Chronic Pain

Hi everyone,
Speaking of Marinol, I will be releasing an article pretty soon about medical marijuana. It is interesting, Mark, that you have such a positive experience with Marinol. Even though it is related to marijuana, it does not have all the effects of it. It is just THC suspended in oil, actually. A lot of the good effects of marijuana are in the cannabanoids, which are not in THC. A medication called Sativex was recently approved in Canada.. it is a spray and has all the effects of the whole bud of the plant without the bad effects of smoking.
Here is the page about it:
http://www.sativexinfo.org/

Anyway, I'm not sure if it will be approved by the FDA anytime soon, but it would be a good move, because those who do not respond well to Marinol but are helped by marijuana, could do very well with this medication.

Have a great day, everyone!
Stacy

Greetings all,
Well it was a good day but, short lived.
Had to go out the store earlier and don't really know
why but, the pain has reared it's ugly head. Both my hips feel
like they're on fire.
So i'm gonna take my book and head for bed.

Low pain to all.

chuck

The weather has been very bleak here in Suburban DC. No sunshine, just rain and fog ... lots of black ice--saw a completely totaled County Police cruiser. It's been a crazy December across the county ... shooting at a shopping mall ... shootings at churches. Maybe, we're just getting too use to this kind of stuff ... I really hope and pray that sanity can return to our North American lives. I feel like I'm rambling on but this shooting people has to stop. We have a right to bear arms but that does not mean it's a license to kill.

Kat great to see you made it over and hi to the others who did also. Am also glad you got the info on altered books. Keep those magazines girl, they are rich in things to add to your book layouts. You can also use the medium of altered books as a way to put your writing together and to journal. You know combine all kinds of things together to illustrate a really good day or even to release the frustration from a really bad one Kat. A lot of art therapists use the medium in their work. Your writing is so poignant that it would be wonderful if you could capture it to pass down to your children in such a creative fashion. Here is a great starter book with 18 techniques that are pretty well described (I have used different supplies than the ones exactly described because you know how tight money can be for those of us who can no longer work). I bought this book on Amazon for around 5 dollars with some other stuff I got for Christmas presents and got free shipping but check your local library and you may find it there. "18 creative techniques for self-expression Altered Books Workshop" by Bev Brazelton. If you already scrapbook you should know some of this stuff already but seriously take a look at the local library if you get around to it Kat for ideas about making altered books.

Betty if you are interested just run a web search on Google or some search engine using Altered Books and you will find information. You sound like me with that dog washing. I cleaned the dining room and half the living room carpets on Monday so yesterday when the ice storm hit all I could do was sleep and then more sleep. I do feel better seeing the carpet clean and the neighbor who loaned me the carpet cleaner doesn't need it back so I can do the rest of the living apartment next month after the Christmas decorations are down. Its nice to be able to take my time doing this and I intend to purchase a machine of my own in the future. My ex son in law killed my old one a couple years ago.

Chuck great to see you just keep on keepin on in spite of it all.

Now the only comment I am going to make on medical marijuana and Marinol are that in my own case neither were helpful with my migraines or pain from fibromyalgia except that until I was prescribed Compazine marijuana did help the nausea enough to keep the pain medication down instead of me ending up at the ER for an injection. I have no moral objections to either and have never bought into that gateway drug theory. I also believe the war by the justice department on states who have legalized the medical use of marijuana is disgraceful both because of the violation of state's rights and the victimization of those individuals who are already dealing with chronic illness.

Well its time I get moving before the household members get under my feet again.

Good Morning all. No sunshine yet in Maryland but I woke up with a level 0 of pain. My migraines, herniated disks and osteoporosis in my neck are also at a zero today. Sun or no sun, I just feel good mentally and physically. I wish you all a great day ... Mark

