Medical marijuana

[lorri214]

Has anyone tried medical marijuana such as the drops, mints or smoke it whatever. If so, did it work. A friend of mine smokes it and said her rls is gone. Im afraid to try it. any feedback?

[RestlessNights11]

No I haven’t tried it but I have discussed it w my Dr. He has said there isn’t a lot of evidence. I have just had back surgery and the medicos hoped that would help…4 weeks post spinal fusion and last night my legs were terrible!

I find one Endone and maybe a paracetamol is helpful….but you are judged because of the type of drug - especially GP’s or other medicos basically think you are abusing drugs. I now need to wait for an appointment in 10 days to get medication - GP’s will not prescribe ongoing opioids.

I think of my beautiful mum - we didn’t know about RLS years ago and some days she would say ‘oh my legs were so bad last night’. I am the youngest of 8 children and me and two sisters have RLS…unfortunately mine are the worst.

[serengazer in reply to RestlessNights11]

Hi thereI have been using THC for six yrs now and it was life changing. I am 62 and so wish I had tried decades ago!! Many docs advise CBD as they feel more comfortable with that but personally CBD never helped me at all. Once I tried THC I understood how amazing weed could be for RLS and insomnia.

I have vaped the herb and Shatter, eaten edibles, drank tea and used oils.

All of these have worked but you have to experiment with timing and amounts to suit you personally. Shatter is clean, quick and uses tiny amounts so while expensive can last a long time. Very effective!

You can look online to see how to make tea and edibles or if legal, purchase. So many options in Canada now.

I use in tandem with other meds but it has made them more effective because THC from Indica or hybrid strains are most relaxing.

I hope you live in an area that allows you to buy cannabis as the best way is to just experiment yourself. Doctors tend to dismiss THC out of a misguided understanding; after years of all weed being considered dangerous and illegal.

On that note I do take a break once a year for a few weeks to clear any stoner side effects. I just prefer to do that, and unlike alcohol, the brain can completely restore itself from cannabis. Not alcohol.

All the best and I do hope you can find some solid relief,

Teresa

[kelirock]

Hello, I use cannabis at night, just 3 puffs is enough for me and it works so well, I would hate to be without it now. I also take Pregabalin 150mg at night which compliments the cannabis.

[lorri214 in reply to kelirock]

I take oxycodone and mirapex. If I tried vaping and it is not working can I take my regular meds.

[kelirock in reply to lorri214]

I am not a doctor, I am just a RLS sufferer. Any information or advice you need about your regular medication and something you are trying to add really needs to be discussed with your treating medical practitioner. I cannot advise you, all I can do is share my experiences and results of different things I have tried.

[Goldy700]

I absolutely find it wonderful. The oil I was first prescribed was CBD/THC mix and it is very calming at night. My doctor then suggested I try cannabis bud with a vaporiser. I find this works so much better as it is instant and melts away that horrible RLS feeling and also makes me feel sleepy. The good thing is a have absolutely no residual feeling the next day and I only take it at night which is when I get RLS (unless I go to a movie or concert where I have to sit for hours). For me it is definitely the medication of choice and the risk of addiction is extremely low. I live in Australia and can get it legally.

[lorri214 in reply to Goldy700]

How long after taking the oils does it work. I heard it takes possibly 2 hours. If after you take it, you are still getting some rls can you take oxycodone and mirapex the usual meds.

[Goldy700 in reply to lorri214]

I find oils take about 2 hours to kick in. Vaping you start slowly with a few small puffs holding it in the lungs for as long as you comfortably can. You need to get the correct cannabis bud - usually the purple Indica varieties which are calming and sleep inducing. The Sativa are more stimulating so you don't want that. You adjust slowly according to your unique sensitivity. I find the bud that my doctor prescribes is grown for sleep and relaxation so it works very well for me. I go from feeling horrible uncomfortable feelings in my legs and back because I get whole body RLS to a melting sensation. If you are in a country that allows legal cannabis your prescriber will be well acquainted with the best variety for you. Good luck with it. It is great we are starting to get options which are so less addicting and harmful. I was reading the addiction rate of cannabis is about 6% compared to opioids near 100%.

