Does Medical Marijuana Help the Pain That Comes With MS?

my son 50 years old got the MS since last year. since, he got pain relief pills for MS, called Lyrica 4 pills per day but they dont help at all. yet whenever he gets cannabis he feels better, pains seem to be mild and he becomes relaxed. but unfortunately the neurologist in the hospital refused to approve him the medical canabis because my son being a music producer used canabis in his past and now they say it is dangerous for him (although he got the MS) being that he MIGHT get a psychotic attack.... so stupid. he didnt get any using the canabis in small quantities. what can be done about it??? thanx Iris prusky

I have tried CBD for trigeminal neuralgia and it did not work. Maybe the pain was too severe. I wanted to get away from the sedating effects of prescriptions . There is no quality of life if your stoned and falling down. I did not want to use THC for similar reasons. I had occasionally used pot/dope/weed as a teenager and did not want to go there. I have enough cog fog without decreasing my brain function. Smoking it is also out as I have had close relatives die from lung cancer (heavy smokers) and COPD.

I live in Oregon where marijuana is legal (my neurologist is at OHSU.) So I don't need a prescription to test out pot. I tried a standard dose of 10% THC during a period of active trigeminal neuralgia a few years ago and it had no impact on the pain, which is extreme. Even upping the THC or the dosage didn't help, but it resulted in unacceptable (to me) brain fuzziness.

I have also tried MMJ as a relaxant - trying to make my legs feel more responsive and less rigid. But to get that effect, which I achieved, I had to up the THC too much. I'm not sure it really counted as a medical intervention at that point!

If you have nothing required of you then MJ is great for chronic MS pain. Otherwise, you cant drive, work, problem solve, etc... Especially, if it is strong. Also, MJ can effect your central nervous system and it is not unheard of to OD. I understand from experience why doctors are hesitant to recommend since dosing and strength cannot be measured. My pain management doctor has suggested usage but I prefer the more predictable pain medicine.

Hi Ed, thanks for another good one. I’ve tried weed one of my kids got me as well as medical with a card which I went to dispensary to purchase. Both had the same effect. I liken it to a glass of wine or a beer. Yes, of course it helps. For a short time. I’ve also been afflicted with stasis ulcers that are severe. Nurses every 3 days for dressing changes. This in combination with the awful spasticity make me want opioids. Never tried them but nurses tell me it’s time. I’ll continue with my 2-3 hits each day after dinner for a while longer then smoke some more as my pain increases. Wth it improves my disposition.lol. Thanks Ed!

I’m taking the Sativex spray 6 sprays a day. It helps with pain when going to bed and I think with spasms I can’t go without it.

never had the medical but start smoking weed/skunk about 15 years ago, only needed 3 puffs on a small roll-up size cig and the pain relief was amazing, i've got m/s and suffered with mind numbing nerve pain every waking moment, proper hell and specialists tried to get savatex for me but Manchester health authority weren't having it that it had any benefits with pain, even had arguments with them that it does but no they knew best, i said i don't want to smoke weed and never had relief like it but still didn't agree so just smoked it at night before bed, brilliant stuff and stopped me wanting to end my life. 15 years later i have 3 small roll-ups and still works amazing, they basically forced me to have illegal weed. i wouldn't swop it for anything else because the spray wouldn't give me the relief like strong skunk does. I tell all the people i need to even police who ive had involvement with, stinks so i walk dogs at 11pm and sleep like a log. Dont mind being a tad stoned, enjoy the feeling lol

Don't go to your neurologist. You can find a medical marijuana doctor online who will be able to write you the prescription. Imo neurologists are useless except if you want to take the DMT, for anything else use a GP I have found LDN, low dose naltrexone to be helpful. Again, go on line and download the research on LDN and MS and take it to your GP or call Skip's pharmacy in FLA or Metro pharmacy in NYC, both compounding pharmacies for LDN and ask them to recommend a dr who will prescribe it. He might also want to try CBD oil full spectrum, which doesn't need a prescription. I found the medical marijuana tinctures too strong for me even at 1:1 and like the CBD oil much better He can call Lazarus, which is a CBD supplier, and ask what would be good for him. He can start on 750 full specturm two times a day. Forget the neurologist for anything but hardcore MS drugs. A functional medical doctor is much better for trying non-traditional medical alternatives. Neurologists know nothing about marijuana or anything really that's not pharmaceutical.