Sjogrens syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the bodies white blood cells attack the lacrimal glands which produce tears for the eyes (lubrication) and also the salivary glands.   Most commonly patients complain of dry eyes and dry mouth.  Patients often walk around sipping water all day to keep there mouth moist.   In this patients case her taste buds were affected as well which made it difficult for her to enjoy food.   She found that certain strains of marijuana really improved her appetite and helped her deal with this debilitating disease.

Many patients with Sjogrens syndrome also develop rheumatoid arthritis.   Unfortunately there is no cure or way to reverse the arthritis so patients must learn way through nutrition, physical therapy and medication to improve the quality of their lives.   I have found many patients who use cannabis do REALLY well and don’t require near as much medication as patients who do not use cannabis.  The medically active ingredients in the plant bind to receptors on the white blood cells that cause inflammation and help reduce the pain.

The great thing about marijuana is that is is not toxic to any of the major organs in the body, is not addictive and can be taken over long periods of time.   It can be inhaled without having to smoke it by using a vaporizer and it is almost odorless.

If you would like more information on whether or not medical marijuana can improve the quality of your life feel free to give us a call at 877-721-0047 or contact us though the website at www.mcsocal.com

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

Sjogrens Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Medical Marijuana is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

Let me make one point that is very important for PTSD patients to understand.  Medical Marijuana is not going to cure your symptoms. You will still need ongoing therapy and psychiatric counseling to REALLY get past this time in your life.   What medical marijuana can do if help you reduce your dependence on drugs like Trazodone/Xanax/Ambien for sleep and reduce your dependence on mood stabilizers like paxil/prozac/seroquel.  Often these medications have side effects that do not justify the benefit of taking them daily.    Many of my patients tell me that one or two doses using a vaporizer when they come home from work helps them relax and get a good nights rest.

Being a combat veteran myself I understand the stresses that our veterans go though and what they experience when they get home.  I spent 9 months with an infantry unit (1/4 out of Camp Horno, 1MARDIV) in Iraq from Jan-Sept 2003.   I definitely witnessed my share of casualties and had more than one RPG sent my way.   I have lost Navy Corpsman to bullets and covered a KIA marine with a US flag in the heat of battle.   There is nothing more terrifying than the thought of being killed on a regular basis.

I do not take this medication lightly and want to make sure that our military leadership and veterans understand that medical marijuana is an option for them to consider.   It make work and it may not.  But I think it is worth discussing and you should be willing to give it a try if you are frustrated with your current treatment plan.

I have offices in Long Beach and Irvine and see patients 5 days per week.   Our office number is 877-721-0047 or contact us through the web at www.mcsocal.com

Semper fi,

Dr. Breen

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Medical Marijuana; A supplemental Treatment Approach is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

Thank you in advance.  We work extremely hard on making sure you are seen at your scheduled time.   Unlike other clinics we DO NOT accept walk ins. You will not have to sit and wait for 15 people to see the doctor before you.   We value your time very much and run a very unique and professional clinic.

Medical marijuana patients show up on timel A friendly reminder is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

I do want to put patients at ease and explain that these isolated incidents are just that.   Although there are some dispensaries located in areas that I would never personally go, there are plenty in areas where I would send my Mother without thinking about it.  Most operate very peacefully day after day.

It’s interesting because I live in Orange County and bank with Chase Bank.  Recently they upgraded their entire inside to put in 2 inch bullet proof glass in front of all the tellers.  Prior to that there was no glass at all.   When I spoke to the bank manager about it she mentioned that they had 5 attempted robberies in the past year at that one location and were finally getting the security that they needed.  Now I live down the block from this bank and hear NOTHING in the news about these incidents… yet law enforcement is sticking by their guns saying dispensaries are very dangerous and bring crime into the neighborhoods.    Although it is inevitable that you will have some crime at any location that has cash on hand… dispensaries have not introduced crime into areas like people think.  That is a perception that law enforcement wants the public to believe.   Banks attract FAR MORE criminals than dispensaries.

I do believe that they need to sit down and create some very reasonable ordinances for collectives to peacefully serve our patients.   However the cities seem to be swinging 180 degrees in the opposite direction and creating bans versus thoughtfully listening to collective owners and creating a plan that makes sense.

