Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Medical Marijuana for UC & the CCFA

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 2
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
freddyj
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2011
Posts : 1293
Posted 10/14/2016 4:51 PM (GMT -7)
You poor thing, if you need the government to tell you that medical marijuana is less toxic than prednisone then there's no help anyone here can give you. good luck!

If you got my point, congrats!
profile picture
beave
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 2260
Posted 10/14/2016 5:04 PM (GMT -7)
The government? Really?

I don't need the government to tell me anything.

I do, however, need SCIENCE to tell me.

You do realize that science and the government are not the same things, right?
profile picture
freddyj
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2011
Posts : 1293
Posted 10/14/2016 5:10 PM (GMT -7)
Goodbye
profile picture
pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 10/14/2016 6:49 PM (GMT -7)
MJ is safer/better than prednisone and I have used both, I don't care what the science behind it states between the 2, no one will ever convince me prednisone is better (in any way) than MJ, for IBD at least.
profile picture
pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 10/14/2016 7:00 PM (GMT -7)
Government involvement in science pretty much go hand in hand, the government gives the funding for the research, the government also decides what is allowed for human consumption and what is not. Governments are involved pretty much in any big money making profits companies.
profile picture
IamCurious
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 3670
Posted 10/14/2016 7:13 PM (GMT -7)
Please refer to the previous posts in this thread. There is very little science conducted in the U.S. Because MM is Schedule 1. However other countries in the world, especially Israel, have found it to be very effective.

If you prefer to remain on prednisone until MM is no longer a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S., followed by years of research in U.S., then be my guest. In the meantime don't begrudge someone who seeks relief through MM rather than suffer the side effects of pred.

IamCurious said...
MM is a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S. so it may not be fair to ask for long term studies proving its safety. But Israel is the world leader in science on the medical uses of marijuana and they are conducting research proving MM efficacy in UC and Crohn's as well as a host of other diseases included epilepsy and ALS, etc.

So far very few or no side effects found. You cannot say that about Pred.

blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2016/03/12/worth-repeating-medical-marijuana-defeats-crohns-disease/
A small human trial in Israel in 2011 found that “Of the 30 patients 21 improved significantly after treatment with cannabis.

Authors concluded that “this is the first report of cannabis use in CROHN’s disease in humans.

In 2013, researchers reported “complete remission” of Crohn’s Disease Activity in 5 of 11 cannabis test subjects in a prospective 21-person placebo-controlled study. Eight weeks of THC-rich cannabis “produced significant clinical, steroid-free benefits to 10 of 11 patients with active Crohn’s disease, compared with placebo, without side effects.


IamCurious said...
The same information about Israel's marijuana research was also published in The Washington Post.

/www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israeli-medical-marijuana-creates-buzz-but-no-high-will-it-go-global/2015/01/31/558fe072-a19a-11e4-9f89-561284a573f8_story.html?tid=HP_world
Israeli doctors use it to treat ailments including Crohn’s disease, basal cell carcinoma, psoriasis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and PTSD in Israeli military veterans, and the pain of cancer patients and the elderly.

One contributor was Timna Naftali, a gastroenterologist at Meir Hospital, who said she was skeptical in 2011 when she prescribed cannabis to 30 patients with Crohn’s disease.
But “the results were dramatic,” she said. “They didn’t need steroids or surgery or hospitalization.”

profile picture
ambling
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2011
Posts : 1075
Posted 10/14/2016 10:47 PM (GMT -7)
(Beave, many of us get exactly what is being said!)

There are always people who want to take sides on things, choosing to ignore all subtleties of logic and discussion, in favor of a litany of beliefs.

Trying to compare Prednisone to MMJ, as though it is a case of one or the other, is arbitrary.
profile picture
pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 10/15/2016 12:10 AM (GMT -7)
Everyone's logic is defined by their own perspective ambling. And everyone is entitled to express their opinion, just because you don't agree with it doesn't mean you have to be snarky about it.

FYI, GI's in Canada are leaning if not completely stopped RXing Prednisone for their IBD patients any further, and say it's because Prednisone is a terrible drug that has thankfully been thrown at the waist side in light of much better meds and options available now to treat IBD....Pred that is still being used by GI's anywhere in Canada for their IBD patients are considered still in the dark ages....

Options being MMJ. Fact is, many Crohn's patients that my own medical MJ doctor has told me are in the majority of no longer needing to even be on biologics....that they are able to sustain remission with the use of MMJ. It's a fact, research backs the amazing help MMJ does for many, and not just IBD.

