Tag Archives: Multiple Sclerosis

Marijuana or Medication?

I am tired of this topic but its obviously still an issue. Medications have a nice long list of side effects (which doctors dont mention when prescribing) that may be worse than the original problem. It’s a tough debate depending on your feelings of The Law. If you are familiar with my site, you know where I stand. I medicate daily in a mostly accepting state, New York. Its decriminalized here but you can still be in trouble if using in public.

You cannot overdose or die from it. It doesn’t constipate or cause seizures, and it grows directly out of the ground.

My research shows that not one of big pharma’s medications on the market can make these claims.

The other side of the road involves MANY co-pays, doctors visits and follow-ups. The side effects have been worse than the problem in some of my cases. If you take them incorrectly or in conjunction with another medication (who knows which ones) it could fuck, you, up and in some cases causes death. I guess ultimately, its death that concerns me when I hear these commercials. Mostly because I am not a pharmacist and also because, the pharmacists I have seen, scare me.

I am not saying go get high for the common cold. Truth is I am saying get high if your limbs are not actively working with what you are trying to make them do, get high if you drop things regularly and get embarrassed publicly, medicate if going out in public makes you anxious and nervous. Smoke and joint and tell me you dont feel better, i dare you.

It stimulates my appetite which had been previously wiped out by the medication. It helps my mind to rest and body to follow. When used correctly (in moderation) it will not dumb you down, make you lazy, jump out the window, eat children, turn you into a junkie or lose your job (rules and restrictions may apply.) What it will do is, help you continue with your lifestyle before your dx (diagnosis.)

Those were all pieces of the governments propaganda. Most of them are funny but it’s because you are educated. The scary side of this is people who are not. People are buying into it and being forced into doing whatever they are told. These are the people preaching against medicinal marijuana strictly because they are following the rules and don’t know any better, my heart goes out to them all.

I am very interested to hear what everyone thinks about this topic, so please throw some comments up.

-Dopie

http://about.me/dopie

Second infusion………..not going so well

I went in and had another bag of steroids prior to the Tysabri and all was well. The needle was inserted into my arm like a hot knife through butter, I never felt it. I got comfy knowing that this could be an hour plus adventure.

I caught some news on my iPad and watched some regular tv, I was more than entertained. He unplugged me and I jumped in a cab get home. Ever since the cab ride I have not felt right. My heat sensitivity is all out of whack right now and I am sweating up a storm, my right leg from the knee down feels like I have a boa constrictor wrapped around it along with the bed of needles it f eels like I am standing on under my right foot. It feels very similar a type of episode I had prior to now. I forgot how hard it is totype when your right hand wants to write in a different language.

I called my doctors emergency cell and filled him in. He began drilling me with questions to perform and over the phone checkup, I even learned how to take my heart rate. as it stands now I need to monitor myself and lay low tomorrow. I canceled my Zipcar for the morning and txtd my trainer that I couldn’t workout tomorrow. It’s 2am now and I am going to try and get some sleep again.

********UPDATES TO COME********

A Big 24 Hours

Thursday the 10th at 6:30pm will be my first of many infusions. I am excited and nervous all at once. From what I have read so far its just sitting in a room for an hour or two with an IV, no side effects and no stress. Obviously this is not always the case but it seems to be the norm. Sounds good considering it should help and I am jumping onto the most agressive drug on the market.

The scary part: there is a chance that in two years PML (brain disease) can develop. The odds are in my favor that this will not happen. I have taken the tests to see if I have already been exposed to this.

UPDATE:
I went in for the infusion and it was a little more traumatic at first than I planned on. Sat down and the IV needle actually hurt and it did not go in correctly, he realigned it, made it hurt a lot more and proceeded. Did a bag of steroids first and then went to the drug. My arm started throbbing in pain and my hand felt like it was burning. I told the doctor and all of the sudden it looked like a marble under my skin at the injection point. Cut off the drug and remove the IV, move to the left arm and continue the treatment.

All is well that ends well and this day ended well. First infusion was a success and I will get my iPad 2 in celebration, tomorrow.

A diagnosis….

They found a problem. It’s good to know it wasn’t in my head the entire time, I have Multiple Sclerosis. Not precisely what I was hoping for since there is no cure but it is manageable for the rest of my life.

All it took was a Brain Cat-Scan, Corroded Artery ultra sounds, ultra sound of my heart, MRI, MRI with contrast, MRI of my spine, Spinal Tap and many blood panels. Now I have to meet with some MS specialists to determine a longterm plan to halt the process of the disease.

At this point I am getting IV steroids twice a day for four days to try and stop the side effects but that has not gone as planned. I’ve been taking them and the motor skill issue, cold sensation and slurred speech are all there but it could take over two weeks to truly get the steroids through my system. It’s one of those diseases that they compare to fingerprints because no two people match up with treatment, success or side effects. The trick is just to find a way to manage it, problem is getting to that point can take a couple months and nobody wants to wait around helplessly in the meantime.

Too bad, the truth of the matter is helplessness is the only reliable aspect here because it’s one hundred percent out of anyone’s control.