Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain

Millions of people suffer from chronic pain from back pain to nerve For many of these sufferers, this type of pain can be controlled by analgesics, including opiate narcotics. Despite this, medication often causes unpleasant and potentially deadly side effects such as addiction, tolerance, overdose, and other problems

Now, as more and more sufferers and caregivers begin to research medical marijuana as an option to pharmaceutical pain killers, the question is asked, can medical marijuana help in the treatment of chronic pain? and will it serve as a viable alternative to opioids?

The short answer is yes – medical marijuana can serve as an alternative to opioids for some patients, though it is not right for everyone, and it does not necessarily work for all types of chronic pain. The long answer is more nuanced – while medical marijuana can help alleviate symptoms for some patients, the most successful types of treatment for chronic pain using medical cannabis are still being studied, and determining which category of patients can benefit from marijuana treatment is still ongoing. There is a reason to believe medical cannabis may be of help for certain patients with chronic pain due to specific causes, but not for all patients because of several reasons. (CDC)

If you are a legal resident of the state that allows medical marijuana and you have been diagnosed with a chronic pain disorder, you may be eligible to get a medical marijuana card that will provide you with medical cannabis that may alleviate your condition.

Chronic Pain: What You Need To Know

Chronic pain is a condition where pain lasts for a long time. Three months or more. After the injury or illness has gone away. It affects parts of a persons life. For example it can disrupt their sleep make it hard to stay active impact their job and make socializing tough. Chronic pain is not just pain; it is a condition that changes how people live their lives.

It is not something that just goes away quickly. People, with pain have to manage it every day.

It is a condition that needs attention and care. Moreover, it often significantly decreases a person’s overall quality of life. While the specific qualifying conditions for medical marijuana can vary from state to state, most states have chronic pain on their list of qualifying conditions. Some of the most common

chronic pain conditions that qualify for medical marijuana treatment include:

1. Chronic non-cancer pain
2. Neuropathic pain (nerve pain)
3. Arthritis
4. Fibromyalgia
5. Multiple sclerosis (MS)
6. Cancer-related pain
7. Spinal cord injuries
8. Degenerative disc disease
9. Crohn’s disease
10. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
11. Post-surgical chronic pain
12. Persistent muscle spasms

The best course of treatment for chronic pain, including medical marijuana treatment if applicable, should be determined by your doctor.

The Dangers of Using Opioids For Chronic Pain

Prescription opioids are a tool for pain management. They can help people who’re in a lot of pain. Opioid medications can also have some bad side effects. These side effects can be especially bad when people use medications for a long time. The common bad side effects of opioid medications, for people who use them to manage chronic pain are:

1. Physical dependence
2. Opioid tolerance
3. Addiction
4. Drowsiness
5. Constipation
6. Suppression of breathing
7. Increased risk of overdose

For these reasons, among others, physicians are advised to prescribe opioids for the long term for chronic pain very carefully and to consider other treatment options. (CDC)

Medical Marijuana As An Alternative To Opioids

Medical marijuana helps with pain/inflammation by targeting the endocannabinoid system in order to reduce sleep and mood disorders. For instance, some patients feel as if they are able to reduce their pain as well as improve their sleeping pattern by using medical marijuana. Furthermore, medical marijuana plays a significant role in reducing the limitation of function and muscle spasms. Medical cannabis works well for neuropathic pain.

We still don’t know if medical marijuana is good for other types of chronic pain. Medical marijuana can help with pain and it is one of many options. You should talk to your doctor about using marijuana for chronic pain. It is also important to remember that medical marijuana is one of many treatment options, for chronic pain.(CDC)

Medical Marijuana Opioids

Lower risk of fatal overdose Significant overdose risk

May improve sleep May damage sleep over time

Lower risk of dependence than opioids Higher risk of dependence

May reduce muscle spasms Primarily reduce pain

Physician supervised through state programs Prescription and monitored by physicians

Can treat pain and muscle spasms

I am sure that you are now overwhelmed with the vast amounts of information regarding your treatment. There are several considerations for choosing between these two treatment options. It is crucial to keep in mind that every treatment involves a degree of risk. However, I believe that you would be able to make the best decision regarding your treatment in consultation with your physician.

Who Should Consider Medical Marijuana?

You should consider speaking to a qualified medical marijuana doctor if:

You experience chronic pain that has not been successfully treated by other methods

You experience adverse effects from opioids

You are interested in receiving other chronic pain treatment options

You have one of the qualifying chronic pain conditions in your state.

Medical marijuana can be really helpful for people who have pain. However it is not the choice, for every single person. You should always talk to your doctor before you try marijuana or any new treatment. Medical marijuana might help you take opioid medications. This is a thing because opioid medications can have some pretty bad side effects. Medical marijuana may help reduce these side effects.

The Benefits of a Medical Marijuana Card

A medical marijuana card grants you several important benefits, including:

Legal Access to Medical Marijuana

With your medical marijuana card, you’ll always have legal access to medical cannabis in your state

Professional Medical Care

A medical marijuana card helps you gain professional medical care and oversight from qualified physicians.

Safer Medical Cannabis Products

Medical cannabis is available in a wide variety of safer and more consistent products from trusted dispensary networks.

Personalized Chronic Pain Treatment

Your doctor can help you personalize your treatment and pain relief options to your needs and preferences.

How EZMedCard Can Help You Get Your Medical Marijuana Card

Getting your medical marijuana card is not as complicated as you might think. With EZMedCard, the entire process is fast and simple.

Schedule your online consultation.

Speak to a qualified medical marijuana doctor.

Receive your evaluation.

If you qualify, apply for your medical marijuana card.

Once you get your card, you can get legal access to medical marijuana dispensaries and the products from trusted networks to help manage your chronic pain.

Make the Switch To Medical Marijuana Today

Dealing with chronic pain should not mean limiting your options for treatment. If you’re a chronic pain patient looking to reduce your opioid use or seeking an alternative to opioids, a medical marijuana evaluation can help you discover whether you’re eligible for a medical marijuana card in your state. Apply with EZMedCard and make the switch to medical marijuana today!