Medical marijuana

[Momof10]

Hi! I’m 53 year old women with RLS. I weaned myself off requip in January, my symptoms weren’t that bad for awhile but lately they’re coming back and getting worse. I am so scared to go back on any type of medication that could cause augmentation. Has anyone here tried marijuana? Legal or illegal? I’m desperate

[Joolsg]

I’m in the UK where marijuana is illegal BUT I do use it and it helps with deep sleep & RLS is therefore less likely to wake me.

I also used it during augmentation on Ropinirole (requip) and it gave me 20-30 mins of relief during the horrendous withdrawal.

If you can get it, definitely try it. Rick Simpson Oil is supposed to help or apparently a strain called Granddaddy Purple is meant to help neurological conditions, including RLS.

Also there are medications you can take that don’t cause augmentation - Gabapentin or pregabalin or Horizant. Low dose opioids like buprenorphine, Methadone, oxycontin and codeine are also used for RLS and don’t cause augmentation BUT you may have difficulties finding a prescriber in the USA (I’m presuming you’re from over the pond?) given the over prescribing that’s caused a backlash.

You could also get your bloods checked and ensure serum ferritin is above 100, preferably 300 as that relieves RLS in 45-50% of patients.

Also make sure you’re not taking anything that causes or worsens RLS like most anti depressants, sedating anti histamines and cough and cold meds like Benadryl.

[Jumpey in reply to Joolsg]

Can I ask where you get it? X

[Joolsg in reply to Jumpey]

My adult children have dodgy friends. However, I am led to believe that hairdressers are very helpful- I remember mentioning once to my hairdresser that I was in terrible pain ( Occipital neuralgia from my MS) & she readily offered marijuana. Could be worth mentioning next time you get a haircut?

😀

[involuntarydancer in reply to Joolsg]

Never heard that before

[Joolsg in reply to Jumpey]

P.S I am also on the waiting list for a doctor’s appointment with the UK legal cannabis supply.

Cannabis was legalised for MS in 2017 but there’s such a waiting list I may not get an appointment until June next year. If I qualify (pain, spasticity) I can then get legal medical marijuana at a cost of £150 a month.

Brave New World.

[Jumpey in reply to Joolsg]

Goodluck with that! It's sad you can't get it on the NHS.

Thanks for the advice!🤣

[Momof10 in reply to Joolsg]

It’s still illegal in my state. I have a virtual dr appointment Tuesday, I’m going to ask about some other options and the blood test. I could get marijuana but I’m kinda nervous about getting in trouble. Have you ever noticed or thought that symptoms are worse due to hormone changes. I’m pretty sure that my symptoms have gotten worse the last 5 years as I’m sure I’m nearing menopause. Also I had a kidney removed 5 years ago and idk if that triggered something. All I know is it’s miserable! Like torture and no one in my close circle understands. I’ve had a few people to tell me to put a bar of soap under my sheets at night, lol! I don’t even try to explain it to people anymore. Or they’ll say “my legs ache at night too”.... I think if they don’t have it they can’t understand which is frustrating. I’m wondering if the doctor even understands. I guess the main reason I was interested in marijuana is because I’m looking for something with little to no side effects. My dad smoked weed my whole life until he died, he loved the stuff and thought it helped with everything. He did tell me though that I don’t have the personality for it, I’m too uptight.

[Joolsg in reply to Momof10]

Interesting that it worsened when you had a kidney removed. RLS is very common in those with kidney disease/problems so there could definitely be a link.

Hormones could also be an issue- some women say RLS worsens with menopause, others that it improves.

Low ferritin is a major trigger for most women so do look into that as well.

I totally understand your reluctance to take marijuana if it’s illegal in your state. The USA has one of the harshest punishment systems in the world- I’d be reluctant to try it if I lived there.

Here in the UK if you’re using cannabis for personal use only in small amounts you’re more likely to get a slap in the wrist.

I hope.....🤞

[Whippetmama]

I use a type of Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and it works fir me. If you go the medical marijuana route, keep in mind that it is the THC that is beneficial for RLS, so look for a high THC strain.

[Jumpey in reply to Whippetmama]

Where do you get the oil ? I would like to try it.x

[DicCarlson in reply to Jumpey]

Instructions on how to make it and info on how to order. buyricksimpsonoil.com/

[Whippetmama in reply to Jumpey]

I live in Mexico, so unless you also live in Mexico I can't help you. Sorry.

[rkatt]

It’s a lifesaver for me. However the one time I needed it most, it failed. That was when I was coming off Pramipexole with wild augmentation. Nothing worked until the withdrawal stopped after months. Now I have to stop because it’s having a bad effect on my lungs. I haven’t been able to successfully make marijuana tea. This is in the UK where the Government recently told the police to ditch their soft approach to weed and get tough. The government who legalised medical marijuana in such a way that no prescriptions are possible.

[involuntarydancer]

It seems to work for some sufferers and not for others. I use it, made into an edible as I don't like to smoke it and also it lasts longer as an edible. Due to difficulties with obtaining it, I grow it myself. I don't find it has a significant impact on symptoms but it is soothing and, as Jools says, it is good for sleep. Have you tried kratom? It is legal to buy in some states in US and tends to be reliably effective against RLS than cannabis.

