Is Cannabis Effective for Fibromyalgia Pain?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2024
- Many people with fibromyalgia report that cannabis (medical marijuana) helps their pain, but we haven’t had the supporting research until recently. In this video I explain how cannabis acts in the body to reduce pain, and what recent studies show about cannabis for fibromyalgia pain reduction.
About me: I graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine and am board-certified in internal medicine. After developing fibromyalgia in medical school I was able to find integrative treatments that helped me feel much better. I share my complete treatment approach in my book The FibroManual amzn.to/3Uql7wg
In my videos I hope to inspire everyone dealing with #fibromyalgia to remember they are #fibrofierce!
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As an MD with fibromyalgia who lives in MA (legal marijuana), THC has helped me a lot. I’ve never noticed any effect from CBD, even at very high doses. THC mildly helps with acute pain, since for me (and probably most fibromyalgia patients) my pain is highly tied to anxiety and constant sympathetic firing (that THC seems to help with). Also, having it before bed helps very much with falling asleep and staying asleep, so for me that’s the bigger benefit, since getting good sleep lowers my pain generally. Unfortunately, if you have a job like mine, you absolutely cannot be intoxicated at work, so I’m only able to do this right before bed or on days off. I cannot tolerate smoking at all, so I only take THC capsules. Also, I know some studies say THC interferes with delta wave sleep, but if you barely get any of that anyway due to fibromyalgia, I think the benefits outweigh the risks in that regard. Alcohol, on the other hand, has only ever been disastrous for both pain and sleep for me.
Also, THC has never given me the munchies at all. My theory is that it only does that with people who eat lots of carbs or junk food (that’s why it typically causes cravings for sweet things or Doritos, etc.). On a keto/carnivore diet, I have never felt any increased food cravings with THC.
I am glad you have found benefit for pain with THC! I think it actually can have a positive effect on deep sleep.
I thought I was the only one who seemed to get no relief from CBD, but do find THC helpful
Why the marijuana push suddenly? Money?
@@elainesimons9079 it works! It's worked for decades, probably centuries & more. Thankfully, when it is descheduled federally, we will be able to see real research done on its efficacy
Cannabis is amazing for reducing my fibromyalgia pain. Best thing I ever did was connect with the spirit plant that matches my inbuilt endocannabinoid system. Nature is magical and millions of people have suffered for years due to the cruel and ridiculous laws that banned cannabis and made the pHARMaceutical CEO's very rich.
I am 55 yrs old, and I have fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, I started to take cbd with thc, and my life changed for the better, it helps a lot with the stress, my mood is better, It has really helped with the pain to the point where I feel like I need less and less of all the prescription drugs I get from Doctors and pharmacies, and I really like that.
@maryruthsmith5210 Thank you, wishing you the best
@annabelaviles1353 sorry you have all these crappy illnesses. I have exactly the same, I truly sympathise with you. I have also been exploring CBD and THC for relief from these illnesses. I haven't used big pharma for these illnesses just scares me as I know the rubbish they have dishing out is not effective to us and the many, with massive problems attached. CBD and THC is naturally derived so feel much safer to use. ❤ Warmest wishes.❤
@@kellyday9037 True, it is also safe to take, I use it in moderation, and it helps a lot with the stress. Greetings to you too , take care:)
I have the same issues, I have had 6 spinal surgeries. I use cannabis but only once in a while 😊
I wish pain clinics would consider cannabis to be a treatment option. If you test positive for THC, pain clinics drop you as a patient. But they’re okay giving one several different pills like opioids and muscle relaxers.
You look for ones that accept both. Not all do but some do in USA. Specifically Ohio and Florida
Seems ridiculous. We just looking for pain relief for a medical condition. Not to get high.
