Posts Tagged ‘motrin’

Medical Marijuana (Cannabis) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; An Alternative Treatment

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

Today in my Long Beach medical marijuana (cannabis) office I evaluated a 60 year old man who has been suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.  He explained that he gets a burning sensation in his right hand and also has pain with any type of wrist movement that involves flexing his wrist.   The pain is most pronounced in the evenings and at night and it has caused significant problems with sleeping.   He has been using cannabis successfully for the past 2 months and wanted to receive a physician recommendation so he can safely access medicine to treat his symptoms.

The hallmarks of carpal tunnel syndrome are pain (burning, tingling, numbness) and inflammation with use of the wrist as a result of compression of the median nerve which is one of the nerves that goes to your hand (specifically the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger and the palm next to the thumb) Most commonly it is tied to overuse (repetitive motion) involving the affected wrist.    The pain can cause significant discomfort with loss of sleep and also loss of the ability to perform simple tasks pain free.  Other causes can be physical abnormalities (bone spurs, tumors, old healing fractures) and some systemic diseases such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.

Typically patients are treated with immobilization (splints) for 2-6 weeks and NSAID’s such as ibuprofen.    The main goal is reduce the amount of inflammation.    If rest and NSAID’s do not work orthopedic surgeons will sometimes perform corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.  If that fails then surgery can be recommended.

However, I typically recommend that patients use medical marijuana to help reduce pain, reduce inflammation and improve sleep  as an alternative to NSAID’s and sleeping pills at night. If patients work during the day then NSAIDS can be appropriate as it is illegal to drive and use cannabis.

Marijuana is a great medication for sleep.  Patients typically only have to use very small amounts of an INDICA strain which is much less psychoactive.   Meaning they don’t have to experience the “high” that most patients associate with marijuana use.    It can be vaporized 20 minutes prior to lying down.  Patients using the vaporization method are NOT exposing themselves to any smoke and there is next to NO SMELL.

The cannabinoids in the plant also act as potent anti-inflammatory agents.   Therefore any inflammation of the tendons (attach muscle to bone vs. ligaments which attach bone to bone) will also be reduced thus relieving the patient of their symptoms.

In light of continued studies showing an increase risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who regularly take NSAIDS (such as motrin/ibuprofen/diclofenac) I highly recommend limiting the amount of medications that you take.

If you have any questions about medical marijuana and want to see if you can benefit from it’s medicinal use feel free to give us a call at 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free online at www.mcsocal.com

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

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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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Alternative Treatment for Costochondritis; Marijuana (Cannabis)

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

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients who experience costochondritis.    Costochondritis is pain at the location of the cartilage where the ribs attach to your sternum (breast plate).   Ultimately it is the result of inflammation of the cartilage and the joint.   Typically it is very painful and is often treated with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like motrin or if treating the underlying cause if it is easily defined.   Recently I had two patients who were treating their chest wall pain with cannabis with great success.

Costochondritis can be caused by a number of things.  Injuries to the chest wall, physical strains (i.e.from excessive weight lifting), infection, fibromyalgia can all lead to inflammation of the costochondral joint.

Because cannabis has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties it is a good treatment plan.  It also assists patient with sleep since pain can be exacerbated with breathing as the ribs move in a bucket handle type motion making it difficult to fall asleep.

Cannabis does not have the risk of GI bleeding like typical NSAIDS do and also acts as a great sedative.

If you suffer from costochondritis and would like more information feel free to contact our office at 877-721-0047 and make an appointment to be evaluated by me.

Be blessed,

Dr. Sean Breen

Medical Director, MCSoCal

www.mcsocal.com

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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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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

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Marijuana (Cannabis) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on November 18th, 2009

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients who complain of muscle and joint pain.   Two days ago I had a patient come into my office with the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica who discovered that cannabis can help reduce muscle inflammation and pain.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a disease characterized by muscle and joint pain.   It is result of the bodies white blood cells attacking the joints and surrounding tissue and causing inflammation which leads to pain.  The pain mostly occurs in the shoulders and hips but can also affect the upper arms and thighs.   The onset of pain can occur suddenly or gradually and typically can wake patients up at night.  Commonly patients will wake up  in the morning with pain and stiffness in the joints.  The average age of onset is 70 but mostly occurs after the age of 50.   Women are two times more likely to suffer from this as men.

I recently evaluated a 56y/o man who complained of PMR and had difficulty sleeping at night because of the pain in his shoulders.  The Ibuprofen that his doctor prescribed was causing stomach ulcers and because of the increasing dose it started to affect his kidneys.   He had tried both Ambien and Lunestra for sleep but it made him “feel like a zombie” in the morning and it was affecting his work.  He was feeling hopeless and could not think about having to suffer like this for the rest of his life.

A week prior to coming to see me he was over a friends house who had used cannabis for arthritis. He worked up the courage to try and vaporized two doses that evening.   What he told me was that “it was a miracle drug”.   HE SLEPT GREAT AND WOKE UP FEELING REFRESHED AND HAD A 75% REDUCTION IN HIS NORMAL PAIN!!!

