Posts Tagged ‘cannabis’

Medical Marijuana and Your Sex Life; SSRI’s for Depression and Anxiety

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on July 13th, 2010

Today I spoke with two female patients who were taking anti-depressants (SSRI’s) for depression and experiencing significant sexual side effects.   In both cases, their lack of libido and inability to orgasm were causing significant challenges in their relationships.   They came to me to use medical marijuana to help their depression and anxiety and also in turn repair their sex lives.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s- i.e Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro etc) are drugs commonly used to treat depression and anxiety.  They work by increasing the amounts of serotonin that build up and concentrate around nerve cells in the brain which in turn elevates patients moods.   They are THE most common drug to treat depression and anxiety.

One of the downsides to using these medications is that they can reduce a patients libido and also make orgasm very difficult.

My first patient was a 27 year old women who had been taking Lexapro for the past 12 months for her Social Anxiety.    She went on to tell me that she is engaged to her boyfriend of 7 years.  Over the past year her sex drive has been “non-existent” which has made her relationship very challenging.   Even though her fiance has been extremely supportive she told me she feels “inadequate”  because of this.   Her boyfriend decided to search out alternative therapies when he came upon my website and read about previous patients in similar situations.

SHE TOLD ME THAT FOR THE PAST MONTH SHE HAS BEEN MEDICATING WITH CANNABIS AND HER SEX LIFE HAS BEEN GREAT. In addition to having sex more she stated that she was less inhibited which even enhanced her sexual experience with her fiance.   Her plan is to continue to use the Lexapro and use cannabis to stimulate her sex life.

My second patient was a 44 year old women who came in with her husband of 13 years.  She had a very similar story although she had been taking lexapro for depression which she had “as long as I can remember.”   They also had two autistic sons ages 10 and 8 which made time for romance very difficult.    Although she initially felt apprehensive about using marijuana as a medicine those feeling quickly subsided as her sex life started to improve.   Her husband was definitely supportive as he said there marriage is “in a place that it hasn’t been in… in a long time.”

I tell every patient that comes into my office that there are benefits and risks to using every medication.  Cannabis is no different.   In these two examples both women had to weigh the benefits they were receiving from using Lexapro from the risks… which in this case were a decline in their sex life—-> leading to stress in their relationships.

The plan was simple.  If cannabis improved the quality of their lives and relationships then they would use it… if not no harm done.  Cannabis is relatively benign if used responsibly.


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How does medical marijuana (cannabis) reduce pain?

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on July 6th, 2010

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California (MCSoCal) I regularly evaluate patients with chronic pain for a medical marijuana recommendation. (approximately 65% of the patients I see are for pain)  The question that many patients ask is: How does marijuana reduce pain? Although cannabinoids (medically active ingredients in marijuana) effects on pain have been studied there is a lot of research left to do.   My goal of this post is to break down “barney-style” how cannabis reduces pain.  I am not going to bore you with the specific scientific details as you will most likely fall asleep like I often do reading typical double-blind placebo studies!

OK here it is.  The brain is considered our central nervous system.  The spinal cord and the nerves that exit the spinal cord that project to all of the organs, muscles, vessels and skin are considered the peripheral nervous system (there is also an autonomic nervous system but ignore that for now)   Think of nerves like the electrical wiring that runs throughout the house.   To keep this simple let’s take the bones and tissues of the knees (a common complaint I see is arthritis of the knee)  If you have pain in the knee it is because the nerves (wires) that originate at the knee are in a very excited state.  They get activated and send the signal through the nerve (headed to the brain ultimately) which makes it first connection in the spinal cord.

Once at the spinal cord that nerve typically connects and communicates (via neurotransmitters… chemicals that allow one nerve to communicate with another) with a new nerve in the spinal cord which runs all the way up the spinal cord and terminates in the brain.

Once in the brain that signal is processed and it sends it back down a new set of nerves (originating in the brain) which run back down through the spinal cord.   So thus far we have knee—–>Spinal Cord—–>Brain—–>Back down spinal Cord—–> lastly a nerve leaves the spinal cord and ends back at the knee where ultimately the patient feels pain.

They way marijuana works (that we know of thus far) is that it specifically binds to a receptor on the nerves themselves and blocks or slows down the transmission of pain up and down the spinal cord to the brain. The electrical wiring (nervous system) in our body has what we call receptors on it along the way (Think of receptors as door locks).   Each of these locks has a specific key that opens it and causes it to have a specific function.   When you inhale cannabis you inhale specific “keys” that go and search out these specific locks on the nerves.   When they find them they bind to them and cause the nerve to be less excitable which ultimately slows the transmission of pain throughout the nervous system.

Now, in my effort to keep things simple and stupid I know that there are scientists out there who will read this and say… “yeah but thats not exactly how it works.”  However, in a more general sense this is how marijuana reduces pain in the body.

If you are a person that wants to get into the nitty-gritty science behind this you can read plenty of studies which discuss the physiology of CB1 and CB2 receptors.   The CMCR at UCSD has published a study on cannabinoid analgesia and it is accessible online.

