It’s hard to pick the worst part about living with fibromyalgia. Between cognitive issues, fatigue, and constant, widespread pain, the disorder can be truly debilitating and is also incurable. The good news is that through a combination of medication and small lifestyle changes, the disease can be managed. At GreenBridge Medical in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Frankel and Dr. Kurzman supplement this treatment with dosed cannabis regimens that can make a huge difference in your quality of life. Call the office or book your appointment using the online tool.
Fibromyalgia is a condition marked by widespread musculoskeletal pain, which is often described by patients as a dull ache throughout the body that can last for months.
Women are at greater risk of having fibromyalgia than men, and the disorder can reveal itself after significant trauma or develop gradually for no apparent reason.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia can include:
Fibromyalgia can often be accompanied by other painful conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, and problems with the TMJ muscle.
Because fibromyalgia is not limited to one specific part of the body, it can be very difficult to treat. Often, one medication or treatment will not be able to address the many symptoms of fibromyalgia, and so Dr. Frankel and Dr. Kurzman at GreenBridge Medical usually use a combination of medications. Typically, these medications include:
A combination of these medications and small lifestyle changes, like getting plenty of sleep and exercise, can help manage the pain of fibromyalgia, though these medications do have side effects. Often among them are:
These medications can interact with each other or with any other prescriptions you may have, sometimes causing further problems.
Medical cannabis can be a solution for anyone suffering from the pain brought on by fibromyalgia. People who suffer from fibromyalgia can benefit from whole plant cannabis or from individual cannabinoids. They often have decreased pain and a better quality of life.
Both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are effective options for many men and women seeking pain relief. Due to its psychoactive properties, THC may not be for everyone, but CBD possesses none of these psychoactive traits and can be used without worrying that you may feel intoxicated or buzzed.
In addition to its effectiveness as a pain reliever, many people use medical cannabis as a sleep aid, especially in its edible form.
Especially when taken regularly, as in GreenBridge Medical’s dosed cannabis method, cannabis can be a supplement or a replacement for your current treatment plan and mean a drastic improvement in your quality of life.
If you have a question about fibromyalgia or about how medical cannabis could help you, please contact the office to set up an appointment.
