cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Eases MS Symptoms 





Marijuana Eases MS Symptoms 
Posted by CN Staff on August 18, 2002 at 19:49:51 PT
By Peggy Peck, UPI Science News
Source: United Press International
A survey of multiple sclerosis patients living in England found that 45 percent use marijuana either for relief of disabling leg spasms or to ease MS pain -- and use increases as symptoms worsen.Neurologist Dr. M. Sam Chong of King's College Hospital, London, said the "use rate is actually higher than we expected, especially since 18 percent of the patients said they used cannabis in the last month."
In an interview with United Press International, Chong, who presented the findings Sunday at the 10th World Congress on Pain, said that about half of the patients "started using marijuana only after MS was diagnosed."Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disorder that destroys myelin, the casing that protects the spinal cord. He said that 74 percent said that marijuana either eliminated or controlled leg spasms that make walking difficult or impossible while 54 percent said they used marijuana mainly for pain relief. The medical use of marijuana is controversial and far from proven. Earlier this year a study published in the journal Science reported that marijuana did not improve MS symptoms or relieve MS-associated pain. Nonetheless, Chong said, his survey results indicate that marijuana is beneficial for some MS patients. The 15-page surveys were mailed to 300 MS patients who are included in an MS patient database used by the neurology department and outpatient clinics. Two hundred fifty-eight surveys were returned. He said that patients who reported more severe symptoms were more likely to use marijuana, than patients who had mild or moderate symptoms. "And as symptom severity increased, use also increased," he said. "If patients were smokers, then they smoked the marijuana," he said. But most patients were non-smokers and the preferred delivery was "to bake it in a cake and keep it in the refrigerator so they could cut off pieces as they needed it."Generally, "patients reported using marijuana just before bed" rather than using it throughout the day. Dr. Sandra Chaplan, a clinical professor of anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego, and a member of the organizing committee for the pain meeting, noted that recently researchers have identified marijuana receptors in the brain, a finding that suggested it may have a role in pain relief. Moreover, she said that only recently have "we come to recognize that intractable pain is a symptom of MS, so it makes sense that cannabis should be investigated for MS symptoms."But Chaplan said that smoking is not a medically acceptable mode of delivery. "We need to find a delivery system -- preferably a pill -- that will deliver the analgesic effects with little or no cognitive effects." Meanwhile, she said, physicians are unlikely to recommend marijuana to MS patients.Chong agreed: "Neurologists are not likely to start prescribing marijuana, but among MS patients marijuana use is increasing because it is commonly recommended by members of patient support groups." From the Science & Technology DeskSource: United Press InternationalAuthor: Peggy Peck, UPI Science NewsPublished: August 18, 2002Copyright 2002 United Press InternationalWebsite: http://www.upi.com/ Contact: http://www.upi.com/about/contact.cfmRelated Articles & Web Site:10th World Congress on Painhttp://www.iasp-pain.org/02congopen.htmlSymposium on Cannabinoids in Pain Management http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13786.shtmlMS Patients in UK Face New Battle to Get Cannabis http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12902.shtmlCannabis Helps MS Bladder Controlhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10990.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by VitaminT on August 19, 2002 at 13:00:52 PT
But why Dr. Chaplin?
But Chaplan said that smoking is not a medically acceptable mode of delivery. "We need to find a delivery system -- preferably a pill -- that will deliver the analgesic effects with little or no cognitive effects." Meanwhile, she said, physicians are unlikely to recommend marijuana to MS patients.Why a pill? Is it because Pharmasaurus Rx Inc. can't figure out how charge $30.00 for a puff of smoke, or a whisp of vapor?Is smoked Cannabis a threat to your Perks from Merck?Are you saying we should give Pharmasaurus Rx Inc. $400,000,000. to refine the pleasure out of the Blessed Herb? Will they pay us back?Are you saying that happiness, pleasure, joy, relaxation, comfort, and mirth have no important role in healing?What kind of Doctor are you?
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Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 19, 2002 at 06:51:50 PT:
Yes
I believe that cannabis helps many ill people "get in touch with their disease" and improve their adjustment.The current report will be relegated to the label of "anecdotal." Some of us know better. Cannabis is not only helpful for the neuropathic pain of MS, but also spasticity, depression, and immunologically beneficially modifies the course of the disease.I have a major LTE on this pending with the journal, Neurology.
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Comment #3 posted by JSM on August 19, 2002 at 04:15:02 PT
Medical use 
There is a mind-body-spirit connect that is crucial for good health. Cannabis aids and facilitates this, but of course since this is dealing ultimately with consciousness it is impossible to measure or quantify and is ignored. Yet it is real. Does anyone else posting here have any understanding of this affect? Dr. Russo, have you had any experience with this?
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on August 18, 2002 at 21:43:07 PT
Bush's next move...
Bomb...patient support groups." Perhaps a letter explaining vaporizors, would help.Mine pretty much eliminates the carbon monoxide and other gasses that are present at the campfire, that are also present and of concern to the politician...When I want a buzz in addition, to the THC, like what those gasses deliver, I can still do so with the flame and incineration.http://www.lightwell.net/classic.html (the nice mohogany one) 
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on August 18, 2002 at 21:03:41 PT
When I was in HIGH school,
in app. 1973-74, Peter, who volunteered working with people that had M.S. said plain and clear, it helps them.He was adamant about it.He was also app. a 17 Year old.Today Bush still doesn't know it.Or is He faking it?He knows how to kill and He is not faking that.
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