[lorri214 in reply to Goldy700]

i tried vaping once. I didn't like it because I was choking and couldn't get it right. Maybe because I never smoked. I was told it takes practice. What do you think.

[serengazer in reply to lorri214]

Hi Lorri. I have been vaping now for 6 yrs and it definitely helps RLS for me. It does take practice. Pull a small amount into the top of you mouth before you pull it down into your lungs. Also just take small ‘sips’ not big pulls. In the beginning I had a small cup of creamy milk and took a small sip in between puffs. The easiest to control is just some Shatter in a vape pen. Very little needed so less time vaping! All that said you can just as easily make tea, eat edibles and take drops of oil. They just need to be consumed a bit longer before bedtime. All the best.

[Joolsg]

I used it for about 10 months and it helped knock me out for 3/4 hours. I was on 25mg Oxycontin and 150mg pregabalin but still had severe RLS. The cannabis was an improvement. If you have mild RLS then it should help. If your RLS is severe, it may help a little but you would probably need other meds as well.I'm now on Buprenorphine and have zero RLS so no longer need the medical cannabis.

[lorri214 in reply to Joolsg]

can you use your other meds (oxycodone and mirapex) if needed when using the marijuana. im afraid of using the oxy when using marijuana. I cant ask the dr. these questions because he is not in favor of the marijuana. My friend says her life has changed since vaping. no more rls or sleepless nites!!!

[Joolsg in reply to lorri214]

I used it with oxycontin and pregabalin and it was fine. It was the only thing that gave me a few hour's sleep. As medical cannabis is now legal in the UK I had no problem telling my doctors and neurologists that I am taking it.Are you still on mirapex? Sadly, not much will help if you're augmenting except to slowly get off it by half a 0.088(0.125) pill every 2 to 3 weeks.

[lorri214 in reply to Joolsg]

My main concern (one of the concerns) is can I take oxycodone when using marijuana if needed. I'm afraid to ask my dr since he doesnt agree with using marijuana. I have been trying to decide what to do over a year now and I cannot make a decision because of my meds. I would be happy to stop my meds if the marijuana works. I just have to experiment and find out.

[Joolsg in reply to lorri214]

Yes. I took medical marijuana witn Oxycontin.

[BeachGolfer in reply to lorri214]

I am taking Oxycodone and vaping or gummies of Delta 8 THC ( legal in most US States) without CBD and have no problems.

[lorri214 in reply to BeachGolfer]

I have been trying the marijuana for a week now. So far, I don't feel relaxed, just dizzy at times. I tried the drops - no relaxation. I have to keep increasing until I feel something I understand. I am getting discouraged. I tried vaping last night. Spread it out, every 10 minutes I increased it. Got up to 10 puffs. I was very dizzy, but my rls was there and I couldn't get rid of it!!! Maybe I'm not inhaling properly. Any suggestions???

[Jumpey]

I agree with Jools. I have severe RLS and helps me for 2-3hours .If you have mild symptoms ot may help throughout the night. You need to have THC for it to be effective. Good luck.x

[omyjimmylegs]

I use THC tincture or make butter and then medicted cookies, brownies, etc. I try not to smoke it, lungs and all....

I dropped ropinirole after 6 weeks (augmented). Never again. I use weed. It works and is my drug of choice

[phj505b]

There's no extensive studies because it's illegal in US. But MANY articles I've read have said it appears to help. Even the CDC in the states has acknowledged "recently patients reports of a remarkable and total remission of RLS symtoms following cannabis use have been reported". I'm using a gummy with 10 mg THC & 15 mg CBD. I do indeed get total remission as effectively as Oxycontin. My neurologist said there's not enough data to prescribe , but fairly easy to get. I plan to have an off the record conversation at next appt. but for me, it's been very effective.

[lorri214 in reply to phj505b]

My friend vapes and has rls. She said the med. marijuana has changed her life. No more rls or sleepless nights.

