My Medical Journey Journal

Hi All,
I am starting a journal to chronicle the use of cannabis oil to treat two of my family members. I hope this is an appropriate place to work on this.

Today is November 30.

My Mom (M) has Bulbar ALS. She was diagnosed in July. As of today she has tremors around the mouth and chin, low tone in her lips and tongue and some reduction in blood oxygen.

My Father (F) is recovering from aggressive prostate cancer and colon cancer. He has chemo-induced neuropathy in his hands and feet, and 70% reduction in kidney function.

I have migraines. We are all recommended patients.

Today I started make cannabis oil using a bowl vaporizer and the Shona Banda method of extraction.

I used approx 1/2-3/4 of a gram over 3 vapes. The oil was easy to see in the bulb but very difficult to get out with a spatula. The oil just slid around at the end of the spatula. After being frustrated for a bit, I added about 1/2 tsp of everclear to the cold bowl and used it to loosen the resinous material onto the spatula. I was able to scrape it onto some parchment paper. I then wiped it up with a few pieces of bread. We each ate a piece as our doses.

After 30 minutes I was feeling a strong head high, a little dizzy, but not uncomfortable. My feelings lasted about 4 hours. I was just a little impaired. Neither M or F felt any "high" at all.

After 30 minutes M had some flexibility in her mouth. She was able to stick her tongue out a little further and make a /TH/ sound, which is usually difficult for her to do.

I also massaged F's feet with cannabis/coconut oil.

feeling good about starting this! Looking for some neuro-protective effects for them and nerve healing. I know it's a big order, but there really are no treatments for either of them, at this point.

fingers crossed.

my cute little vaporizer


you can see the build up of oil here:

Sorry to hear about your parents. Nice job on u for doing your part in helping them deal with there medical problems. Interesting thread. Ill be waiting to read more when u post. Thanks for sharing.

a mongo frog said:

Sorry to hear about your parents. Nice job on u for doing your part in helping them deal with there medical problems. Interesting thread. Ill be waiting to read more when u post. Thanks for sharing.

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Thank you!

We managed to pick up some 12% CBD Harlequin today, and the dispensary gave us a discount and a couple of extra grams as new patients, so we walked out with almost 8 grams of Harlequin for $60.
I'm mixing it with less expensive indicas and sativas, with the rationale that they still need as much THC as possible in combination with the CBD. I'm shooting in the dark here, so if anyone has suggestions, feel free to chime in.

I managed to get 3 capsules out of the last burn I did. I am finding that the easiest way to get the oil off the globe is to add a little Everclear to the glass, swish and scrape. It comes off pretty easily and then I'm able to clean any remaining resin from the glass and save it. I'm thinking I've got a nice little tincture, of sorts. I put some of it into the capsules today.

After 2 doses each, about 6 hours apart, neither feels any ill effects from the oil, so tomorrow I plan to increase the dose.

Everyone seems to be doing well on the treatment. My dad has been sleeping for hours on end. I'm hoping that it's a case of his body healing and needing more sleep. He was awake and chipper yesterday, though, so I think this is a good sign. He reports intermittent relief from the tingling in his fingers, but isn't sure if this is just a variation on the neuropathy. I think it's helping his mood. He actually came down for dinner yesterday and did some work in his office!

After weeks of massaging his feet and legs with canna oil, the muscles finally seem to be relaxing. There is no visible change to the euremic frost on his skin.

M came out with an interesting result yesterday. She reported that her eyelids usually felt heavy when water drops fall on them in the shower. An hour and a half after taking her pill yesterday, she took her shower and did NOT feel that sensation. She feels the oil was a benefit in this case.

I have started adding canna infused coconut oil to the caps. I read that it helps with digesting the oil.

The rents are on vacation this week, so not too much to say. M walked into a Seattle dispensary, hoping to purchase, and was turned away for lack of WA ID. She cracks me up. From mild-mannered nurse to dispensary pro in a few months!

They are back from their trip. F's feet are a mess. Apparently M was bogarting the meds while they were away! LOL. I'm glad I came back today because I have been feeling discouraged by the lack of progress. Now I can see that we've only been making oil for a couple of weeks. M's breathing is labored and she is having trouble swallowing her saliva, which makes it even more difficult for her to speak. We went to a Christmas open house on Saturday and she didn't talk with anyone except for my boyfriend and me. I felt horrible to know that she was so isolated in an environment where she would normally be integrated.

