Pain. Disease. Consequences, and honesty.

[Redstone]

As you may know, I was spectacularly injured in May of 1972 - due entirely to me having been stupidly being at the most idiotically wrong place I could ever have been right then (though the $1500 per month back then was real money).

Those injuries led me to having surgeries not only later that year, but also in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1999, and 2001.

And all those years of having denied the fact that I'd been diagnosed with MS (in 1978), which you can find a pretty funny account of if you'll search DU.

Well, guys, it's all ganged up on me. My poor old bod (see the surgeries above) just can't take the opioids and the alchol anymore.

So it won't. The pain will be as it will.

Redstone

[coffeenap]

1. Our thoughts are with you, Redstone. Please let us know

if there is anything you need that we can provide.

[Redstone]

4. You're a saint. Even if that's not enough, you're still a saint. Never forget that.

Redstone

[Gormy Cuss]

2. I'm so sorry to hear that, friend.

I hope that you find some other drugs to ease the pain.

[KitchenWitch]

3. I am here if you need to vent.

Wish I could do more.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. Check your PM, friend

:hug:

[crim son]

6. I don't want to sound trite, but try hypnosis.

At home, on your own, just you and your headphones. When traditional medicine fails, you are not yet out of options.

Wish there was something I could do. :hug: :cry: :loveya:

[Shakespeare]

7. Aw, Redstone.

Wish there were something I could say to help. Instead, I'll just give you these: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

8. Gentle hugs.

And I will keep you close in meditation.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My dear Redstone...

Ah, I'm so sorry to hear this...

But you're a very strong guy, and I am very sure that if anyone can figure out a way to feel better, that guy is you...

Gentle hugs and love...

I'm here for you, anytime you need to vent or talk...

:loveya:

:hug:

[LeftyFingerPop]

10. I'm sorry to hear this Redstone...

I'm not sure what to say, except that I'm sorry and I wish you well. :pals:

[lost-in-nj]

11. friend...... it seems to be a common theme tonight

here on your thread....

I want to add my


:hug: friend.... I truly wish there was something I could do for you

we will be here if you need us



lost

[puerco-bellies]

12. I wish there was something I could do to ease your pain..

Peace to you Redstone

[malta blue]

13. Redstone.

I admire your tenacity and courage.

I wish I could offer more than the virtual :hug:

[ismnotwasm]

14. Hey

I wish as much comfort as you can manage and as much happiness as you can stand. I can't walk in your shoes, but I can send best of good vibes your way.

:hug:

[davsand]

15. Redstone, I'm sorry you are in pain.

Please know that there are many here who carry you in their hearts and prayers.

:hug:



Laura

[reyd reid reed]

16. I'm sorry, hon.

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

17. I'm sorry

tender :hug:

[Inchworm]

18. I love you Redstone

I know that probably isn't enough, but I do.

:hug::cry::hug:

[Flaxbee]

19. I'm sorry Redstone

You have been stoic through it all - and still will be, no doubt, pain notwithstanding. I don't know what happened to you in 1972, but it sure sounds like it has been hellish ever since even without an MS diagnosis.

You are in my thoughts, and I will wish for pain-free (or low-pain) days for you always.

Have any alternative therapies helped? Acupuncture, acupressure, hypnosis? Are there any good pain clinics near you?

You have my best. :hug:

[Xipe Totec]

20. Hang in there, big guy!

I know it's a bitch.

We want you around.

We need you.

[bigwillq]

21. Sending out my best to you.

My thoughts are with you. :hug: Hang in there.

[Ptah]

22. You are in my thoughts and hopes.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

23. can you forego the alcohol and rely on the opiates alone?

there has to be other options...

massage? acupuncture? hypnosis? meditation? swedish bitters/other topicls? heat? ice?

[Wapsie B]

24. Good vibes on the way.............

[RFKHumphreyObama]

25. My deepest and sincerest thoughts, prayers and best wishes to you Redstone

I'm so sorry you have to endure this:hug: Know that you have many people around the world who care about you and will keep you in their thoughts and prayers

[Lethe]

26. have you tried medical grade marijuana?

can't hurt....See if it helps the pain and/or MS.

