Weed.

[homes]

well weed is illegal in most parts of the world, but it's heavily consumed either way. it's a matter of time before it's legalized in many countries.. canada and england are already decriminalizing its use. and with good reason too - it's not as bad as it's portrayed in anti-drug propaganda.. ive been a user for 8 years, and i consider myself an intelligent, successful and responsible adult.

did i mention i was humble too?

as i mentioned before.. im merely suggesting this for those who are open to the idea and have access to it.

[Lucy]

It stands to reason.........."what about the smoke in your eyes?"

Ouch.

Oops.......just read that you smoked with sunglasses on.

[Erik]

Homes brings up an important topic here. Seriously. Pain relief is a VERY subjective, and for many sufferers an elusive thing (don't we know it). If you find relief via marijuana, then that is a good thing. EXCEPT that it is illegal (in most countries), which means you can get busted, get bad drugs, get shot during a transaction, or best-case scenario, pay a LOT for your relief. But there is a legal (at least in the US) alternative, which is not well-publicized, as follows:

You do not have to smoke to get the active ingredient in marijuana, THC (tetra-hydro-cannabinol). It is available by Rx in the US under the trade name (I love this) "Marinol." (Should have just named it "Marijane.") Their website (www.marinol.com) is informative (if obviously a sell-job). I have used this drug in my cancer patients for appetite improvement (a.k.a. "the munchies") and the young patients seem to like it. The older patients really don't. Sorry to generalize, but that's been my exact experience.

Anyone who is interested in trying THC or who has gotten pain relief from marijuana should very seriously consider talking to their doctor (especially a pain specialist) about Marinol. The other way of getting THC is way too risky, IMO, plus probably causes side effects that you'd avoid with the "smokeless" version.

[dianat]

This thread just keeps getting more and more interesting!

I had no idea there was a legal Rx for Maryjane...or at least the chemical in Maryjane. I've become so much wiser since LASIK. What an idiot I was before. Erik, you do have interesting insights.

I'm not planning on trying Marinol, but I am curious if I'm considered an "older" patient. Homes seems to think I am, but I'm not sure if Erik will. I'm 34 and I feel young, even with these miserable eyes.

Furthermore on this Marinol thing...

I'll admit that antidepressants have led to some weight gain for me...minor on the broad scale, but a big deal to me. I think increasing my appetite even further could only lead to trouble. Did anybody see the character "Fat B*stard in Austin Powers? That would be me on Marinol.

Nope, I think I'll limit my marijuana intake to the "sidestream" kind: that inhaled from my mere presence at the occasional Jimmy Buffett and Pink Floyd concerts.

I'm so boring.

[jcorbett]

I agree. This is very interesting. I know one thing....if pain became more than I could tolerate....I would not hesitate to try anything that could possibly relieve it. I think pain relief is something that is not taken seriously enough. I do not go along with the idea that we should 'tough it out' or accept what we have been given....not until I have tried all the possible alternatives.
I guess that is another way of saying I am a WIMP. BIG TIME!!
BTW - I work with law enforcement. They are not interested in busting some little old lady who is smoking for pain relief. They've got bigger fish to fry. But that's not to say someone, somewhere, wouldn't do it.

But I, too, would dread the munchies. And the smoke. But I suppose I could be fat and sassy instead of skinny and whiny

So....all this talk about medical marijuana.....if we this marinol, then it is unnecessary. I learned something today.

Antidepressants also make me gain weight. I didn't want to do anything but sit around and eat, so I gave them up. But I sure was content....I could sit happily for hours doing nothing!
BTW - I am 50. I suppose that puts me in the OTH (over the hill) group. I'll bet you all are surprised I'm even weighing in on this topic!

[Rebecca Petris]

Well, I have a confession to make. My inner prude had a fleeting moment or two during the early life of this thread in which I was almost tempted to say something stifling. Thankfully I managed to restrain myself , because it's getting really interesting now. What a great bunch of people you all are.