I've been on pred and felt the racing mind the very first time within the first few weeks and I've been stoned. Racing mind did not help me feel good mentally or emotionally and wasn't even that great physically and when the effect finally stopped as it always does with pred, and it felt absolutely gross to me on every level....MJ has not only improved my symptoms, I rarely even have to smoke it to function better (Never did I feel that way on Pred) There is no crash and burn on MMJ like Pred, no other health issues caused physically with MMJ like there is with Prednisone. MJ is better than alcohol in my own opinion based on my experiences as well as proven facts what alcohol can do to organs let alone other issues (not opening that can of worms though).

The 2 biggest unfortunate things is 1) when some people's opinion isn't based necessarily on experience of their own and they judge or dispute with others. 2) There are no guarantees with anything, what works for some doesn't work for all and some people unfortunately cannot smoke MJ because for some, they don't enjoy the experience....which is fine, to each their own.....You like Pred, great!! Great for all that do, but do not knock anyone for using what ever they can find that helps them with THEIR OWN PAIN because we don't all feel the very same pains as everyone else does, or we at least perceive our own pains and feelings and what we know feels good and what doesn't for ourselves.

It is completely mind boggling to me, that since we ALL know what pain is, regardless if it's IBD pain, emotional pain, mental pain......whatever it is, how can arguing about what who thinks is better, be it meds, surgery, jumping off a cliff, what ever works, and someone is sharing what helps them is great, but to get nasty with each other here, when WE ALL feel angry all because of wanting to be right? Well, most of us that know IBD pain and for a long time now, we should be gentler about our opinions, we should be respecting not arguing what each of our own experiences have been....some dreadfully regret getting surgery, some are angry they didn't do it sooner and some are just so on top of the world happy being so much better and not caring about being sick anymore, those are the only ones' that really get what it's about. I wanted to literally kill myself for a long time now because everything in my own experience in my opinion is, who cares what choices we make for our own bodies, regardless of what we want to put into it or have something taken out of it, as long as you can find something that works, that's all that should matter to all of us, we should be happy some are mild enough they have finally figured out a way to use that method or what any methods we choose to use for ourselves, we should respect what others choose as well. It's sad because it seems less supportive than it should be.

This too shall pass, it's a physical learning experience for all of us. Be grateful that we won't have these physical bodies forever.....now that would suck, so why not be more supportive of one another and more appreciative of the amazing information people here are sharing, facts, updates, research, others sharing more of their own happiness, others share tragic and others feeling hopeful and others not so much, we need to support each other in a more positive way because this is a very valuable resource to all of us, the ride is rough enough as it is for us all.

lets make the best of it.
profile picture
ambling
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2011
Posts : 1075
Posted 10/15/2016 12:50 AM (GMT -7)
Lol.
profile picture
iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16381
Posted 10/15/2016 6:01 AM (GMT -7)
I'm quite sure MJ can help with some uc symptoms for some patients, but it's a bit much to say it can replace the very strongest medications available for uc...I'm highly skeptical that MJ could replace prednisone or biologics, that's more that a little bit of a stretch.

Anything that helps improve symptoms is wonderful, but every treatment has limitations. How can MJ not have limits?
profile picture
Louiseluck
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2015
Posts : 96
Posted 10/15/2016 6:31 AM (GMT -7)
Why not try it and find out? Maybe you can be one of the 5 of 11 patients who ended up in complete remission according to the Israeli study. Or perhaps one of the 10 of those 11 patients who found significant clinical benefits without any side effects.
profile picture
beatUC
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2010
Posts : 1470
Posted 10/15/2016 7:22 AM (GMT -7)
The point is not that MMJ will replace Prednisone or other drugs, but that MMJ is still classified as a dangerous drug in many places around the world when doctors prescribe drugs like prednisone knowing full well the damage it will do to our bodies. I don't understand any reluctance to try something that has never damaged anyone and could help -what's the problem?
profile picture
beave
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 2260
Posted 10/15/2016 1:11 PM (GMT -7)
ambling, thanks for the kind words of support. I wonder sometimes if my messages get misread because I'm just not writing clearly, but it's good to know that I'm making sense to somebody.

