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Health

Medical Marijuana Changed My Life With Sickle Cell

December 1, 2016 by Maishah 1 Comment

It first begins with a tingling sensation, sometimes in my hands, sometimes in my ankles. I never know which body part will be targeted. The tingling eventually builds into a pain that literally leaves me sick to my stomach. And finally…I have no choice but to curl up into a fetal position until it subsides. Sometimes relief can come in minutes…other times, the crisis can last for hours.

Sound dramatic? Yes…I know. But this what it’s like to live with sickle cell anemia.

People who suffer from sickle cell disease have to deal with a lot of pain. Patients with sickle cell have crescent shaped blood cells, compared to disc shaped blood cells in people without the condition. These cells block blood flow, which causes pain, fatigue, and organ damage. These period of intense pain are commonly known as a “sickle cell crisis.” Most will describe crisis pain as feeling like nails poking their entire body. I’ve always said it literally feels like little tiny people live within my bones and are repeatedly stabbing me with tiny knives. It just plain sucks, for lack of better word.

Doctors usually prescribe opiate-based pain killers such as morphine. For years, this was my physician’s drug of choice. But these medications come with side effects including respiratory issues, damage to organs, and addiction — to name a few. And for years I walked around numb, challenged with whether to medicate myself into a zombie-like state, or take the risk of yet another visit to the emergency room; sometimes making the mistake of “waiting it out” and hoping the crisis would pass.

I can’t remember the exact year, but one day I overhead Montel Williams on a talk show discussing his use of marijuana to help alleviate symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis. It was literally the first time I ever thought about or even considered marijuana in a medicinal context. It was then my journey to managing my condition AND functioning truly began. During this time, conversations around marijuana were not that commonly hear of. At least not in my circle of friends…or family. Yes, it was one of those “activities” people enjoyed socially on occasion, but not anything anyone would make public.

So when I first started experimenting with medicating with cannabis, researching information was a challenge, to say the least. This was pre-Google and pre-Internet. So I ran to the library and tried to find anything I could on marijuana and the medicinal effects. Montel Williams also became my medical marijuana hero as I tuned in to anything I could find with him speaking on the topic.

Gradually, I noticed I began to rely less on the synthetic drugs which were also pretty rough on my stomach. I also noticed that I was no longer in a constant state of discomfort. I had grown so accustomed to being sore (even when not it crisis), that it was a regular state of being for me. Cannabis began to relieve this existence. I also found the calming effects of cannabis in general. I was a newspaper reporter at the time, deadlines were very stressful and I grew tired of popping pills to get through the day.

I am not a physician and in no way is this a recommendation for any sickle cell patient to disregard doctor’s orders. But I like to call upon anyone who suffers from chronic pain to do their own research. This is what worked for me. It has not, by any means, cured my sickle cell. But It has greatly improved my quality of life by leaps and bounds. I spent a good part of my 30s in and out of the hospital, including undergoing three blood transfusions and periods of limited mobility. I still have what I call my “mini-moments.” But what was once a monthly crisis back then is a rare occurrence. Ironically, these moments come when I go without medicating for lengthy periods. So I literally now treat cannabis as anyone else with a prescription.

When the day came that medical marijuana was legalized, it was almost like being reborn. I now had access to specific strains, including CBDs, tinctures and other forms of cannabis. I have found a way to incorporate various forms depending on how I am feeling, including incorporating flower into my food.

Over the years I have learned how to fine tune what form of ingestion works best for me, as well as my dosage. Today, I am happy to be able to enjoy my marketing position in the medical marijuana industry and proving naysayers wrong! Marijuana indeed DOES work. I am living proof!

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Legalization Tagged With: Cannabis, cbd, Health, Health & Science, Medical Marijuana, Pain Relief, Sickle Cell Anemia

How To: Do Dabs

May 25, 2016 by Brittany Driver Leave a Comment

How To: Do Dabs


It may be old news for MANY of you, but for just as many doing dabs is something totally different than the norm. Whether you’ve never tried em, or you’re an expert – this video will entertain, no doubt.

