Using cannabis for RLS

[tens-or-bust]

I'm a long term sufferer of RLS. Mine comes on in the evening when I'm trying to relax after a long day. I've never sought out any medication. Choosing instead to use a TENS unit wen the symptoms get really hard to deal with. That works fine for me.

Last year I hurt my back and herniated a disc. I was able to get on the medical cannabis program in my state. I started using a vape pen for the pain. It contains about a half gram of cannabis concentrate that I can inhale as a vapor when ever I need to. I only use it in the evening, again when trying to relax. It has been a tremendous help. I take no medication. I only use the vape pen every evening.

As it turns out, the side benefit to the vaping is it also takes away my RLS in about 10 minutes. It just completely stops, period. I sleep through the night with no RLS at all.

If you have a program where you live you light try to get in. Not sure, although I doubt it, if RLS is a listed "ailment" for most programs. You may need to find another issue that IS listed. If not, find a source for cannabis and use a herb pen. It should have the same effect.

I have no side effects from using the cannabis and there is no hang over the next morning.

Worth a try. Why suffer if you do not have to?

[tealsea]

If I only had it during the day, I wouldn't care. It's the RLS that attacks when I'm trying to sleep. Also re. cannabis, I find it crazy that you have to be so careful about buying it. In WA and CO, they have nice department stores for every CDB product you can think of. In other words, this "medical excuse" is so yesterday!

[nightdancer in reply to tealsea]

IT will be totally legal in my state on July 1st! yay! There are 8 states now that have it totally legalized and mine will be the 9th! yay!!!!!! I have a medical card, but would rather just have it LEGAL.

[2fish83 in reply to tealsea]

Please research CBD oil. Easy to aquire and completely legal in UK

[nightdancer]

This is a UK forum, so most people who live in the UK cannot try this, it is illegal. BUT, I am from the US, and I totally agree with you. Cannabis helps me immensely, I still need meds, but it makes a huge difference when I have cannabis and when I am out. Right now I am out. So, not sleeping well. Thanks for your post!

[Hidden in reply to nightdancer]

It can be tried in the UK you just need to make sure you aren't caught because then its you will be tried!!!

[2fish83 in reply to nightdancer]

Please research CBD oil completely legal in UK and easy to aquire.

[MissionTBC in reply to 2fish83]

CBD is legal in the UK but is it true that medical cannabis in the legally enlightened US States is allowed more THC content which might be have a stronger effect for people with RLS and other PD symptoms ?

[Joolsg]

And that’s why it should be legalised for medical use. It’s incredible that you have it over there in the USA. Sadly, it’s illegal for us here in the UK.

So pleased you’re getting relief.

[tens-or-bust]

Interesting it is illegal in the UK when many of the largest seed sellers are located there. Amsterdam is an hour by plane from London. Many folks in the US who live in states where cannabis is not available do travel to other states where it is.

So many countries are legalizing, it is about time the UK come on board but that will take action on your part.

[Joolsg in reply to tens-or-bust]

The law is an ass, famous legal saying here in UK. Possessing and importing seeds is legal but growing them is illegal with severe penalties. We can fly to Amsterdam easily to use cannabis legally in “coffee shops” but would face imprisonment if we brought cannabis back.

Madness

[Hidden in reply to tens-or-bust]

The woman in charge of allowing cannabis states there is no medicinal value yet allowed her husband a license to grow it:

rt.com/uk/418696-drugs-tory...

plus the UK is a massive supplier of cannabis:

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

The drug companies make and distribute to the lucky few a spray that costs around £105 per bottle, (night have changed) but it can be made for $5!!!! The politicians are in league with the drug companies and therefore will fight cannabis legalisation.

Many high ranking police officers in the UK are pro cannabis legalisation so they can focus on proper crimes - but the politicians ignore those in a position to know.

The manipulation is so blatant and the negative propaganda so slick people are kept in ignorance - plus if it doesn't effect me I don't care is so prevalent with people that helps the crooked politicians and Big Pharma.

[tens-or-bust in reply to Hidden]

That's why you folks in the UK need to take up the cause as we have done state by state here in the US.

The DEA here in the US, the Drug Enforcement Agency, classifies cannabis and hemp as Schedule 1 drugs with no medicinal value. Yet, the US Government has one of the widest reaching patents for using cannabis to create medicine.

Cannabis if dirt cheap. It is a weed. Toss a seed in the ground and it will grow and grow as high as an apple tree. Concentrates made from the plant are also cheap to make and can be done in your kitchen for pennies.

Fight for what is right. Fight for what is yours.

[Hidden in reply to tens-or-bust]

I was involved in an online campaign a number of years ago that had people from all over the world send lanterns in the sky. It had people from about 7 or 8 countries doing it but there wasn't a huge response and people dropped away and all stopped.

It would be difficult to grow any decent cannabis in Ireland - its a cold wet place, too wet and cold for good cannabis, (and me).

[tens-or-bust in reply to Hidden]

Things are different today. More people think cannabis should be legalized than in years past. In fact, it is a majority here in the US and in Canada, which has already done it, country-wide.

