Story
Cannabis saves my life
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Location: United States
Occupation: Sales
Patient History
Conditions
- Back & Neck Problems
- Chronic Nausea
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Migraines
- Muscle Spasms
- Opioid Addiction
- Other (please specify below)
Additional Conditions
chronic abdominal pain from internal bleeding: Endometriosis
Overall health, well-being and quality of life before medical cannabis
I was extremely ill, unable to work. I was under the care of several doctors and specialists undergoing surgeries, hormone therapies, and taking large amounts of opiates to cope with it all. I was in a pain clinic for 14 years. I took so many prescriptions drugs and I was still in pain and I was constantly sick. I was told there was no way I would ever be able to have children.
Overall quality of life before being introduced to medical cannabis: 3
Patient Process
Path to cannabis
A friend of mine bought me an Ed Rosenthal book that was about using cannabis medicinally. I was very anti cannabis from being raised in a very conservative and catholic household. I read it and decided to try it, I was so desperate for a solution. I wanted off the morphine, it was not helping me anyway. I remember it taking away my migraine and body pain within minutes. I could not believe it. It worked so well. I wish I would have tried it sooner.
Products Tried
I tried all kinds of things. I started working in first cannabis dispensary in PDX back in 2012. I was exposed to extracts, edibles, flower, topicals....I tried it all. I began making my own medicine because I found that nothing was strong enough but if I was able to get a large enough dose cannabis helped with just about every symptom of my disease. It was a miracle!! I was eating 4 grams of RSO a day, and mostly smoking extracts at the time. This greatly reduced my withdrawal symptoms from getting off of all of my opiates cold turkey and I was able to work 10 hour shifts 6 days a week to make money to keep supporting myself.
Patient Experience
How Cannabis has had an impact on patient's day to day life
I am able to work full time. I have a social life. I have two miracle babies. I am inspired to paint and be an artist. All of this is because of cannabis . I am passionate about spreading the healing message.
Under Doctor's Supervision?
Yes
Additional doctor supervision information
My naturopath, doctor, obgyn, massage therapist, and therapist are all in full support of my cannabis use. They remember what my life was like without it.
Discontinued Medication
Yes
Additional info about discontinued medication
morphine, methadone, Demerol, fentanyl, ativan...all replaced with cannabis
Cannabis has changed the use of other controlled substances
Yes
Additional info about controlled substance use
When I quit taking pharmaceuticals I lost interest in tobacco too and I decided to start eating healthy. Cannabis started what I call, "the healing revolution in my life." I have never been an alcohol drinker so that was not affected.
Other lifestyle changes adopted along with medical Cannabis
Yes
Additional info about lifestyle changes
see above
Overall quality of life after being introduced to medical cannabis: 6
