I am a 35 year old male with degenerative joint disease in my hips.  Flare ups occur about once a month to the point where even walking becomes extremely painful.  When there are not flare ups, I can usually walk and even do some jogging relatively pain free.  Playing recreation sports such as tennis, basketball, and bowling usually lead to flare ups within a couple days after activity.  Worried, I had X Rays, MRI's, and a bone scan performed, unsure what was causing these constant flare ups.  All tests confirmed my worst possible fear at a young age: I have osteoarthritis in my hips.  The cartiledge is almost completely worn away.  My doctor presribed Lodine, or Ecodolac, which helps relieve inflamation and also helps alleviate flare ups.  However, I was beginning to experience pain in my stomach from these anti inflammatory drugs.  The only thing that really would relieve the pain and cause my joints and muscles to completely relax was smoking marijuana.  Since I live in California, I decided to see a doctor who can legally prescribe medical marijuana.  He explained it would definitely benefit my osteoarthritis, but told me about the risks when smoking it, which causes lung damage due to all the toxins you inhale.  So I began to vaporize it, which does not cause any lung damage at all and is a much healthier way of consuming medical marijuana.  

Now, while I still have osteoarthris (there is no cure) the pain after activity is much less severe and the flare ups are less frequent, and when they do occur, shorter in duration.  When vaporizing, especially at night, I sleep better and wake up the next day almost always pain free.  I realize that marijuana is not for everyone, but if you have arthritis, it is better than anything else out there when it comes to relieving pain.  At least it is for me.

Fibromyalgia

4/24/12 10:03pm

I am too thinking of using this at night in a vaporizer and topical cream for ostoethritis in my knees. I also have fibromyalgia, which I think it will be benificial also. I am not a legal or illegal drug "liker". But as of now I am on Celebrix and I know this drug is not god for long term. I will be facing surgery to remove bone spurs in my knees, which I know will eleviate most of my pain. But I realize for the future, I will never get rid of my arthritus. I have done research on vaporizors and the use of topical creams and I belveive this might be the way for me. I too, as I stated earlier am not a person that is into taking drugs....because of the "high" effects, like stronger drugs do like Vicodin. I want to be able to stay active and get some good sleep. I am glad this is working for so many people and I hope this will be a good decision for myself.  :))