Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Alternatives and ALCHEMISTS SMOKING POT

Well, first of all, what a relief to hear that AS is on the list of diseases for which we can legally smoke pot. Going to the doctor for the papers is another issue altogether.

However, I have found that it does intensify the pain (as if when I'm high I'm hyper sensitive to everything). BUT! I also sleep better after I've smoked. I remember back in September my doctor gave me some muscle relaxants to help with the spasms that were waking me up four and five times a night. Didn't do a thing. Pot on the other hand did help with that, so I can deal with a bit of intensified pain (and after a point, what's a little more pain) if if means getting good sleep.

Now, I smoke a small bowl when I get home and that's it. I don't go for super high or anything, just treat it like an after work glass of wine. By the time I go to bed, I'm relaxed and able to sleep - without the horrible morning fog descending.

I didn't know about the different types. That's cool. I have to admit that I've noticed the difference in high quality when I get a batch with lots of bud.

I've found that beer actually makes my thorasic area burn, so I keep away from it. Don't like drinking all that much anyway - not on a regular basis that is. Every so often it's nice to go out with friends and indulge, but not on beer. Not anymore. Boy do I pay for beer!

Hugs,
Kat

Hi Kat, What a laugh reading all of these posts. I did try smoking a joint last year. I bought one and had it sitting around for a few months. Then one day I decided to smoke it. (I put on a 70's CD) and lit up chuckling to myself. I smoked about half of it and thought I had better put it out. I AM GLAD I DID!!!!! I was so "stoned" I couldn't even tell you if it helped or not. I was glad when I was back to normal.
I must of had some strong stuff.........See Ya ......Hope

I smoked pot habitually for 13 years before giving up last year. I gave up 'cos it was messing with my mental health. I find that in small doses it is possible to "tune in" to the pain, and thus exacerbate it. The more I smoke, the more whacked I get & the less I feel anything at all. Alchohol doesn't seem to have much effect on the pain (except in the same get-smashed-feel-nothing kind of way). The only drugs that seem to work are opiates (feel hellava good, no pain at all), and stimulants (can dance all night with far more movement than I thought possible) - the next day tends to be stiff, but not too bad.

I admit that the old days were a little crazy. Just remember if the Social Security Disablility people can any way link AS with illegal drug use your chances of winning a SSD claim are gone. That being said, "if I did smoke it" its relaxing effect allowed me to sleep but the apathetic effect added to me not caring to take care of myself as much as I could have. I think. Maybe I dont really remember to well. =)

I know what you all mean about it messing with your brain. I watched a friend of mine fritter away a ton of money, sitting on his butt for six months, smoking pot and playing Scrabble. But he was smoking two or three joints a day.

For myself, as I said (I think), when I have it, I smoke a small bowl when I get home from work. I find that it helps me sleep so much better than the muscle relaxants my GP gave me last fall that it's amazing.

But, I don't always have it and I've found I don't sleep as well when I don't. My back muscles become so stiff and I toss and turn all night. Not conducive to rest.

Ah well,

Kat

I have been smoking pot for the last two years I find it helps me relax. The pain is still there but I find I don't care as much about it. It is illegal here so I guess I am breaking the law but trials are being done on it properties for pain relief so I am keeping my fingers crossed they will give the ones of us who live with this curse the green light very soon
Sandra

I stopped drinking because the pain was unbearable for days afterwards also it works against the nsaids and can cause stomach problems
Sandra

Just as a follow up...

I haven't smoked anything in over a week and am sleeping just fine. YAAAAY!!!

I was so afraid that it would be different. I really must be feeling better.

Kat

Pot, one of my favorite subjects. I've smoked for a few years now but, I'm going to try and quit completely. I have started taking Naproxen and so far I'm amazed at how I feel. I promised myself I would quit pot if my back ever felt better.I hope it lasts. Pot will help you sleep for sure but I find myself smoking too much. I need to be more active so that I can get this AS under control. Great stuff I just wish people were'nt so darn neggative about it. I wouldn't feel so bad about it if society didn't look at it as the devil. I think a lot more people smoke than let on. Oh well hope you all feel better.
Bye,
Bones
I'm proud of all of you for being honest.

God bless Canada. I live in Cali. and it would be impossible to get a prescription.

I have found that pot is one of the only things that does help me. It's funny too, because when I was younger, I was a recreational smoker, so it was interesting to watch the transition in my attitude from recreation to pain relief. The unforunate thing is that it does temporarily affect the brain, so I would never smoke before work, mostly just at night. It helps me sleep and greatly relieves my pain (sometimes the difference between barely being able to stand on my legs to being able to walk with no problem).

Alcohol too, helps to take the edge off. Especially for my Friday night band rehearsal. After working a full day and then putting in about a four hour rehearsal, it's difficult for me to stand for such a long time (there are some songs I can sit for, but others I really need the erect lung positioning to pull them off).