Yes...good luck Kimmy sue. All I can say is "focus"...focus for now on putting the pain somewhere else in your mind (meditation)...and focus on the future by getting a garden going so you can ultimately be self-sufficient with your meds.

As far as elaborating on the effect on back pain......I found that the narcotics *are* more effective than cannabis at targeting my specific back pain...but the addicitive qualities preclude daily usage. (found out the hard way. Don't be fooled)

Cannabis works to "distract" my mind from the pain rather than numbing the pain as the narcos do. It's still there..but it is placed more in the background of my mind than the forefront..and after I smoke I often find I'm up doing things out of habit that just wouldn't have gotten done without a good joint.

pain-free best wishes to all who've posted in this thread.

btdt

i agree totally mate,
ill smoke joints if i have had a skateboarding accident and taken alot of skin off, like you said it dosnt kill the pain but lets your mind be distracted but the pain.

The first time I realized MJ relieved pain, was while in the Marines. I was stationed in NC, and had gotten really sunburned. The next day, a friend asked if I wanted to burn one. We were in his car and I had to lean forward, to avoid touching my back on the the seat back. We were about halfway through the number, when I realized I was leaning against the seatback. My back felt a little tight, but, NO PAIN!
That was more than 30 years ago, and it has been my favorite pain med, since.

yeah here in australia i cant get medicinal in the legal sense but i am a floor tiler and on my knees up to 12 hours a day my friend also in the trade (weve been working together for 8 years constantly) complains of back and knee pains i told him i dont get it but when put on parole for growing with drug testing it has really started taking its toll on me ive been off work for at least 6 months and was on all sorts of codiene based meds to no avail within the last fortnight i thought **** it and took up smokin my beautiful ladie again i ve work every day 10 hours for the last 2 weeks with the help from mary and havnt had 1 muscle spasm or pain and best of all no opiates i dont agree with most of american government policie but bring the mmj over here pls ive never felt better and can stop robbing everyones taxes from claiming welfare and contribute back to socity by once again getting taxed to the hilt loving live n work pot is the only way peace and pot!

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I dont see why i should be the criminal,
How can something with no recorded fatalitys be illegal?

I know I used to be very hush hush about my medical conditions,, I couldn't understand, why me, As the years past by I found myself being able to do less and less physically and my mental being with depression and so on was becoming harder to deal with,, Back then I had no medical insurance so I really didn't know what was really wrong with me,, When I had to stop working I finally was diagnosed with, degenerative disk disease, Fibro, ptsd,bipolar, and adhd,, I was embarrassed and my pride hurt because I just couldn't do things like splitting and lugging fire wood, you know things I had done my whole life.. So yes it is still sensitive for me but not like it used to be, I have worked on putting my pride aside and I also think since being here on GP and being around others who have medical health issues has helped me to except the person I am today, health issues or not,,,There was a time not too long ago, never, not once would I tell anyone my medical problems.....

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I'm very open about having HIV. I've found it to be a pretty good screen. If someone doesn't want to be around me because of that, then it's highly unlikely we had much of a future, in any case.

I had one guy who thought he could get it from sharing a bowl with me.

Can you imagine how many people would have HIV if you could get it from smoking weed with an AIDS patient? The idiot.

So, yeah, I'm pretty open about it. It takes people by surprise a lot. I don't look sick, until you look closely (and know what to look for). Also, I don't fit the profile. I'm straight and I'm not a junkie. So, it tends to throw people off when I tell them.

I guess I should say that 90%+ of people don't react poorly, at all. That depends on where you are, though, I'm sure. It probably helps to weigh well over 200 lbs, too. Idunno.

Another advantage of having HIV: if you tell a cop in Mexico you have it, they are THROUGH talking with you - right that second. You just tell them you came to Mexico to die of AIDS in peace and they'll be gone before you're halfway through explaining yourself!

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-Michael

LMAO.... I really like your attitude Michael,, Self confidence sure makes a difference in ones life...

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Some things ya can't just make up... that really happened.

