Medical Cannabis for SJS

[Sharon]

Medical cannabis can supposedly lower inflammation in SJS and regulate the immune system:

http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/sjogrens-syndrome-medical-marijuana-research-overview/

(Of course I'm not talking about smoking it but injesting, using the oil form, etc.)

Has it helped anybody with their SJS symptoms enough to use it as a sole treatment?
What symptoms has it helped the most with?

Thanks!

[Sharon]

Noody has any experience with this? 

[Joe S.]

On my trip last year, I had blue berry cobbler made with green butter. I had 16 hours without pain. The vision in my bad eye cleared. My blood pressure was lower. I thought this is great! I had never had this type of effect from any other medication. The first couple of hours after taking it, I did have hallucinations that I did not like.

I still needed to sip water. I did not have hunger / munchies. It would be nice to have it legal and affordable. In the 60's it grew wild near rivers, and in diches along roadways. It was grown an farms in the 20's for rope. Then it was made illegal. Who does not remember "Reefer Madness"?

Being a "Straight Arrow" I never used it before last year. I went to parties where it was used. In the late 60's, I grafted hops to marijuana as an experiment for a friend.

[SjoDry]

I have no experience with this at all. I look for community p.r. opportunities for my Sjogren's support group..and noticed that in April they are having the first medical marijuana conference and expo here in Pittsburgh. Would love to go just to try to learn.

SjoDry

[Sharon]

Joe- I'm not familiar with the different strains...do you know which one would be most helpful in lowering inflammation?

SjoDry- I'd be interested in hearing of any information you may aquire!

[warmwaters]

I live in a state where it's legal for medical use.  I tend to be very drug sensitive, so am concerned about using it because  I seem to react everything. My partner thinks it would be good to try.

I did a google search to see what I could find, and there are articles and case studies out there.  I don't know enough about all the new ways of delivering it (capsules, oils) to be able to decipher it without some more research. Nor do I understand if you can do controlled dosing.

Maybe dig around some of that material?

[Sharon]

Hi warmwaters, there is indeed much information but it isn't clear to me which strain would be most effective for SJS. It seems you can do controlled dosing. Seems to me to be worth a try. I too am very sensitive to medications, but I'd rather try cannabis than spend my life on steroids which is all the doctors will prescribe me.

[Days Off]

Sharon - Look for strains that are high in CBD.  A quick google search can tell you which strains this would be. 

It wouldn't hurt to also research the effects of CBD, THC, etc....l

[Joe S.]

I have no idea what the strain was. it was prescribed for a cancer patient to help with pain. He was very active until he died a few month later.

[Sharon]

Thanks, there's some contradicting info out there.
I've read the CBD modulates the immune system but doesn't affect presence of mind, but the THC actually reduces inflammation quickly but is more intoxicating.
Hmmm....

[WhatYouSjo]

I recently started a treatment regimen using CBD oil. CBD has shown promise as an anti-inflamatory and immunomodulator, though research is very limited. CBD does not have the typical side effects that comes from marijuana usage (increased appetite, relaxation, anxiety, etc.) which are largely attributable to THC. High CBD/low THC products can be purchased at dispensaries in states where marijuana is legal. CBD can also be obtained from industrial hemp, which is grown in many countries and can be legally imported (for now at least) into the USA, though there is little regulation.

Unfortunately, it's a bit challenging to find a proper dosing protocol as there is limited research available, but I will try to track my benefits. I wrote a post about it on my blog.

[paulc182]

I smoked occasionally several years back. Was never big on it, and I never saw myself going back to it because of some paranoia/anxiety issues while on it. But if CBD oil proves effective, I will definitely hit up some the dispensaries around my area.

[irish]

I would be very leary of smoking it because of what it can do to the lungs. It may have anti inflammatory effects but I would think that the pain would be the first thing that would be helped. I just think that smoking that horrible smoke would really throw you into lung issues that could be attributed to autoimmune issues or COP issues.

When I was nursing I gave a medication called Marinol --oral capsule form marijuana-- to a cancer patient and it really helped with his pain and increased his appetite. As a result he was able to eat and get around more and didn't languish in bed as long. It was a @#%$^ getting the prescription filled for him though as only one doc would take the risk to order it. Really was a problem. If he was in the hospital he would not have been able to do the Marinol. Because he was in assisted living it was easier to do because of the rules and regulations. Irish

[Sharon]

WhatYouSjo- Thanks for your response! I also read your blog post on this and really look forward to hearing how the CBD helps your symptoms. The only legal product I can purchase where I live is hemp seed oil. Do you know anything of the CBD content in it?

Irish- Thanks, I would never dream of smoking it, maybe just taking the oil.

[Sooki]

I've thought a lot about trying marijuana.  I live in a state where it's now legal.  And there is a store nearby that has rave reviews on Yelp for having an owner who is very knowledgable on medical effects of the different strains.   Sativa strains are relaxing to soporific and Indica strains are more mental clarity through anxiety.  The Indica ones are usually the ones taken for pain relief.  But then there are all the crosses that emphasize different characteristics and are best for overall inflammation.

I'm really sensitive to things that alter my energy (sleeping pills make me groggy for days and even decaf drinks make me jittery and insomniac.).  Someday, I intend to talk with the owner of the store and see what he recommends.

I'm interested in strains that decrease overall inflammation.  Science Daily reports on a study on marijuana use in autoimmune disease. sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140602150914.htm

I smoked weed occasionally in the 60s.  But found it was making me uncomfortably self-aware and self- conscious and decided that a glass of wine was much more comfortable. (I do neither now)  But weed is very different now, I'm told.  Breeding has done so much to customize it and select for its effect. 

I'd be really interested to hear from someone who has used it recently.