Unfortunately that's because regular cannibus is illegal as per the federal laws. It interfers with the insurance companies. It makes a legal problem for them. At least that's what I've been told
@@jewelleryaddict Right 👍
In Australia, fibromyalgia is on the list of conditions that have legal access to medical cannabis. It revolutionised my life. From off the bed most day( due to pain) to something resembling an almost normal life. Significantly reduced my pain symptoms to the point where some days are "almost normal". Care to not overdo things is still necessary as the fatigue is still evident after too much exertion but the pain levels have never returned to pre-medical cannabis levels.
One small dose of the medicinal oil (THC and CBD , 1:1whole plant extract) at bedtime is all it has taken to claim back most of my life. CBD alone does help in the day without any psychoactive effects but CBD alone doesnt seem to be as effective so the THC component is in the night dose only. It has reduced my reliance of prescription pain medication by 75%, from 4 times a day to one dose pre-bed.Helps with quality sleep too.
Thank you for your wonderfully informative videos.
I am so glad you have found such an effective regimen!
Is that THC or cbd? Or both?
Gotta check out Primal Trust. They have the answers to your problem/s. I had both symptoms too and now 80% free of pain and exhaustion!
I am coming to this TH-cam late but I live in Australia as well and have tried medical cannabis (a few different brands) but not sure which is best for fibromyalgia. Could you advise the brand which has helped you.
I use is and it takes my mind off of the pain and degree of suffering.
I have been taking both cbd and thc since Nov '21. Has totally changed my pain levels, significantly reduced my brain fog and made functioning as a teacher, mum and wife much easier. I am glad i have a local doctor who was very enthusiastic about me trying it for fibro and loves that im getting so much benefit from it. Hopefully as it becomes more acceptable as a treatment in Australia it will become cheaper, eventually.
And as always, thank you Dr Ginevra for your fantastic knowledge and research
I have partaken of Cannabis before. I have found that the pain is still there but you’re in a frame of mind that you don’t care. It’s background noise. Do I make sense??
That definitely makes sense! Cannabis can alter the perception of pain- meaning it’s there but not bothering you as much. Interestingly for some people it does the opposite, makes them more aware of the pain.
Yes! I was saying that exact thing to my husband just recently, that it doesn't really take away the pain, but it makes me care less. It's like it puts some separation between me and the pain and I can just observe the pain from a distance. 🤷♀️
Yes!!
Makes total sense!! It is the same for me also. My old pain mgmnt Dr even agrees with me!!
@@lisar.7291 I have had this same experience! But I also was not paying close attention to which kind I was ingesting. Curious to see what the differences might be.
Cannabis helps me more than anything for pain and relaxation and sleep.
I think I was your GHOST WRITER and diagnosed with a wonderful doctor then at 49 years I’m 87 next week with chronic pain and all those symptoms over the years and no doctor since has ever listened The only gift I got to deal with it is RESILIENCE as I can’t take pain relief other than paracetamol with other probs I have Hope there’s something coming for the next generation Thank you
You are the definition of fibro fierce!
Very well explained! I only feel sorry I moved to the UK.
Hi I'm in the UK with Fybro and if you go online there are various cannabis clinics in the UK that you can legally get cannabis products from. I am waiting for my first prescription to arrive (you have to have a consult with a doctor at the cannabis clinic first) and reading these comments I can't wait.
Thanks for this great informative video!!!❤❤❤
Glad it was helpful!
I've sent this to 4 different people for various reasons. Thank you for the amazing work you do!!
Thank you so much 🙏🙏
Hi Genevra i have a question do you think fibromyalgia is a progressive illness in that hour symptoms get worse over years or do you think its our ability to cope with the illness gets less?
Good question.
I think it is more the latter- that the effects of aging hit us more heavily due to fibromyalgia. But hopefully we also gain more wisdom on how to care for our bodies as we age too.
Hi Doctor. Thank you for this informative video. My therapist is very anti thc, she believes that it can damage brain cells. How do I respond to this please?
