Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group
Crohn's disease is a systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause, that results in chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, and can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no known medical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease, but there are many medical...
I'm 24 years old, diagnosed with Crohn's at age 3. For the past 21 years the doctors have struggled to keep my disease under control, sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don't.
I'm going on about 2 years now of nothing helping. I'm not responding to the treatments they've tried [Remicade and Cimzia] and I'm about to go on a drug they are calling the "last resort".
My pain is CONSTANT and has been more or less that way the last couple years. My pain is crippling to where sometimes I cannot stand, sometimes I cannot even breath. On an average day I take 1 and 1/2 Norco, 2-3 Extra Strength Tylenol, 1 Benadryl, 1/2 a Xanax, and a nausea med EVERY 4 HOURS. I am terrified thinking of what all these drugs are doing to my system, but it's the only thing I can do that makes me even halfway functional.
I've told the doctors about everything I am taking, I've told them on average I go to the bathroom once every 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours with 1-3 tablespoons worth of blood each time- And while they tell me I shouldn't be taking all those meds, they aren't giving me any alternative. If I go to the ER they just load me up with Morphine and send me back home where everything remains the same.
I've been doing everything I can for myself to try and improve things. I adhere to a strict diet now, and I take several supplements, such as acidophilus. All of it seems to be to no avail though.
I am at the end of my rope. I'm frustrated that nothing seems to be helping, I'm stressed so bad I can't even make the 10 minute drive to Wal*Mart without having a full blown panic attack because I'm away from a bathroom, I'm in pain that's terrible at best; I'm at the very end of my rope..
So what I'd like to find out is people's experiences using marijuana to help treat their Crohn's. It's gotta be safer then constant Xanax and Norco use. I've never done pot before, and I really don't know much about it as a treatment method. Does it work? Which symptoms does it help?How effectively does it work? How often/how much do you take? What are the negatives here?
Any pros or cons you'd be willing to share are greatly appreciated. And I'd also happily accept any other suggestions for things that might help with the pain and bazillion bathroom trips.
I'm going on about 2 years now of nothing helping. I'm not responding to the treatments they've tried [Remicade and Cimzia] and I'm about to go on a drug they are calling the "last resort".
My pain is CONSTANT and has been more or less that way the last couple years. My pain is crippling to where sometimes I cannot stand, sometimes I cannot even breath. On an average day I take 1 and 1/2 Norco, 2-3 Extra Strength Tylenol, 1 Benadryl, 1/2 a Xanax, and a nausea med EVERY 4 HOURS. I am terrified thinking of what all these drugs are doing to my system, but it's the only thing I can do that makes me even halfway functional.
I've told the doctors about everything I am taking, I've told them on average I go to the bathroom once every 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours with 1-3 tablespoons worth of blood each time- And while they tell me I shouldn't be taking all those meds, they aren't giving me any alternative. If I go to the ER they just load me up with Morphine and send me back home where everything remains the same.
I've been doing everything I can for myself to try and improve things. I adhere to a strict diet now, and I take several supplements, such as acidophilus. All of it seems to be to no avail though.
I am at the end of my rope. I'm frustrated that nothing seems to be helping, I'm stressed so bad I can't even make the 10 minute drive to Wal*Mart without having a full blown panic attack because I'm away from a bathroom, I'm in pain that's terrible at best; I'm at the very end of my rope..
So what I'd like to find out is people's experiences using marijuana to help treat their Crohn's. It's gotta be safer then constant Xanax and Norco use. I've never done pot before, and I really don't know much about it as a treatment method. Does it work? Which symptoms does it help?How effectively does it work? How often/how much do you take? What are the negatives here?
Any pros or cons you'd be willing to share are greatly appreciated. And I'd also happily accept any other suggestions for things that might help with the pain and bazillion bathroom trips.
The way it sounds to me you need to take advantage of marijuana. The thing I like about it is that it is all natural and not made in a drug factory with additives and preservatives crammed into it. I guess I see it as something that can only help you and will definitely not hurt. I wish I could be of more help. I wish you the best and hope things turn around for you soon. Take care. Charlie
Also- I can't believe pot these days. There are different strains that do different things. Some are good for pain, anxiety, nausea ect. My husband got a strain good for pain but not nausea. Do you live in a state where you can get a card?
I am ambivilant about it as it can cause some depression and because it is illegal.... but for him it really has worked.
she told me that it isnt like street marijuana that it is more pure and wont cause the paranoia side effects that street one can.
My GP had suggested MMJ several months earlier, but I declined., telling him I wasn't interested in getting high. He encouraged me to read up on it and to discuss it with my GI. The GI was against it, but all the reading I was doing was very positive. I decided to give it a try. Lo and behold, two weeks after beginning a nightly regimen before bed time, I was symptom free and drug free (except the pot).
Now, nearly four years and a few ups and downs later, here's what I can tell you, from my experience... All Marijuana is not the same. There are a plethora of components in Marijuana that have therapeutic value and only a couple that get you "high". CDB's are known to have anti-inflamitory properties, but do not have the psycho-active side effect that THC does. Different strains have different levels of these components and an analysis should be available on the strains that are available to you, SHOULD be, except our government has its head up its' ass when it comes to legally testing pot. Even so, there are labs that have tested strains and have a general profile available.
Do as much reading as you can and decide what is best for you, then see what is available to aid your symptoms. As for me, Thai strains seems to be the best. While technically a Sativa, they exhibit properties different from either a Sativa or an Indica.
Do yourself a favor and read as much as possible and have a discussion with your doc. Hopefully you can have an open, honest, enlightened discussion that helps you decide.
Here's a great Video. It's long, but well worth the time to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy66MUZP538
Good luck,
Chuck
The strains are markedly different and can have differing effects.
Educate yourself as much as possible.
i rarely smoke pot, but when i am having a lot of nausea, or bad flare, i get some and have a tiny bit each night after my kid goes to sleep. It helps me.
as for anxiety, i have an anxiety disorder, and was recently hospitalized with severe anxiety, was in for 10 days getting sorted out, and on a ton of atavan, which sucked really bad. pot seems to help my anxiety, but it can have the opposite effect for some people.
i say, give it a try, if it helps, great, if not, no harm done. the risks and side effects from pot are minimal to non existant.
good luck, hope you find some relief soon!