If you suffer from pain and would like to discuss using cannabis to improve the quality of your life please feel free to make and appointment to come in and see me at my Irvine or Long Beach CA office.   Simply call 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for FREE at www.mcsocal.com

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen


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Behcet Syndrome, Arthritis and Medical Marijuana (Cannabis); An Alternative Treatment

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on June 15th, 2010

I recently evaluated a 54 year old women for medical marijuana (cannabis) who suffered from Behcets Syndrome. Specifically she complained of painful arthritis in her knees and ankles.  She had been taking prednisone and NSAID’s for many years and wanted to try an alternative more natural treatment.   Her rheumatologist recommended she try cannabis for her persistent joint pain.

Behcet’s syndrome is very rare in the United States.  It mostly affects men and women who live in the middle east and asia.  It is a disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels.   It is characterized by painful ulcers in the oral mucosa (mouth, gums and tongue) and genital region.   They look like your typical “canker sore”.  Patients also can suffer from visual changes as a result of inflammation of the blood vessels in the eye.   Two thirds of patients suffer from arthritis in the knees and ankles (most commonly).  Less commonly patients can have lesions in the brain that affect patients balance and coordination.  Also some patients can form clots in their veins.

The reason why patients with Behcet’s syndrome can experience relief using cannabis is because the plant has over 60 cannabinoids which influence the immune cells and reduce inflammation.   It also binds to the nerves directly and reduces the amount of pain that patients experience.

My patient reported using cannabis on 3 occasions in the past month and on each occasion experienced a significant reduction in the pain in her knees.   Even though she felt “anxious” about coming in to see me she could not deny the benefits she experienced.  After speaking with her and going over both the risks and benefits of using cannabis she felt relieved that she will finally get regular relief.  I expect that she will do very well and cannabis will become a routine part of her treatment plan.

If you suffer from Behcet’s Syndrome or pain for any reason and would like a professional medical evaluation to see if cannabis can improve the quality of your life simply make an appointment to come in.  My staff will be able to answer many of your questions and schedule an appointment.  877-721-0047

Be blessed,

Dr. Sean Breen

Medical Cannabis of Southern California is the most respected clinic for providing patients with medical marijuana recommendations.  Our offices are located in Irvine and Long Beach California.

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NSAIDS (motrin, voltaren) increase risk of heart attack and stroke study finds; Medical Marijuana as an alternative

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on June 15th, 2010

An important study just came out in the periodical “Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes” which demonstrated an increased risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attack and stroke for healthy patients who routinely use NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as motrin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, voltaren, celebrex, naprosyn, aleve etc. to treat pain.  This is a very important study and you those patients who routinely pop motrins or take dicofenac to treat pain need to read.    Marijuana has for many years been found to have potent anti-inflammatory effects without any of the increased risks associated with commonly prescribed NSAID’s.

The study examined the risk of heart attack and stroke in over 1 million patients who averaged 39 years of age and had no significant health problems (high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes etc) over an 8 year period.    They found that patients who regularly used NSAID’s to treat chronic pain were 29% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.   This is significant because how many people do you know (you included) head to the local CVS and pick up a bunch of Motrin for that chronic pain or ache without considering the side effects??  They estimate that 20% of the population has been PRESCRIBED (not including those who get it over the counter) NSAIDS at one time or another for pain.

We are beginning to understand in medicine that many treatments that we used to believe were safe are actually significantly dangerous to patients (for example hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women).   NSAIDS can cause significant gastro-intestinal bleeding and now we find out increase the risk of heart attack and stroke significantly.

One thing the study did find is that if you really need to use an NSAID for pain the safest one in the study was Naprosyn, commonly known as Aleve.

You may not know that there are over 60 cannabinoids in the cannabis (marijuana) plant that exert their effects on the body.  Many of them specifically decrease the inflammatory response and thus reduce pain.   Cannabis has very few unwanted side effects.  You can not overdose from it!   It does not effect your kidneys or liver.  It is not addictive.  It does not cause ulcers or bleeding.  It is one of natures best remedies for pain and inflammation.

I can not tell you how many older patients I see everyday that want to stop taking their “pain pills” for chronic pain.   The stories I hear about how cannabis has improved the quality of their life are truly remarkable.  They love being able to vaporize it as opposed to having to smoke it.

I HIGHLY recommend that if you are suffering from chronic pain (for any reason) that you come into my office and we can discuss the benefits and risks of using marijuana to treat your symptoms.   Simply call 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free online and one of my staff will contact you shortly.

Dr. Breen, Medical Director, Medical Cannabis of Southern California


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Marijuana (cannabis) for Post-Radiation Pain following Prostate Cancer Treatment

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on June 3rd, 2010

Today I evaluated a 54 year man who was suffering from chronic pelvic pain that he started having after receiving radiation treatment for his prostate cancer that developed 10 years prior.   He stated that because he had developed bleeding as a result of taking too many NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like motrin he can no longer tolerate them.  The other pain pills that he was prescribed cause chronic nausea and constipation.   As a result he had been medicating with cannabis for the past 7 years with excellent results and wanted to become a legal patient.