I've had a bit of a rocky relationship with cannabis, but it absolutely helps with my fibro pain. I ramped up my usage too much, and ended up in the hospital with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Hopefully more research is conducted, since it is such a struggle self-medicating, especially for people who struggle with addictive tendancies. I'm hoping we have much better approaches for dispensing cannabis in the future!
I completely agree!
Cannabis can definitely cause some problems, and I wish more health care providers had expertise in medicinal cannabis so they could better guide patients to using it medicinally.
Wow! Great informative video! I needed to watch this! I will check out your channel.
Glad it was helpful!
I am off most pharmaceuticals for my fibro. I lost an entire person in weight, and pain is managed better with cannabis than ever before.
I don’t feel fibro fierce. Since being diagnosed 20 years ago with fibro, I’ve been angry… oh, I have also been diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome and chronic pain from nerve damage. Pain and fatigue is 24/7. Info and treatment options from doctors has been useless. I also get a feeling of hopelessness.
Chronic pain and fatigue can really beat down one's spirit. Totally natural to feel anything but fibro fierce. I would argue that just putting one foot in front of the other and surviving as you continue to search for answers and help IS being fibro fierce, even if you don't feel it.
I am a 62 y.o. FM sufferer, which I have had since 1998. For the first 20 years, I was in a narcotic haze b/c 3 of my doctors ran “pill mills“ & had me on up to five narcotics at once (everything from fentanyl, OxyContin, morphine, methadone, and oxycodone; you name a narcotic & I have probably taken it). In 2018 when Maryland allowed for medical marijuana, I started that. The difference between narcotics & marijuana is like night & day. Under narcotics it was like I was suffering from locked in syndrome; under marijuana I became more like I was before 1998. On August 29,2023 I fell & broke my left hip requiring a full hip replacement. My surgeon told me that I could still smoke THC free marijuana, but THC would interfere with my bones bond with the titanium of the replacement. I can’t smoke THC until December. I can’t wait til then!!!!!!!!!
I am glad you found benefit from cannabis, and that you have a surgeon who is knowledgeable about cannabis!
I had Bilateral knees and my doc knew. He only told me to stop 3 days before surgery so it didn’t interfere with anesthesia. Maybe he can provide some resources on his thinking??
Good to hear a research update. I had relief from my fibro symptoms using cannabis until I started Low Dose Naltrexone. Since I started LDN, cannabis has no effects. No relief or psychoactive effect either. If I have to keep one it's LDN as the benefit is greater but I do miss cannabis.
I wish LDN had worked for me. I was very disappointed. I use Nabilone for sleep and it also helps with pressure allodynia.
@@jilliemak2024 How did you get prescribed that? I'm still unsure if i have fibro but i have chronic allodynia that i think i developed from my chronic migraine (pressure allodynia, tactile, etc) and it's the worst symptom of all. I've been asking my neurologist for help with it but he said there was no medication for it...
I have been thinking about the mechanism as to why LDN might be blocking the effects of cannabis for you. Opioid and cannabinoid receptors are often located in the same areas of neurons. Perhaps naltrexone binding to opioid receptors causes some cross talk between them that can downregulate cannabinoid receptor sensitivity?
But definitely some individual variability there as I have had quite a few patients do really well with the combo of cannabis and LDN, or CBD plus LDN.
LDN doesn't work for everyone unfortunately. It seems to help about 2/3 of patients that try it in my clinical experience, and same rates shown in clinical studies.
@@DrGinevra thanks
THC also interferes with bone bonding with titanium in dental implants and hip and knee replacement devices.
Good point! Surgeons are recommending patients avoid cannabis use for several months after joint replacement surgery.
Hey Doc, thanks for your video. Do you have favorites for this type of pain? I have a very similar disease called CRPS/RSD and need any recommendations I can get for daytime (functioning time), and at night when the pain hits hard.
Nothing has helped my pain as much as THC!!!!❤
❤ thx Dr.
Most welcome!