I'm working on increasing the dosing now that I've got a good rhythm going with the oil. I'm using canna coconut oil to break the resin from the bowl of the bape and it's working pretty well. Still, the vape doesn't give a large dose, so I'm also filling the rest of the caps with the coconut oil.

I feel like I've put a lot of medicine into my people and the results are so slow. Every day I look at the articles about cannabis curing this disease and that one, and I just want it so badly. We were in tears on Saturday thinking about the possibility of this being our last Christmas together. I can't bear it.

Of course I'm growing so that I may make larger quantities of oil, and of course, after a couple of successful months, one of my plants looks sick. AARGGH. I need this to work!

F is finally considering physical therapy to get him up and around. I've been begging him for a year, but a friend suggested it, and now he's on board. *sigh* Well, "220, 221, whatever it takes, " right?

I've got harlequin vaping right now, so I'm off to drink some coffee and make some pills. Take care.

jen

I wish you well on this journey. My mother passed away about 11 years ago when I was 25. Not having some type of post-parent plan in my life BEFORE she passed away created a lot of havoc in my life. Maybe before illnesses get to the point where they can no longer help you, ask if their affairs are in order? When a parent passes one wants to grieve, not deal with lawyers and debt collectors. It might sound callous but I felt a lot of unnecessary resentment towards my mother's death bc of having to deal with these issues. For me, it was not about $, but being "allowed" to feel sad instead of having to hold it together constantly bc there is so much to do.

Also, I hope you can see that even if their total physical help doesn't improve, it seems like you are improving their quality of life, less ununpleasant sensations, more mobility, happier and experiencing life more? Keep up the good work!

From what ive heard much higher doses are necessary to actually heal diseases, maybe you should look into that when your plants are done. Subbed for the progress!

420CannabisMMJPothead said:

I wish you well on this journey. My mother passed away about 11 years ago when I was 25. Not having some type of post-parent plan in my life BEFORE she passed away created a lot of havoc in my life. Maybe before illnesses get to the point where they can no longer help you, ask if their affairs are in order? When a parent passes one wants to grieve, not deal with lawyers and debt collectors. It might sound callous but I felt a lot of unnecessary resentment towards my mother's death bc of having to deal with these issues. For me, it was not about $, but being "allowed" to feel sad instead of having to hold it together constantly bc there is so much to do.

Also, I hope you can see that even if their total physical help doesn't improve, it seems like you are improving their quality of life, less ununpleasant sensations, more mobility, happier and experiencing life more? Keep up the good work!

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Thank you for that personal insight! Luckily, my dad is a true planner. he never leaves for a trip without going over the insurance and legal info. I feel we are covered on that front. We are also getting powers of atty forms together, just in case.

trueg115 said:

From what ive heard much higher doses are necessary to actually heal diseases, maybe you should look into that when your plants are done. Subbed for the progress!

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Thank you. I am working on it! I've got them up to 1/2 a gram of oil, each/day. Surprisingly, they don't get high. I guess it could be the CBD in the harlequin helping with that, but Dad can ingest an entire dose of a bhang bar and feel nothing, whereas 1/2 of that has me high as a kite for 5 hours.

crazy!

I really hope you can revive your sick plant so you'll get plenty of oil out of it. If you don't know what it is, please ask away on the forum

trueg115 said:

I really hope you can revive your sick plant so you'll get plenty of oil out of it. If you don't know what it is, please ask away on the forum

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athank you! i think it was turning a corner, then last night the light fell down and smashed all three plants... ugh. i think they will be OK because the stems didnt break all the way, but what a disappointment to know that I really am no farmer!!

Went on vacation for a week.
Dad was not getting his foot rubs and medicines and according to him his feet, "feel like stumps." I am so disappointed for him, because the first few massages have been very painful. I want him to heal!

Have you attempted a change in diet to help combat the disease in conjuction with the oil?

trueg115 said:

Have you attempted a change in diet to help combat the disease in conjuction with the oil?

