Has marijuana ever been prescribed as a treatment?

A good question! A study conducted in 2008 at the University of Manitoba Rehabilitation Hospital and published in the Journal of Pain showed that patients given an oral synthetic form of marijuana (nabilone) achieved significant relief of pain and improvement in overall functioning compared to those in the study who received a placebo. The study suggests that marijuana may be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia.

Of course, there is much controversy surrounding the subject of medicinal marijuana, and whether or not a doctor can prescribe medicinal marijuana may depend on where you live. It may also depend on your doctor. Some doctors may be hesitant to prescribe marijuana for pain relief in fibromyalgia. There have been limited studies on the use of marijuana in fibromyalgia, and more controlled studies should be done.

Marijuana that is grown and purchased illegally may be inconsistent, as there are numerous compounds present in marijuana. It is also illegal in many states. Another downside of marijuana is that it can worsen depression, something that should be kept in mind for those fibromyalgia sufferers who also suffer from depression.

I hope this helps to answer your question. The bottom line: it may help, but is illegal in many states and finding a doctor who will prescribe may be difficult.

Though it is illegal I use it to go to sleep, I have a joint to get to sleep at night, I never smoke it any other time unless I am in a lot of pain in the evening. Since smoking it I am able to control my pain so much better to a point that I am now back in part time work. It helps me get to sleep and more sleep means less pain.

I've noticed something interesting recently; I have tried a cornucopia of meds for pain, and nothing is truly effective, and definitely not long term. I find that marijuana does alleviate the pain, plus I sleep better. HOWEVER, what I've noted is that the days that I take, for e.g., tylenol arthritis, the marijuana is not as effective. When I do not have the tylenol, the marijuana is much more effective.

In fact, I had more pain relief from the marijuana alone than the marijuana and tylenol combined (and the tylenol on its own is pretty much candy to me now).

I'm in the process of finding a doctor who will help me to get a license for medical marijuana, as I also have severe arthritis. I want to keep working, and truthfully, without the marijuana, I don't know that I could cope.