I’m new to your channel, and you’ve earned my thumbs up and subscription based on this one video. I have had Ankylosing Spondylitis, fibromyalgia for a long time, and more recently uveitis and Ulcerative Colitis. Until recently I’ve only been relying on my doctors for information and treatment, but lately I’ve been getting more involved and informed on my own. I’ve tried THC gummies but they make me feel anxious and interfere with my already poor sleep. I apologize for being new at this, but do you know of any legal, affordable solutions that can give me the benefits of THC without the bad side effects?
Welcome to my channel! CBD might be a good option for you to try next. I have several videos on the topic.th-cam.com/video/zHhyLbiBMJo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=7wuD45t_NmHqXMeG
I really enjoyed this presentation and it echoes my experiences as a not-formally-diagnosed fibromyalgia sufferer (formal diagnosis coming). I only have one question. Where can I get an ounce of Rainbow Diesel Funkadelic Harmony?
I wonder if that actually is a strain of cannabis, that would be hilarious! I am glad you enjoyed my presentation ( and the John Oliver joke 😂)
Hi Dr. Ginevra. Toms has several pairs of shoes in honor of Frida Kahlo on sale now! Thought you might want to take a look.
Lol that’s fantastic! Will definitely take a look, thank you!
People are not aware that some strains do not even get you high. I can can only tolerate sativa very low doses. Indica gives me nausea & I become too tired to function. I am such a lightweight just half of a 5 mg gummie before sleep to combat the inflammation/arthritis that is majorly affecting my mobility. I use a cane and often a rollator to get around.
I've been in a flare for the last year and I finally had to admit that THC makes my pain unbearably worse. I've tried different strains, different methods of intake, different companies, different ratios of CBD:THC, and it consistently elevates my pain and I will feel pain all over my body when stoned. I'm so bummed about it and wish I could find a strain that could help me.
I have definitely had patients tell me that cannabis makes their fibro pain worse, one explained that it just seemed to make her more aware of the pain.
I only realised I have FM after stopping daily cannabis use of 23 yrs. I stopped due to paranoia and anxiety attacks plus I thought it was the cause of extreme tiredness but it was not. However pain hit me hard once it was out of my system. I still have small amounts when it gets to much but that triggers addiction or is it also genuine need? I use CBD oil though not sure how much it helps. Thanks for your very helpful videos.
The pain-relieving effects of CBD oil are very mild compared to cannabis. Although addiction with cannabis is less common than with other substances it definitely does happen.
Dr. Can NAC could help un fibromialgya? Thanks
Good question. She brought it up in her first video. Did you see that video?
I’m in the uk so can’t use the thc could cbd work? I don’t want to feel high because I drive.
Some people find CBD on its own to be effective for pain. Check out my video CBD for Fibromyalgia Pt 1
th-cam.com/video/zHhyLbiBMJo/w-d-xo.html
I ended up in a poly pharma situation early on ofter my diagnosis of CFS with secondary Fibromyalgia. I cringe when think back to some of the very dangerous drugs they had me on. I'm sure many of you know the drill. Cannabis has helped me pick off most of those drugs one by one. I'm only one person but in my case big pharma lost money to the cannabis suppliers, just saying!😉
It had relieved my pain, but I rebounded with worse pain. I later found the rebound pain was from the oxalates in the cannabis.
I use castor oil instead of cannabis. Use both by mouth and topically.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I’ve been using cannabis for several months now and it hasn’t made any difference in my pain. If I take too much, I simply can’t function. If I were planning to sit around all day it would be fine but can’t operate like that.
Cannabis definitely doesn’t work for everyone, and the psychoactive effects can really limit its usefulness
You might want to try sativa for the daytime. It’s a total different experience than Indica. There are actual strains that are energizing!