As for the claims that marijuana "has never damaged anyone" and so forth, I've never tried it myself, but in high school and college I was around many people who used it recreationally. Some loved it, of course, but I saw people have bad reactions on occasion, getting so anxious or paranoid that it was disturbing to witness. And this was from the same batch the others who were loving it were using. So it clearly doesn't affect everybody the same positive way.
profile picture
JLG45
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 114
Posted 10/15/2016 5:39 PM (GMT -7)
There are a number of studies regarding Cannabis and long term effect. In fact, Health Canada recently released advisory for individuals under 25 and Cannabis, with high levels of THC. The science is there, not hidden under some rock. Medical Cannabis is as legitimate as another other prescribed medication

It frustrating, that will all it's resources to study Cannabis, the USA is so backwards when comes to science and funding Cannabis research. At least other countries have picked up the ball.

For those who have never used MM let me say that it is not the same as street weed. Prior to using Cannabis for my colitis I general had a moderate amount of disdain for Cannabis and it's users. When my disease began with UP I wish I had access to MM, in particular, CBD Oils. It may have made a difference. It's regrettable that some of the research available today was not 10 years ago.

MM is pesticide and chemical free ( generally ), and produced under the strict guidelines of Health Canada. With a prescription you have a number of strains available with or without the psychoactive component ( THC ).

Furthermore, a doctor will prescribe you a set dosage and monitor ones condition, just like Prednisone or any other medication. Some users receive a prescription for Cannabis with CBD only to treat their condition which to me essentially makes it a very benign medication... compared to the alternatives.

For those who are unfamiliar with how MM is presented, here is a licensed producer in Canada. I think there are about 20 LP in Ontario, 8 in BC and a small handful in other provinces.

https://canntrust.ca/shop/

As you can see there are a number of choices with varying levels of CBD and THC... just like any other medication.

Now that oils are available, in a few weeks I'm going to experiment and delay my Remicade infusion 1-2 weeks while supplementing with CBD Oil... if I don't become symptomatic I'll visit with the GI and see if we can discontinue. I'll let you know how it pans out.

While new to Medical Cannabis, I'm impressed with how the Canadian government is regulating the production and sale of cannabis. Gone is the stigma of a long haired pot head advocating the legalization of Marijuana. It will be interesting to see how Canada handles sale and distribution next year when Cannabis is legalized. Maybe the CCFA - CND will someday fund some research.
profile picture
pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 10/17/2016 12:25 AM (GMT -7)

beatUC said...
The point is not that MMJ will replace Prednisone or other drugs, but that MMJ is still classified as a dangerous drug in many places around the world when doctors prescribe drugs like prednisone knowing full well the damage it will do to our bodies. I don't understand any reluctance to try something that has never damaged anyone and could help -what's the problem?

I mentioned this exact thing in my reply above yours, except the damage that pred has against MJ is, MJ is not near as damaging as prednisone.

I had no idea what to expect when I started smoking it, my experience is that it is amazing helpful and my IBS is jut starting to kick down a notch or so, and Humira isn't a treatment for IBS...where I live in Canada, you get granted MMJ for IBS alone, because it's been put to the test....everyone responds differently REGARDLESS of the treatment, so why knock one over another based only on what you've chosen to judge it more negatively than it actually is....it's already been mentioned that in Canada, our IBD researchers are researching the effects with human trials, they follow up with us under doctors care and document it and so far the results show that it can and in fact for many IBDers and IBSers, aiding more often better than not, the favor is for the MMJ.....as I mentioned, my own MMJ doctor told me most of his CD patients that he sees are no longer on biologics or ANY medication, the MMJ is treating and healing them. It's not a big secret in Canada and many more countries than not where it's being researched as well for medical use. More and more countries are for it.

Try it yourself for a bit and see (chances are your subconscious is already swayed by the negative views that many have with it) You won't know for sure unless you're objective and you seem more biased against it. I didn't think about it one way or the other, because I was so negative at the time before I started smoking it (I smoked it a bit here and there since my teens but I've never been addicted to doing it) for me and anyone else I know, no one says they're addicted like crazy to it.

I was very happily surprised and I was negative about it because I didn't think anything would ever help me feel this good especially recently.
profile picture
pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 10/17/2016 12:28 AM (GMT -7)
And with medical MJ, you can simple get the CBD strain only, which does not make you high like when you have the THC strains.
profile picture
freddyj
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2011
Posts : 1293
Posted 10/18/2016 10:22 AM (GMT -7)
Or hybrids, which are easier to manage in that respect as well
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12


More On Ulcerative Colitis

CBD And Pain Management: Is This Supplement Right For You?

CBD And Pain Management: Is This Supplement Right For You?

Traveling With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Traveling With Inflammatory Bowel Disease


HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn
© 1997-2022 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.