Bobby Black from High Times Magazine lays it all out for the newbs. It is as easy as Scoop, Heat, Inhale, Clean 🙂

1. Scoop (a small dab).

2. Heat (nail with torch until it almost glows).

3. Inhale (smoothly as you touch your prepared dab to the hot nail).

4. Clean (your wand and nail).

Follow along with the video and watch a serious professional do his job.

Filed Under: blog, Visit Denver Tagged With: Bobby Black, Cannabis, Colorado Cannabis Tours, Concentrate, Dabs, Health, High Times, Medical Marijuana, Shatter, Wax

Cannabis May Prevent Obesity

May 18, 2016 by Brittany Driver Leave a Comment

Cannabis May Prevent Obesity


A Washington Post article I read put it pretty bluntly with its opening statement,  “Want to take a bit out of the American Obesity epidemic? Legalize medicinal marijuana.” They make it sound so obvious. And so easy.

A recent study discovered that in states that passed medical marijuana laws, the population had a 2% to 6% decline in their probability of obesity.

Some of the findings indicate why cannabis could be preventing obesity.  For older users, cannabis increased physical mobility because it reduces pain and inflammation – HELLO, ARTHRITIS. Basically, folks who would be highly immobile due to arthritic issues or other aches and pains are able to use cannabis and regain much of that mobility back.  So they aren’t sitting around all day because it hurts too much to move.

In younger users, cannabis often correlates with a decreased consumption of alcohol – which is high calorie – which increases chances of weight gain.

“Our findings show that the enactment of MMLs [medical marijuana law] is associated with a 3.1% reduction in the probability of alcohol consumption and a 4.8% reduction in the probability of binge drinking.”

Do these figures and findings resonate with you? In Colorado and Washington states, where marijuana is legal for medical and recreational purposes, recent stats show great health among residents…

Filed Under: News and Events, Visit Denver Tagged With: Arthritis, Cannabis, Concentrates, Health, Medical Marijuana, Obesity, Seniors, Weight Loss

Men’s Journal Asks, Can MaryJane Fix Your Sex Life?

May 10, 2016 by Brittany Driver Leave a Comment

“When you get supremely stoned, you’re probably not good for taking care of anything beyond a couple bags of Doritos.”

At face value, a funny line, sure, but certainly not complimentary or sensitive. And not super amusing to patients with issues such as severe nausea or wasting syndrome, who use cannabis to be able to eat anything at all.

Men’s Journal does bring up a good point early on though. While marijuana has traditionally been linked to erectile dysfunction and low sperm count, doctors in the field and patients reporting back are producing and providing very different results. Men’s Journal reports,

“The traditional literature is out of date and in need of an overhaul. However, because most academic research relies on federal grants and federal law prohibits marijuana, it may be years before new research comes from American universities.”

Chief Medical officer at HelloMD Perry Solomon says,

“The way I see it, why not try cannabis? There are side effects to Viagra and zero side effects to cannabis when dosed properly…Maybe it’s just making them feel better and relaxed, and that’s making it easier for them to enjoy sex, but it’s still working.”

It is a good point. Why not reap the benefits without any of the risks traditionally associated with Viagra? I mean, that stuff can kill you if you take too much.

Men’s Journal also focuses on the concern that too much cannabis can easily take things from sexy to sloppy. They warn readers that couchlock could prevent some men from even wanting to have sex.

Who are these men? I have never met them.

MJ follows up with an important topic – consent. Make sure that yourself and your potential partner are fully aware of what you are doing. While I’ve never known marijuana alone to incapacitate someone beyond the ability to say “yes” or “no”, experimenting with edibles can lead to some pretty strange states of consciousness. So use your common sense and don’t get weird guys and gals.

Source: Men’s Journal

Filed Under: News and Events Tagged With: Cannabis, Concentrates, Health, Love, Marijuana, Men's Health, Sex

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