Hi Doctor hope you are well. Thank you for the very informative video I found it very helpful. I have fibromyalgia and chronic pain which have really taken my life away from me. I use opioid medication as the pain is quite severe and acute. I have started using medicinal cannabis both flower and oil. Flower is 25% THC , Oil is 15% THC 15% CBD. Since using the oil every night I am having the best sleep I have had in years and I am also dreaming again which is great and waking up refreshed and rested. With my fibro I would do a million miles a night in bed because just couldn,t find a position that wasn,t painful so I would wake up completely exhausted as though I hadn,t had any sleep. Previously I was using flower that was 20% THC 20%CBD it was very good for the pain indeed. Also I do feel that going forward the continued use of the Oil will keep on improving my health and reduce my pain. I am in Australia and it has been extremely difficult to access products as my doctor has a serious aversion to it that borders on hysteria and will not even allow me to talk about it in her rooms that is how ignorant she is. And most doctors in the area are the same they are not open to helping their patients access medicinal cannabis. I do find that stress and anxiety cause my fibro to flare up severely, I have been having some serious problems with my doctor regarding medicinal cannabis she thinks it is illicit and people who sell it are criminals which has caused a fibro flare with severe pain. Also thank you for the information regarding CBN it was very useful. I have read that when the cannabis ages the chlorophyl decreases and the CBN increases. So cannabis that is old and brown would have more CBN than young green cannabis which may not have any CBN at all. Thanking you. Please stay safe. Regards. Namaste.
It sounds like medical cannabis is not very accepted in Australia, hopefully that will change as more scientific evidence can be provided on its medicinal usage. And yes, you are exactly correct, CBN content of cannabis increases as it ages
G,day Doctor thank you for the reply it is much appreciated. Yes Medicinal Cannabis is not accepted very well in Australia. WE have virtually no Medicinal Cannabis industry here. Most products are coming from Canada. There are a few people from Australia trying to get things going but the Government is dragging their feet and also making producers jump through a multitude of hoops to be able to operate in Australia. We third world country so far behind everyone else it is not funny. I was removed from the doctors surgery that I have been attending for over 60 years because I use legal Medicinal Cannabis. My doctor couldn,t understand that what I was using was legal she is so ignorant and backward in her thinking. Claims that people were complaining about an odour coming from me and also that the odour could harm babies. She is a real nut job. Please stay safe. Regards Noel Bush. @@DrGinevra
I found that cannabis made my pain worse. Is that possible? Why would that be? Thanks.
It doesn’t do much for my body pain but it definitely helps with my headaches and nausea. I feel it amplifies the pain.
If the THC increased your anxiety that could be a reason.
In the video, she mentions that lower doses of THC have been found to reduce pain, but higher doses have a "paradoxical effect" and increase pain. So maybe try a lower dose?
I definitely have had some patients report that. I think it comes down to THC's effects on perception, which can result in amplification of pain for some people. Cannabis is just like any other medication, works well for some, not for others. THC also can worsen anxiety for some people, and for others eases anxiety. There is still a lot we need to figure out about using cannabis medicinally!
I took Cannabis oil (not your normal CBD oil), for a year and it helped me a lot to relax and to sleep well. It didn't lessen my pain but it really helped a lot to lessen my stress and sleeping problems. Bad sleep aggrivates my pain so good sleep is a must!. Too bad I stopped because we have to go to Japan for half a year and Cannabis there is NOT allowed.
Cannabis can definitely help with relaxation and sleep, but legality issues make it hard to study.
Since I’ve started using CBD, my thyroid lab test changed considerably. Is that common?
Anything that can reduce inflammation , such as CBD, can affect thyroid hormones. Often this will happen with LDN or treatment of adrenal burnout. Super important to get thyroid labs checked frequently!
Well it sure does for me , keeps me outta the loony bin.😂❤
Props for discriminating against that vile term "Marijuana". It's "Keneh Bosm".. biblical.
