Advice Needed for New User

[JMB]

Hi All,

Just came across this thread...in the midst of a bad flare (after 8 months of remission that came from starting 6mp last June). I am frustrated that the 6mp isn't working anymore and really do not want to be put on steroids again or moved to Remicade/Humira (both scare me more than 6mp does).

I am interested in trying to use MM as a supplemental treatment for my Crohn's symptoms (mostly frequent bloody, painful diarrhea). I have smoked pot socially/at parties here and there since high school but am hoping for some advice on how to transition to using it as a medicine with the best chances of helping my CD symptoms:
1. How much should you smoke? Usually one or two puffs gets me high. Don't want to get all paranoid but want to use enough to make a difference.
2. How often should you smoke? once per day? more?
3. What is the best method of ingestion? Sounds like vaporizing or ingesting is better than smoking. I have never even heard of vaporizing before reading these threads. Any advice would be appreciated.
4. What strain is best for CD?
5. How long does it take to see an improvement in symptoms once you start smoking intentionally?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated so I know how to get the best bang for my buck. I thankfully live in a state that has MM so am going to apply as soon as I can get my GI doc to sign off.

 

[skippy111]

Hi All,


1. How much should you smoke? Usually one or two puffs gets me high. Don't want to get all paranoid but want to use enough to make a difference.
2. How often should you smoke? once per day? more?
3. What is the best method of ingestion? Sounds like vaporizing or ingesting is better than smoking. I have never even heard of vaporizing before reading these threads. Any advice would be appreciated.
4. What strain is best for CD?
5. How long does it take to see an improvement in symptoms once you start smoking intentionally?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated so I know how to get the best bang for my buck. I thankfully live in a state that has MM so am going to apply as soon as I can get my GI doc to sign off.

1. The DR will advise you on this, based on your condition. It is best to follow the Dr's instructions on this one.

2. Again, Your DR will give you the specifics based on your condition.
3. There are alternatives to smoking it, some dispensaries have food items.
4. Your Dr may be knowledgeable with the individual strains, however, the Dispensary will have information on every strain they carry and which strain is best for your condition.
5. That all depends on your own body

I too live in a state where it is legal, so it is an option for me as well.
One important thing. You want to make sure your DR is aware of any and all meds you take as some meds will interact with the Canabis and make things worse. Especially if you take antidepressants or other meds.

You may have to discontinue certain meds to avoid reactions...

 

[Jennifer]

Out of curiosity, you said that 6MP worked in the past, is it not possible to increase the dose or are you already on the highest dose for your weight? I'm currently taking 100MG. How much are you taking?

 

[JMB]

Crabby,
I'm at 100mg too and while it did work perfectly for eight
Months, out of nowhere it seemed to have stopped and I have been in a bad flare now two months. I also seem to have developed a weird rash as a reaction to it so it seems that my days on 6mp are numbered. I am starting prednisone Tom to try and get this flare under control and will then have to likely move to Remicade

 

[kiny]

4. What strain is best for CD?

A strain high in CBD like harlequin, the anti-inflammatory properties come from CBD's effect on the opoid receptors, the other THC just makes you high you don't need that.

 

[saidinstouch]

I second the harlequin if you want some good pain relief without having too much of a head fog. If you don't mind the head fog as much, Blue Dream is amazing for pain relief, though probably less therapeutic than harlequin. It starts with a bit of a head high, but mostly is a good, relaxing body high that lets you relax a bit. If you want the best of both worlds, try combining the two. You get the medicinal and pain relieving properties of the harlequin and some of the euphoria and relaxation of the blue dream and it all synergizes very well when pain gets bad.

Another strain that has been highly recommended to me, but I haven't had a chance to try is Super Silver Haze. However, I suggest start with the harlequin if you aren't looking to get as much of a high since it is low in THC and the high CBD content will make for the best anti-inflammatory effects. It is a very relaxed and subtle feel, but one that definitely helps with pain!

 

[bobbyearle]

Harlequin is excellent. I went 7 days without eating (barely drinking water), got my hands on some harlequin, and was eating that night -- with NO high. I later found some CBD rich ATF (tested at 10% CBD), same awesomeness (gives me a little headache, but so worth it).

Omrita Rx3 is another one you can find here in San Diego. There's quite a few CBD rich strains. If you google "CBD project" there's a website (based out of SF, I think?) that has TONS of info about CBD strains.

For what it's worth, I can't stand Super Silver Haze But that's the way it works. Super Silver Haze works for one person, and it does nothing for the other (don't get me wrong -- it would get me "high" but that's it. No real symptom relief for me). SSH also makes me feel a bit too racy. But I know plenty who love it.