<hurtseachday2@aim.com>

Good morning all, happy Wednesday. I went to bed at 10ish & woke up at 1:30 realizing I'd forgotten to take my sleep med / mood stabilizer & don't want to go down that dark scary road again so took it at 1:30am. I then had to get up for a myofacial release appointment at 7Am, take boys to school & came home, I just want to collapse I'm so exhausted & ache with the cold outdoors despite a warm home. There seems no end in site this week, another doc appt on Fri, football awards cerimony for my oldest son tonight, boys wrestling meet tomorrow night, the list goes on. Not to mention my 4 yr old to care for during the day. I had gotten up in the middle of the night last Friday & then upon rising to go back to bed my foot was asleep, I'm hypermobile everywhere & my ankle rolled & I fell. I caught myself but my foot is so bruised & sore, my hand & wrist ache, so does the rest of me. I guess it's safe to say my hair doesn't hurt! I'm thinking I will attempt to go ahead & Get a cane after the positive encouragement I've received & I'm so terrified of falling, with osteoporosis & ice everywhere & the rolly-ankles, not a good mix. A walker, I'm just not ready to bring myself to that stage yet, although, who knows. Then to brave another attempt at a parking permit. Gosh I cannot wait until the doc gets me on decent pain meds because 1 vicodin 10 a day isn't cuttin' it, not even close, despite all the myofacial release & osteopathy. Anyone got elmers glue to put me back together? How about some good brie cheese to go with all this whine I'm pourin' out? Sorry gang. Wish me luck surviving my life a bit longer & wish me a non interrupted nap too would ya? Thanks for being here peeps. Love ya all! By the way, Beakerless, thank you so much for your words of encouragement & compliments. Very appreciated, more than you can know. Peace out ~be well & be blessed

Hi Kat - I'm sorry to hear about your pain being so bad. My only advice is to try seeing a different doctor if at all possible.
Hope you get feeling better sooner rather than later.

Mark


<hurtseachday2@aim.com>

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
Ill try this again since I used a trigger word which bounced me out of quick posts.

Woke up with an awful headache (level:10)

Took a Marinol ... an hour later (level: 5) Right niow (level: 0)

Feeling 20 something instead of 50 something. The opiates lowered my level to 0 but made me feel like I was 70 something.

Mark

<hurtseachday2aol.com>

Betty: I would have needed a GPS to get here without your help. Thanks for starting this thread.

I'm just happy you found the thread Mark!
OMG, Headaches are miserable. I'm actually one of the lucky ones that have pain everywhere else, but don't suffer from headaches. But yesterday am, I woke up with the worst headache that consumed my whole head and face. I took my am meds, they did nothing for the headache, then I took a tylenol sinus/headache relief and it did nothing, I waited a few hours and ended up having to take two Vicodin to finally get rid of it and carry on with my plans for the day. Soooooo I got a late start and consequently did not get my lady friends errands done and get home last night until nearly 7pm. It was a long day and my pain was bad, so I really did not get all my correspondence taken care of either.
I have the entire day to myself today and plan to spend it here and shopping online for some christmas gifts.
Have a great day.
Betty

Hello again

Boy your absolutely right Kat, I may be crazy, every muscle in my body is on fire and theirs added pain in every single little movement. It's a very dumb idea to get impatient and go ahead with a task that should of been my husband or of waited till my son got home this weekend. I'm not sure if it's the Fibro or what, but when they get smelly, I just cannot stand to be in the same room with these pooches, since they are on my lap most of the time, I have to make a choice and suffer through. Dumb idea!

beakerless, you seem so artistic, that's a wonderful way to work through the pain. Maybe someday, I'll find something I can do too.

Mark, do they prescribe Marinol for other pain or just migraines? Does the medication have any side effects? increase in appetite or sleepyness or more brain fog, like I have with FM anyway?

Chuck, I did survive my trip to town, it was a struggle and also very, very cold. It stayed below freezing all day and night, so having to run my friends couple of errands was a struggle and getting home late added to it, just thankful to be home all day today with no obligations, but to shop online. Pain is moderate today and it's nearly time for afternoon meds, and a bath.
Hope your doing well today too.

Betty

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
The weather has been very bleak here in Suburban DC. No sunshine, just rain and fog ... lots of black ice--saw a completely totaled County Police cruiser. It's been a crazy December across the county ... shooting at a shopping mall ... shootings at churches. Maybe, we're just getting too use to this kind of stuff ... I really hope and pray that sanity can return to our North American lives. I feel like I'm rambling on but this shooting people has to stop. We have a right to bear arms but that does not mean it's a license to kill.

Mark
I was watching the news the other night (which I rarely do) and could not help but take time to ponder all this evil and hate going on in our world, myself.
I'm not normally one to get involved in any of the end time theories or bible predictions, but I can honestly say, that the way things are going, it really makes you think about it more seriously. You cannot help but wonder "What is going on"?

Hi Stacy, cant wait to see your sharpost article! Hope your doing well hon, take care!

beakerless, the more I hear you explain about the altered books, the more interesting they seem. I'll give the google search a try after bit. I've got to order a few gifts first.

