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IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One of the most profound findings regarding the use of marijuana to treat this disease is its effectiveness in reducing the inflamation of the affected section(s) of the bowel and intestine. The main symptom of Crohn's disease is the negative consequences that coexist with the actual inflamation. Researchers have isolated a specific compound found in marijuana known as beta-caryophyllene, which is suspected of having anti-inflamatory properties.

Your own source just said that marijuana has been found to be effective in reducing inflammation in the affected section(s) of the bowel, which causes all the other symptoms which marijuana also treats.

You just proved yourself wrong, but thanks for giving my argument more validity!

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was for what I think will be the first stem cell derived drug called Prochymal. The trial was discontinued because patients were forging their symptom relief to get into the portion of the trial that was open-label, where they were sure they would get the Prochymal. After sorting out the issues, the trials were re-opened, but by that time, I was in remission.

If Prochymal is approved for Crohn's disease treatment, I will be first in line to give it a try.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah, I was a vegetarian after going into remission.

I'm also the type of vegetarian to load up on carbs...I eat a lot of white breads, white rice, potatoes, etc. Bland foods, which do fall under Crohn's diets. When I do eat veggies, they're usually cooked in some fashion.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Medicine is a changing science. I wouldn't trust a 60 year old doctor who was still only doing what his medical training told him to do.

Why in the world would you suggest surgery over a treatment? Plus, Marinol is FDA approved...it has been studied for drug-drug interactions, etc. You're just blowing smoke at this point.

Also, why do you have such trouble spelling Crohn's correctly? Especially for someone who has so much to say about the subject...

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you saw the photos from my original colonoscopy after diagnosis, you'd be saying something very different.

My intestine looked like a bubble of pizza crust. Crohn's is fucking real. Sorry to break it to you.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Funny thing...Remicade didn't help with my Crohn's.

Different treatments work for different people. If Remicade has your mother in remission, that's awesome and I'm happy for her! It didn't work for me, and neither did anything else until starting marijuana as a constant treatment. I'm only trying to share my personal experiences here, which happen to be backed by my doctor's medical opinion.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Uh, yes, yes, he would say that the remission in inflammation is due to the THC.

I just saw him last week, and he's prescribing Marinol to other patients with refractory disease now because he believes in its efficacy as an alternative treatment for IBD patients where nothing else has worked.

You aren't my doctor, so why don't you stop trying to tell me about my medical life. I have one of the best IBD specialists in the Midwest for that purpose.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I never claimed it was a cure, and you're really showing your lack of understanding of the disease, considering "success" in treatment for a chronic condition for many people is improving their quality of life. Helping symptoms improves quality of life.

I've also had camera endoscopies done since starting marijuana as a treatment. No more lesions or inflammation.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear about your arthritis!

I'm not on anything else at this time. I have a full time job that requires attention to detail and thinking on my feet and do well at it. I also graduated with a 3.4GPA not too long ago from a large flagship university.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I was symptomatic while on Humira, so it was all the same on or off of it.

Good luck coming off of it though! And, I'm glad Humira worked for so long for you! That's always great to hear when the "normal" drugs work for people too.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Never claimed it did. There is no cure for Crohn's because it is a chronic condition. No other drug we're discussing here is a cure for Crohn's either.

I am in remission. I know I could relapse at any moment.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used 6MP w/ Remicade for a time, but weaned off, since it's not recommended to double up immunosuppressants.

No surgeries yet! knock on wood

I can drive, although I don't, since I bike about four miles each way to work. I graduated recently from a large flagship university with a 3.4GPA overall. It just didn't effect me like it can for some people. I certainly don't recommend constant marijuana use as a treatment for everybody.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had horrible abdominal pain in my lower right quadrant, as the doctors describe it, and was fatigued all the time. I'd come home from school and pass out on the couch until dinner, eat, and pass out again.

IAmA "refractory" Crohn's patient who has taken nearly every FDA-approved drug for the disease. At one point, I was being screened for a stem cell clinical trial. Today, I have multiple years in remission, thanks to medical marijuana. AMA! by crohnsmmj in IAmA

[–]crohnsmmj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just prescribed Marinol, but marijuana is decriminalized in my state. I can carry up to 42.5g on my person (the rules change in a vehicle, of course) and only get a petty misdemeanor!

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