Jack Herer can be an amazing CBD daytime strain -- if you're okay with a slight high. It's been tested in my area at 2% CBD (incredible for such an amazing day time strain). If you're feeling down, you'll feel less down. If you're feeling unmotivated, you'll feel motivated. If you're feeling out of focus, it'll focus you. And the CBD's treat my symptoms incredibly (not to mention the UC potentially). So Jack Herer is a GREAT sativa that doesn't leave me feeling high or trippy too much -- only more positive, focused, and ready to get work done since I don't feel like death

 

[partyboy690]

Hi All,

1. How much should you smoke? Usually one or two puffs gets me high. Don't want to get all paranoid but want to use enough to make a difference.
2. How often should you smoke? once per day? more?
3. What is the best method of ingestion? Sounds like vaporizing or ingesting is better than smoking. I have never even heard of vaporizing before reading these threads. Any advice would be appreciated.
4. What strain is best for CD?
5. How long does it take to see an improvement in symptoms once you start smoking intentionally?

1) I would smoke a joint everytime I feel in pain, at the moment I'm using it as a stop gap until I start my meds(recently diagnosed but smoking a while to manage the pain) for me anyway it completely and utterly eliminates all pain associated with Crohn's whether this is a placebo effect or not I don't know but it works.

2) I smoke throughout the day as I need it, a few joints here and there just to keep the pain away, or if I feel like I have no appetite I get really stoned so I can eat.

3) Vapourising and ingesting are by far the best bet for you if you don't want to smoke. At the moment I'm smoking it and its not good for my lungs but if I am to keep this up long term I'd advise using a vapouriser. Plus with a vapouriser you can use a tiny bit and get stoned faster. I've used one before and they're much nicer and cleaner than traditional methods.

4) I'm not sure on strain but I think any with a high cannabanoid content and lower THC if you don't want to get stoned too much but still feel the relief. Any kind of indica would be best or some hash.

5) For me its almost instant if the pain is mild, but if its a bad pain then it takes between 20 and 40 mins before you notice the pain going away. It gradually gets better.

I hope this information helps, it might not work for everyone but for me I couldn't even get through the day without having a small smoke to manage symptoms. As I haven't even started my medication its the best thing for me at the moment. It should be noted I'm doing this off my own back. There's no prescription or anything.

 

[SkinnyNinny]

As the other posters noted, how much you take and when you smoke it/eat it really depends on what you can find in your area.

Personally I still feel like I need to work, so I only smoke when I get home from work. Usually I have a few puffs and that's it for the evening - stuff here is powerful. I don't know the name of it, its a kush - there are two strains, indica and sativa and they both have different effects, but I find either work fine for pain. Just indica will slow you down usually and sativa will brighten you up. If I have too much I feel pretty brain dead the next day and can't work or don't want to work, so this is something you will need to find out for yourself.

vaporizing is basically heating up the herb without burning it, about 200 degrees C or so, before ignition. You don't get smoke but the vapours do the trick. Vaporizors are expensive and I find that the whole smoke (burning) is more complete, but if you smoke a lot the vaporizing is better for your lungs.

I'm not any other drugs. My doctor put me on Imuran last month and I last a few days before my skin started burning so I quit. He also wants to put me on Humira or Remicade but I am resistant to those, side effects and permanent damage fears - that and not being able to work.

You can cook or bake with herb too, check out the forum on www.cannabisculture.com, there is also plenty of medical advice re: MM. I found the link to this site there.

Good luck!

 

[Delta-9 Force]

Advice for the new user...These folks who are posting know what they are doing! Harlequin and high CBD strains work best without so much THC high. I have experimented with different doses, strains, and delivery methods. Here's what works for me.

1. Edibles with high CBD. (decrease my urgency and frequency.) Downside, takes over an hour to take effect and edibles have notoriously inaccurate dosages. You might get "couched" or not want to get out of bed.

2. Tinctures - a few drops under the tongue. Mobile relief. more consistent dosing. downside, the burn on/under the toungue.

3. Vaporizing - efficient use of buds. Can also use the vaporized buds in edibles. side effects- you get the THC high. Cleaner than smoking.

4. Smoking - pipes or joints - "dirty" delivery system but the smoke is so sensual. I understand why tobacco smoking is so addictive. Can irritate the lungs, but not so terrible as a cigarette or cigar.

I've been using MM for 10 months and to varying degrees the MM has decreased my urgency and frequency. Moreover, I'm almost "regular" with solid bowel movements. Diarrhea has decreased tremendously, but that might be because I've decreased my alcohol consumption since I've started using MM. (Another reason why MM might be kept illegal...it'll kill the alcohol industrial complex.)

Anyway...I hope you find some relief and peace.