[Momof10 in reply to involuntarydancer]

I’m going to check into that

[Kysue]

I take two mirapex every night plus iron during the day and seems to be working most nights

[Momof10 in reply to Kysue]

I suffer terribly with chronic constipation and have been afraid of iron supplements. Does Mirapex have any side affects?

[involuntarydancer in reply to Momof10]

Mirapex is another name for pramipexole which is a dopamine agonist like requip. Given that you have successfully weaned off requip so recently, it would not be advisable for you to take this kind of medication again. In your shoes, I would definitely look at kratom (given you have indicated that legality is not a major consideration for you) though it can have an impact on the digestive tract with some people claiming it loosens the bowels and others finding it causes the opposite effect. It is more reliably effective against rls than marajuana.

Also, bear in mind that symptoms can wax and wane and this current worsening may be temporary. Kratom is great in that sort of situation because you can take it 'as and when'.

Constipation is a curse. Have you tried all the usual otc remedies? Many people on here suggest taking a magnesium supplement for a 'loosening' effect.

[Sampsie]

I can't get hold of any or I would take it! Please private message me if you grow your own and you can send me some seeds, or know where I can get some. I'd appreciate that.

I am trying to get an appointment through Project 21 but the wait for an appointment is long and there's no guarantee that they will prescribe it. I'm worried about getting a strain that is too strong too.

[Hidden in reply to Sampsie]

I went via The Medical Cannabis Clinics and called a couple of weeks ago and have an appointment in early September. Not too long a wait there.

I don't know where you live but if you google "Buy cannabis seeds UK/USA/Outer Mongolia" you'll have plenty of options. There are LOADS of cannabis user and grower sites to help you that way but for the love of all things holy - take care to keep yourself safe from the law - police do not understand intense suffering as justification for breaking immoral laws.

Drug law:

bmj.com/rapid-response/2011...

scholarship.law.georgetown....

[Sampsie in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Raffs. I have been accepted for an assessment too - perhaps in about two months. But, like all the clinics, you have to pay for your goods. They say it's £200 per month on average. Yowsers.

[Sampsie]

I just found this website that sells marijuana. It's not cheap.

420placeuk.com/product/acdc...

[Hidden]

I use cannabis. I much prefer the illegal stuff as everyone knows - if you aren't meant to do something its much more fun.

I live in a part of the world where we are still under the grips of the drug companies and their cronies in government and therefore cannabis is still illegal. I used to work and due to my work for years refused to use cannabis. Desperate times called for desperate measures and I began to use cannabis so I could continue to work. I believe it helped me stay at work for a couple of extra years.

I no longer work and I use illegal cannabis without much of a care about its legal status - I don't plan on getting caught so the law shouldn't be an issue. If I am caught, at least I will have gotten to live a lot better for a lot longer and it will hasten my emigration to a more forward thinking country.

That is IF I don't get a legal prescription after my assessment via Project21 next month.

drugscience.org.uk/project-...

I have found cannabis useful for pain, insomnia, poor appetite, poor energy, anxiety, nausea and RLS symptoms. It is a very versatile drug that I believe could replace all the other drugs I use if I could get enough of good quality.

The best strains for me have been ones high in THC - the modern thinking is CBD is the greatest cannabinoid for pain, etc but not for me. Also there are 100+ other cannabinoids to consider. How it is grown, dried and stored are other issues that need to be considered.

If you have no issues around the law side of things go for it, you only have your suffering to loose. If you cannot source it safely and a drug conviction would cause too much damage (loose your job, prevent access to relatives in another country) then look elsewhere.

As Joolsg mentions - Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is meant to be particularly helpful not just in treating symptoms but in treating the underlying causes of problems. People, and quite a few at that, have claimed it has cured their cancer:

youtube.com/watch?v=Wlk9KmG...(Not working as expected?)

It can be made at home, if a few simple safety precautions are taken, where you would go to buy it in a country where cannabis is illegal is anyone's guess (maybe some of Joolsg's kids dodgy mates might know )

[Momof10 in reply to Hidden]

I have sources if I decide to try it. I am afraid though because it’s illegal here. I’m not working now but if I ever need to I’ll have to pass a drug screen. I’m going to look into Rick Simpson oil

[involuntarydancer]

It is worth bearing in mind that rls does wax and wane in many sufferers. I have never found any pattern to mind (though I did see a mention of the full moon having a detrimental effect recently which I am going to look out for in future) and maybe you are just going through a bad patch which will improve in due course - rather than an inexorable worsening. I hope so.

[Momof10 in reply to involuntarydancer]

I wonder if that’s why I’m thinking it gets worse with hormonal changes in my cycle. I’m going to keep a log

[kleelibby]

I’m fortunate to live in Florida where medical marijuana is legal. I smoke before I go to bed and try to fall asleep before my legs kick in. It doesn’t always work.

[Tobias10]

My PCP suggested CDB oil and I tried it for a week but got no relief. Medical marajuana may be my next option because I do not want to try methadone as my neurologist keeps suggesting.

[Jolly_Treacle]

I do use it for anxiety, depression and chronic pain. I am here to let the stereotypes on mmj die already. It has helped me fight addiction and I would recommend you go to a marijuana doctor to figure out your dose and the strains for your condition.

[FendyGrey]

In my case, cannabis helps a lot, and I can tell you that I even decided to start growing it myself. I managed to discover many sources of useful info on the internet to learn more about the growing process, like optimiam.com/grow-sativa-st... , and I don't even remember the last time I struggled with pain.