[Taverner]

33. It has been shown to be good treatment for MS as well

CANNABIS AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

An estimated 350,000 people in the United States are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a painful, debilitating, and sometimes fatal disorder of the central nervous system. MS is the most common debilitating neurological disease of young people, often appearing between the ages of 20 and 40, and affecting more women than men. Symptoms vary considerably from person to person; however, one frequently noted is spasticity, which causes pain, spasms, loss of function, and difficulties in nursing care.

MS exacerbations appear to be caused by abnormal immune activity that causes inflammation and the destruction of myelin (the protective covering of nerve fibers) in the brain or spinal cord. MS most frequently presents at onset as a relapsing and remitting disorder, where symptoms come and go. Current treatment of MS is primarily symptomatic, focusing on such problems as spasticity, pain, fatigue, bladder problems and depression.

Anecdotal reports and a small controlled study have reported that cannabis improved spasticity and, to some extent, improved tremor in MS patients. Many studies of the pharmacology of cannabis have identified effects on motor systems of the central nervous system that have the potential of affecting tremor and spasticity. A recent carefully controlled study of the efficacy of THC in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, the animal model of MS, demonstrated significant amelioration of these two MS symptoms. Moreover, cannabis has demonstrated effects on immune function that also have the potential of reducing the autoimmune attack that is thought to be the underlying pathogenic process in MS.

Many MS patients report that cannabis has a startling and profound effect on muscle spasms, tremors, balance, bladder control, speech and eyesight. Many wheelchair-bound patients report that they can walk unaided when they have smoked cannabis.

A House of Lords reports states that the British Multiple Sclerosis Society (consisting of some 35,000 MS-suffering patients) estimates that as many as 4% of their population already use cannabis for the relief of their symptoms despite the considerable legal risks associated with prohibition. The chairman of the committee went on to state that, "We have seen enough evidence to convince us that a doctor might legitimately want to prescribe cannabis to relieve...the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and that the criminal law ought not to stand in the way."

Many of the witnesses for that report shared the British Medical Association's view that "A high priority should be given to carefully controlled trials of cannabinoids in patients with chronic spastic disorders." The BMA has requested that the synthetic cannabinoids Nabilone and Dronabinol be officially licensed for use in MS and other spastic disorders.
Research findings on cannabis and MS

Numerous case studies, surveys and double-blind studies have reported improvement in patients treated with cannabinoids for symptoms including spasticity, chronic pain, tremor, sexual dysfunction, bowel and bladder dysfunctions, vision dimness, dysfunctions of walking and balance (ataxia), and memory loss.12-20 Cannabinoids have been shown in animal models to measurably lessen MS symptoms and may also halt the progression of the disease.21

A recent British survey of MS patients found that 43 percent of respondents used cannabis therapeutically. Among them, nearly three quarters said that cannabis mitigated their spasms, and more than half said it alleviated their pain. A survey published in August 2003 in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences reported that 96 percent of Canadian MS patients believe that cannabis is therapeutically useful for treating the disease. Of those who admitted using cannabis medicinally, the majority found it to be beneficial, particularly in the treatment of chronic pain, spasticity, and depression.22 The accompanying editorial states, "This is an exciting time for cannabinoid research. There is a growing amount of data to suggest that cannabis (marijuana) can alleviate symptoms like muscle spasticity and pain in patients with MS."23

<SNIP>

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4558

[Taverner]

34. It has been shown to be good treatment for MS as well

CANNABIS AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

An estimated 350,000 people in the United States are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a painful, debilitating, and sometimes fatal disorder of the central nervous system. MS is the most common debilitating neurological disease of young people, often appearing between the ages of 20 and 40, and affecting more women than men. Symptoms vary considerably from person to person; however, one frequently noted is spasticity, which causes pain, spasms, loss of function, and difficulties in nursing care.

MS exacerbations appear to be caused by abnormal immune activity that causes inflammation and the destruction of myelin (the protective covering of nerve fibers) in the brain or spinal cord. MS most frequently presents at onset as a relapsing and remitting disorder, where symptoms come and go. Current treatment of MS is primarily symptomatic, focusing on such problems as spasticity, pain, fatigue, bladder problems and depression.

