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Abstract

CBD Oil?</h2><p id="4564">I have chronic nerve pain. In 2010 I had a double lumbar fusion and was left with nerve pain in one leg. As part of all that, I also periodically have lower back pain (not every day, like the leg). I take Tramadol for the nerve pain and Naproxen much less often for the lower back pain.</p><p id="cef5">A few years ago one of my knees began having sharp pain. Turns out, post surgery, it affected the way I walk. This uncovered a congenital issue with my knee (the knee cap actually pops on and off — and all those childhood years people told me everyone’s knees made that cracking sound!). Now that I have age appropriate arthritis (I am 57), it complicates the issue. Naproxen helps with that.</p><p id="685b">A year or so ago I began to suffer from tennis elbow. The first steroid shot helped but the second did not so I won’t be getting any more shots in the elbow. I began trying CBD ointment on the elbow and forearm. By trial and error, I have found that CBD oil with heat helps. Without heat, I haven’t found pain relief. With an over-the-counter salve that provides heat but no CBD oil, I haven’t found pain relief. It seems to be the combination.</p><p id="e20c">I also have mild arthritis in my neck. I sometimes rub it on the back of my neck and get relief as well. Often, I will apply the ointment to my neck and elbow after my nightly bath. I find it helps a lot.</p><h2 id="59c3">What specific symptoms were you hoping to relieve by taking CBD Oil?</h2><p id="74cd">The pain in my elbow and neck. My knee is doing better but I may try it there if the pain comes back. Last year I had a stem cell shot in the knee — not sure if it has helped or not. I seem a bit better. What has been your experience with CBD Oil? Also, what kind do you take? Dosage? Etc.</p><p id="6aae">I do not take it orally. I have tried the oil but the salve seems easier for me to apply and works well. Again, though, only in combination with heat.</p><h2 id="be21">Do you feel CBD Oil has improved your life? In what way?</h2><p id="60d3">Pain relief. Also, by calming it down, I can sleep easier. I don’t want to take Naproxen every 12 hours — it is hard on my stomach and if I can avoid taking it daily, I would like to.</p><h1 id="fe38">PAM</h1><p id="bdf8">Pam was referred to me by a friend to share her story. I also find so much I can relate to in her experience both with fibromyalgia and with CBD oil treatment. Pam opts to take the CBD without THC in it (I take it with THC because of my anxiety and insomnia). Here is what Pam had to share:</p><h2 id="fb0e">Tell me about your health, in general, what led you to consider CBD Oil?</h2><p id="5289">I developed fibromyalgia about 12 years ago and have arthritis in my joints. I tried ibuprofen and Celebrex, but didn’t want to take so many pills, especially due to the possible side effects. My daughter and son-in-law told me that CBD oil can help with pain as well as many other illnesses and conditions. I was leery at first, but they told me there’s no THC in it. I did some research and decided to try it since it has helped so many people, and seems to be without side effects.</p><h2 id="170c">What specific symptoms were you hoping to relieve by taking CBD Oil?</h2><p id="2958">Joint pain and muscle pain. I also read that it can help with anxiety, so I wanted to try it out.</p><h2 id="fc4b">What has been your experience with CBD Oil? Also, what kind do you take? Dosage? Etc.</h2><p id="75da">It took several days of dosing one dropperful every night, but I st

Options

arted to notice less pain and stiffness. (Sorry I don’t remember the brand or dosage of the first time I tried it). The dosage of my current brand is 600 mg and I take one dropperful every day.</p><h2 id="ea8b">Do you feel CBD Oil has improved your life? In what way?</h2><p id="1eec">I do believe it has improved my life because it has decreased my pain level. I stopped taking it for a while because it was too costly, but I definitely noticed the difference without it. I feel a bit more relaxed when I take it, and it does help the pain and stiffness. Also, I haven’t experienced any side effects from it. I believe it’s a great alternative to pain pills.</p><p id="bf39">My personal experience is so similar to what these women have shared. Here is what I experienced, the nutshell version:</p><ul><li>Days 1–3 I started on a lower daily dosage (approximately 10 drops twice a day) and had nausea for the first day. It took a few days for my body to adjust.</li><li>Around day three I noticed GREATLY improved sleep and reduced pain and stiffness.</li><li>Within the first two weeks, I felt “down.” I think this is the result of the THC. I have never been a cannabis user so I thought maybe this stuff was making me depressed. That feeling subsided after about 2 weeks and I have felt fine since. No more nausea and I now take a full dose which is a half-dropper or <a href="https://www.asepurenaturals.com/shop/">one capsule</a>.</li><li>I went off my blood pressure medicine right before beginning CBD oil and I have not had a single episode of high blood pressure since beginning CBD. Before then I was experiencing very high blood pressure especially on high-pain days.</li><li>I sleep more regularly and restfully! I have had insomnia since I was a small child and now it is even worse with the pain I am in. Add in any stressors and I can’t sleep at all. CBD oil is a lifesaver for my sleep cycle.</li><li>I have had<a href="https://readmedium.com/skin-picking-is-a-compulsive-behavior-2d00e50000b3?source=friends_link&sk=705fe496d6b1f04676371995916fe168"> Dermatillomania</a> my whole life. This is the first big change I saw after beginning CBD oil — my picking literally <i>stopped</i>. This condition is linked to obsessive compulsive disorder so stopping the compulsion is a big win. One I did not expect and even if the CBD helped with nothing else, this is a reason for me to continue it.</li><li>I am way nicer. It makes me more even-tempered and calm even in high-stress situations. For this, I am super grateful.</li><li>Reduced pain and stiffness. My pain is not gone — but when I run out of the CBD oil I am reminded fairly quickly of just how much this stuff is helping me.</li><li>To answer what may be a common question — I have not gained or lost any weight since beginning the CBD oil.</li></ul><p id="29d9">Sorry that the nutshell version was a bit longer than I’d meant to share — but when I was trying to find out more about taking CBD oil, I wanted as much information as I could get. I wish you the best on your journey. I am here to answer any questions you may have about my experience with CBD oil. My advice is to research, research, research, and <b>talk to your doctor</b>!</p><p id="9063"><a href="https://readmedium.com/87a63af50103"><i>Christina M. Ward</i></a><i> is a freelance writer and blogger. She writes on well-living, mental health, and parenting issues. You can follow her work here on Medium or follow her<a href="https://t.co/cwJROdSnKj?amp=1"> on social media</a>.</i></p></article></body>

Cannabis

CBD Oil for Chronic Pain — Does it Really Work?

Three women share their stories

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I started taking CBD oil about 6 months ago. I have shared some of my journey in previous articles, but I wanted to ask other people about their experiences. I know many of you are out there dealing with chronic health issues and you are considering CBD oil.

Here is a bit of my story:

I Don’t Feel Right Today

The boring / super-important disclaimer: I began taking CBD oil after several doctors recommended it to me. I am not a medical doctor and this article is not to serve as medical advice — but if you see yourself in the stories of these women, perhaps this will give you a little more information as you do your research. Here is the link for the brand that I take:(Asé Pure Naturals CBD Oils)

MICHELLE

Michelle is a personal friend of mine and I have known her since high school. I spoke with Michelle at length about her experience with CBD oil before I decided to try it for myself. Here is what she shared with me this week:

Tell me about your health, in general, what led you to consider CBD Oil?

I was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017 and let’s face it my health was in the dumps

What specific symptoms were you hoping to relieve by taking CBD Oil?

Nausea from the chemo as well as joint and muscle pain from both the chemo and the cancer.

What has been your experience with CBD Oil? Also, what kind do you take? Dosage? Etc.

My symptoms became manageable and my nausea went away. As a side benefit I was able to come off of one of my blood pressure meds and my stress and anxiety came way down. I take 750 full spectrum cbd oil, .5 ml at bedtime.

Do you feel CBD Oil has improved your life? In what way?

Absolutely it has. My anxiety is controlled, my blood pressure is controlled, I sleep better and the side effects from all the chemo are manageable.

SHELLY

Shelly McIntosh is a fellow writer here on Medium and until I began asking around for volunteers to share their CBD stories with me, I was unaware that she was using it. I also didn’t know she and I share a condition of chronic nerve pain — which for the record is a condition very resistant to medicinal treatments. Here is a bit of her story:

Tell me about your health, in general, what led you to consider CBD Oil?

I have chronic nerve pain. In 2010 I had a double lumbar fusion and was left with nerve pain in one leg. As part of all that, I also periodically have lower back pain (not every day, like the leg). I take Tramadol for the nerve pain and Naproxen much less often for the lower back pain.

A few years ago one of my knees began having sharp pain. Turns out, post surgery, it affected the way I walk. This uncovered a congenital issue with my knee (the knee cap actually pops on and off — and all those childhood years people told me everyone’s knees made that cracking sound!). Now that I have age appropriate arthritis (I am 57), it complicates the issue. Naproxen helps with that.

A year or so ago I began to suffer from tennis elbow. The first steroid shot helped but the second did not so I won’t be getting any more shots in the elbow. I began trying CBD ointment on the elbow and forearm. By trial and error, I have found that CBD oil with heat helps. Without heat, I haven’t found pain relief. With an over-the-counter salve that provides heat but no CBD oil, I haven’t found pain relief. It seems to be the combination.

I also have mild arthritis in my neck. I sometimes rub it on the back of my neck and get relief as well. Often, I will apply the ointment to my neck and elbow after my nightly bath. I find it helps a lot.

What specific symptoms were you hoping to relieve by taking CBD Oil?

The pain in my elbow and neck. My knee is doing better but I may try it there if the pain comes back. Last year I had a stem cell shot in the knee — not sure if it has helped or not. I seem a bit better. What has been your experience with CBD Oil? Also, what kind do you take? Dosage? Etc.

I do not take it orally. I have tried the oil but the salve seems easier for me to apply and works well. Again, though, only in combination with heat.

Do you feel CBD Oil has improved your life? In what way?

Pain relief. Also, by calming it down, I can sleep easier. I don’t want to take Naproxen every 12 hours — it is hard on my stomach and if I can avoid taking it daily, I would like to.

PAM

Pam was referred to me by a friend to share her story. I also find so much I can relate to in her experience both with fibromyalgia and with CBD oil treatment. Pam opts to take the CBD without THC in it (I take it with THC because of my anxiety and insomnia). Here is what Pam had to share:

Tell me about your health, in general, what led you to consider CBD Oil?

I developed fibromyalgia about 12 years ago and have arthritis in my joints. I tried ibuprofen and Celebrex, but didn’t want to take so many pills, especially due to the possible side effects. My daughter and son-in-law told me that CBD oil can help with pain as well as many other illnesses and conditions. I was leery at first, but they told me there’s no THC in it. I did some research and decided to try it since it has helped so many people, and seems to be without side effects.

What specific symptoms were you hoping to relieve by taking CBD Oil?

Joint pain and muscle pain. I also read that it can help with anxiety, so I wanted to try it out.

What has been your experience with CBD Oil? Also, what kind do you take? Dosage? Etc.

It took several days of dosing one dropperful every night, but I started to notice less pain and stiffness. (Sorry I don’t remember the brand or dosage of the first time I tried it). The dosage of my current brand is 600 mg and I take one dropperful every day.

Do you feel CBD Oil has improved your life? In what way?

I do believe it has improved my life because it has decreased my pain level. I stopped taking it for a while because it was too costly, but I definitely noticed the difference without it. I feel a bit more relaxed when I take it, and it does help the pain and stiffness. Also, I haven’t experienced any side effects from it. I believe it’s a great alternative to pain pills.

My personal experience is so similar to what these women have shared. Here is what I experienced, the nutshell version:

Days 1–3 I started on a lower daily dosage (approximately 10 drops twice a day) and had nausea for the first day. It took a few days for my body to adjust.
Around day three I noticed GREATLY improved sleep and reduced pain and stiffness.
Within the first two weeks, I felt “down.” I think this is the result of the THC. I have never been a cannabis user so I thought maybe this stuff was making me depressed. That feeling subsided after about 2 weeks and I have felt fine since. No more nausea and I now take a full dose which is a half-dropper or one capsule.
I went off my blood pressure medicine right before beginning CBD oil and I have not had a single episode of high blood pressure since beginning CBD. Before then I was experiencing very high blood pressure especially on high-pain days.
I sleep more regularly and restfully! I have had insomnia since I was a small child and now it is even worse with the pain I am in. Add in any stressors and I can’t sleep at all. CBD oil is a lifesaver for my sleep cycle.
I have had Dermatillomania my whole life. This is the first big change I saw after beginning CBD oil — my picking literally stopped. This condition is linked to obsessive compulsive disorder so stopping the compulsion is a big win. One I did not expect and even if the CBD helped with nothing else, this is a reason for me to continue it.
I am way nicer. It makes me more even-tempered and calm even in high-stress situations. For this, I am super grateful.
Reduced pain and stiffness. My pain is not gone — but when I run out of the CBD oil I am reminded fairly quickly of just how much this stuff is helping me.
To answer what may be a common question — I have not gained or lost any weight since beginning the CBD oil.

Sorry that the nutshell version was a bit longer than I’d meant to share — but when I was trying to find out more about taking CBD oil, I wanted as much information as I could get. I wish you the best on your journey. I am here to answer any questions you may have about my experience with CBD oil. My advice is to research, research, research, and talk to your doctor!

Christina M. Ward is a freelance writer and blogger. She writes on well-living, mental health, and parenting issues. You can follow her work here on Medium or follow her on social media.