Re: Relax the Spasms ...

June 7, 2000

Hi Gang ...

I am really new in the CMT scene, only being diagnosed a few weeks ago. Of

course, a lot of my age old questions were answered, i.e., why I could never

balance on one leg, why I was so klutzy, etc. Finally, when the cramping and

pain in my feet got so bad I found myself in front of a Neurologist. Over

the past few years, I have tried to find medications to ease the pain in my

feet and toes. I have tried everything from plain aspirin to narcotic type of

drugs. Finally, a friend suggested that I try some marijuana, which he

supplied. Walla ...!!! About fifteen minutes after smoking, the cramping in

both feet went away and the pain was reduced by about fifty percent. I have

tried this about 20 times over the past two months with about the same

results. In fact, on some mornings, I awake pain free. I was wondering if

anyone else is getting relief from " The Devil Weed. " I will be 62 years old

in July and I don't give a hoot what anyone says ... pain relief is Heaven.

My best to you all ...

June 7, 2000

Hi, Lamar ...

Thanks for your response. I think the pain relief comes from the relaxing of

the cramps in the toes. I have tried other muscle relaxants like Xanax and

synthetic narcotics like Talwin. Both of these drugs help somewhat,

especially in combination, but they seem to just mask the pain temporally and

I don't care for the way they make me feel. The cannabis relaxes the spasms

to such a degree, that I wake up in the morning with no cramping at all. I

guess its because the pain cycle has been broken the night before. In fact, I

have been awake since six this morning, went to the gym, had a full workout

with weights and still have no pain in the feet. I smoked some grass last

night after dinner, went to bed at 11 and feel great today ... pain free so

far. You made a very good point about employment ... not something that I

worry about as I am an independent contractor and work for myself. I

certainly don't feel any moral degradation about using the pot for medicinal

purposes. I look at it as being far less harmful than Xanax, Codeine

orTalwin, all of which, have their own long term, serious side effects. The

main negative side effect of using cannabis is the chance of getting caught,

arrested and fined. Here in California, possession of less than an ounce is

an infraction ... much like a traffic ticket. The fine is $100. but the

authorities are really not interested in arresting those who use pot as

medicine. There are even those who grow a plant or two for their own use who

have not had a problem when found out. The authorities are after the people

who grow for a profit. Hey ... compassion is even finding its way into the

hearts of government officials. Who'd A thunk it? )

June 7, 2000

, Lamar here,

Cannabis has been found to be of benefit for some in chronic pain. It has also

been found to be neurotoxic for long time use, thereby POSSIBLY causing those

with CMT additional nerve damage. In some states, Marinol (a tablet containing

pure THC) is available by prescription for pain control, nausea from

chemotherapy, etc. I do not know about your state, but you could check with

your physician.

Every individual has to decide what degree of risk they are willing to take in

life, but this should be after thoroughly weighing advantages and disadvantages.

I would caution those that are employed to be very reluctant to try this. Most

places utilize drug screening, often at random, and if this reveals cannabis or

other illegal drugs they immediately loose their job; including the loss of

insurance benefits that for those with CMT are very important. This does not

include the potential legal implications.