This may be a bit off topic for this forum...but here goes anyway! I am interested in peoples experience with R/A and using marijuana for treating it. Is there a particular strain that is more effective than others? My R/A is in my hands and wrists and beginning to deform my fingers. I have read studies saying smoking (cigs or mmj) increases risk of heart & lung problems and strokes in r/a sufferers, so I'm worried about that. I am almost to the point of breaking down and going to a doctor. Anyone have any experience with pharma drugs used to treat it? I appreciate any feedback as the prospect of losing the use of my hands is pretty scarey!
I know of someone who is just a 'wee ticky' under 80, has developed health issues as folks that age may do. Some issues due to nasty reactions to pharmas. They also have a couple other health issues. After hearing/watching the impact the pain was having I did some research and found that some said herb didn't work, others said it did. This person had tried numerous 'prescribed' methods, to no avail. Regardless, this person tried herb for the first ailment a little over a year ago and it worked wonderfully for them. Now every night before bed they have a couple puffs. Now rather than being woken through the night because of the pain, they sleep through most nights. If they awaken due to pain, light up, have 2-3 puffs and within 15 minutes the pain was again at bay and they went back to sleep. The first condition is transient in nature and manifests sometimes during the change of seasons...They then developed a real nasty condition called P.N. or peripheral neuropathy from a 'run in' with a nasty antibiotic that people over 65 are not supposed to receive, but seeing that a number of docs in Thunder Bay are 'swift as a sack a hammers' they did not get the memo regarding this drug I guess. In the U.S.A. this medication is 'black boxed', as well as in Canada. I told to them they may want to access a personal injury attorney to deal with the obvious malpractice. Just google 'popped tendons, peripheral neuropathy, antibiotic' on one entry and you'll see the drug of which I speak.
Anyway, one day I was driving with them and I looked in the back seat and they were sitting there with tears in their eyes, I asked why, they said it was because of the burning sensation from the P.N. I asked if they had tried the MJ they had used for the other condition, they said no. I said give it a try. As soon as they were able they lit up, ( had to be coached on how to smoke it most effectively) anyway within 2-3 minutes after the first puff they began flexing their fingers saying "this is amazing the pain is going away", within 15 minutes they stated they hadn't felt so well in a long time. I might add that this individual also has some arthritis. They do take blood pressure meds and I could not believe how low the resting BP was. Told them to speak with their physician regarding the low BP. They are a little reluctant to mention a herb prescription to their doc so some people just make sure that this person gets what they need.
As for the negative, the only 'negative' references I've come across are two sites and one is 'Fox noise' and the other was some supposed science site......that had links to each other's sites....umm......again don't need to be Einstein to figure that one out.
As to side effects, I've been a guinea pig for the pharma industry 4/5 of my life and I'm over 50. I will take the side effects of the herb over the meds ANYDAY.
When it comes to accessing information regarding possible negative side effects, I always look for a couple 'marks' that may liken the probability that the 'view' is biased. Firstly, are they affiliated with either the Conservatives, Pharma Industry, or anyone/organization (including some doctors) (banks/shareholders) who might benefit from the sale of pharmas or the 'demonizing' of herb.
Big pharma is a multi-billion dollar industry....that's just in Canada add the USA to that equation and the numbers are .......who knows. Bottom line, if people can self-medicate they needn't be as reliant upon the pharmacy, therefore no sales, no dividends for shareholders, no taxes for the useless governments we presently 'employ'.