Some things ya never forget, either, I guess. LOL

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-Michael

I'm pretty open about having MS and using and growing cannabis. In the last month I have done two talk radio shows and a newspaper interview. I bring it up to anyone who has a question or concern. At first I was not open as I grow so I want no trouble.
Now I feel like almost safe because I have norml and ASA covering my back with help with a medical defense if necessary.
Down in the VI we are working on legalization with a back up medical bill. We have some legislative support so it may happen. Then you all can vacation in America's paradide and medicate.

Wow... good for you, bombi, for spreading the word! I applaud you! Thanks!

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Old King Cole was a merry old soul
And a merry old soul was he!
He called for his pipe and he called for his bowl,
And that's how he stayed so merry!

Hi bombi, I for one would love to hear more about your different travels with all you are doing. If your interview for the new paper is on line I would enjoy checking it out. You might already know but I'd like to mention that we have a Forum section called The Farmacy,, Check it out if you can and also share how the mmj has helped your MS. I had an Aunt who at the age of 20 was diagnose with MS. It was a tough life for her, but of course things were different in those days. Have a great rest of the day and I sure hope to see you around!!!

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yeah mon, I've been working as an advocate since the eary 80's. I did some leg work in Maine to get the 2 oz possession bill then with the med law. I had medical permission there and my 6 plants. I'm an old 58 year old dude now and am in the VI so we workin to make some progress for de people here dem.

http://virgin-islands-medical-mariju...vMCYsUtd6tccYc

Here is a link to the article in the St. John Trader

you are kidding, I am from Maine myself,,, I would love to know about the work you do here

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yo, I moved to the VI @ 4 years ago. I couldn't handle the winters any longer.
I did leg work in Maine. distributed and picked up petitions, sat at a table during elections passing out literature and answering questions, nothing glorious but stuff that helped to get the law changed.
My new quest in the VI began last sunmmer and is gaining momemtum. We have a norml chapter now, usvinorml.com. and are getting the word out and trying to educate doctors. I never thought it would be a life time job, but I guess that part of the passion.

Here is a link to a sticky about MM users and their conditions started by one of our Mods. It might help. What is your medical reason for using cannabis

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"A word to the wise is infuriating."
"No man is so foolish but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master."
"In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity."
"Buy the ticket, take the ride."
- The Immortal Hunter S. Thompson

this is my educatioal google group I turn doctors on to. I'm tring to complie documented medical info in one place to keep their interest.
Medical Marijuana US Virgin Islands | Google Groups

Well I thank you for giving your life to the cause, There are a lot of dedicated people giving so much and it is all appreciated, I promise you.

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Wow, Michael, I just read your post...
I guess, sooner or later, we're all afflicted with something (barring a freak accident or something that wiped us out). I'm beginning to realize that one of the main things is acceptance of the way things are NOW, rather than feeling like we should have something we used to have.
I used to see a frail-looking young man in his wheelchair as I took my walk. One day he was close to the sidewalk; so, as I walked down the street, not breaking my stride, I asked, "How are you?"
I was almost past him already, as I heard him murmur a weak, "Pretty good... pretty good..." Made me think, if that kid can say "pretty good" under his circumstances, damn it, I need to adopt an attitude like that.
Sometimes, if I'm really feeling crappy and someone asks, "how are you?", I'll say, "I couldn't be better!" (while thinking... " 'cause if I could, I would!"! Hahaha.)

Isn't it great to have a place like GP that everyone can talk about all this, and there's lots of understanding, and often some good advice, too.

I wish you the best, Michael.

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Old King Cole was a merry old soul
And a merry old soul was he!
He called for his pipe and he called for his bowl,
And that's how he stayed so merry!

I really buy into the whole "truth is stranger than fiction" idea, mostly because of my own experiences. And that strangeness, that unexpectedness, surely adds to it's memorability.

__________________
"A word to the wise is infuriating."
"No man is so foolish but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master."
"In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity."
"Buy the ticket, take the ride."
- The Immortal Hunter S. Thompson