Multiple Sclerosis

What Is Multiple Sclerosis And How Medical Marijuana Can Help

Do any of your family members or acquaintances suffering from autoimmune issues? Are they having numbness, persistent weakness in their body, muscles, and joints? Are they feeling electric-shock-like sensations while moving their neck, or having tremors? It may be the signs of Multiple Sclerosis or MS. There are medicines available that help treat MS and it’s symptoms. Many MS patients are being recommended by their neurologists to try medical marijuana because in some cases it can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with MS.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is an autoimmune disorder. According to Mayo Clinic, in MS the immune system eats up the protective nerves of the human brain and spinal cord which can cause the nerves to be permanently damaged. With MS, people may lose the ability to walk or move independently. This condition does not have any quick solutions or cures but long term treatments can help patients increase the length and quality of their life. Medical marijuana can help patients with MS due to its variety of chemical components and their ability to stimulate active nerves to ease muscle spasms, as well as help with sleep problems.

The Signs of Multiple Sclerosis

There are many signs, but the prominent ones for MS in a patient are:

• vision problems

• tingling with numbness

• pain and muscle spasms

• fatigue and weakness

• bladder problems

• sexual dysfunction

• cognitive problems, as well as breathing issues

These symptoms can even lead to paralysis. Many consider that CIS or Clinically Isolated Syndrome (Heidi Moawad, 2021) is not a prominent sign for Multiple Sclerosis, but it can certainly be a warning sign that an individual may have MS.

Symptoms of CIS for Multiple Sclerosis

The symptoms of CIS for Multiple Sclerosis are as follows:

• Optic Neuritis or eye pain and other vision issues

• Lhermitte's sign or the shock feeling

• Transverse myelitis, which causes muscle numbness and weakness

Other than these issues, muscle spasms are common for MS patients.

Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Studies show that women are more likely to become affected by Multiple Sclerosis than men. It may be linked with both genetic (Lillian Cruz-Orengo, 2014) and environmental factors.

Prior to treatment doctors perform a variety of tests such as:

• Blood tests

• Spinal Tap

• MRI

• Evoked potential tests

With the deterioration caused by the disease, testing may be difficult. In those cases, doctors or researchers may test spinal fluid and check additional imaging to better understand the patients condition.

Treatment measures begin with corticosteroids and gradually some more improvised medications are tried to deal with the issues. The medications are as followed:

• Oral and intravenous methylprednisolone that may reduce nerve inflammation

• Plasmapheresis or plasma exchange

• Interferon beta medications

• Glatiramer Acetate, which helps to block immune systems attack on myelin

• Fingolimod to prevent the relapse rate

• Dimethyl Fumarate

• Teriflunomide

• Mayzent (Siponimod)

• Cladribine

• Ocrelizumab

• Natalizumab is given to prevent the movement of damaging immune cells

• Alemtuzumab for targeting proteins on the surface of immune cells

Other treatment measures are associated more with physical therapy, muscle relaxant medications to release muscle spasms, and reduce fatigue.

How Medical Marijuana Can Help with Multiple Sclerosis

Cannabis Sativa, a medical marijuana plant, has many of chemical components that can help alleviate the symptoms or reduce the threats posed by MS. Muscle spasms can be reduced and movement can become easier with the support of medical marijuana. Medical cannabis can also help greatly with improving a patients sleep. Studies show that sleep is integral in helping a persons body heal, improving overall mood, and quality of life.

Medical marijuana can offer support in other ways as well:

• Easing bladder symptoms

• Fixing cognitive impairment caused by Multiple Sclerosis (Michelle Cameron, 2020)

• Help muscle control

• Relieve pain

• Boost energy

• Reduce depression

• Prevent dementia or similar conditions among patients

Prominent Side effects

There are certain side effects of medical marijuana for treating Multiple Sclerosis. Which are similar to the side effects experienced by any user whether or not they have MS. Below are some side effects that can be caused by marijuana:

• Paranoia or confusion

• Nausea and vomiting

• Dry mouth

• Dry eyes

• Red eyes

• Sedation

• Increased hunger

• Headache

• Raised heart rate

Combining THC and CBD can be an effective treatment, as psychoactive properties of THC may help.

Medical marijuana can be consumed in the following ways:

• Dry flowers (Cannabis)

• Edible candies, drinks, cookies

• Vape

• Capsules

• Concentrates

• Oils

Using the essential oil can also help reduce joint pain in medical marijuana patients.

Where does Cannabis Sativa come from?

Cannabis Sativa, the main medical marijuana strain is originally from in South Asia, especially in India and China. Many hybridized substances can benefit the users of medical cannabis. Historically the component was used in ancient times. It was considered a drug in ancient Arabian lands where it was used to treat various medical conditions. In recent times, it is also available in Northern America. (https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/14497) Phytocannabinoids predominantly produced in cannabis, where female flowers, plants, and seeds with roots, alongside pollens can support the nutritional processes. (Christelle M Andre, 2016)

Interactions with Other Drugs

Legalized medical marijuana is available for medical use but it is ideal to purchase it from trustworthy sources. It may perfectly work with Dronabinol, Nabilone, and Nabiximols. It can prevent epilepsy and provide psychoactive effects that give the user a relaxing feeling.

I Have MS, Where Can I Get a Virginia Medical Cannabis Card?

At CannabisMD TeleMed we have a licensed and registered marijuana doctor and multiple licensed marijuana practitioners standing by to evaluate, diagnose medical conditions, and write medical marijuana certificates to patients.

We even offer virtual appointments that can take place entirely online so that a patient does not have to leave the comfort of their home to receive the natural and effective treatment of medical marijuana.

After a patient is certified for medical marijuana in Virginia they can get their medical marijuana card and visit medical marijuana dispensaries to purchase medicinal marijuana.

CannabisMD TeleMed offers a money-back guarantee if a patient is not certified or feels that medical marijuana is not right for them at the end of their appointment with our marijuana providers.

We are able to approve over 99% of our patients so they can receive medical marijuana.

To get the process started so you can get your medical marijuana card in Virginia just schedule your online appointment by click the green button below.

References

Christelle M Andre, J.-F. H. (2016, February 4). https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.00019/full. Retrieved from www.frontiersin.org: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.00019/full

Heidi Moawad, M. (2021, August 12). Understanding Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). https://www.healthline.com/ , p. 1.

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/14497. (n.d.).

Lillian Cruz-Orengo, B. P.-R. (2014, May 8). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24812668/#&gid=article-figures&pid=figure-1-uid-0. Retrieved June 12, 2014, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24812668/: https://www.jci.org/articles/view/73408

Michelle Cameron, M. P. (2020, June 18). https://nmsscdn.azureedge.net/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Professionals/Cannabis-and-Multiple-Sclerosis.pdf. Retrieved 2017, from https://nmsscdn.azureedge.net/.