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Fibromyalgia

  • May 31, 2023

In some people, living with fibromyalgia feels like undergoing brain fog and overtiredness. It can take so much away from you mentally and physically. Although it is not life-threatening by itself and does not cause permanent physical damage, fibromyalgia can be awfully painful and exigent.

Fibromyalgia is a condition of widespread, chronic musculoskeletal pain. It also may occur with fatigue, changes in mood and sleep pattern, and disorders of the intestines.  It can lead to psychiatric and cognitive disturbances.  The cause of fibromyalgia is currently unknown and appears to be an issue with the pain processing in the brain. It is generally triggered or exacerbated by emotional and physical stressors, trauma or infections. Fibromyalgia is more prevalent in women than in men. (https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/8/3891)

Management of fibromyalgia is based on a multidisciplinary approach. Pharmacological therapy includes painkillers, serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants. Nonpharmacologic measures such as rehabilitation programs, aerobic exercise, counseling, or cognitive-behavioral therapy — in addition to pharmacological therapies– are recommended for most patients with fibromyalgia. (https://ard.bmj.com/content/76/2/318)

In many patients with persistent fibromyalgia, marijuana has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment.  Its active ingredients help to relieve a number of symptoms of fibromyalgia. (https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-020-00024-2)

Marijuana offers major favorable effects with perhaps less side effects than more traditional medications. (https://journals.lww.com/jclinrheum/Abstract/2018/08000/Medical_Cannabis_for_the_Treatment_of_Fibromyalgia.3.aspx)

A scientific study reported that 81.1% of patients got relief from their pain, following use of marijuana. (https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/8/6/807)