Archive for April, 2010

Illegal Medical Marijuana Clinics and Recommendations

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 29th, 2010

Patients looking to see a doctor for a medical cannabis evaluation need to read this article first! http://cbs2.com/local/Medical.Marijuana.Doctor.2.1529594.html

Be very careful about visiting clinics that are operating illegally.  Unfortunately they are everywhere.

Medical Cannabis of Southern California has two clinics operated by Dr. Sean Breen.  He is licensed California physician and a former US Navy doctor who served with the United States Marine Corp at Camp Pendeton, California.

We are located in Orange County and Long Beach California.  To make an appointment please feel free to call us at 877-721-0047.

Posted in medical Marijuana Law
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Medical Marijuana Card and Marijuana Doctors

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 29th, 2010

As medical director of Medical Cannabis of Southern California I see patients who want to discuss the benefits of using marijuana for medicinal purposes.  We have two full time clinics located in Irvine, CA and Long Beach, CA.

I am often asked by patients “when do I receive my card?”  There is a misconception about what patients actually get from their doctor when they get an evaluation for cannabis.  The medical marijuana “card” has been the main marketing tool for patients to find doctors who are willing to write recommendations.   The “card” is simply a marketing term that patients now recognize but not actually what is provided when you see your doctor.

Doctors provide patients with written medical marijuana recommendations stating that they qualify under Proposition 215 to use cannabis legally.  It is an actual sheet of paper with our clinics letterhead, the patients drivers license and it gets signed by me and embossed.  It is that sheet of paper that patients take to the marijuana dispensary to obtain their medicine.

Now there is a state medical marijuana card that patients can obtain if they wish.   It is a voluntary program that requires you provide the state with your name and contact information.  They register you and provide you a state/county medical marijuana card.  It doesn’t provide you any added value or protection under the law.  It is the ONLY “card” that IS recognized by dispensaries.  Do not be fooled by clinics that offer ID cards.  They are just marketing gimmicks and provide you with NO added benefit or protection.

If you would like world class medical care and see if you qualify to use marijuana legally in California feel free to give us a call at 877-721-0047.  Our staff is standing by to answer all of your questions.

Be blessed and have a great day!

Posted in medical Marijuana Law
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Thank You Angie!

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 29th, 2010

I want to take the opportunity to thank someone that is very special to me and has worked extremely hard to bring our clinic from its infancy to arguably the best medical cannabis clinic in the country.  She has worked tirelessly and done everything I have asked of her and more to make sure our patients get medical care second to none.   She has been a consummate professional and a mentor to our employees.  She sees the vision and lives out our mission statement.

Angie thank you for everything you have done.  You have no idea how grateful I am for your efforts.   You don’t know how much it means to me for putting the clinics interest even ahead of your own.

I believe that you will reap what you sow and are going to get 10x in return what you have given.  Thank you so very much.

Be blessed,

Dr. B

Posted in Uncategorized
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Dilantin (Phenytoin), Seizures and Marijuana (Cannabis): An alternative treatment

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 29th, 2010

I recently evaluated a 52 year old male patient who suffered from Nocturnal Seizures and had been started on Dilantin (Phenytoin).  He said that although the medication was working to reduce the amount of seizures he suffered from severe fatigue and “zero appetite”. He was coming for a recommendation to use medical cannabis as he has been using it with “amazing results” and wanted to “be legal”.

Dilantin is a medication used in patients that suffer from seizures.   Unfortunately it has many debilitating side effects and its blood levels have to be monitored.  This patient was suffering from severe fatigue and no appetite.  He stated that he used a sativa strain of cannabis which increase his energy levels during the day an also gave him a healthy appetite.  Without it he would suffer to the point of not wanting to take his medication.  Unfortunately the consequences of having seizures would be disastrous.   So cannabis was a perfect fit in his situation.    Cannabis has also shown to have anti-seizure properties which is an added bonus.

Other common side effects of taking dilantin are abdominal pain, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, unsteady gated, abnormal involuntary movements and overgrowth of the gums which requires good dental hygiene.

If you take dilantin and would like to see if cannabis is right to help you deal with it’s side effects I would be happy to go over your medical history and see if it’s a good option.

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I currently see patients full time in my Orange County and Long Beach offices.  To make an appointment feel free to give my staff a call at 877-721-0047.

