Going to see Dr. Sulak on 26th - Thoughts on My Eligibility?

4

420patient

Member
I know most of us in this boat tend to overthink and overworry - but just thought I would get your opinions on my situation.

I am 41 - I have struggled with back issues since I was 16. My Dr. in AZ said a few years ago that I had the back of a 65 year old. I moved to Maine this spring.

In a nutshell - bottom two discs are GONE - so I am bone on bone. The next one up is disintegrating. So I have pretty constant pain that shoots down my left leg down to just past my ankle. My left leg is also 1/2" shorter than the right. I do have an insert for it that cost several hundred dollars and it does help some - but I still have issues there. My job involves sitting for close to 10 hours a day which sometimes can be unbearable. Laying down rarely helps. Walking sometimes helps, sometimes I have only get a couple of minutes out and the pain down my leg forces me to hobble home. I also have a slight curvature of the spine.

I have been given quite a few different painkillers as well as muscle relaxers, which are limited in their helping. The side effects are worse than how little they help (ie. painkiller keeps me up so I don't sleep but 4 hrs a night; muscle relaxer has me as a zombie for 12 hrs).

I'm just very tired of traditional medicine (read: pills). I have tried physical therapy which also was limited in it's helping. I stretch constantly and sometimes that helps. Dr has stated that about my only option at this point is surgery, which I do NOT WANT. Too many horror stories there for my liking.

So - what do you think - chronic pain supposedly qualifies - and I certainly have that!
 
HighLowGrow

HighLowGrow

Well-Known Member
I think you're set. Like the others say, try to get some records so they can see some history. You may mention that cannabis really helps with your condition but you would like to go the legal route with either a recommendation or a card. Just be honest.

Good luck!
 
4

420patient

Member
Thank you! I do have medical records to support this (x-rays, MRI of lower back, etc). I will be taking them with me to the appt.

I also can state that it DOES help me - as a matter of fact - have not had any since late last year, but had an opportunity just a week ago, after HARD physical work putting a new roof on. I was in major pain at the end of the day. Had just a bit in the evening - not only did my pain disappear immediately, but I felt great the entire next day also! Was a good reminder to myself that it does in fact help me. I felt like a new man!
 
HighLowGrow

HighLowGrow

Well-Known Member
My wife gets bad headaches everyday. Taking 4 pills of this, and a few hours later 2 pills of something else. All over the counter stuff. When I bring the mmj out at night, she takes a couple pulls off the vape and instant relief for the whole night. It's pretty amazing.

I received my recommendation due to shoulder pain. I separated my right shoulder about 15 years ago from a fall. About 3 years ago I separated the left shouler from a quad accident. My shoulders hurt and pop when I raise my arms over my head. They also ache when I sleep. I did go to the ER for both incidences but had no paper to bring to the "recommendation doctor".

If your not a candidate for a card I would be shocked.
 
Maine Brookies

Maine Brookies

Active Member
HighLowGrow said:
My wife gets bad headaches everyday. Taking 4 pills of this, and a few hours later 2 pills of something else. All over the counter stuff. When I bring the mmj out at night, she takes a couple pulls off the vape and instant relief for the whole night.
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And you don't leave her some bud for her day? :shock::shock::shock:

Bad bad bad husband!

:bigjoint:
 
HighLowGrow

HighLowGrow

Well-Known Member
HaHaHa We both work from home and TRY not to smoke until later in the evening. Besides, if she smokes during the day, how is my car going to get washed and my lunch made.
 
4

420patient

Member
HighLowGrow said:
HaHaHa We both work from home and TRY not to smoke until later in the evening. Besides, if she smokes during the day, how is my car going to get washed and my lunch made.
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LOL, ha ha ha! Thanks for my laugh of the nite - although my wife would frown if she saw this, ha ha ;)
 
4

420patient

Member
Well - I have my follow-up call on Monday - the only thing that worries me - my records of x-rays/mri/pt, etc go back to 2007. The nurse-practitioner mentioned that they might not be able to recommend since I don't have a RECENT history - somehow the state likes to think that if I haven't been going to a chiro or a PT, that my degenerative disc disease just 'went away and got better' - I have a bad feeling they are going to make me wait. I HAVE started seeing a chiro here just to get that in recent history.

I'm going to be very disappointed if I don't get this - I'm REALLY tired of taking all these pills (which has been ongoing and documented over the years). Not to mention I've had this problem for 25 years now - it is NOT going away!!
 
maineyankee

maineyankee

Active Member
420patient said:
Well - I have my follow-up call on Monday - the only thing that worries me - my records of x-rays/mri/pt, etc go back to 2007. The nurse-practitioner mentioned that they might not be able to recommend since I don't have a RECENT history - somehow the state likes to think that if I haven't been going to a chiro or a PT, that my degenerative disc disease just 'went away and got better' - I have a bad feeling they are going to make me wait. I HAVE started seeing a chiro here just to get that in recent history.

I'm going to be very disappointed if I don't get this - I'm REALLY tired of taking all these pills (which has been ongoing and documented over the years). Not to mention I've had this problem for 25 years now - it is NOT going away!!
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Hey 420 :-)

Best of Luck with your appointmant on Monday. I would still bring all documentation that you have in your possession with you to the appointment. I too had some of the same issues as you as far as going into a lapse period between documents, and it was not that big of a deal (or least it seemed to me at the time) with getting approval for MMJ.

I also hear ya when you state that you are sick of all of the pharma pills just to function on a day to day basis ... hang in there friend ... there is light at the end of the tunnel ...

Again, Best of Luck and keep us posted

Love and Peace

The MaineYankee
 
4

420patient

Member
Thanks Yankee :)

This is the phone follow-up - I had the actual appt on 10/26 and brought all my documentation with me then. This is 'the call' where I find out if I get the recommendation or not. So I am crossing my fingers! I just have this feeling I'll be asked to 'wait' and get a more recent documentation trail here in the state of Maine. I am sure at some point I will get it - I'm just hoping I don't have to wait another 6 months! Taking a sleeping pill that includes acetaminophine and diphenhydramine each night just to fall asleep isn't my idea of healthy!! Not too mention the Tramadol, Flexeril and Tylenol-3 (again acetaminophine + codeine) that I'm taking on a daily basis. Pills suck! I've also got arthritis setting in - that will be ANOTHER pill unless I get this recommendation. Thanks for listening :)
 
4

420patient

Member
Good news! I got my recommendation! I am so relieved - time to get off these pills :) Should have the paperwork by middle of next week.
 
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