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M follows a strict diet for the Diana Protocol. D eats whatever M prepares, but is pretty intractable when it comes to protein. He's an unapologetic carnivore.

I scored almost 5 oz of flower last night for a very low price. I'm so excited to have more than a few grams. I'm going to make a strong coconut oil extraction with it. I'm just too scared of using another extraction method and blowing myself up, or worse, ruining the weed!

I read an research study today about cannabis and alzheimers. It's very encouraging!

http://www.truthonpot.com/2013/07/09/study-cannabis-may-rid-brain-of-alzheimers-plaque-slow-disease/

Some interesting developments. Thanks to Graywolf at Skunk Pharms, I've been connected with a man who has ALS and believes he's been cured by taking Skunk Pharm's HSO. I"m very encouraged. I plan to make this oil as soon as I learn how to make BHO. If anyone in SoCal is a pro at it and would give me a lesson i'd be very much obliged!

So, last week I made a coconut oil extraction (stop gap until I make the bho), 2 cups coconut oil to 1 oz whole flower. M ate 1.5 tablespoons a day for the past few days and reports having increased flexibility in her tongue and almost has a pucker. We are very encouraged by this and are moving onto the BHO.

Got all my equipment and ingredients for the holy shit oil that they make at skunk pharms. we will be making the bho this weekend and hopefully have the recipe completed in a couple of days. if you're not familiar with the recipe check it out here:
http://skunkpharmresearch.com/holy-anointing-oil-and-holy-shit/

this site is amazing. it's full of science and anecdotal info about cannabis extractions.

My grandfather has ALS as well. It has been very difficult watching a huge man always happy and active is now withering. My thoughts and prayers go to you. We have been talking about cannabis and what Colorado is going through and he asked me if I grew, at first I denied it and later went on to tell him that I did in fact grow, lol. I would try this too if he were able to swallow or use his mouth at all, damnit, just sucks. He was diagnosed about a year before your mother. Best of luck to you, subbed.

MaryJaneAdvocate said:

My grandfather has ALS as well. It has been very difficult watching a huge man always happy and active is now withering. My thoughts and prayers go to you. We have been talking about cannabis and what Colorado is going through and he asked me if I grew, at first I denied it and later went on to tell him that I did in fact grow, lol. I would try this too if he were able to swallow or use his mouth at all, damnit, just sucks. He was diagnosed about a year before your mother. Best of luck to you, subbed.

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it's not too late! the HSO is a sublingual. you can spray it under the tongue and let it absorb. get over to freemygreenpdx.org and take a look. most of the people there are in oregon, but there are a lot of people ready to help. AND you can use fresh plant matter to make the product. So take a look and see if you can find help.

there are other ways to get it into the system if necessary. i know of one person getting a suppository from the group online. Don't delay. There is help to be had.
I am loverlyone over there.

jen

Lyone, I was a little worried about decarboxylation when you said you were making BHO for your mixtures. I followed your link to skunkpharmresearch and did a ctrl-F search and saw that they talk about it.

In case you (or others) didn't know, when using solvents to make hemp-oil, boiling those solvents off, using heat, also serves to decarboxylate (activates) the finished product. When you use butane as the solvent, the butane boils off at room temperature but the product never gets to decarboxylating temps, therefore never activates. So don't skip that step.

Good Luck to you and your parents. I tried to get my dad to eat cookies for some of his conditions, but he is "conditioned" to believe that marijuana is bad, m-kay.

Thanks CO. Heating in an oil bath is recommended with their recipe, winterizing and reducing again. It's activated. I wiped out the dish with a piece of bread and was flying 30 min later.

Perhaps your dad would feel differently if he talked to some of the group at freemygreenpdx.org ? These aren't a bunch of kids getting high. It's a dedicated group of people helping each other. In the chat room I have talked to many guys in their sixties who have a host of conditions they are treating with MMJ, including PTSD. They take it pretty seriously, though it is a fun group.

For my update, Dad is feeling low. One of his kidneys is flaring up with pain. He's refusing the medicine because he believes it's making him too tired to work. I think it's the kidney that's making him tired, but people believe what they will believe. Mom is continuing to take her meds and is up to the full dose on HSO. She is a real trooper and I can't wait to hear her results when she visits the ASL clinic in a few days.