Posted in disease treatment
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Marijuana and Chronic Pain Research: Small doses effective.

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 26th, 2010

The Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California at San Diego is committed to studying the medical benefits of cannabis.   It regularly conducts clinical trials for various medical conditions, most of the centered around pain and muscle spasticity.   It findings clearly show that marijuana (cannabis) is effective in treating acute and chronic pain.

What is interesting is that researches found that patients do not have to get high in order to get pain relief.   They found that cannabis used in smaller amounts was just as effective as patients who took larger doses.

These findings are very significant as many patients do not want to lose any of their mental faculties when they are medicating for pain relief. Patients can vaporize in small doses and still be able to function.

If you would like to read about these studies you can visit UCSD’s website at http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/

If you suffer from chronic pain and would like to see if cannabis can improve the quality of your life feel free to give us a call at 877-721-0047 or visit my website at www.mcsocal.com

I look forward to taking care of you.

Respectfully,

Dr. Breen

Posted in Risks of Cannabis
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PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome), PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and Marijuana (Cannabis): An alternative treatment

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 26th, 2010

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate women who suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).  They often complain of headache, pelvic pain, breast pain, difficulty sleeping, bloating, irritability, anxiety, depression and an inability to concentrate.   Typically the standard treatment that their doctors prescribe do not work well enough and they would like to try cannabis.   I have seen amazing results with women who vaporize cannabis to treat their PMS.

Standard treatment for many of these women are SSRI’s (anti-depressants) to treat any of their mood symptoms (irritability, depression and anxiety), high dose NSAIDS (naprosyn/motrin) for pain, spirinolactone for edema, ambien for sleeping difficulties and occasionally other no pharmaceutical therapies (Calcium and Magnesium Supplements)  The problem is that these treatment modalities come with many unwanted side effects…. and/or do not provide adequate relief.   SSRI’s can cause apathy and affect patients sex drive.  NSAIDS can cause dangerous gastro-intestinal bleeding, ambien can be addicting and often makes patients extremely groggy upon awakening and spirinolactone can cause electrolyte disturbances.

Studies have shown that up to 75% of women suffer from PMS/PMDD on some level.  That is an enormous amount of people that are taking a lot of different medications that are not only ineffective but can be very dangerous if taken regularly.

Once patients understand how cannabis works in the body they are much more comfortable trying it for their PMS symptoms.  Cannabis can be extremely relaxing, elevate patients moods and assist with sleep.  (good bye SSRI and Ambien).  It is amazing at relieving pelvic pain and headaches (good bye NSAIDS) and can increase a patients libido.

What I tell my patients is that it is definitely worth giving it a try.  If it works…GREAT!  If not…. simply don’t use it.   In the meantime it is not going to damage your liver, kidneys or cause GI bleeding.  You can not overdose on it and there is an extremely low potential for physical or psychological addiction.

Lastly, you can easily avoid smoking it by using a vaporizer which allows you to inhale the medicine SMOKE FREE!

If you suffer from PMS/PMDD and would like to discuss using cannabis to treat your symptoms feel free to give us a call at 877-721-0047.  Or you can simply pre-qualify for FREE at www.mcsocal.com

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen


Posted in disease treatment
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Anorexia Nervosa and Marijuana (Cannabis): A success Story!

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 25th, 2010

Last week in my Irvine office I had a mother and her 18 year old daughter  named Jhenna come in for a cannabis recommendation.  Jhenna stated that she had been suffering from anorexia for the past 4 years.   Her weight had plummeted to 94 lbs 12 months and she is 5′8″ tall.  It started while pursuing a modeling career upon entering high school.   Amazingly for the past year she has controlled her appetite and weight loss by medicating with cannabis on a daily basis.

Her mother was reluctant about Jhenna using cannabis in high school but could not deny the amazing results and difference it made in Jhenna’s health.

Jhenna stated that she only needs two doses of an indica strain called OG Kush to really stimulate her appetite.  Because she purchased a digital vaporizer she does not expose herself to any smoke and can medicate at her home without any SMELL (mch to the delight of her mother) At the time of my visit Jhenna’s weight was at 131 lbs.

In addition to cannabis Jhenna also receives psychotherapy and structured behavioral therapy.

