http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20015148-10391704.html

Although the study had only 23 patients in its pool I think their findings align with my conversations with over 5000 patients who I have treated for chronic pain.

The reason why cannabis works to control pain is because our body harbors receptors to the medical active ingredients in the plant (cannabinoids) throughout our nervous system.   Specifically the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.   Researches identified these receptors in the mid 1990’s and also identified a cannabinoid called anadaminde that our body produces naturally. This was a significant finding as it gave validity to the stories of patients who state that cannabis is just as effective as any narcotic in treating pain.

One of the advantages that cannabis has over other pain medications is that it does not have the serious side effects that you get with NSAID’s and opiates (Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet, Morphine, Fentanyl).   Specifically cannabis is not addictive, does not produce nausea and constipation and also is not going to tear a hole in your digestive tract or shut down your liver.   In fact if NOT smoked cannabis has not been shown to be toxic to any of the major organ systems.   ALL OF THESE ATTRIBUTES AD UP TO AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE…. IMMEDIATELY.

Today in my Irvine office I had 17 patients, 12 of which requested evaluation for chronic pain from a variety of disorders.   One man had daily headaches with nausea for the past 2 years.  Another women suffered from severe menstrual cramps.    I had one 61 year old mother who was hit by a drunk driver going 90mph in 1985 and shattered her pelvis and lumbar spine.   She has been using cannabis daily for years to help her get to sleep and reduce the pain after work.

Many of you reading this have no idea that you can get relief for chronic pain using medical marijuana (cannabis).   You DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER LIKE YOU CURRENTLY ARE ANY LONGER!  Simply contact our office to come in and receive a recommendation to use medical marijuana.  You have nothing to lose.  If it doesn’t work than simply do not use it.   If it works then GREAT!

I have offices in Long Beach and Irvine and you can contact us by calling 877-721-0047 or through our website at www.MCSoCal.com

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

Medical Marijuana Reduces Chronic Pain Study Shows; Dr. Sean Breen is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

Doctors are very quick to hand out prescriptions for opiates such as vicodin, soma, percocet, fentanyl, morphine etc.  Many MD’s have no idea what else to do to treat patients with pain.   They don’t have the skills to treat the anatomy like an Osteopathic physician, can not adjust like a chiropractor or treat pain with needles like an acupuncturist.  They simply hand patients a script and hope for the best.   I know that sounds very simplistic and condescending but honestly in many cases it’s the truth.

Opiates can cause nausea, constipation, pruritus and can be highly addictive.   Cannabis has none of these side effects and has been proven to have analgesic properties even in small doses.  If vaporized patients expose themselves to NO smoke or carcinogens.

If you are taking opiate medications for pain and would like to see if you can benefit from using cannabis feel free to give us a call and schedule an appointment. 877-721-0047

Be blessed,

Dr. Sean Breen

Tired of Pain Pills (Vicodin/Percocet/Soma)? Try Marijuana is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

If you are suffering from pain and want to get off all the pills your doctor has you on please pick up the phone and give us a call.  I can help come up with a pan to ween you off your pain pills so that you can too take back control of your life.

877-721-0047 or go to our website at www.mcsocal.com

I see patients full time in Irvine and Long Beach.

Respectfully,

Dr. Breen

Chronic Pain and Marijuana (Cannabis); Follow up success story! is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

TWO WEEK UPDATE: Sam is down to ONLY 2 PILLS A DAY!!!! She takes one oxycontin in the morning and a norco in the afternoon.  I sat down with her and this is what she said.

“CANNABIS HAS SAVED MY LIFE!”  WOW!  LAST MONTH HER PCP WROTE HER A PRESCRIPTION FOR 600 OXYCONTIN!!!! INSANITY.

I realize that running this practice is NOT going to be a glaring star on my resume.  In fact many of my colleagues will shun me for being a part of this industry and this medicine.

BUT IT IS THE SAM’S OF THE WORLD THAT KEEP ME MOTIVATED AND REMIND ME THAT I AM DOING THE RIGHT THING!  WHAT A SUCCESS STORY.

I AM GOING TO TRY TO GET HER TO DO A VIDEO TESTIMONIAL FOR THE WEBSITE.  SHE IS SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND WILL BRING HOPE TO ALL THOE PATIENTS WHO HATE THEIR PAIN PILLS!

From 18 oxycontin per day to 2 in 2 weeks!! is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog

Many patients are unaware that there is a safer and more effecting alternative to treat chronic pain.   Cannabis (marijuana)  contains medical compounds called cannabinoids.  Scientists have identified cannabis receptors in the human body that are located in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system as well (the nerves that innervate muscles and organs).   This means that when inhaled they bind to the nerves that regulate pain throughout the body and “block” or dampen the body’s response to pain.   The amazing thing about these cannabinoids are that they have a safety profile that is unprecedented in medicine.   There has never been a documented overdose from cannabis.   In addition the potential for addiction is very small.  Most patients who have trouble controlling their use have other drug addictions.    Cannabis almost immediately relieves pain and eliminates the nausea that most patients experience from taking opiates.  One of the other side effects is that cannabis will stimulate a patients appetite which in many circumstances is necessary.   Many elderly patients have a difficult time healing because they are not getting the necessary nutrition that they need.   What I have found is that when these elderly patients medicate with cannabis they regain their appetites which improves their daily quality of life.  They simply have more energy to do the things that make them happy.   Patients can medicate through out the day without the fear of overdose or unwanted side effects.

Let me share a few examples of patients that I have recently evaluated in my medical marijuana practice in southern California.

Lisa M is a 48 year old female who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  She was evaluated by her primary care physician and started on high dose Motrin for pain during the day and given a prescription for Ambien to help her sleep at night.   After 3 weeks she returned to her physician because the Motrin was not effective and the Ambien was making her feel like a “zombie” the entire next day.  It was affecting her performance at work and she was becoming very frustrated.   When offered a prescription for percocet for break though pain she refused because her brother had developed an opiate addiction after being in a motor vehicle accident 5 years ago.  When I evaluated her she had only tried cannabis in her 20’s on a few occasions.  She had a neighbor with chronic pain who medicated with cannabis and encouraged her to come in for an evaluation.   When she visited my office I discussed the benefits and risks of using cannabis and she agreed to try a pure indica strain which not only is great for pain but will also help her fall asleep because of its sedative properties.   Within 2 weeks whe had stopped taking both her motrin and ambien and was vaporizing an indica kush 30 minutes prior to going to bed.

Nick V is a 42 year old male who was involved in a motor vehicle accident where he was rear-ended on the I-5.  He suffered 3 fractured lumbar vertebra and had been in sever pain.  As part of his pain management he had been through physical therapy, chiropratic care and massage.  In addition he was given prescriptions for vicodin to take during the day.   He had tried cannabis a month prior to my visit after medicating with one of his friends who again suggested he try it.   Immediately he was able to stop the vicodin and used cannabis solely for his pain management.

Medical Cannabis of Southern California is commited to providing patients a professional, compassionate and private consultation to determine if cannabis is an appropriate medical treatment for your condition.  We have office locations in Long Beach, Irvine and Encinitas.  To see if you are eligible under California law (proposition 215) simply visit our website at www.mcsocal.com and pre-qualify for free.  You will receive a call from one of our office managers to answer your questions.

About the author: Dr. Sean Breen is a former navy physician who spent 5 years on active duty with the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton CA.  He is a decorated combat veteran and served his country in Iraq from Jan-Sep 2003.  His sole focus in medicine is educating patients about the benefits of using medical marijuana.

Treating Chronic Pain with Marijuana is a post from: Medical Marijuana Blog