Anecdotal reports and a small controlled study have reported that cannabis improved spasticity and, to some extent, improved tremor in MS patients. Many studies of the pharmacology of cannabis have identified effects on motor systems of the central nervous system that have the potential of affecting tremor and spasticity. A recent carefully controlled study of the efficacy of THC in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, the animal model of MS, demonstrated significant amelioration of these two MS symptoms. Moreover, cannabis has demonstrated effects on immune function that also have the potential of reducing the autoimmune attack that is thought to be the underlying pathogenic process in MS.

Many MS patients report that cannabis has a startling and profound effect on muscle spasms, tremors, balance, bladder control, speech and eyesight. Many wheelchair-bound patients report that they can walk unaided when they have smoked cannabis.

A House of Lords reports states that the British Multiple Sclerosis Society (consisting of some 35,000 MS-suffering patients) estimates that as many as 4% of their population already use cannabis for the relief of their symptoms despite the considerable legal risks associated with prohibition. The chairman of the committee went on to state that, "We have seen enough evidence to convince us that a doctor might legitimately want to prescribe cannabis to relieve...the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and that the criminal law ought not to stand in the way."

Many of the witnesses for that report shared the British Medical Association's view that "A high priority should be given to carefully controlled trials of cannabinoids in patients with chronic spastic disorders." The BMA has requested that the synthetic cannabinoids Nabilone and Dronabinol be officially licensed for use in MS and other spastic disorders.
Research findings on cannabis and MS

Numerous case studies, surveys and double-blind studies have reported improvement in patients treated with cannabinoids for symptoms including spasticity, chronic pain, tremor, sexual dysfunction, bowel and bladder dysfunctions, vision dimness, dysfunctions of walking and balance (ataxia), and memory loss.12-20 Cannabinoids have been shown in animal models to measurably lessen MS symptoms and may also halt the progression of the disease.21

A recent British survey of MS patients found that 43 percent of respondents used cannabis therapeutically. Among them, nearly three quarters said that cannabis mitigated their spasms, and more than half said it alleviated their pain. A survey published in August 2003 in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences reported that 96 percent of Canadian MS patients believe that cannabis is therapeutically useful for treating the disease. Of those who admitted using cannabis medicinally, the majority found it to be beneficial, particularly in the treatment of chronic pain, spasticity, and depression.22 The accompanying editorial states, "This is an exciting time for cannabinoid research. There is a growing amount of data to suggest that cannabis (marijuana) can alleviate symptoms like muscle spasticity and pain in patients with MS."23

<SNIP>

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4558

[LynzM]

27. Love and hugs to you, my friend.

This post of yours scares me... if you wanted honestly, I am giving you that. I wish that there were anything I could do to help ease your pain. I'm not far away, if you'd like me to bring lunch by some day and we can sit and chat... :loveya: and :hug:

[Redstone]

28. Oh, LynnZ and everyone else, thank you so much. If friendship could cure, I'd be out running

a marathon right now, thanks to you and my other stalwart DU friends.

What you and the others have said means a lot to me, and may I state again for the record that finding Mrs R was the best thing that ever happened to me. And except for having my sons, finding you good folks at DU comes in a close second.

Lunch would be great, whenever I start eating again. Thanks again to you in particular, and everyone else (I wish I could respond to you all individually, but I'm running out of energy right now).

Redstone

[LynzM]

29. Ah, Redstone....

Lunch doesn't have to involve food, my friend... we could dine on music, or poetry, or politics... :loveya: I'm here anytime you need or want company. :hug:

[Blue Diadem]

30. Sending good vibes and

if it's ok, a prayer for you Redstone that your pain will ease and your strength will return.

Gentle hugs to you.

[BlueIris]

31. Oh, hon.

I feel so bad for you. Hopefully, you will be able to find non-opiod pain management strategies soon. In the meantime, I miss your postings and will pray that things get better for you.

[Redstone]

36. BI, any prayers would be appreciated.

Redstone

[Taverner]

32. My friend

:hugs:

Have you considered Medical Marijuana?

Your body doesn't develop a tolerance like it does to opioids

And you can think clearer

The only problem is it won't eradicate the pain, just make it easier to deal with.

[Redstone]

35. Thank you, Taverner, I'm working on that. Even though I'm a child of the 1960s,

I never got into the Marihoochie as a habit. But I do understand its medical properties.

Thank you.

Redstone