[lorri214 in reply to phj505b]

I got my card and will be going to the treatment center to purchase it. I planned on getting the oils, but will ask about the gummies. I am a little nervous about it because I plan on not taking the oxycodone with it. My dr. said that is not a good idea to combine both. But what if the oil doesn't work and I can't take the oxycodone. Then what!!!

[marsha2306]

I have a Medical Marijuana card. When I’m in a lot of pain or having a bad RLS night and can’t go to sleep I chew a gummy. I use 2:1 (20 mg CBD/10mg THC)

[lorri214 in reply to marsha2306]

Do you take any other meds for rls. When I applied for the card they were hesitant about giving it to me because I take oxycodone. They said not to take oxycodone with marijuana.

[marsha2306 in reply to lorri214]

I got the card because I have constant nerve pain, not because of RLS. But When I have a bad pain night I chew a gummy. I found it also helps if I am having an RLS issue at bedtime. I actually take Gabapentin only for the RLS.

[phj505b in reply to lorri214]

I found it worked as well if not more than the Oxycontin. Definitely wouldn't use both.

[BeachGolfer]

I also use 100mg of CBD capsules for sleep and vape THC in addition to taking Oxycodone in the evening and at bedtime. I’ve had no problems with this combination. I wish you relaxation and sleep.

[lorri214 in reply to BeachGolfer]

I finally went to the dispensary and purchased MCT oil (grape ape). I cant say it relaxed me. I was very dizzy. Although my RLS seemed better, it acted up in the middle of the nite and I took 1/2 oxycodone pill. That helped. I called the dispensary and they told me my body might have to get used to the oil. Try the oil three hours before bed, then one or two puffs from the cartridge. I under stand it takes a while to get the dose right.

[TheDoDahMan]

If you've used cannabis before without a bad reaction, then I wouldn't worry about mixing it with your other meds. Especially if you're smoking it, insofar as you can take just a bit at a time and see how it goes.

[lorri214 in reply to TheDoDahMan]

The only med I worry about mixing is the oxycodone. Only because the oxycodone is a powerful drug. I keep wondering if taking the two together would cause some type of problem...

[TheDoDahMan]

I have used methadone, also a powerful drug, in conjunction with cannabis for years, with absolutely no problems. If you have a friend who vapes, I suggest you try some with her/him in order to ally your concerns.

[lorri214 in reply to TheDoDahMan]

Thanks. I can do that . l have tried doing that before. It was funny because since I never smoked I couldnt master the inhaling part. I kept choking. So I have to practice. I didn't like it.

[lorri214 in reply to lorri214]

Last night my RLS was so bad for hours. I could not sit. I had to keep walking, couldn't even sit in the bath. And this is with taking my meds. I'm trying to figure out why sometimes it gets so bad. Last night I had a piece of chocolate. Maybe that's why. But I have had chocolate before and I was fine. It is such a mystery. Out of all the things wrong with me, RLS is definitely the worst!!!

[soupersuzy in reply to lorri214]

I know exactly what you mean Lorri. I also have many issues but my RLS/PLMD is by far the worst to cope with. Why are some nights so bad that we can't even sit? I've racked my brain trying to work out what I've done or eaten that day but nothing is obvious. Good luck with the cannabis.

[lorri214 in reply to soupersuzy]

RLS is a mystery. My husband keeps telling me to switch doctors. I already tried that. There is no answer. I have an appt with my dr. today. I'm going to ask him about the cannabis today. Pretty sure he wont approve of it. My son said they wont approve of it because then they will lose business. Who knows.

[phj505b in reply to lorri214]

GUMMIES! Start w very low dosage. I split mine in half.

[lorri214 in reply to TheDoDahMan]

I applied for my medical marijuana card online today. I have an interview this afternoon. I'm nervous about this. I hope I get approved!!!

[TheDoDahMan]

"Out of all the things wrong with me, RLS is definitely the worst!!!" Well, Lorri, you will certainly find much agreement with that sentiment on these pages. But remember that we all love you, and will do our best to help, nourish, and at least commiserate with you on our journey to climb our way out of this confounding situation we would never have thought to find ourselves in. Chin up, girl, we're all in this thing together!