I've seen many articles as I trawl the interconnectedweb relating to the use of prescribed marijuana to treat chronic conditions such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's Disease. I've also seen some blogs which extoll the virtues of the drug in treating Fibromyalgia.
Although still illegal in the United Kingdom, there are growing calls for it to be legalised to treat chronic pain conditions.
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| Jason Duke |
Today I am pleased to introduce you to our guest writer, Jason Duke - founder of MedicalMarijuanaHelp.com - a US based site providing information on the use of cannabis as a medicine - where it's legal, where it isn't and practical use guides on the many varieties of cannabis available.
Perhaps his article will inspire others to lift up the mantle and begin campaigning for a relaxation of the UK laws: (The article appears in full HERE, but here's a snippet to grab your attention!
Cannabis Is An Excellent Treatment For Fibromyalgia
Cannabis is helping Fibromyalgia in men in many different ways. In this article, we will discuss what fibromyalgia is, how it affects men
differently than women, the traditional treatment options for
fibromyalgia, how cannabis can help and much more. There is a lot of
controversy surrounding fibromyalgia, how it effects individuals, what
causes it, is it real and much more.
Fibromyalgia in men
is more common than many people realize. This disease is considered to
be an invisible disease. To many people, including some healthcare
professionals, Fibromyalgia is thought to be all in the patient's head.
This however could not be farther from the truth. Fibromyalgia is a real
condition, and it causes real, severe pain on a constant basis. This
disease is commonly associated with female patients as the number of
diagnoses in male patients are significantly less than in females.
It is scientifically proven that fibromyalgia
is a neurochemical disease and that those individuals who suffer from
fibromyalgia show a consistently larger amount of substance P than what
is average in most people. Substance P is a neurotransmitter that
signals pain in the body. These patients also showed significantly lower
amounts of serotonin which is also a neurotransmitter. Serotonin on the
other hand is a neurotransmitter that inhibits pain.
Under Diagnosed
Because
men are so less frequently diagnosed with this disorder many of them
are not taken seriously about their pain. Unfortunately, the drug
epidemic in the United States as well as around the world has led many
doctors to believe that those who complain about having pain are simply
drug addicts in search of pain pills. This has a severe negative effect
for those who legitimately suffer from severe and constant pain such as
the many men who suffer from fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia
is not just pain. For many men it is a fearful condition that leads to
anxiety about common lifestyle activities and moments. Men suffering
with fibromyalgia are not able to do what many consider to be "man
things" such as working on cars, mowing yards, fishing, throwing a
baseball with their grandkids and other activities without suffering
from severe pain. This can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and much
more.
Traditionally fibromyalgia is treated with a
regimen of pharmaceutical narcotics that are typically opiate based.
These pharmaceutical medications are highly addictive and have a long
list of adverse side effects associated with them. Often individuals who
are prescribed these opiates become addicted to them and see a
deterioration of their health due to the side effects and long term use. READ MORE
Fibromyalgia. It's a very difficult illness to deal with. I can say that in all honesty as I know the pain of fibromyalgia and all of the misery and suffering it, and its associated conditions, can bring.
There are so many blogs about fibro, mine included, that are written by, and therefore from the perspective of, fibro sufferers. But what is it like to be a partner or carer of a fibromyalgia patient?
It's refreshing to find a blog that shares the story from a partner / carer's point of view. This is Tim Clevinger's story:
FIBROMYALGIA - It Affects Men Too - AS SEEN BY A HUSBAND / CARER -
"In February of 2006, we had our first child, Gabriel. My
wife had to have an emergency induction, and he was born four weeks
early. I knew this procedure would have a physical effect on her, but
what came next, I knew would have longer lasting repercussions. We
became pregnant with our second child six short months after Gabriel’s
birth.
The stress of having two young children within fifteen months was
difficult to bear at times. We were brand new parents to one child, and
before we could even grasp parenting, we had a second child.
At first I thought stress and sleep deprivation was causing her pain.
I always assumed that time would heal, and she would return to be the
active, stress-free person I grew to know and love. This was not the case. She was getting worse with no clear cause.
Needless to say, it was an emotional time for us. She would have
regular doctor’s appointments and they all told us the same thing, “Time
will heal. Take medication.” This wasn’t an appropriate solution. She
only had the option to take some over-the-counter medicine and rest
which only subdued the pain, not relieve it.
Before long, we had our third and fourth children. I think the last
pregnancy is what triggered her in a downward spiral. It wasn’t only
just the pain that was taking its toll; it was also mood swings and
depression. So many days I would come home from work to find her crying
upstairs in our bedroom because of the pain. All I could do was hold her
and reassure her.
I couldn’t empathize with her pain. She resented me for that. What
could I do? I felt helpless. I hated it. The person I love most in this
world was being attacked and there was nothing I could do about it.
The strongest person I’ve ever known is crying to me for help. Many
nights I would cry while she slept; praying to a God I’m not sure exists
in the hopes that someone or something will hear me. She does not know
this until now.
I tried, and still try to help around the house more, and help out
where I can. I like to think that my efforts make a difference, but her
constant painful cringes and crying tell me otherwise.
In December 2012 she found a doctor that solidified the notion that
this in fact was a condition. Finally!!! Now we have a plan, and we have
a means of controlling it. Unfortunately there is no cure for chronic
pain and fibromyalgia. I wish I could take the pain from her.
I know she’s strong enough to fight for her well-being. She can now
take part in physical therapy, and she is always finding natural
remedies and ways to manage her pain.
The person she is today is a complete 180 from the person she was a
year ago. Her mood swings are non-existent, and her depression is
manageable. I know that if she can fight through this, then I can fight
with her. I will never truly understand her pain. Helping her, and
supporting her is the best that I can do. I can only hope that others
that suffer with this physical affliction can find their strength. Every
day my wife impresses me, and every day I admire and love her that much
more for her strength."
So, you see, fibromyalgia affects everyone and sometimes it's very difficult for us patients to fully understand what our partners are going through, especially when all we can focus on is our own pain.
This "Your Stories" feature is reproduced with kind permission from an orginal post by Brandi Clevinger on her blog Being Fibro Mom and was also shared as part of FibroFiday at Fibro Blogger Directory
If you care for a fibromyalgia sufferer you can share your perspective too - just click here.
