was smoking it..but, in retrospect,.I guess it did help now thinking back...LOL...Good Luck in finding the right answers ......If its legal I don't see what it could hurt..all he could do is decide that he doesn't like it or it doesn't help...Here's to hoping you find relief for him...Love to you and yours ....buzz
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    Buzzard said:

    when I was growing up...it took me....
    about a half of a pickup truck load to figure out I really didn't care for it to much....It did however make me eat anything that didn't run away...Im not sure if it help me with any pain cause I never felt any pain while I was smoking it..but, in retrospect,.I guess it did help now thinking back...LOL...Good Luck in finding the right answers ......If its legal I don't see what it could hurt..all he could do is decide that he doesn't like it or it doesn't help...Here's to hoping you find relief for him...Love to you and yours ....buzz

    For info on above topic:
    www.medicalmarijuana.procon.org

    which gives state by state regulations(all 15 plus DC)as well as info on med uses of pot, for and against....
  • SisterSledge
    SisterSledge Member Posts: 332 Member
    MJ and cancer
    I'll speak up here, as it is something I know a bit about. I find mj helpful for stress, depression, anxiety, nausea, appetite and bowel movement aid as well as a mood elevater. I have not found it helpful for pain. There are indeed different strains of the plant that act with subtle differences, so some lean more body centric and some more mental in their effects.

    A vaporizer heats the mj without burning it, so there is no smoke to inhale, just vapors. Thus, less likelihood of coughing and better over-all for the lungs. I haven't tried the foods but have heard the THC in mj affects the body differently/better when consumed in foods.

    My Dr says he has seen no studies that prove mj to be inhibiting or problematic for chemo treatment itself and has no problem with its use.

    Janine
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    I say YES to Medical Marjiuana
    It sure saved me from the times I felt soooo sick when no pills would work. I hate taking pills anyways!! I say YES to Medical marjiuana IT HELPED TO SAVE MY LIFE!!
  • Dharma girl
    Dharma girl Member Posts: 40
    Lori-S said:

    r2
    Hi. As for the medical mary jane ;) it helps with both pain and appetite. There are actually different plants that are grown specifically for different effects. As for smoking vs pills. It does appear that smoking works best however, I have been informed that the vaporizer works even better than direct inhalation of the smoke as it doesn't have as many bad inhalation effects. There are also teas, and foods prepared with it so that might make it more appealing for some. If you look up a medical dispensary online you could probably find out more about what is offered in regard to types of mj and different products available. Also, there are different strains that produce different "highs", some of which will be more of a mellow, lay around high while others will have more of an uplifting effect. You want to take this into account if you want to help him with pain and getting up and around more. Most strains are now a combination of sativa and indica plants. It's usally agreed that Indica strains have more of a "downer" high while Sativa has more of an "upper" high. You would want to find a product that contained a higher percentage of Sativa than Indica in it. So knowing the percentages of which strain is important if you want to get him up and around.

    Hope that helps some.

    Good post
    Good post.Lots of good info. Thanks
  • I say YES to Medical Marjiuana
    It sure saved me from the times I felt soooo sick when no pills would work. I hate taking pills anyways!! I say YES to Medical marjiuana IT HELPED TO SAVE MY LIFE!!

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    I agree with Brooks
    good 'ol MJ has helped Robert with his nausea, appetite and overall general feeling of chittiness after chemo and surgeries. Better than the Rxs dr gave him. Don't really think it helped much for pain, though.

    Angela
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
    mukamom said:

    I agree with Brooks
    good 'ol MJ has helped Robert with his nausea, appetite and overall general feeling of chittiness after chemo and surgeries. Better than the Rxs dr gave him. Don't really think it helped much for pain, though.

    Angela

    Its taking way to long for
    Its taking way to long for the rest of the states to legalize it for medical use! Even though you can get some faster than a hamburger I would use it legally. The immediate benefit to a cancer patient is ignored by so many law-makers.
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    Kenny H. said:

    Its taking way to long for
    Its taking way to long for the rest of the states to legalize it for medical use! Even though you can get some faster than a hamburger I would use it legally. The immediate benefit to a cancer patient is ignored by so many law-makers.

    "Ingredient in cannabis restores taste for cancer patients"
    as per item just posted at physorg.com under its cancer heading
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    Lori-S said:

    r2
    Hi. As for the medical mary jane ;) it helps with both pain and appetite. There are actually different plants that are grown specifically for different effects. As for smoking vs pills. It does appear that smoking works best however, I have been informed that the vaporizer works even better than direct inhalation of the smoke as it doesn't have as many bad inhalation effects. There are also teas, and foods prepared with it so that might make it more appealing for some. If you look up a medical dispensary online you could probably find out more about what is offered in regard to types of mj and different products available. Also, there are different strains that produce different "highs", some of which will be more of a mellow, lay around high while others will have more of an uplifting effect. You want to take this into account if you want to help him with pain and getting up and around more. Most strains are now a combination of sativa and indica plants. It's usally agreed that Indica strains have more of a "downer" high while Sativa has more of an "upper" high. You would want to find a product that contained a higher percentage of Sativa than Indica in it. So knowing the percentages of which strain is important if you want to get him up and around.

    Hope that helps some.

    When considering MJ helping with pain
    Some medical experts say that it helps in conjunction with prescibed pain meds by enhancing the meds. Similar to the way adding antivan (and anti-anxiety meds) compliments pain meds and appear to help manage pain.
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    Hello! I just got my recommendation three weeks ago from a doctor other than my onc. I don't know why my doctors are afraid of recommending it, especially to cancer patients, but there is still a taboo against it since federally, it's illegal.