The reason why this worked so well for him is that the medically active ingredients in cannabis (cannabinoids) have both analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties.  There are over 60 cannabinoids in the plant and together the produce a physiologic change which leads to a reduction in patients symptoms.   Secondly, because cannabinoids bind to areas in the brain it is a great medication for sleep.  Patients wake up feeling refreshed.

If you suffer from Polymyalgia Rheumatica and would like more information about cannabis please visit my website at www.MCSoCal.com or call 877-721-0047 and make an appointment to come into my Irvine or Long Beach office.

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Treating Arthritis With Marijuana (Cannabis)

Posted By admin on October 19th, 2009

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients who suffer from arthritis.   Many patients are unaware of the significant anti-inflammatory properties that cannabinoids (the medically active ingredients in the plant) have.    Arthritis (inflammation and an overall degradation of the joint) can be secondary to an old injury or as a result of aging.  This joint pain often causes daily pain and also many of my patients have difficulty sleeping at night as a result of “not being able to get comfortable.”

For patients who are unaware of cannabis and its effects on decreasing pain and inflammation this is a very exciting discovery.   In the mid 1980’s scientist discovered that the human body contains two specific types of receptors which cannabinoids bind to in the body.   They are primary located in the nervous and immune systems.  As a result of medicating with the plant patients almost feel an immediately relief of their pain and joints become inflamed.

The reason why I think patients should give cannabis serious consideration is because it is very safe when compared to many of the NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as motrin and tylenol.  NSAIDS can cause ulcerations in the lining of the digestive tract and as a result many patients have developed bleeding which can potentially be life threatening.   Tylenol can also be very toxic to your liver.    Cannabis does not have a negative affect on any of the major organ systems (if vaporized)  and is easily tolerated.    Typically patients can vaporize a small amount prior to going to bed and they end up getting a very restful sleep and wake up feeling much more rested and pain free.

For more information on cannabis and how it can help you please visit our website at www.MCSoCal.com  Dr. Sean Breen specializes in discussing the benefits and risks of medicating with cannabis with patients.  His offices are located in Long Beach, Irvine and Encinitas.

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Alternative treatment for perimenopause; Marijuana (Cannabis)

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on October 15th, 2009

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I frequently evaluate women who suffer from the symptoms of perimenopause.   Fortunately cannabis can be a great alternative treatment for many of the symptoms women experience during this time.    As women age they begin to experience hormonal changes which is the bodies natural result of transitioning from a fertile child bearing state to the end of her reproductive years.   This period of time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause.  The onset of perimenopause typically occurs around 40 years of age but can happen sooner or later depending on that womens specific genetics and physiology.  Symptoms are a result of fluctuating levels of estrogen and ultimately LH and FSH(luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone).

The typical symptoms that my patients complain of are insomnia (or a break from their normal sleeping patterns), irritability, headaches, nightsweats, hot flashes, decrease libido, vaginal dryness and overall emotional instability.   When many of these patients visit their primary care physicians they are offered a myriad of drugs to treat these symptoms.  For there headaches they are told to take NSAIDS such as motrin.  For there difficulty sleeping they are given drugs like ambien and lunestra.  For their emotional instability they are prescribed anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs such as lexapro and xanax.     In the end they are left with 4 or 5 different medications to take that have their own set of side effects that patients have to deal with.   Most of my patients get fed up and are “tired of taking so many pills.”  They are looking for a more natural approach to treat their symptoms.

The great news is that cannabis can alleviate many of the symptoms that perimenopausal women experience.   It is a great sedative and helps patients sleep through the night.  It can relieve the pain associated with headaches.   In addition, it functions as an anxiolytic and helps relax and calm patients after a long day.    Lastly, many strains of cannabis can increase a patients libido and enhance their sexual experiences with their partners.   The advantage I believe that cannabis has over many of these drugs is that the medically active ingredients found in the plant (collectively called cannabinoids) have few intolerable side effects.   Once they enter the bloodstream they bind to receptors throughout our nervous and immune systems and produce their physiological effects.   Within minutes patients feel relaxed and euphoric.  Many times the pain subsides immediately.    Because there has not been one documented overdose from cannabis use it is very safe and patients don’t have to worry about using too much.   I tell all of my patients that it is definitely worth a try.  ”if it helps and improves your quality of life, then great!  If not, simply stop using it.” The good news is that it is not toxic to any of your major organ systems and is not chemically addicting.   So there is little risk in giving it a try.

If you are worried about having to smoke it please see my website and read about the benefits of vaporizing cannabis (smoke free!).   If you would like more information please visit my website at www.MCSoCal.com or call 877-721-0047 and schedule an appointment.  You can also pre-qualify for free online from the comfort of your own home.   We have office locations in Long Beach, Irvine and Encinitas (San Diego)

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