As to growing in Ireland... Cannabis can be grown anywhere and there is no such thing as "bad cannabis". It's all good. You can have a single plant growing in your house under artificial lighting. You can harvest three months from planting the seed. That's four times a year. You will have from 320 to 400 grams of flower over that year from which you can produce 64 to 80 grams of vapable concentrate. That's a "street" value of over $5000 US dollars.

All from just one plant at a time. It's not rocket science. Anyone can do it. You can make your own medicine for you and your family. Stress, pain, anxiety... all medicated from a weed growing in your house.

Google "growing cabinet" and look under images. That should give you some ideas you can use.

You need to take back your rights. Get a group of like minded folks together. Start a movement called "One person, One plant". Keep it simple and do not ask for too much. You are more likely to get things changed if your demands are reasonable.

[Hidden in reply to tens-or-bust]

Where I live people have been shot and ordered to leave the country for using cannabis so even though many support its use medicinally few want to open their mouths as it could mean a bullet or emigration!

Growing inside or even in a green house is not beyond the scope of anyone with even slightly green fingers but again with kids they would talk and it would either end in police dragging you off to court or woolly faced ones dragging you off to an ally!!!

[tens-or-bust in reply to Hidden]

I feel sorry for you. I'm of Irish ancestry but I don't think I'd ever want to live there if it's still the 16th century.

[Hidden in reply to tens-or-bust]

For some they are stuck at 1690, others are struggling to get past 1916

The vigilantism is on the back of a largely discredited policing & military operation here. Plus people have been told for years that smoking cannabis leads directly to heroin and heroin is misery so its not difficult to see where they come from. In fact the North of Ireland has low illicit drug use, (huge prescription drug use), due to the troubles.

I lay the blame firmly at the feet of the government - they legalise cannabis, (all drugs) they remove a lot of support and function. Also illicit drugs are a huge money spinner for criminal gangs - judges, police, customs, health officials, politicians, brewerys and pharmaceutical companies. Its amazing how so many benefit from prohibition, even those that keep it illegal, imagine that!!

[2fish83 in reply to tens-or-bust]

CBD oil legal in uk! Please enquire and research

[DicCarlson]

Do you know what strain you use? I've tried some - and they are potent - but I think they were the "party" strain - kept me awake all night!

[Hidden in reply to DicCarlson]

Look for Indica only or predominantly Indica strains as they are more sedating, (use Sativa during day as it is more uplifting). However if you are using an Indica strain that has been harvested too early it is more likely to keep you up.

[tens-or-bust in reply to DicCarlson]

I have used a few different strains but for the last year or so I only use pure "AK-47" concentrate in a vape pen.

[Hidden in reply to tens-or-bust]

Think that's a high THC strain which I have found beneficial.

[tens-or-bust in reply to Hidden]

leafly.com/hybrid/ak-47

[Cheltena]

I do the same thing, though I am on Mirapex and Ambien to sleep. Been on those for about 15 years. I have the Relaxis Pad and use Cannibis only when suffering a really bad attack at night. It works!

[Hidden]

Mainly for me because it is illegal...

[divasmom8]

I’m so happy you’ve found relief! I live in Colorado so I have tried cannabis for RLS and unfortunately it doesn’t work for me. After many years and many, many different medications my Neorologist prescribed Methadone 5mg twice daily. I finally have relief from 24/7 full body RLS. In the US there is a major Crack down on opioid prescribing so I am very worried that my Dr. will stop prescribing it for me. Sadly, the addicts have ruined it for those of us that truly need it for quality of life.

[fchrist]

I tried cannabis for rls a few years ago but even the high indica strains made me so anxious! No rls, but couldn’t sleep for the anxiety. I have been on a pretty low dose of lorazepam for about a year and a half (.5mg) at bedtime and it has worked well up until a couple of monthes ago. I was desperate and tried some of my leftover cannabis and low and behold no anxiety and no rls! I slept well. No after effects in the am either. I have had rls for about 4 years. I tried not using meds at first but that is unsustainable. I tried a lot of the usual - sleeping pills (did nothing), trazadone (worked for about 3 days), hydrocodone (relaxed but no sleep), magnesium oil (didn’t notice anything but I still use it). Nothing really worked until the lorazepam. It doesn’t work every time but 8 out of 10. That’s pretty good for me. I am also on month 2 of a whole body detox by quicksilver scientific. I am seeing good results as of the last week. I am down to 1/2 a lorazepam (.25mg) and needing the cannabis only occasionally. I do live in WA where cannabis is legal (in the state - hooray for states’ rights).

[involuntarydancer]

I wish cannabis worked for my symptoms. It makes virtually no impact on them. It is great for sleep though.

[kelirock]

Very interesting article. Thank you. Medicinal cannabis is available in Queensland AU. for some ailments. When you use the tens machine what setting do you have it on and what area do you treat?

[tens-or-bust in reply to kelirock]

I created a web page that details how I use my tens unit.

webtfg.com/rls.htm

[Yvette0121]

Any one from Birmingham UK that smokes cannabis for relief on here?