Prostate Cancer is the second most common cancer detected in American men.  Approximately 218,000 new cases are diagnosed each year resulting in 27,000 deaths.    There are many different treatments for prostate cancer (drugs/radiation/and/or surgery)  This patient had his prostate surgically removed and then underwent three rounds of radiation.  Per the patient he was “over-radiated” which led to increased fibrosis and scarring which the urologist feels is the reason he has significant pelvic pain.  Fibrosis is fairly common following radiation and is the root cause of a lot of post radiation pain.

Fortunately cannabis works very well to treat post-radiation pain and has very few unwanted side effects.   This patient medicated twice daily (once in the afternoon and then prior to bed) with a hybrid indica dominant strain and reported significant reduction in pain and more importantly about 4 more hours of sleep vs not using the cannabis.   Although cannabis will not affect the overall course of his disease it will certainly improve the quality of his life.

Screening for prostate cancer usually involves digital palpation (finger in the rectum) and/or a screening blood test called a PSA (prostatic-specific antigen).  I encourage you to speak with your doctor to see if you should undergo screening.  It will depend on your risk factors, symptoms and age.

If you are suffering from post-radiation pain and would like to see if you can benefit from using cannabis feel free to come in and make an appointment by calling 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free online at www.mcsocal.com

Look forward to meeting you!

Dr. Breen

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Alternative Treatment to Soma (carisoprodol), Marijuana; Marijuana Evaluations in Orange County and Long Beach

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

As medical director of Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients who are taking Soma (carisoprodol) for muscle spasms.   Typically they are frustrated because it not only is ineffective (for many patients) but they worry about being addicted and being on it for prolonged periods of time.   Cannabis is a great alternative to Soma for patients who have muscle spasms.

Soma is a medication that works as a muscle relaxant by depressing the central nervous system which in turn relaxes the muscle tone in the body.   The exact mechanism of action is unknown.   The problem with this medication is that it should only be used for 2-3 WEEKS at a time because it has a high addiction potential and patients also develop tolerance to it.    It can also cause significant drowsiness which makes it difficult for patients to complete meaningful tasks.

For patients who suffer from chronic pain taking Soma regularly is not (or should not) be an option.   I have had many cases where patients can get a much better response from using cannabis in small doses without the worry of addiction or unwanted side effects.   Cannabis also helps them sleep better which greatly improves the quality of their life.

The research is pretty clear that cannabis reduces muscle spasms from all disease processes.   Everything from Multiple Sclerosis to acute muscle strains can be treated with cannabis.  It works by binding to receptors on the nerves that control the individual muscles and provide an overall relaxation.   It has NO potential for addiction and is extremely safe.  It is not toxic to any of the major organ systems and can be inhaled smoke free using a vaporizer.  Its effects will last 3-6 hours depending on your metabolism.

If you live by one of my two offices (Irvine and Long Beach) and would like to see if you qualify for a medical marijuana card feel free to contact our office at 877-721-0047 or visit us online at www.mcsocal.com and pre-qualify for free.

Have a great day.  Feel better.

Dr. Breen

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Xanax vs Marijuana (cannabis) for Anxiety: Medical Marijuana Orange County and Long Beach

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

As medical director for medical cannabis of southern california I provide medical marijuana recommendations for patients throughout Orange County and Long Beach.  One of the most common complaints that I here from patients is that they are tired of taking Xanax to treat their anxiety because of all the side effects and want a safer more natural alternative.   Marijuana has been shown to have incredible anxiolytic properties and has limited unwanted side effects.

Xanax is a drug that is most commonly used to treat anxiety and panic disorder.  It falls into a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.   It works by binding to areas in the brain that regulate a compound called GABA.  GABA has an inhibitory affect on the brain, meaning it slows everything down.

Unfortunately benzodiazepines have a plethora of side effects.   The first is that patients build up a tolerance and dependance which means they require more and more to get the same effect over time.   Xanax can become highly addicting and patients can experience withdrawals when they try to stop.  On top of having to worry about becoming addicted to xanax patients most commonly experience the following:   DROWSINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, DEPRESSION, HEADACHE, CONSTIPATION, DRY MOUTH, CONFUSION, NAUSEA AND VOMITING, AMNESIA

MORE SERIOUSLY PATIENTS CAN HAVE: INCREASED HEART RATE, SEIZURES, BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

Most commonly patients tell me they walk around feeling like a “zombie” and they “can not function on it.”

Cannabis has been shown to have incredible anxiolytic properties.   It is NOT addicting, you can not overdose and it has very few unwanted side effects.  It can be used daily in small doses with better results than xanax.  Patients report using it prior to bed time and they say it not only helps them sleep but regulates their mood for 24-48 hours following.

If you would like more information on how cannabis can treat your anxiety I would be happy to discuss the benefits of using cannabis with you.  Give our Irvine or Long Beach office a call at 877-721-0047

www.mcsocal.com provides medical marijuana recommendations to patients who qualify under California Proposition 215.

Dr. Sean Breen

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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.

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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

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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


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