after numerous drug failed

[jfrei]

After my recent bout with the side effects of 200 mg Topamax I hoped there was other ways to regulate my medical problems from my TBI and PTSD. I recently was recommended and was given a medical marijuana card. I don't plan on using it and I'm unsure other then reading the benefits but anything has to be better then DOPE a MAX.  I don't want to offend anyone so Ill just ask how many of the Vets have a MMC and see benefits? I've read the benefit of it with PTSD but I'm also reading the benefits of minimizing my TBI side effects... I'm just doing research just because I have a card doesn't mean I will use it I need to be responsible parent.

[john999]

The VA considers marijuana use to be drug abuse.  If you get  opioids from the VA they will cut you off if they find pot in urine test.   The feds consider use and/or possession of pot as a crime.  I don't think there should be any laws regarding drug use.  What happened with the Topomax?  Did it affect your eye sight?  If the VA finds pot in any of your lab work that will be a big black mark on you and they will consider you a drug abuser.  I was taking the VA prescribed pain meds and the next thing I knew I was getting a bill from the VA for treating my "drug addiction".   They are really stupid but you have to watch them.   All that stuff goes into your records and never comes out.  I don't know how to reconcile medical marijuana with VA policy.  My state has legal medical marijuana, but the counties and cities fight against allowing having marijuana stores or clinics.  Look before you leap.

[jfrei]

Topamax I was Prescribed 200mg a day as each day went by I literally could not hold a conversations with people Iost track of what I was trying to say I thought I was losing my mind. I was quick to get angry twice while driving with my wife I pulled over on the middle of a highway started punching my steering wheel never felt more out of control on my life. I’m glad I’m off of it it also made me feel like the world was spinning when I was sitting down. As you said I know it’s against the law but it’s not in my state and when you have a medical card. Totally legal for your ailments apparently I can even discuss the use and benefits with the VA doctors but they cannot give the recommendation. 

Edited October 2, 2017 by jfrei

[porgee]

I get great relieve from it I don't take pain pills from nobody and VA wont 

cut your pay its like john999 says you cant get both . Every time I go to my appointments

they ask are you still smoking , yes sir everyday. You doing good. But that's just me everyone

has a different approach . Less side effects than pills. jmho

[broncovet]

Im a HUGE believer in natural remedies, which is mostly about plants (herbs).  Interestingly, opiods are derived from the poppy seeds (herbs).  Often its the "processing" and concentrating the ingredients which make plants bad for you.  You can eat poppy seeds and you wont get addicted to cocaine becase you have to eat many poppy seeds to get the same effect as one gram of cocaine, and you will fill up first, and quit eating them.    Yahoo answers explains it this way:

Quote

Coca is a tree that grows in latin America, the leaves contain trace amounts of cocaine, but through a series of convoluted chemical reactions, a large amount of cocaine can be produced from its leaves. 

The amount in the leaves is trace, and coca leaves are chewed and used in teas throughout central America and have been for ages. The tea is considered medicinal, used like coffee (and its very effective from what I hear), and was one of the original ingredients in Coca-cola (hence the name, the other main ingredient was Kola nut extract). In brand name Coca Cola, coca leaves are still used, but they are decocainized before sent to the united states. 

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120216142737AAUPeXX

Please understand I am not advocating you use cocaine.  However, chewing on coca leaves is far different than snorting cocaine, even tho both have cocaine.  Im simply explaining you may get releif from your symptoms from herbs without addictive effects.  Pharmaceuticals are sold to us at massive profits from drug companies and, sometimes the major ingredient is simply that from a plant, such as in the case of opiods such as vicodin.  

I do recommend you research YOUR symptoms and find out if/what "alternative" therapies are available.  There are many, but most docs prescribe pharmaceuticals, in no small part because these companies fund medical schools, so guess what is taught to the doctors??  

[jfrei]

Sounds like the doctor are the new age drug dealer...I’m still unsure and I will be talking to my VA psychiatrist before I ever decide to try and use marijuana. Since it is prescribed to me here in De I don’t want to be doing anything to jeopardize my VA fight that seems to be all over now. One pending appeal that could be retro to 2010 which would grant me from 90% to 100% so a little retro I’m hoping. Now I know the VA docs here in DE are allowed to talk to us about using it for medical reasons just not allowed  to a prescription... I pick up my card this Wednesday and see my VA psychiatrist  on Thursday...

 

Edited October 3, 2017 by jfrei

[Gastone]

You won't be able to smoke it!

VMC Detroit MH Dept began supplying issue specific blends of  "Essential Oil mixtures" about 01/2016. I'd been using a Non-VA Podiatrist's Proprietary Blend ($40.00 for 3 week supply) since mid 15, the oil mixture actually helped a great deal with nighttime PN foot pain.

When I found out that my VMC had begun using alternative Pain Treatment which included Acupuncture and Essential Oil therapies, I signed up immediately.  The VA Alternative Pain Treatment's work and The Price is Right, and no side effects, as opposed to the RX 'd Pregabalin.     Semper Fi