As more and more places close their doors the black market is going to grow larger.  California could practically “weed out” the black market dealers if they set up some clear guidelines for dispensaries (collectives) to exist.

Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Robbed; Dr. Breen’s Perspective is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

Let me make two points:

Cities should have created ordinances up front to set strict guidelines for where dispensaries could operate.  Because they didn’t anyone who wanted to start one did.  With the economy in the tank and landlords experiencing increasing vacancies it created a perfect storm for them to flourish literally everywhere.   However I do think the cities need to have the ability to still create a legitimate ordinance.   They should be able to limit the amount of dispensaries that are operating within the city just like they do bars and nightclubs.   It really is for the better of the community overall.    But they should have a fair system for saying who goes and who can stay.   Probably using the “those who came first and are within are ordinance regulations can stay” method is probably the fairest.

I don’t think the argument that patients are not going to have access to medicine holds any water.  They will still have 170 to go to in the city.  That is more than enough.

The second point I want to make is this.  There are many dispensaries that could care less if the people they are serving are recreational users or patients.  I have had patients tell me that they have purchased ounces at a time on multiple days in one week.  Obviously they are not using it for personal use and are selling it illegally.     ALSO, THERE ARE DOCTORS OUT THERE WHO COULD  CARE LESS IF THEIR PATIENTS ARE RECREATIONAL USERS OR PATIENTS!  SHAME ON THEM AS WELL.

The industry as a whole needs to police itself better if it wants to earn the respect of the community, law enforcement and politicians. It needs to start with the doctors.   Having people cat calling random people off the boardwalk in Venice saying “get your marijuana card, the doctor is in” makes a joke out of proposition 215.   Greed is driving this industry right now for many people instead of compassion.   That is the truth.

So let’s all stop feeling sorry for ourselves and step up the integrity of our business practices.  In my gut I know that will make the difference in the end.

However, there are certainly way too many recreational users who are using the medical channel to use marijuana recreationally.  This is the reason for the proliferation of these

Los Angeles Marijuana (Cannabis) Dispensaries Ordered to Close; Dr. Breen’s Opinion is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

Despite what the city of Lake Forest feels, this argument seems very dangerous and could be a slippery slope.   Could this ruling create a precedence for all cities in the state of California?  It sure does seem that way.

My question is: What happened to State’s rights? I am by no means a legal expert and have not studied law on any level.   But common sense dictates that if the State of California makes it legal for medical cannabis patients to legally use cannabis as medicine then Federal law should not come into play AT ALL.

I would be very interested to see a list of EVERY STATE LAW (nationwide) that violates a federal law to see if medical cannabis is being targeted.   I would imagine that this can not be the only law that contradicts a federal law?

The real problem is that Proposition 215 created 2 parallel worlds when it was passed for Californians to use cannabis legally.   The first being the patients.  The second being the recreational users.  It seems that both are using the medical conduit to obtain medicine.   I am sure that communities would have very little problem if it were just legitimate patients using cannabis.  The problem in Lake Forest is that you had a bunch of collectives that opened up that were serving primarily the recreational user.  They weren’t following the rules and operated below board.   However clearly there are collectives that focus on treating patients and those should be allowed to operate… and the city needs to create an ordinance allowing them to do so.

What the cities need is an incentive to allow legal collectives to operate.  Collectives must bring something to the table other than the nuisance of having a bunch of kids wanting to get high hanging out in their parking lots.  I can tell you that the majority of patients I see are in the age range of 40-60 and have great medical reasons to use cannabis.   The patients that walk out of my office are teachers, attorneys, executives, doctors, house wives, construction workers etc.   They are the fabric of our communities and deserve safe access to medicine.

We have to wait and see what other cities follow suite.   My feeling is that Santa Ana will be the next to fall and will probably use the same argument as the judge did in Lake Forest.

Lake Forest Marijuana Dispensaries and Collectives Ordered to Close; Dr. Breen’s opinion is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

When I was going over his experience with using cannabis he stated that it really helped him focus for the 24 hour period following his use.  He typically used it prior to going to sleep because he was sleeping 8 hours when using a strong indica strain.  It also helped stimulate his appetite.   Because of regular small doses with cannabis he was able to stop using concerta completely and was getting excellent grades.