Cannabis is an incredible medication for stimulating patients appetite.   The cannabinoids bind to receptors in the brain that assist with appetite control.  In addition patients also describe an enhanced enjoyment when eating while medicated.

If you suffer from anorexia nervosa and would like an evaluation to use marijuana medicinally feel free to give me a call at 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free at www.mcsocal.com

Posted in disease treatment
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Dr. Sean Breen on Twitter; Medical Cannabis of Southern California

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 25th, 2010

Follow Dr. Sean Breen, medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California, on TWITTER!

UN: DrSeanBreen

Posted in Uncategorized
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Alternative Pain Treatment for Fibromyalgia; Marijuana (Cannabis)

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 25th, 2010

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients suffering from fibromyalgia. The majority of my fibromyalgia patients are women in the >40 age group. Typically they present to me with a bag of prescription pain medications that they would like to stop.     By the time I see them most have tries cannabis at some point prior to seeing me and have had good results.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects multiple muscle groups throughout the body.   The pain can be so persistant that patients experience concomitant depression and anxiety.

Patients typically present with a variety of pain killers from NSAIDS such as Naprosyn to optiates such a Vicodin/Hydrocodone to drugs like Neurontin (gabapentin) that are also used for pain.   Unfortunately these medications have serious side effects if they are used for prolonged periods of time.  Opiates cause nausea, constipation and are highly addictive.  NSAIDS can cause GI bleeding and affect the liver as well.

Cannabis has been shown to be very effective to not only control pain control but also elevate patients moods.   Patients state that there depression seems to “lift” and that their pain is reduced dramatically.   As a result they sleep better, have improved appetites and their relationships improve dramatically.

The great thing is that my fibromyalgia patients can medicate on a daily basis without the fear of becoming addicted.  It doesn’t affect their kidneys or liver and is easily metabolized.   Cannabis is simply excreted primarily in the feces but also in the urine.  It is stored in fat cells throughout the body.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia and would like to speak to me about using cannabis to treat your pain please give my staff a call at 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free at www.mcsocal.com

Respectfully,

Dr. Sean Breen

Posted in disease treatment
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Dystonia and Marijuana (Cannabis) Therapy

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 24th, 2010

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I have had the opportunity to take care of a few patients with the diagnosis of dystonia. Dystonia is an extremely painful disorder that is characterized by severe muscle spasm.  It can affect any muscle group in the body.   One of my patients c/o cervical dystonia which affected the muscles in her neck.   She would get severe neck spasms and terrible headaches.   She described them as incapacitating.   The pain was frequent, interrupted her sleep and was breaking her spirit.

Little is known about the exact cause of dystonia and there are not many treatments that provide ANY relief.   Patients often have to face the fact that they may live their entire life with some form of regular pain.

The above patient was 62 years old and had been suffering for many years.  She had been introduced to cannabis through a friend who suffered from pain but was always reluctant to try it.  She was raised in a very conservative family where she was told marijuana was a dangerous drug to avoid at all costs.

It was only a few months later that as a result of a suggestion from her son (a Pastor) that she reluctantly tried it for the first time. What happened over the next 12 hours was truly amazing.  Per her son, she fell asleep and slept through the night for the first time in many years.   It also reduced her neck pain by “75%”.    She instantly became a believer.

Since that first time she has subsequently used cannabis daily to control the muscle spasm, reduce her pain and improve her sleep. Although she is not pain free the cannabis has dramatically improved the quality of her life.

Cannabis has been studied most intensely in patients who experience neuropathic pain and severe muscle spasm.   It works directly on the nerve cells throughout the body.  In simplistic terms, it reduces the transmission of pain throughout the body.  It also helps reduce muscle spasm by working on the neuromuscular junction.

Although it not curative, I think any patient with Dystonia would benefit by trying cannabis as a medicine.  There are very few if any downsides to giving it a try.  You can’t overdose on it, you won’t become addicted to it and does not adversely affect any major organ system.   It really is a benign medication when compared to the army of medications pain patients are usually prescribed.

If you suffer from dystonia and would like to see if cannabis can improve the quality of your life please feel free to call us and schedule an appointment.  Our toll free number is 877-721-0047.  Visit us online at www.mcsocal.com

Respectfully,

Dr. Breen


Posted in disease treatment
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