Kat you poor dear, I can not even fathom how busy your life is. I had such a difficult time the last two years of my sons Highschool ball games, ball games and ballgames. I only had one son to chase, you have several children. You really should get mother of the year for sure.
I do pray you get a nice nap and feel rested when you wake. May the Lord blessyou abundantly for your hard work and commitment to care for your children, all the while facing such pain and chronic illness. I'll certainly keep you in my prayers.
Did I understand you correctly, you take one Vicodin tablet ten times a day???? Are you on a pain rollercoaster? Why not give you a SR med, so that your covered for several hours?? instead of having to take a pill constantly??? Wow. Sustained Release meds have been a blessing for my pain and have let me disembark the pain rollercoaster I had been on for 2 years.
When I was on the coaster, I would take my meds, have about an hour or two (if lucky) of lower pain to get something done, then I would do a task and be right back at high pain levels for the next 3-4 hours before I could take a med again and then I'd do the whole thing over again. It nearly drove me nuts. Then my wonderful pain mgt doctor came into my life, and the first day she promised that the SR meds were going to help me a great deal and get me off the horrific ride. It nearly drove me nuts! SR meds are the best thing that the doctor has ever done for me. If you have pain 24/7, then you should qualify for SR meds. Ask about them, if you feel you can mention them comfortably to your doctor, I know asking for meds is kind of an iffy subject.

I'm really thankful to all of you for joining us here at the "Daily Grind" Invite your friends to come in too. I really want everyone to know they're welcome and also a valuable support for others.
Betty

I was not aware of the trigger word thing and did not know what you meant by that Mark, but now I have a post that's been sent to the powers that be, to be judged.
Maybe it has something to do with talking about meds??

Betty
Waiting for my approval.

Hi guys,
As far as the trigger word thing goes,as far as I know the only one is your email address. I put that into effect because of spam bots.. so if you put your email address in the post it will go to be approved.. so if you can, I would not put your email in your posts.. that will cut down on spam you receive.
stacy

Hi Betty-Glad to speak to you again. Marinol can be prescribed for any type of pain. I have not suffered any side-effects other than losing weight (which) I seriously need to do. It's sort of funny how the Marinol has reduced my appetite. I have not suffered from any munchie attacks like real marijuana does ... I lost 10 lbs (just by eating 3 small meals) during the past 7 days. I'm also feeling very happy (one of the side-effects).

I've read great stuff on the web written by folks with FM who are currently taking Marinol. They say that it loosens up their muscles from getting tight and it works much better for them than taking opiates. Here's a funny thought--as far as "gateway drug theories,' taking Morphine tablets was my gateway to taking Marinol (THC). Of course, not everyone will react identically to the same medication but I'll past a link to the Manufacturer's site where you can find a coupon for a free sample (15 or so doses, I think) when signed by a doctor. I'd go for the 10 mg pills, since most health companies will only cover 2 pills a day. As far as other side-effects, I have had no sleepiness, and no brain fog--I feel as alert and lucid as I did when I was pain free back in the day. I really can't guarantee what Marinol will do for you but it is a viable option that's safe and legal. btw: for what's it's worth, I've cut my morphine tabs down to 30 mg (so far) from 180 mg and I'm not missing it. I'm planning to go down to 15 mg of morphine next week (which should) lead to taking zero very soon. Talk again soon, Mark

http://www.marinol.com/images/PatientIntroProg2.pdf

Hi Stacy, thanks for the link to "Sativa." I've read about it on the Web already. I'm interested in trying it, since it may work even better for me than Marinol. Reason being: If I was offered legal medical marijuana, I wouldn't be able to smoke it due to chronic asthma--spraying it on my Tongue would me the best way to get all of the benefits of many more cannibinoids than I am currently getting.

Mark

The weather has been very bleak here in Suburban DC. No sunshine, just rain and fog It's been a crazy December across the county ... shooting at a shopping mall ... shootings at churches. Maybe, we're just getting too use to this kind of stuff ... I really hope and pray that sanity can return to our North American lives. I feel like I'm rambling on but this shooting people has to stop. We have a right to bear arms but that does not mean it's a license to kill.[/QUOTE]
Mark,
It might be time for us all to start rambling about it. I too believe in the right to bear arms and own several. But, I wonder about military type weapons. I grew up around hunting and firearms and have many fond boyhood memories with my dad hunting. It just seems those types of weapons are way to easy to get and they are only good for one thing, they're not used for hunting.
I happen to watch to much news and have
to turn it off sometimes, it gets over-whelming and I have to leave it alone.
The rain is back here too.
Chuck