I have seen more and more students come in for marijuana evaluations because they are tired of taking adderal, concerta and ritalin.   Cannabis is an excellent alternative and worth a try.  It has very few unwanted side effects an as long as patients are using it responsibly (not driving or operating heavy machinery) it is pretty benign.   I also have found that students report using less alcohol because they are able to medicate which in turn is leading to more productivity and less lost time at work.

If you are taking stimulants for ADHD and would like to see if cannabis can supplement or replace your existing treatment plan feel free to make an appointment by calling 877-721-0047.   I look forward to seeing you.

Respectfully,

Dr. Sean Breen

Medical Diretor, MCSoCal, www.mcsocal.com

Concerta, ADD/ADHD, and Marijuana (Cannabis); Reducing side effects is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

1. The anxiety they experience.

2. The anger they may feel at times.

3. The depression, isolation and loneliness they feel.

4. The chronic pain that they are suffering from.

It is quite an honor and a privilege to be able to sit down with them and TRULY understand what they are going though.   Most of them need ongoing therapy which hopefully they get through the VA.  However instead of having to take oxycontin for pain, xanax for anxiety, ambien for insomnia and lexepro for depression they can simply try medicating with cannabis to regulate all of these symptoms.   I have had great success with many veterans over the past two years and really enjoy working with them.  They truly are the few and the proud.   They simply need help.

If you are a veteran and would like to discuss the benefits and risks of using cannabis for medicinal purposes feel free to make an appointment.  call 877-721-0047 or send me an email and I will answer your questions.

Semper fi,

Dr. Breen

Veterans and Medical Marijuana; A Special need is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

Kathryn suffers from so much pain that she described wanting to give up on her life.  Her husband died 4 years ago and I could sense she was at the end of her rope.   Although I felt an intense sadness I was encouraged because she had never before tried cannabis and I am so optimistic for her.   She is so tired of taking “pain pills” (opiates) that not only don’t work but constipate and nauseate her.

The majority of the clinical research that has taken place with cannabis has been studying peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain.   Cannabis has shown to reduce pain in small doses.   On top of the analgesic effects Kathryn also complained of a lack of appetite and difficulty sleeping.    She also suffered from nausea from the laundry list of medications she is taking.

Cannabis is extremely successful in helping elderly patients get sleep.  It allows them in most cases to sleep throughout the night and they do not wake up feeling groggy.

The biggest risk for patients like Kathryn are injuries sustained from falling.  Cannabis can effect a patients balance and coordination and extra pre-cautions have to be taken in elderly patients.  She gets around with a walker at home and does not have to use stairs which is a bonus.

By the time Kathryn left my office I could sense her attitude had changed as the thought of getting a goods night rest after eating a nice big dinner started to sink in.   She came in with her daughter who was also very encouraged.

Kathryn- I think you will do great.  You will be in my prayers.  Hang in there and hopefully cannabis will help you find a renewed hope in life.

“You’re my last hope”: Marijuana and Peripheral Neuropathy is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

The patient started medicating with cannabis a year ago when I first evaluated him because his restless legs were making it very difficult to fall asleep.   As a result he was experiencing daytime fatigue  and it was really starting to affect his quality of life.   His mood suffered because he did not feel rested.  This spiraled into frequent arguments with his wife.   It truly was a major problem for him.

Secondly, the Mirapex commonly causes nausea, fatigue and lightheadedness.   This patient was experiencing from routine nausea as a result of his medication.

Cannabis was essential in his treatment plan.  It allowed him to fall asleep much faster than normal and also eliminated any nausea he experienced from taking his medication.  ”It has saved my life this past year” he said referring to his cannabis use.   His dosing schedule was to inhale using a vaporizer two doses of an indica strain called presidential kush.  He said that within 30 minutes he would fall asleep and wake up feeling rested.  His mood improved as did his relationship with his wife.

Cases like these are perfect examples of how cannabis can improve the quality of patients lives.  it is truly a benign drug when compared to other pharmaceuticals that doctors prescribe.  You can’t overdose on it and it does not effect your liver or kidneys like many other commonly prescribed medications.

If you suffer from restless leg syndrome and would like more information feel free to contact my office to schedule an appointment. I have offices located in Irvine and Long Beach California. Call 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free at www.mcsocal.com

Alternative Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome; Marijuana (cannabis) is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog