Arthritis and weed

[slackerinabox]

So this is an odd one, but would appreciate any thoughts.

My mom has pretty awful rheumatoid arthritis - when she has an attack she's basically bed ridden, and she's literally tried everything (steroid shots, embrol, alternative medicine). I've read about the anti-inflammation benefits of weed and thought I'd deliver her a special batch of brownies for when the flair ups debilitating. Thoughts?

Basically, my mom's super religious and straight laced so I'm not going to walk into this conversation unless it's going to offer real benefits!

 

[rcpratt]

It may help her, and it sure as hell won't hurt her.

 

[kjknight]

Going to say the same, it won't hurt her, unknown of it will help.

My MIL has RA and she just did a treatment with Rituximab. It seems to be working. That drug is a form of chemotherapy though. She gets 2 treatments every six months, but it is a milder dose when compared to using it for other things.

 

[TechBoyJK]

So this is an odd one, but would appreciate any thoughts.

My mom has pretty awful rheumatoid arthritis - when she has an attack she's basically bed ridden, and she's literally tried everything (steroid shots, embrol, alternative medicine). I've read about the anti-inflammation benefits of weed and thought I'd deliver her a special batch of brownies for when the flair ups debilitating. Thoughts?

Basically, my mom's super religious and straight laced so I'm not going to walk into this conversation unless it's going to offer real benefits!

Tell her science says it helps, and there's no religious reason not to use it. If she brings one up, tell her she already tried steroid shots and embrol, so she should already feel guilty if she thinks mj would be wrong.

The only thing the bible says about drugs is in regards to abuse. Basically if you abuse drugs and are drunk/high all the time, and you don't take care of your responsibilities, it's sinful. But as long as you use 'pharmacopia' responsibly, it's ok.

If she still refuses, let her suffer.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Of course she should try it, why not.

If she decides to do so, buy a vaporizer vs smoking it

 

[SlitheryDee]

First of all. Will you be doing something illegal where you are? The bible says you should obey the laws of man.

 

[Gibsons]

And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as yieldeth seed according to its kind, and the tree that beareth fruit having seed each one according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Plus, THC has known anti inflammatory properties.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Tell her science says it helps, and there's no religious reason not to use it. If she brings one up, tell her she already tried steroid shots and embrol, so she should already feel guilty if she thinks mj would be wrong.

The only thing the bible says about drugs is in regards to abuse. Basically if you abuse drugs and are drunk/high all the time, and you don't take care of your responsibilities, it's sinful. But as long as you use 'pharmacopia' responsibly, it's ok.

If she still refuses, let her suffer.

Really?

 

[highland145]

Really?

May sound harsh but if you're in so much pain that you can't get out of bed, I offer you a possible solution and you refuse....I've done all that I can.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Really?

This is ATOT. Anyone who disagrees with the advice of the collective is immediately outcast and not worthy of any consideration ever again... yes, even your Mom.

 

[JM Aggie08]

May sound harsh but if you're in so much pain that you can't get out of bed, I offer you a possible solution and you refuse....I've done all that I can.

"Hey ma, I've got an idea you're probably not going to like, that I think may help you...and if you don't like it, fuck off."

It just seems a bit harsh.

 

[rcpratt]

Oh, stop. He made that comment because trying to convince a religious person that their beliefs are silly is generally a fruitless endeavor. Nobody is just trying to be a dick.

 

[SlitheryDee]

"Hey ma, I've got an idea you're probably not going to like, that I think may help you...and if you don't like it, fuck off."

It just seems a bit harsh.

It sounds harsh, but it's exactly what someone would do if they only had one idea and it got shot down, minus the fuck off part of course. By leaving and not offering any more ideas, you are essentially "letting her suffer".

 

[highland145]

"Hey ma, I've got an idea you're probably not going to like, that I think may help you...and if you don't like it, fuck off."

It just seems a bit harsh.

I'm not disagreeing with you. The eff off part is harsh. But at the end of the day, if she doesn't try something else, she'll still be suffering.

 

[Tim]

Since when is ATOT concerned about hurting any one persons feelings?

 

[AreaCode707]

So this is an odd one, but would appreciate any thoughts.

My mom has pretty awful rheumatoid arthritis - when she has an attack she's basically bed ridden, and she's literally tried everything (steroid shots, embrol, alternative medicine). I've read about the anti-inflammation benefits of weed and thought I'd deliver her a special batch of brownies for when the flair ups debilitating. Thoughts?

Basically, my mom's super religious and straight laced so I'm not going to walk into this conversation unless it's going to offer real benefits!

Enbrel is not a pain-control med, nor is it designed to handle flares. It's a med to help manage the overall immune system, which causes the disease.

Which joints are most affected? In which joints has she had steroid shots?

What actual anti-inflammatories is she on?

I would not recommend giving her anything without consulting with her doctor.

<---- RA for the last 12 years.

 

[Gooberlx2]

It may help her, and it sure as hell won't hurt her.

Pretty much sums it up. My wife sometimes uses pot for her migraines or arthritis flares when her medications don't seem to help. If nothing else it usually helps her sleep through it.

 

[nanette1985]

RA for 30(odd) years. Yes weed helps. A bit of experimenting with how much and how it gets into the system. Smoking works best for me. Not nearly as good as oxy, but much easier to acquire.

Hope your mom has a nice long remission.

Does she attend a RA support group? Everyone in my RA support group uses marijuana when they can get it.

 

[Ns1]

It may or may not work for you.

People I know with RA use MMJ to alleviate pain. YMMV.

if mother is against smoking, consider other methods like edibles and vaping.

 

[IronWing]

Arthritis and weed: it makes your joints ache!

 

[lxskllr]

Arthritis and weed: it makes your joints ache!

Ugh... You deserve beatings for that one :^D

 

[IronWing]

Ugh... You deserve beatings for that one :^D

I was shocked that it took that many posts to get to it.

 

[Jodell88]

Enbrel is not a pain-control med, nor is it designed to handle flares. It's a med to help manage the overall immune system, which causes the disease.

Which joints are most affected? In which joints has she had steroid shots?

What actual anti-inflammatories is she on?

I would not recommend giving her anything without consulting with her doctor.

<---- RA for the last 12 years.

Aren't you young? In your thirties at the most?

 

[AreaCode707]

Aren't you young? In your thirties at the most?

I'm 29. I started having symptoms at 17 and was diagnosed at 18. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a degenerative autoimmune disease. It's different than Osteoarthritis, which is wear and tear on the joints.

 

[Ruptga]

I like how the "super religious and straight-laced" will try even insane pseudo-spiritual alternative medicine, but something like weed or booze is serious fucking business. It's something about my own mom that occasionally makes me want to say very mean-spirited things.

Anyway, it very well might help, and it is pretty unlikely to hurt anything. If the stuff is legal where you live, I would ask a doctor about drug interactions. If she doesn't go for it, whatever, that is her problem. I mean, I realize it is also somewhat your problem, but at the end of the day she's a big girl and it is up to her.