Grateful for medical cannabis

I've really pushed the last couple weeks, with a new job and all. (Oh, didn't I tell you? I've started working at a medical cannabis dispensary.) Now it's Sunday and I'm just finishing up a 3-day weekend off. Doesn't seem that I got to enjoy it much, since I've spent most of the time recuperating. Slept most of Friday and today. Yesterday I managed to get out and about, but must have overdid it. I'm paying for that today.

Most of my pain today is in my neck and back. It's been hard to get comfortable. I think I'll have Hubby rub some Biofreeze on my neck and upper back.

I always have a supply of prescription pain meds in the cabinet, but I hate taking any of them. My repertoire begins with Ibuprofen, then goes on to include Vicodin, Codeine, Ativan, and a muscle relaxer. Some make me itchy; they all make me sleepy. The drug hangover the next day is the worst. But sometimes the pain gets to a point where I have to take something just to break the cycle. Going easy on it seems to prolong the flare rather than allowing it to subside.

Medical cannabis keeps the pain at bay without the nasty side effects. Sure, I can get a little ditsy, high, stoned, but at least I'm still awake. So what if I giggle and laugh a little more. Laughter is like a massage for all my internal organs, especially my heart. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all laughed more?

With cannabis I don't find myself scratching my head, my nose, my ears, my face, like I do with opiates. I can wake up feeling refreshed, which anyone with fibro knows is unusual. How many nights I longed for one, just one, really good night's sleep. I had come to accept feeling groggy in the morning as normal. Funny how your view of normal changes when you have a chronic condition.

I'm not complaining. You live with the cards you're dealt. I have fibro, but it's not who I am; it's not my identity. And I'm really grateful that Colorado voters approved an amendment to the Constitution allowing for the medical use of marijuana. I'm a novice, still learning and experimenting with various strains. I prefer vaporizing over smoking. I'm fascinated by edibles.

I'm also grateful that I've found a place where I can learn on the job. I'm like a sponge, absorbing new information every day. And the people I work with are so kind, answering any question I have without making me feel like an idiot. I guess I've learned a lot over the last few weeks, because I'm surpirsed and some of the things I hear coming out of my mouth when I'm talking with patients; things I didn't realize I knew because I didn't know them a couple of months ago.

The Biofreeze seems to be doing its job. The cannabis cookies are starting to kick in. I think I'll take a couple hits off the SSV Silver Surfer Vaporizer. Maybe I'll get a good night's sleep and feel better in the morning. As Scarlet said at the end of Gone with the Wind, "After all... tomorrow is another day."

The goat and the gun

Trying a couple new strains these days: Golden Goat and AK-47. Just medicated with AK-47 for sleep.

Golden Goat doesn't make me sleepy right away. In fact, it's a great evening med. It mellows me out, but not to the point of being stupid. I can still think, converse, do things, make sense of my environment. I'm just more relaxed. But about two hours later it hits me... bam! I'm sleepy and ready to head to bed. If I time it right, I won't spend much time lying awake.

AK-47 is supposed to be for sleep, but not to just wipe you out. Tonight is the first time I've tried it, so I don't have any experience with it yet. I'll let you, my loyal readers, know what happens.

So far I've tried:

• Great White Shark - for sleep. Made my heart race and pound. Didn't much like it.
• Honeydew - for daytime. It's okay. Not fab, but it works. Nothing extra.
• Northern Lights IV - for daytime. Dampens the pain without turning my brain to mush.
• Purple Snow - for sleep. Agrees with me much better than GWS. Nice relaxed sleep without a drug hangover like with sleeping pills (especially Ambien for me).
• Golden Goat - nice delayed sleepiness.
  
• AK-47 - ??? (I don't like the name, by the way.)
  

I have a couple other strains on hand to try. A new friend may be bringing me a clone of Northern Lights so I can grow it myself. It's pretty popular, especially with women. And I've been told that Kali Mist is good for women too, so he may bring me a clone of that too. As a medical user, it's tough when you find a strain that really works for you but you can't always find it. Best just to start growing it yourself or find a grower to do it for you.

I'm getting sleepy, but not overwhelmed. Time to put me and my AK47 to bed.

My first post

Tada! Here is my first post on my new blog about my experiences with medical marijuana.

I'm 50 years old. I've had fibromyalgia for over 20 years, before most doctors even considered it a "real" diagnosis. I was officially diagnosed by a rheumatologist about 15 years ago. Overall, I'm pretty functional, but do have chronic pain and fatigue.

I'm also the primary caregiver for my elderly mother. The additional stress takes its toll on my body and emotions. I recently doubled the dose of my antidepressant (NSRI).

I also have hypertension with readings of around 140/92. I've been on medication for several years: a diuretic and an ACE-inhibitor.

I recently quit smoking. Today marks 92 days without a cigarette.

Being middle-age I'm also dealing with typical aging issues like menopause and weight gain.

I'm tired of taking traditional drugs for all these issues. I worry about the longterm effects of NSAIDs which don't help much anyway. I don't like the side-effects of opiates like vicodin. I also have muscle relaxers and anti-anxiety meds. The antidepressant doesn't work as well after awhile, so you have to keep increasing the dose. I'd rather be decreasing it. One of the side-effects of BP meds and antidepressants is reduced libido, which I hate and my husband hates even more! Need to get that corrected if I want a happy and fulfilling marriage.

Medical marijuana has been legalized in Colorado where I live. And I've recently met the owner of a legal distribution center. So about 10 days ago I met with a doctor who authorized my use of medical marijuana for chronic pain, depression, hypertension, PTSD, and caregiver fatigue. I've started trying various strains to see how I feel with interesting and sometimes surprising results.

So that's my background info. Thought it might be useful.