Ask your doctor about a pain management clinic but yes meditation can work. Chronic long term pain is a big drain on mental energy. Wish you best thoughts.

Unless you have been to all of the pain management doctors in your area you have no way of knowing what they will and won't prescribe. Doctors prescribe medications based on each patient. You can't go by what others tell you. Including other doctors.

I have osteoarthritis really bad... I drink cherry juice with tumeric ... there are other anti inflammatory foods... a pain mgmt clinic would be good for answers to...((hugs)) polar

Ive also been trying to manage pain. Ive tried some of that meditation and all, lol meh still a work in progress. The best thing ive found, is to move around, do some exercise and gentle stretches. You dont have to push yourself, but I find moving is a big help to distract myself from pain. And to remind yourself its okay, just be compassionate and gentle with yourself. I hope that helps! Your not alone (hugs)

Sorry, I'm not sure managing true chronic pain is possible by will or mental ability. I'm not a believer in all things holistic or homeopathic....then again I've had 30+ surgeries, been doing Pain Management since I was 17, umm..31 years and take 22 meds a day to make my crapass body work at a decent level 5 on the pain scale so I can work and have a life. I'm old and set in my ways.

I also don't think there's a such thing as a "shared way" of people managing pain, it's as individual as eye color, you have to figure out what works for you. I don't believe anyone should rely on just pain meds, there's a combination of therapies that works for everyone, trick is you have to find what combo works for you. Good wishes on your journey, I hope you find what your looking for.

I was taking oxycodone and fentanyl (spelling?) and couldn't stand the doctor reducing my pills as my pain kept getting worse. I chose to cold turkey the drugs and switch to medical marijuana. Its amazing how it works as well if not better and it doesn't get me dopey and spaced like the drugs did. I hope your state has this available for you to try.

{ I have osteoarthritis, I have one hip replaced, lost one leg due to infection in a knee replacement. I also have torn rotators in my shoulders and minimal balls left in both shoulders. }

just a note, because people don't necessarily get the bad side of Medical MJ. 3% of people who regularly smoke Marijuana for whatever reason will develop a Mental Illness, a Major Mood Disorder/Psychosis type Mental Illness. 3% may not seem like a lot....but that's one helluva side effect.

Also Highway Patrol's in all States are now developing and implementing "Driving while Impaired" testing for those who think they can smoke and jump in a car and be perfectly safe. Its different than the test for Alcohol and focuses more on medical information and your body.

I am interested in where the information came from in regards to the response about medical marijuana causing mental illness. I am aware that abuse of any drug may have adverse side effects, but I have never heard of the mental illness as a side effect. There is always the possibility that these 3% already had a mental problem?

I am all for duii tickets to anyone driving under the influence of marijuana. Same as alcohol.

I first saw the Information on a documentary type show called Weediquette, which is a newew show that proves and debunks the information out on MJ use. I then searched through some of my Medical Journals to see if it was true.

This is from a simple Bing search, not even from a Medical Journal, its an article in the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

"Regular use of the drug has appeared to double the risk of developing a psychotic episode or long-term schizophrenia.

Over the past few years, research has strongly suggested that there is a clear link between early cannabis use and later mental health problems in those with a genetic vulnerability - and that there is a particular issue with the use of cannabis by adolescents.

Depression

A study following 1600 Australian school-children, aged 14 to 15 for seven years, found that while children who use cannabis regularly have a significantly higher risk of depression, the opposite was not the case - children who already suffered from depression were not more likely than anyone else to use cannabis. However, adolescents who used cannabis daily were five times more likely to develop depression and anxiety in later life.

Psychoses - schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

There is now sufficient evidence to show that those who use cannabis particularly at a younger age, such as around the age of 15, have a higher than average risk of developing a psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

These studies also show that the risk is dose-related. In other words, the more cannabis someone used, the more likely they were to develop a psychotic illness. Furthermore, a study in Australia recently showed that those who used cannabis could develop the illness about 2.70 years earlier than those who did not."

THC just like any chemical found in any drug, legal or illegal, has adverse effects on the human brain, when used on a constant daily basis. I realize that people want MJ to be the answer to Chronic Pain and other Medical Issues, but rarely will there be a majic cure that has no negative side to it, and this one can pack one helluva negative side effect.

One thing you'll learn about me, is I don't post information that isn't true, most people on these Support Boards will tell you that. I research what I post and make sure its legit before I post information on any topic.

@chronicpainsaver, where do you live and what type of medication did you get filled? If you are in the US, you can't get (narcotics, opioids) from the UK. Controlled substances are banned. If you DID get an online pharmacy to fill something like that, then it's not a legit pharmacy and you are going to be receiving something other than what you ordered. If that's the case, I would NOT take whatever it is you receive. So make sure it's a verified pharmacy (they have specific credentials you should be able to see on their website) and if they don't have it....don't take any medication sent to you by them. They are scams.

I got off most of my pain meds the last 2 years, but I was still sick a lot due to my sensitivity to perfumes bringing on the migraines. I can smell dryer sheets from 160 ft away so life is tough. But CBD oil has been my saviour. CBD oil is the only part of medical marijuana that is legal in most of the USA. It doesn't get you high. You don't feel anything at all. Unfortunately, it does have .08 THC in it so if you take a lot like I do, it will show up on a drug test. I still have migraines and FMS/arthritist pain, but it is manageable on most days. Tia chi helps me a bunch by keeping my mind on it and not me. I am just learning about meditation. I tried in the past, but gave it up. It didn't help a bunch, but this time I am doing mindfulness meditation. Wish me luck. Best of luck to you too.

I so agree with the CBD oil. It is exactly as Boannie says. It doesn't get you loaded and helps the pain. As to the previous comments on mental health and marijuana use, this is only in continuous use at an early age, not adults just starting to use for pain. There are a lot of "scare" tactics used to try to make marijuana illegal again. Making it impossible for the chronic pain sufferers, and padding the pockets of the drug dealers. I guess I am on my soap box and should get off for now. Holliday greetings to all.

I use medical marijuana tincture that I make with the magical butter maker. I get the high in CBD. It doesn't take away ALL my pain, but it does help with the sever edge. It also helps me sleep. The drawback is that it is very expensive if you have to use a lot of it. I have to take 2 tsp at a time and sometimes 2 tbl to bring the pain from about a 9 down to about a 5. That's why I make my own tincture using glycerine.

I've had a few disagreements here and there with OlderCper but the main reason I come here is to read her posts because she DOES do her research. Through the years, she has posted great information. I've never had reason to doubt what she says.

Alexia, I hope you find a solution to help you.