PS: I Talking to the MJ experts, I guess the high tolerance that comes from being on narcotics for years also increases my MJ tolerance. Would love to hear suggestions for strains that work for folks with a high level of tolerance for opiods. Thanks a ton for any help

I have good luck with vaporizing strains that have around 25% THC and 5-10% CBD. For edibles, I like 40mg THC hard candies. I also use a topical ointment, which seems to help with inflammation.

For me, the relief from cannabis is different from the relief of opiates/anaesthetics. Rather than numbing pain, it changes the way I perceive it. It improves my ability to use other coping mechanisms (like progressive relaxation, mindfulness, or distraction.)

Hello.
I have CRPS, it is an extremely painful disease.
I turned to marijuana for the pain. I took 10 mg of Indica marijuana edible at bedtime. Indica strains are best for pain relief. Lemon OG is a good strain of Indica for pain relief.
You have to give it time to work. As in at least a month. It doesn't relieve pain as quickly as opiods. One time is not a fair chance.
I took it at bedtime so I slept through the high. It also knocked me out.
Use the "Leafly" app or website to find the best Indica strains for pain, relaxation, relief of muscle spasms, sleep. It not only shows you what the particular strain is good for medically but shows you the negatives as well.
Sativa marijuana is not good for pain
There are 3 types of marijuana, Sativa, Indica and Hybrids.
Within those 3 groups are different strains with goofey names such as Lemon OG, Deathstar, Skywalker OG, Grandaddy Purple and thousands of others.
Sativa strains are energizing and not good for pain or sleep. Indica's and some Indica hybrids are good for pain sleep etc. Get on the internet and Google "Lemon OG". Many different sites will come up but I used to use the Leafly site. Open Leafly & read what it says about Lemon OG, there is a bar graph that shows what it is good for and the negatives. There are customer reviews as well.
I was on crutches for a year, could not walk, could not put pressure on my foot. I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in my right foot and leg.
Taking Lemon OG lessened the pain enough that I started walking without crutches. It stopped the muscle spasms and put me to sleep and kept me asleep.
I have been walking for a year and a half now.
I stopped the marijuana in May of this year. I stopped cold turkey and did experience some withdrawals.
But it got me walking again and reduced my pain dramatically.
By walking again the CRPS is not as bad as it once was. My pain has gone from an 8, 9 & sometimes 10 to below a 5. Some days no pain at all just a weird numbness.
Give it another shot, give it time, do your research online. Find a dispensary that is knowledgeable about different strains for pain.
If you need help, private message me or post on this thread again.
I hope you find relief soon.
Tracy

I have Fibromyalgia too.

Topicals do lessen inflammation and do help with pain. Also you have to find a very pure CBD. CBD takes awhile to work as well. THC & CBD need to build up in your body
Sorry, so many posts. It's late and I'm tired.
Best of luck.
Tracy

Hi there I struggle with multiple areas of chronic pain, due to a work spinal injury. It has been 18years and I have tried everything our there for pain meds. I also have RSD so I get burning pain unbearable. But I found a prescription cream that takes the burning pain away for 4-6 hours. It is a combination of loratidine , and ketamine. it is expensive but worth every drop and it only takes the size of a quarter to do back and one leg. I am now trying Medical Mj, and I spoke to the MJ specialists who told me what kind of Mj to use for my pain. I don't like smoking it, don't like the high buzz or the smell left on you. So I grind it make a strong tea and drink that it helps so you can get a few hours sleep. I also made a tincture . Which is actually easy to make and I made candy, to suck on , and put it in bran muffins. Because it seems like every medication cause constipation. Sucks that drug companies can't work out the side effects. I also use a fentanyl patch , and hydro morph for break through pain. As well as I take arthritis medication .and anti-inflammatories.. I tried fibro meds but they put me in a deep depression and I got suicidal. Needless to say stopped that quickly. So I suffer with fibro.I wish there was something that could be done for that. I have tried, psychotherapy never worked for me. I tried nerve blocks through pain clinic, and lytlic nerve block surgery but the surgeon screwed up and made it worse. Can't sue them, because you sign a waver going into surgery. I hope this has helped you and not overwhelmed you. you got support here, just drop me a line. big hugs. Casey

CBD oil (which is all I take) has a "sweet spot," so more isn't necessarily better. That's the only frustrating part about using it to control or alleviate pain: It's a process. For some, there's immediate relief. For others, the relief comes after weeks of allowing the endocannabinoid system to react to the CBD. For some, one or two drops of isolate is all that's required. For others, a dropperful twice or three times a day is required (though I'm learning that this isn't the norm, that less really is more).