Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Support Group

Hi

This thread is to discuss if it is better to smoke pot or drink alcohol while taking your everyday medication for your RSD.

Craig

Hi

It is my feeling that it is better to smoke pot as it is much easier on your body,your organs,than is alcohol...and as for the state of Fl..you can get medical "THC". And from the information I was given from my PMD it does work on RSD, nerve pain...this was something he printed off for me...

So sorry I have no links to reference to.

I will try and contact him tomorrow and see if he can give me something to refer you too

Craig

I don't drink, don't smoke pot.....but seriously, I would if it helped. Something has to be better than taking pills all damn day and cheapier!

Hi..I have not smoked pot,but have had some pot related items,and I can tell you,they help with pain and sleep.....

The problem is money........it just comes down to money

Craig

O.K., I certainly would try pot related items if it were readily available. It is "legal" here in Cal., but federally against the law. So pot co-ops are few and far between. My pmd wont mess with it at all. He has a sign out front stating that fact. Craig, you are right. It is expensive as well. Health insurance does not cover medicinal pot. I used to smoke pot back in the day quite a bit (QUITE a bit) so I am familiar with the different strains. Some are great for relaxation and pain relief, some are great for paranoia and wishing it would stop. Gotta know the difference...

Like I said, as far as the alcohol is concerned, a glass of red wine here and there won't hurt you. I certainly don't think excessive drinking is smart while taking meds, neither does my pmd...

Jon

I have a friend who is terminally ill in Washington state where pot is "legal" similar to CA, but she told me the places are everywhere to buy the stuff and your doctor gives you a card and it's not like a prescription that I get for one month's supply, you just take your card in and buy whatever you want which can be granola, cookies, browines, or stuff to smoke. I've never tried it and don't want to smoke anything, but if it was totally legal and my pain doctor recommended it, sure I would buy some granola or cookies to see if it would help. I don't see the big difference betweeen taking morphine, methadone, oxycodone and all of the other narcotics that I've tried except one thing. I do not ever, in any way whatsoever, feel "high" from the medications that I take. When I was first diagnosed and took my first pill or two of low dose hydrocodone, I felt a feeling of warmth or something, I can barely remember it and it wasn't a strong feeling. Now that I take much stronger medications, on a regular schedule, I never feel anything except some pain relief which is not perfect but does help. How is it that we feel no "high"? I know that others have said the same thing. Many years ago when I drank, I could drink 1/2 cold beer and feel pretty silly, but not anything with these meds. I don't think others believe that to be true, but it is. Does anyone know why?

Jon, I had heard people (on TV- seriously) say that some pot was "good" or "strong" or something, but have no personal experience. So, there are kinds better for pain? That would be great if they would figure out what strains are effective for pain relief and let people try it. I didn't realize it was expensive like that, but in ultra-conservative Texas I doubt if it is legal anytime soon, if ever.

Jon, I couldn't agree more that a glass of wine is no big thing normally, but with the meds I'm on, I wouldn't want to mix anything else. The first time I took methadone I was so scared that I wouldn't wake up! If anyone has financial issues regarding pain meds, the choice of methadone is very inexpensive. Just FYI for all.

gail

What are "pot related items"; what is one for example? I didn't know it was legal in FL. Interesting about the granola items and such. I've only seen it in movies and busted kids at school with paraphernalia. Also went through the training of how to make a bong out of conventional items around the classroom and house for training from the head SRO and we passed around baggies of different substances. That's all I know of illicit drugs. This is one reason I can't work-- I am not allowed to have any meds on me or in me at work or I will be dismissed and my license revoked! Malissa

Gail, we build a resistance against the meds so easily. The receptors in our brain require it. When I was on the oxycodone, I was taking 2 every 5 hrs and nothing, when I changed to the Nucyenta and only taking 1 at a time, was not enough for the pain, but taking 2 does and I do feel abit loopy, but I also get that sick feeling. Its the same for the antibiotics, I know my son was young the doctors really didn't want to prescribe them very often because of the resistance being built.

Sorry going off thread for a question:

I have heard many people in this group talk about a CONTRACT between patient and PMD also mentione of being FIRED.. I never have had to do that before. Is that something that is for patients that are long term? Do these contracts vary on states or is it up to the phyican?

Gail, it is partly a resistance but also partly that when we are in more pain, the meds effect the pain and don't give the side effects. If you were to take it when you weren't in much pain, you would probably feel more side effects.

And to stay on topic, I don't smoke, drink or chew, and don't go with girls who do! LOL sorry that is what I thought of, a little diddy my granddad used to say. I stay away from alcohol, Most is not all of my meds say do not drink alcohol and with being on so many meds as many of us are, I try to be very careful

Why don't I start a new discussion on pain contracts? That's something I don't remember us having a discussion about, so I'll start one-Pain Contracts!

gail