Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a complex disease with an array of symptoms. Getting the relief you need from the symptoms of MS can involve multiple forms of intervention. For those with MS in Virginia, you may be considering the option of getting your medical marijuana card to treat some of your symptoms.
In fact, a survey of MS patients conducted in 2017 found that almost half of MS patients would consider legal medical marijuana as a treatment for this disorder and a fifth of patients had already started the conversation with their doctors. How effective is medical marijuana as a treatment for MS and is it the right answer for you? Let’s take a look at the answers in detail.
What Is MS?
To begin to understand how medical marijuana can help with MS, it’s important to understand exactly what MS is. This disease goes after the central nervous system (CNS), impacting the spinal cord, nerves, and brain. In MS, the body develops an abnormal response in the immune system, causing it to ‘attack’ the CNS. In large part, the immune system goes after myelin, specifically— the substance that surrounds nerves. Due to the damage created by these attacks, the myelin scars over, forming sclerosis. It is these scars that then cause most of the symptoms experienced by those with MS.
Symptoms in MS range widely. Some of the most common symptoms are:
· Pain in the limbs
· Spasticity
· Muscle weakness
· Tremors
· Bowel and bladder problems
· Speech problems
· Coordination problems
· Insomnia
In some cases, patients can also experience cognitive issues, including problems with focus, memory, attention and judgment.
How Medical Marijuana Can Help MS
Research into medical marijuana’s efficacy with MS is ongoing. Initial studies have shown that cannabis is effective in treating the muscle spasms and stiffness in particular. Medical marijuana may also have some success in treating the sleep problems that some patients with MS experience. Additional research has shown that cannabis is effective in treating the pain associated with MS as well.
A study run on 64 individuals with MS found that using a medical marijuana product resulted in a 41 percent decrease in neuropathic pain. Additional studies found the same effects for those taking an oral form of medical marijuana. Medical marijuana has also been shown to be well-tolerated by MS patients looking for relief from pain.
The impact of medical marijuana on spasticity is less documented. Patient self-reporting, however, indicates that medical marijuana can offer some improvements when it comes to reducing spasticity associated with MS. It has also been shown to help with similar symptoms in other conditions such as Parkinson's Disease and other diseases that affect seniors in the Commonwealth.
How to Get Medical Marijuana for MS
Individuals with MS in the Commonwealth who want relief through medical marijuana should first get in touch with a physician certified to recommend the medication. You can schedule a medical marijuana consultation and walk the physician through your symptoms. They will then make a recommendation that you receive medical marijuana. You will then need to register with the Board of Pharmacy in Virginia to get your medical marijuana card, at which point you will be able to go to your local dispensary and select a product that works well for you.
Your physician can provide some guidance on which medical marijuana products will work the best for your symptoms. You can also look through the reviews on a dispensary’s website to see what other medical marijuana users are saying about their own experiences.
Don't Wait! Get MS Relief With a Medical Marijuana Card Today!
If you have MS and live in Virginia, you have safe and legal options when it comes to getting relief with medical marijuana.
Schedule an appointment with an online VA medical marijuana doctor today to start gaining access to safe and legal cannabis products, including tinctures, flower, concentrates and more for your loved one or patient!
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness
safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on
education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by
providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information.
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