Marijuana

bevfromwa · Post by **bevfromwa** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 1:49 pm

I've been having sleep issues, have seen the local sleep clinic doctor. On the 2nd visit, this week, I told him that one of my major problems is waking periodically with D, and then being unable to get back to sleep due to brain refusing to shut down. Among the measures he suggested was marijuana via one of those electronic cigarettes. He said it would help in two ways, first it is thought to calm colon contractions (kind of like Imodium AD which hasn't worked even once for me), second will help in falling back asleep.

I wondered if anyone has tried it for MC. I guess I'm old fashioned, the thought of becoming a pot head at my age is disturbing, but the Dr. assured me there are no long term side effects.

It is legal in WA, but of course would qualify for medical if that wasn't the case.

Thanks for any comments anyone might have.

Beverly

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 2:13 pm

Hello bev
sorry you are having the sleep issues...

the use of marijuana/cannibis has been kinda mentioned here but thus far I dont recall that anyone has posted that they have used it and seen good long term benefits etc. I think the main reason for that is that as this forum is 'public' ie non members can view posts, then if anyone was using marijuana/cannibis then depending on what state or country they are from they would be hesitant to post about it.

I would be very cautious of the use of electronic cigarettes, I have seen some not so good issues with them.
the other caution with marijuana etc is that it tends to be high in metals like copper, cadmium etc that can cause issues for some

there are other MC safe and proven things that can help with sleep and the D issues.

how much Vit D3 and magnesium are you taking per day?? with the events of the past year you maybe have depleted Vit D levels.
When i had chronic fibromyalgia and was waking 3-6 times a night, I used topical magnesium spray and relaxation audio and could return to sleep within 10 minutes.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 2:25 pm

doing some further reading, my other caution regarding marijuana is that some articles I just read is that marijuana disrupts histamine levels, given how sensitive MC'ers are to histamine fluctuations I would encourage you to consider other options

7. Addiction & Compulsiveness
Histamine also plays a role in addiction and compulsive disorders, mostly through H2R’s role in modulation of learning, memory, pleasure, and aversion.
Many addictive substances (sugar, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis, and illicit drugs) appear to interfere with TMN’s histamine activity. Withdrawal can also cause hyper-arousal, pain, psychosis, and/or delirium. An HNMT mutation has been linked to alcoholism.

http://alisonvickery.com.au/histamine-nervous-system/

do you think your night time D episodes could be related to histamine - excess histamine?

bevfromwa · Post by **bevfromwa** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 3:32 pm

Gabes, thanks so much for the response. I'm using Life-flo magnesium spray, usually 264 Mg which is 4 sprays, but sometimes add a couple more to calves when get cramps so that would bring it up to 396. I even discontinued the spray for about a month to see if it possibly could be causing the D, experienced no change. I'm currently taking 5000 IU of D, have a new Dr. (PCP) who is an internist, fresh out of medical school, and seems quite smart so think I'll see if she'll spring for a new test. My former Dr. wasn't thrilled with him, thought I was taking too much. I tested 21.7 while taking 2000, upped it to 4000, tested 38, upped it to 6000 tested 66. I dropped to 5000 because I was having trouble finding a 6 that was soy free.

I'm not aware of having histimine issues, but unsure how to go about finding more information. I'm not having terrible D, but do wake up rarely only once, usually 2-4 times a night with either soft serve or looser, lots of gas. This has been going on since about 2008, of course was much, much worse at first, up 25-30 times a night. I spend half my life reading labels and think I'm extremely compliant with GF, DF, SF, CF, plus night shades. Am very careful with beef and chicken, no more than once a week. Turkey and fish are about it, finally managed to regain 3 of my lost 18#.

I know you've been there done that so absolutely listen to anything you can offer, thanks again, Beverly

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 3:37 pm

topical magnesium will not cause D or loose stools, - the daily requirement for mag is about 350mg per day, some people need more if they are taking medications or other items that deplete mag - maintaining the 400mg elemental mag per day is a good basis
5000 iu of Vit D3 and previous test results sounds like a good balance for you...

histamine issues are very common for MC'ers and frequently discussed here. many find with the change of seasons, especially into Spring with extra pollen etc that additional histamine levels in the body can cause loose stools / increase in BM's / etc

best and cheapest way to confirm if this is the case for you is to try some MC safe anti histamines (allergra is a common one used) and if things improve then you have confirmed the answer.

Post by **tex** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 3:49 pm

IMO it's much better to awaken in time for urgent D than not to awaken in time. For marijuana for IBDs info see the October, 2016 MCF Newsletter.

http://www.microscopiccolitisfoundation ... ebsite.pdf

Tex

Alohagirl · Post by **Alohagirl** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:06 am

Aloha - I hope you don't mind my sharing a bit of my knowledge about improving sleep. I have been helping people with sleep issues for 10 years (and been to many workshops). Cognitive behavioral strategies are the key to managing insomnia (some supplements certainly may help too but habit and behavior change are the major factors). I suggest reading "Say Goodnight to Insomnia." There is a ebook version now too. Dr Jacobs spells out the main steps to take to strengthen the sleep drive. I hope you are practicing belly breathing, thinking calming thoughts and using relaxation strategies. A person's brain 'not shutting down' shows me that they are not ready to go to sleep. Stress / frustration and sleep do not mix. My guess is that it is frustrating to have D in the middle of the night and that frustration would wake someone up and therefore they may not ready to return to sleep right away. I'd consider doing something boring / relaxing (outside of the bedroom) until you are drowsy and only then get back into bed. I'd be cautious about using marijuana (or alcohol) to sleep - I have seen people have their anxiety increase from usage. I have not heard of that being suggested in any training I have had. Don't want to step on your sleep doctor's toes....

Post by **tex** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:19 am

Thanks Alohagirl,

That definitely sounds like good advice. Whenever I can't get to sleep my mind is usually going about a thousand miles an hour.

Tex

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 11:33 am

Gabes, thanks so much for the response. I'm using Life-flo magnesium spray, usually 264 Mg which is 4 sprays

HI Bev....If I'm reading this right....Lifeflo instruction says 4 sprays equals 66.6 mg of magnesium....you'd need 16 sprays to get 264mg....that is the amount of sprays I use daily on both legs.

Cheers
Erica

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 7:05 pm

Hi Bev,

I can't remember - have you tried cholestyramine? How much Imodium have you tried? I use one whole tablet and have to take it at least 4 hours before I need to be D-free.

Polly