I have not.

It's not a replacement for DMARDS.

If your pain is that bad that you're looking at marijuana, you might wish to consult with your rheumatologist about the DMARD you are taking. Could mean you need a higher dose.....or different drug.

The trouble with weed or painkillers is that you may mask the pain. If you're feeling pain your DMARD is likely not working effectively.

Lynn is correct that it's not a replacement for DMARDS. You, unlike Lynn, may have such an active case of RA that the DMARDS (in any combination or type) may not be controlling your disease to the point that you can maintain without some sort of "masking" for pain whether it is from pain killer, medical weed or diet or whatever. Also, the DMARDS could be having such a negative affect on your appetite that you may need something to stimulate it. I think it was a Johns-Hopkins (?) study that Nixon shelved on weed that pretty much stated that MaryJane makes you temporarily stupid and then hungry so you eat, sleep and then awaken. That's all the conclusions that came from the study.

Lynn, I appreciate your consistent participation on the forum but you should consider sitting in a chair that's a little less above everyone else. Just a possible consideration especially taken this particular week.

Have a wonderful Easter.

Nonightshades: 25+ years of this disease have given me a lot of experience regarding this disease. I write quickly and to the point. Am not here to hold hands. If it sounds condescending to you, then block me.

nighshades pot = stupid then hungry. that made me smile. i have enough 20 somethings around to test out that observation. laughing. but then neurontin can make me feel the same way. i hate fuzz head. i have to be clear so I can argue about politics. laughing again.

lonie didn't you just start your biologic? maybe you'll be way better in a few months. until then what can your rheum offer as a bridge?

I wasn't asking about just pain relief I heard it can also help with inflammation. Depot the doc wants to switch me to humira he didn't like the side effects I was having. I wasn't considering getting high lol. I was curious about the creams and lotions for aches and pains here or there.

Inflammation, by itself, does a lot of damage to a body. Reducing it is helpful overall. It's not the same thing as 'masking' pain so that you're unaware of it. It's simply stopping the resulting inflammation from doing further damage.

My whole history of PT, much of which pre-dates my diagnosis, has more to do with secondary inflammation than it did the original injury. An example: a sore back due to overexertion. Inflammation at the site of the injury/stress. A change in gait to favor the hurt side. A resulting postural imbalance that causes another injury. Rinse and repeat. I often ended up with more problems stemming from the inflammation than from the original problem.

Please don't let anyone tsk-tsk you out of trying something that may help you control inflammation, especially if it has your doctor's approval.

I see nothing wrong with using it occasionally in addition to your prescribed medication, especially as a cream or CBD oil. But definitely not as a substitute. I've always used Aspercreme typically for occasional localized pain.

I live in NV and has been self medicating with medical cannabis for several years now for arthritis conditions as well as ruptured disc. I do not at all like the feeling of being high therefore i mostly use topical oils that i prepare myself. This oil consistently has a high CBD level but also has a decent amount of THC also. I have come to see that both CBD and THC are necessary for iinflamation reduction ans pain releif. It does not make me high at all but does almost instantly reduce the inflamation and pain to a manageable level. I cannot get up and go to the bathroom at night or in the morning without it, it does not work without reapplying quite often so i have been using other meds for the majority of my day. I have also found that i can med an edible brownie and take just a 1/4 teaspoon dosage and that keeps me manageable for 4-6 hours depending on my daily pain level.
I am sure it is not a repkacement for DMARDS but at this point I am unable to pay for the DMARDS. I am in between insurance and cannot afford a preexisting condition.

I live in Illinois where RA is an approved condition for medical MJ. I applied and received a card for it right around the time that my rheumatologist was considering adding Plaquinil to my Humira treatment to control joint inflammation. She sent me for an eye exam before starting Plaquinil and said if the eye exam turned out OK she'd add it at my next appointment. Before I saw her again I started with the MJ - mostly vaping high CBD varieties in the evening before bed. By the time I saw her for the follow up appointment my joints had gone down and she determined that she didn't need to prescribe the Plaquinil. I'm still on the Humira and use the MJ almost every day. If I forget I do feel it in my joints.

MeggieLu how do you like humira? I am starting humira tomorrow. Did the medical marijuana help your inflammation?