Canada to Pay for Military Veterans Medical Marijuana

Tx Dove'

Never knew the term or how vac could word /apply it?... in their section of the 2006 TOD? Whaat? I would have been approved at that time hands down. Almost seems like another new app. I could apply for but frankly I'm just getting so sick and tired of of vac and goc... screw it.

But what's about a civies G.Ps understanding/take on/or and definition of... "breakthrough pain" ? Just a newer trendy term or what?

Tx Dove, your a very good wing. NO pun intended. pinger.

Breakthrough pain was one of the key words used when establishing the rating for my pension when talking about pain.
2006 Table of Disabilities  
Table 19.7 - Other Impairment - Chronic Pain
"Requires ongoing medication on a regular basis but has only partial or inadequate pain relief with requirement for occasional break through pain medication."
I kept missing it on searches because they use 2 words instead of one.
It is 4 points if your pain is moderate with regular meds and 9 if your pain meets this rating.

Hi all and HAPPY CANADA DAY !

First off,
Sap asked..."Has anyone on the site used VAC to pay for Medical Marihuana?" I have not, a few vets have.
Shy of the smoke version, Cesamet is the common Canadian version of Nabilone in pill form.
Hey Sap, I fully understand your reluctance to approach your doctor. What about the post teen highlighted out of N.B.? That could be an option for your reluctance, a go between if you will?
Like you, I have been on opiates for decades but they don't do my stomach lining any good, same reason I shyte-canned Johnny Walker. No embellishment req'd.

Something else. First time I've ever heard the term..."breakthrough pain"  (?) was on csat. So I look it up. Please correct me if I'm wrong, After continued (or increased) use of strong painkillers, when they wear off the pain can be v. much or extremely worse...? That just used be called "rebound pain" and if that's the case it's old news to me. A flavour of Joneses?
There's a dirty word but years ago I curtailed my dosage for that reason. I mean, whats next... a 24 hour/a/day morphine drip?
Here's hoping not too many here require one.

But pain can be a very tricky pickle. Chronic, Acute, Physical, Mental, Emotional. And acceptance is a very big word too.

Stay well my peers, pinger.

BTW, It's still Canada Day. So make sure your flag ain't ratty looking. We DO NOT drop them on the ground.

My psychologist started me on it for sleeping/pain. I started with 20 minutes twice a week.
There are no side effects and the American Forces use it for Pain and PTSD.
I always wake with headaches (I do not have sleep apnea) but for a day or two after treatment I do not. I sleep better too.
If I am having breakthrough pain and have a session scheduled it can reduce the pain by as much as 2 points (using a 1 to 10 scale). The relief can last for up to 4 hours; that is enough time to rest, meditate and get control again. I am new to this technology so I am keeping a record book of the benefits.

Here is the blurb:

"What is Alpha-Stim Technology?
Both the ALPHA-STIM M and ALPHA-STIM AID treat anxiety, depression and insomnia. The ALPHA-STIM M also treats acute, chronic, and postoperative pain. The primary distinctive feature in a medical device is the waveform, and ALPHA-STIM has a uniquely effective waveform. The application of direct electrical treatment to the brain, along with our treatment protocols for pain also makes the difference that no other device has been able to emulate. Further, ALPHA-STIM technology has been shown to be far more cost effective than prescription drugs."

I ordered one through my therapist and hope to get partially reimbursed through SunLife. It is a whopping $1400. SunLife - if they agree - will pay 80% up to $800.
Didn't go through VA. Didn't want to fight and end up waiting up to two years for a decision on essential stuff like in the past.  
*Edit* Maybe later…. 

Dove...what is this machine "Alpha Stim met/ces"? Is it like a tens machine?
Sap

I like to think taking the active chemical in pill form prescribed by a doctor would be no different than other opioids. Of course I also avoid taking narcotics if at all possible.
Right now I am trying out the Alpha Stim MET/CES machine. Seems to be working.

Thanks Dove for your post. In my mind, pot still seems illegal and criminal...and to actually ask to try it makes me feel terrible. The way I was raised I guess. De-criminalize it and thats fine. But the stigma, like the clouds of smoke, follow you. Hmm...
Sap

Sorry to say the person started on them was on the last week of the program. The only side effects he/she reported were scary dreams but we don't know if they were the new meds or going off the old ones. They may increase the dosage once he gets home.
That is about it.

Thanks for posting Dove. Would you be willing to post your findings here? It will take some time to work, but I would really appreciate your input. You can PM me if thats a better avenue for you. Good luck.
Sap
BTW...I really dont like feeling "sick" as some pain meds make you feel. Or fuzzy headed either.  

I am at a pain clinic right now and the doctor just started one of us on pill form of THC (active ingredient of marijuana).

Thanks Teen for your response. I will check out the link. And Nav...thanks for sharing. I am glad you are feeling better on your new meds. Good luck to you.
Sap

I have never been as pain free as I have been since I started my Parkinson's med, levodopa . No stiffness at all , no chronic pain anymore nothing and I was on oxy for years. This med makes the brain produce dopamine which helps the nervous system. I take no more pain meds for over a year, just my case

Sapper here's a link to help you with any questions about medical cannabis

https://csat.forumotion.com/t2623-medical-cannabis-proven-treatment-for-ptsd-chronic-pain-and-many-other-illnesses

Thanks Birdgunner. I have tried so many different things that I don't know what to do. Been through the wringer, as it were. Good luck with your doctor and thanks again for posting.
Chimo
Sapper

My story is similar. Dozens of pain, muscle, spine prescriptions that do little or nothing at all. Asked my doctor over two years ago about Nabilone...waited for VAC approval, took two years and a few letters from medical specialists, then was approved for Nabilone.

Have been on this drug for 8 months. Started with 1mg per day and am at 4mg per day(max dosage 6mg per day) with no signifigant change in decreasing the pain and discomfort levels. The side effects are minimal compared to the other pills have taken I don't feel as foggy in the morning as before.

Hopefully it has better results with your conditions. It is an expensive drug about 300.00 per month(60 times 2mg pills per month) that is why I waited for approval.

my next doctors appointment is this Friday and am going to request max dosage for 30 days to see if this kickstarts the actual benefits of taking Nabilone...if it doesn't just add it to the already growing list of prescriptions that have no effect on decreasing pain levels.