I agree with Erik & Homes that it's very helpful to make the mental distinction between "treating dry eye" and "managing pain". There is, of course, overlap, but thinking in terms of pain management opens up a lot of possibilities. A lot of traditional pain relief (Rx pain drugs) can have a nasty rebound effect on the symptoms, & so can drowning it in booze for that matter. But don't forget the complementary therapies. Many people get relief from acupuncture for example. Also, pain management clinics.

[Erik]

So many things to replay to on this interesting thread:

Diana, you are considered "young" in medical terms, because you are younger than me (Actually, we Oncologists call people "older"--not old or even "elderly" only if they are > 70. We have a generally held belief that even 65 is too young to die of cancer.)

jcorbett: yes, the "medical marijuana" issue is mostly bogus with the existence of marinol. I think it is used as a "back door" way of legalizing the drug. FWIW, despite being a conservative (though admittedly not in love with the current, strange state of conservatism in America), I am in favor of decriminalization (different than legalization) of marijuana and other illicits for many reasons, all of them political. The "war on drugs" strikes me as somewhat wrongheaded, and just about all drugs have some potential legitimate use (even cocaine, which is on the formulary of the hospital from which I write this response, and is commercially available--look it up!).

Rebecca: you speak of the overlap between "treating dry eye" and "managing pain". I only wish that there was MORE overlap there. Treating symptoms, while better than nothing, is not nearly as satifying as treating the underlying cause, and thus stopping the symptoms from occurring in the first place.

[dianat]

Erik,

I know I must be young in medical terms and in other terms. I just like to harrass Homes here since he's the baby of the family.

One question I have is does one still get high from Marinol? I am guessing so. I know I should probably assume so, but thought I'd ask.

[homes]

I am in favor of decriminalization (different than legalization) of marijuana and other illicits for many reasons, all of them political. The "war on drugs" strikes me as somewhat wrongheaded, and just about all drugs have some potential legitimate use.

i agree. it's also interesting to note that after the decriminalization of marijuana in Holland its use went DOWN.

diana, im no baby anymore. i just turned 22 today, and i already feel like i hit mid-life crisis lol.

btw, some members have contacted me, who are in their 40's and 50's and claim they have resorted/or are willing to try weed.

[Gaye]

Homes Birthday

Happy Birthday Homes!

[holly]

Pot??? Not a treatment I'd be willing to try.........I'm basically a good ole Southern "Square": don't drink, don't smoke (pot or otherwise), try not to cuss, you get the picture.....Pretty boring, but with dry eyes, all the same.

[dianat]

I expected nothing less of a gal from Mayberry.

[neil0502]

Reefer Madness?

Pot has about a 5,000 year history of "medicinal use" with precious few side effects. Can the same be said for ... any drug put out by pharmaceutical companies?

If it works for you, access it--legally, if possible. If your morals, beliefs, or otherwise won't allow you to use it ... well, that's ok, too.

The United States has it all wrong: you should have to meet a dealer to buy cigarettes and alcohol, but should be able to walk to the corner store and buy marijuana.

I was a bartender, and I've been to the Dutch coffee shops ... well, a time or two. You only need to evaluate the effects of IMmoderation of each drug on its user to understand which one is benign and which is malignant.

Just my $0.02 ... I'm new around here (but not new to dry eyes, unfortunately). Pot exacerbates my dry eyes these days. The cost-benefit doesn't work for me ... or I'd smoke it. YMMV.

[rkralman]

Geez! I'm gone for a couple days and get on and have found I have a brand new treatment option to consider! How exciting! As a 48 year old YOUNG grandmother of 4, I don't know that I'll take the leap to become a weed smoker. I can just sit back and inhale all of the fumes from all of my clients I counsel and get high enough without ever touching the stuff! Your position on this is very intriguing indeed, Homes! Thanks for the info though, as we need all the help we can get. Take it or leave it, most of us are WAY past the judgemental stage at this point. Hey,whatever 'floats your boat', right? ..or should I say, whatever 'floats your tears'? Thanks for sharing! Robin

[Rebecca Petris]

Hey,whatever 'floats your boat', right? ..or should I say, whatever 'floats your tears'?

LOL. Yes, whatever lubricates your epithelium or puts you in a state where you no longer mind is likely to get canvassed here.