    Over the past three weeks, a friend and i have been researching and experimenting with the various strains and how they work. I have found that some really do help the pain, and others help with relaxation, and as someone mentioned above, bowel function. The latter was a major help to me. I'm also sleeping better than i have in my life.

    This is what i've figured out from the different strains: the sativa strains tend to make you hungry, and more active. There are indica strains that i haven't tried yet, cuz i'm really liking the hybrid strains the best. They are a combination of the sativas and indica strains. They seem to give the best of both worlds. I prefer to smoke it through a bubbler for filtration, and it makes the smoke less harsh than smoking through a pipe. Usually only one hit works, but again, it depends on the strain. As far as pain goes...if you get stoned enough, you're not going to be feeling much of anything. The good thing about smoking it, too, is you can't OD on it. With the edibles, you can.

    If you're in California, getting a recommendation for your dad will be easy, but he will have to go see the doctor. If he can get his own doctor to write him one, that would be good. The cost is anywhere from $40 to $100 to get the recommendation depending on where you go, and the marijuana itself is roughly $10-$25 per gram. A gram is anywhere from a bud to three buds depending on the weight of the strain.

    Good luck with it, and i hope he does decide to go for it. I think it will help him.

    Hugs,
    Krista
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375

    Hello! I just got my recommendation three weeks ago from a doctor other than my onc. I don't know why my doctors are afraid of recommending it, especially to cancer patients, but there is still a taboo against it since federally, it's illegal.

    Over the past three weeks, a friend and i have been researching and experimenting with the various strains and how they work. I have found that some really do help the pain, and others help with relaxation, and as someone mentioned above, bowel function. The latter was a major help to me. I'm also sleeping better than i have in my life.

    This is what i've figured out from the different strains: the sativa strains tend to make you hungry, and more active. There are indica strains that i haven't tried yet, cuz i'm really liking the hybrid strains the best. They are a combination of the sativas and indica strains. They seem to give the best of both worlds. I prefer to smoke it through a bubbler for filtration, and it makes the smoke less harsh than smoking through a pipe. Usually only one hit works, but again, it depends on the strain. As far as pain goes...if you get stoned enough, you're not going to be feeling much of anything. The good thing about smoking it, too, is you can't OD on it. With the edibles, you can.

    If you're in California, getting a recommendation for your dad will be easy, but he will have to go see the doctor. If he can get his own doctor to write him one, that would be good. The cost is anywhere from $40 to $100 to get the recommendation depending on where you go, and the marijuana itself is roughly $10-$25 per gram. A gram is anywhere from a bud to three buds depending on the weight of the strain.

    Good luck with it, and i hope he does decide to go for it. I think it will help him.

    Hugs,
    Krista

    $40 - $100?
    Krista... when you say the cost is anywhere from $40 - $100 to get the "recommendation", do you mean to get a prescription from a doctor? That seems not fair... that means doctors are making money off writing a prescription? Or am I misunderstanding what a recommendation is?

    Up here, you need a doctor's signature to get your Compassionate Care Club member card... and once you have that, then you can shop at any of the Compassionate Club stores for medicinal marijuana or products, as many times as you want. Of course, most people don't even bother to do that because our laws are much more lax when it comes to having small amounts for personal use (medicinal or otherwise). But I think that would be totally wrong if a doctor was basically selling his signature so a patient could get a product to ease their suffering. Or is that how it works in California... that a doctor will charge $40 - $100 for his/her signature for any prescription?

    Cheryl
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member

    $40 - $100?
    Krista... when you say the cost is anywhere from $40 - $100 to get the "recommendation", do you mean to get a prescription from a doctor? That seems not fair... that means doctors are making money off writing a prescription? Or am I misunderstanding what a recommendation is?

    Up here, you need a doctor's signature to get your Compassionate Care Club member card... and once you have that, then you can shop at any of the Compassionate Club stores for medicinal marijuana or products, as many times as you want. Of course, most people don't even bother to do that because our laws are much more lax when it comes to having small amounts for personal use (medicinal or otherwise). But I think that would be totally wrong if a doctor was basically selling his signature so a patient could get a product to ease their suffering. Or is that how it works in California... that a doctor will charge $40 - $100 for his/her signature for any prescription?

    Cheryl

    Cheryl
    Here, your main doctors (due to it being AGAINST FEDERAL LAW) are still wary about writing prescriptions, so you have to go to a doctor who's just into making money by giving you prescriptions for medical marijuana, this costs between $40 - $100 for that Doctor to do it. They consider this the price of an office visit, which is actually a pretty cheap office visit price wise here.
    Winter Marie
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375

    Cheryl
    Here, your main doctors (due to it being AGAINST FEDERAL LAW) are still wary about writing prescriptions, so you have to go to a doctor who's just into making money by giving you prescriptions for medical marijuana, this costs between $40 - $100 for that Doctor to do it. They consider this the price of an office visit, which is actually a pretty cheap office visit price wise here.
    Winter Marie

    Thanks, Winter
    I guess there are some things I'm still pretty darn naive about.... and this for-profit medicine floors me every time. I know some of our politicians want to go that way because there's more money to be made in it... but I count our lucky stars the Canada Health Act still protects our rights to affordable health care (which includes services such as writing prescriptions which are included in the office visit... which is covered by health care insurance) . I know we have totally different systems and that's fine. It's just every now and then I'm thrown off guard when something like this comes up.

    Ok... will hopefully remember and understand for future reference :):)

    Cheryl