Yes it's helping me.. THC in it
purple kush has antiinflamtory qualities and a fave of FMS sufferer's
not for me iv tried different types strengths in all forms nothing made any difference
Just like any medicine, cannabis is not effective for everyone.
i wouldnt presume to say that people should not try it ,just didnt do anything for me and i so want something to , Mind you i would proberly have had more success if doctors prescribed and monitored it i did well on LDN but something else GPS wont prescribe @@DrGinevra
I read a study linked from the Health Rising community forum. It brought up the fact that our pain receptors are so distorted or clogged so that we feel everything wrong. The receptors that are supposed to stimulate joy or reward are pretty much dormant which is why we don't feel any drive or joy and also why we don't get the high that would generally come with taking an opiate or cannabis. Ask any person with fibromyalgia if they have ever gotten high while taking these drugs, they will tell you no. Likewise it is also why the pain receptors act more dramatic. Idiot receptors.
CBD may work if taken long term but for immediate pain it is useless. I've discovered in myself that because I've been taking an opiate for spinal fusion pain for so long it's like the opiates have rewired my brain to only accept an opiate for pain. What are your thoughts on this theory?
CBD has only mild analgesic properties when taken systemically, but more helpful when used topically. I have had patients report the same thing as you are with opioids. I think its partly related to the fact that when you are on opioids long term it causes the brain to produce more opioid receptors (this is part of why the brain develops a tolerance to opioids and dosages have to be increased over time to get the same effects).
Not for me. Cbd edibles yes or edibles but for me if its drived of mostly indica and inhaled (smoked) it Hyper awares me of my pain. For me it Over stimulates My brain and Causes me to be super consciously aware of all the pain in my Body. Cbd is better for me
I definitely have patients that feel the same way about cannabis- that it makes them more aware of their pain, not less. And in that case CBD only products are often what I recommend trying. But cannabis works really well for other folks, it definitely takes experimentation to find the best, most effective treatments for each person.
OH FUDGE YES
Is Cannabis Effective for Fibromyalgia Pain? 17.11.23. I was more intrigued with the painterly version of the eats gold spouts junk....... tin.............. image
I don’t know if you read all these comments. I have had Fibromyalgia for 14 years. I have been on medications for 14 years. And I am so sick and tired of being pain. My back aches so much it affects my legs. I am trying CBD oil with a little THC. I see a little bit of a difference. But if you read my message PLEASE respond. Should I use this with medication, Gabapentin, Duloxetine etc… I do not want to take too much. I just want this PAIN to go away. My doctors they don’t know what to prescribe anymore. I am tired and weak and just want relief. PLEASE HELP ME. 🙏🙏🙏
I do try to read and respond to all comments, just not done a very good job of it lately due to life chaos. My heart goes out to you (and every person struggling with finding help for fibromyalgia), but legally I can't give specific personal medical guidance in this forum. And it may sound like a lame sales pitch but this is exactly why I wrote The FibroManual, as a guide for both patient AND doctors better understand how to treat fibromyalgia.
You mean coz BIG PHARMA can profit of ot now
I found pot didn't help.
Definitely not a panacea that helps everyone, very true.
Get a different background.
I have had both negative and positive feedback about the background. I feel Frida Kahlo’s painting behind me is such a powerful expression of the pain of fibromyalgia. But the nudity and rawness can be off-putting for some as well.
I like her background and didn’t understand it either 😂
The best thing I ever did for my fibro was to toss out what anyone else thought, and their judgemental behaviours. I still have lots of friends...some even show up in bathrobes in solidarity for understanding that with allodynia clothing hurts and uses energy I need for important work. I don't miss the pushy ones who feel living like a hobbit is something bad...it is actually earth friendly, more peaceful, and a way to get by without needing a lot of money or keeping up with the Joneses. I think a lot of fibro is our overly driven, aquisitive culture and don't for a minute regret leaving it behind. Frida was amazing those who would judge her should learn a good deal about her before writing her off...she has much to teach us all. You are amazing. @@DrGinevra