Alternative ways of dealing with it.

By garzabeth

2 min read

Migraine sufferers are a proud breed of people. We are excellent at hiding our pain, feeling guilty for spending 2 days in a room with black out curtains, curled up in a ball, sound hurts, light hurts, nausea kicks in, hoping that you can just go to sleep and wake up with no more pain.

I have had migraines for 20 years, since I was 26, immediately following the birth of my 3rd & last child and the breakdown of my marriage, happening simultaneously. I thought I had a brain tumor, or I was having a stroke. No headache could ever hurt that bad. The pain was so intense, I felt like there had to have been some kind of injury to cause this. MRI's, CAT scans, but there seems to be nothing wrong. So now i feel like I'm just a hypochondriac, or I have a low pain tolerance. No one understood. I would have an average of 16 migrane days a month. They last for 3-5 days at a time. I know we all have tried many, many different treatments. I also have clinical depression. I don't know about you, but i hate taking pills. I would rather have a natural cure.

I have had a prescription and have held a "red card" for 5 years now for medical marijuana. Thankfully I live in a state where it is now legal. Before you judge, listen please. There is a lot of stigma attached to medical marijuana, or MMJ. I am a responsible citizen, homeowner, full time employee, wife, mom, and grandma. You would never suspect I was a "pot smoker," but I am. Since I have been using MMJ to treat my migraines and depression, I have cut down on the amount of pills I have to take. I smoke everyday after work, and have for 5 years. My migraine status has decreased from 4-5 a month to 1 every 2 months.

MMJ lessens the pain, helps with the nausea, and puts me in a good mood. I can interact with my family, I don't miss work, and keep the negativity away. My daughter suffers from migraines too, she is 23 and I have recommended this as an alternative treatment. It works. There are many herbal remedies, this is just another one. Think about it, any prescription that the doctor gives you for the pain is potentially addictive and alters your brain. Why is that ok, but MMJ is not. It is slowly becoming an acceptable form of treatment for the pain, and for keeping migranes away for longer periods of time. I stand by it and believe more studies need to be done to prove that it works.

I would love to hear that there are more people out there who feel the same way.

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mark1961 Member
Beth, I agree with you 100% and am happy for you that you have found something that helps you. I suffer from Chronic Migraines. I also happen to have a daughter who lives in Colorado where MJ has been made legal. And for those not up on it...that's not just for medical purposes. It's legal..period. Because of the Migraines I had had not been able to visit my daughter in 4 years! She knew how I suffered so she asked if there was any way I could come visit once the MJ was made legal this past year in hopes it may help. A little back story...I've been seeing a neurological doc at Jefferson Migraine Center in Philadelphia for the past 2.5 years and several other Neuros before that. I've tried more meds than I care to mention, Botox, nerve blocks, acupuncture, IV treatments in the hospital etc., so I am up for just about anything that may help at this point. FYI..Jeff is great and helps MANY migraine sufferers...they just haven't been able to help me... yet. So I took my rescue meds and got on a plane to Colorado and hoped for the best. I had only flown once in the last 4 years. It was a short flight and it went..so-so. This time was about the same. The pressure changes caused some problems, but I was able to get my daughter's house. I was there for two weeks and tried MJ during that time. There are basically two type of MJ and blends in between. I tried different mixes, but unfortunately the MJ did not help my Migraines. But I also have degenerative disc disease in my back and I take pain meds for that too. However while I used the MJ I didn't need to take any meds for my back. And it wasn't like the MJ made you totally stoned like TV and rumor has made it out to be. Its like, drinking. You can have a drink or two and be civil and carry on a normal conversation and life. Or you can drink a 6 pack or more and get stoned. (BTW I can't drink alcohol any longer either) But like alcohol you shouldn't drive if you partake AT ALL. I also met a few people and heard tell of many more...most with chronic pain issues of one sort or another, that the MJ was helping. The addictiveness of MJ is controversial. Based on my reading I don't believe it is physically addictive. And even if it is, it not nearly as bad as some of the narcotic pain meds that many of us need to take. Also the side effects are nil compared to many of the prescribed meds of the day. And of those side effects...oh yea...it takes away nausea, helps with depression and puts you in a good mood.(as you mentioned) I am a 53 year man old who for most of my life, and naval career, has been an staunch opponent of MJ. But after looking into to it, reading some of the medical studies being done on it, seeing the REAL people it has helped, and being in a situation where it may have helped me.....I have changed my tune. I am NOT advocating breaking the law. But I feel if you live in a state where you can get Medical MJ (or in Colorado)....people should talk to their doctor and maybe give it a try. If it works, they may find it a big improvement to the meds they are currently taking, and may be able to cut down or eliminate some of those meds all together.
bethardthelovely Member
It's awesome that you can get access to mmj where you live. I know it used to help me but unfortunately it isn't legal where I live so it isn't am option. I'm happy that you've found something that works for you, and it's awesome that you are working against the stigmas that exist with mj as well as with migraines.