Story
Coping with chronic pain from migraine and arthritis

Age: 60
Gender: Female
Location: Canada

Patient History

Conditions

• Arthritis
• Migraines

Ethnic Background

• White or Caucasian

Overall health, well-being and quality of life before medical cannabis

Pretty good life, but I have chronic pain from migraine and more recently have developed arthritis in my hands.

Patient Process

Path to cannabis

A friend gave me some cannabis salve she had made after I told her how sore my hands were. I tried it the first time the arthritis in my hands acted up (which is often). Another friend has terrible migraines and grows CBD which she uses to cope with her migraines.

Products Tried

I have tried cannabis salve and CBD oil. The cannabis salve, if strong (made from trim and bud), has an immediate pain relieving effect on my hands. I go from throbbing pain to little or no pain in less than 30 seconds and the benefits last for hours. I do not get any kind of high or change in my mental state from the salve. The CBD oil my friend makes is very strong. I take a very small amount when I have a classic migraine (head-banging pain and light shyness). It shifts me a step away from the pain, so it is not so hard to cope. It doesn't stop the migraine but lessens the pain. I do have to be careful not to take too much because otherwise I do get high (giggles and munchies), which I don't want.

Patient Experience

How Cannabis has had an impact on patient's day to day life

Cannabis has decreased the amount of pain I have to deal with in my daily life. That is fantastic! It means I spend less time in bed and pain in my hands does not stop me from getting to sleep at night.

Under Doctor's Supervision?

No

Discontinued Medication

Yes

Additional info about discontinued medication

I am using far less acetaminophen (Tylenol) and some less prescription drugs for migraine.

Cannabis has changed the use of other controlled substances

No

Additional info about controlled substance use

No because I am a recovering alcoholic and don't use anything that gets me high/under the influence.

Additional info about medical Cannabis experience

I have shared cannabis oil and salve with other friends who experienced relief from pain caused by a number of physical health challenges.