Wednesday, July 17, 2019

A Life Curve Ball and CBD

July 17, 2019
Wednesday

As we head into the rest of the summer, Ross is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  He has eight more treatments to go.  YAY!   Aside from the tiredness, he's feeling well.

I've had a birthday and we celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary.



One of the things I have struggled with throughout my life is anxiety.  Having read a bit about the wide range of symptoms which can be attributed to anxiety, I would classify what I deal with as "manageable".  By that I mean it doesn't affect my life on a daily basis, but is more likely triggered by stress levels caused by life's curve balls.

Since we are currently in the midst of one of those curve balls, I have been wondering what I can do to manage the anxiety and stress.

Which brings me to today's topic.  The "miracle" of Cannabidiol or more commonly known as CBD,

According to an article in the Harvard Health Blog:

"CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, and for patients who suffer through the misery of insomnia, studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.
CBD may offer an option for treating different types of chronic pain. A study from the European Journal of Pain showed, using an animal model, CBD applied on the skin could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Another study demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat. More study in humans is needed in this area to substantiate the claims of CBD proponents about pain control."
I've been toying with the idea of trying CBD for a few months.  During that time it seems as though the availability of CBD has become more widespread.
There are flag signs outside of all sorts of stores and shops advertising CBD.   It seems as though smoke shops were the first to bring CBD into their inventory.  Since I don't smoke (any kind of anything), I was hesitant to wander into one of "those" kind of stores.
Recently I noticed that our little local party store was flying the CBD flag outside of their shop.
When we entered the store, I wondered which aisle would contain the shelf holding the CBD products.
Party hats?  Balloons?  "Over the Hill" paraphernalia?
The woman behind the counter obviously noticed my furrowed brow and unsure demeanor.
"Can I help you find something?" she asked.
She was a friendly sort, introduced herself as "Patty" and was quite willing to tout the benefits of CBD.  Which, by the way, the various products were locked in a small cabinet on top of the counter.
Before I go further, I must tell you that I have been quite skeptical about the miraculous efficacy of CBD.
So, Patty had quite a job ahead of her to convince me.
But, Patty told us of a personal experience she had which led me and Ross to walk out the door with $100 worth of CBD products.

Apparently, Patty also has anxiety issues.   She also had been leery of CBD.  Her partner, Fran, though, was a proponent and advocate and swore by it.   But Fran could not get Patty to try it.
One day, Patty's father was rushed to the hospital.   Patty has extreme anxiety when faced with illness, hospitals and especially elevators.  All of which is what she would have to immediately be able to cope with.
In the middle of her panic, as she cried to Fran, that she would not be able to handle any of it, Fran said to Patty, "Open your mouth!"
She put a drop of oil under Patty's tongue and according to Patty, she immediately  started to calm down.

I thought, okay if it can work for Patty, it should work for me.

I bought the Gummy Bears.  Since Ross talked about pain in his neck, she pointed out the the cream would work well.  We got that too.
Patty told me to take on every morning, like a vitamin.   She said, "You don't have to wait for tomorrow morning, take one when you get home."
Which I did.
Here is what I experienced.   I immediately felt a strange sensation in my limbs.  Arms and legs.  I also began to get nauseous.   I  became jittery and irritable.  Perhaps the jittery and irritable feelings happened because I was upset about the other sensations.  I don't know.
I finally had to take an Ativan (tranquilizer) to settle down.
Since that first time, I was willing to try again, but with a lower dose.  I cut the gummy into quarters.  A quarter of the gummy did not seem to have any effect, good or bad on me.
I have not tried again.
Ross has yet to try the cream.

Now, every evening I take about a 1-1/4 mile walk around the neighborhood.  I listen to a book while I walk.  Currently I am listening to "Commonwealth" by Anne Patchett.
After my walk I settle in for some TV viewing and knitting.  I am working on a scrappy afghan.


Walking, listening to a book and knitting seem to be the "miracle" remedies I need to quiet the anxiety and stress of this latest life curve ball.

Have you tried any of the CBD products?  Have they worked for you?



12 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Have never tried CBD but am aware of all the claimed benefits and do no some people who have indeed found relief from the product. One thing I would say (and perhaps it is useful here to mention that I am a homoeopathic physician, though now retired) is that dosing will be highly individual and there is also the 'requirement quotient' to consider. If your body does not need a thing for the time being, it is likely to reject it or react in what seems a negative way. Keep a gummy or two hand for when things truly ramp up on the anxiety level and give them a try again then.

    Your 'self-med' approach with walking and sound therapy is both practical and time-proven for low-level stress and the only side-effect is likely to be improved overall wellbeing - so overdose as much as you like on that!!! YAM xx

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    1. ...know... I know some people... sigh...

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    2. I "new" what you meant :) . Oh, Yamini, it's so interesting that you are a homeopathic physician. Thanks for telling me about the "requirement quotient". I do believe that is what happened to me.
      I have to say I think the evening walk has helped with my sleeping. Although this evening the temperatures are still nearly 90 degrees (f). I am going to take a pass.

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  2. I used a cbd oil that had no thc in it and it really worked! I hope I wrote that right! I'm having trouble with recalling words crazy meds I'm on! I blame them for everything lol! I had a horrible pain that would shoot through the roof of my mouth straight up through my head so I used one drop and would hold it on that spot and it would take that pain away! Then my doctor said not to use it anymore because we are being monitored by the government because of the oxycodone. She didn't know if it would show up in my bloodwork. So I had to stop using it. Maybe try that kind of oil it might help. Send my love to Ross and make sure the doctor knows Ross is taking them!

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    1. It's great that the cbd oil helped you. I'm sorry that the doctor is concerned about being monitored and that it effects the relief you might be able to get.
      Oh, I won't let Ross try it. With his treatment and the meds he's on, I'd definitely be worried about interactions.
      After having the reaction that I did, I am afraid to try anything else now.

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  3. I know someone in Prescott where we used to live that swore of the wonderful benefits of CBD Oil. He would hold classes for those who wanted to come and learn more about it. He even said CBD cured his wife of her breast cancer and helped him with lung issues he was having. My son uses the cream for aches and pains and says it is helpful. He did say though that the cream he got from a smoke shop didn't seem to work as well as the cream that he got from the medical marijuana dispensary. (Medical marijuana is legal here in Arizona with a medical card).

    I'm glad you found what works for helping you with your anxiety. I also suffer from it and I have found that a glass of wine usually helps me relax to sleep. Not the best cure, but one that works at least now.

    Good to see the end in sight for Russ' treatment!!! That will be a big stress reliever.

    betty

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    1. Even though I have never tried marijuana, I feel if it provides relief for people's pain, I am all for it.
      Oh, Betty, I wish I could drink wine. Whenever I try, I get so congested. I think I might have an allergy to something in it.
      A glass of wine is supposed to be good for you. So cheers! 🍷😀

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  4. Sounds like it really works on you ;) A bit too well. Glad you found something that calms you. I've never tried CBD. I have something different for when I need just a bit of calm. (Bach Flower Remedies.)

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    1. I have never heard of Bach Flower Remedies. I will have to look into it.

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  5. Just catching up on your recent posts. You certainly have had a lot to cope with. The only time in my life that I was going through some temporary depression my doctor prescribed something that made me feel much worse. I now avoid doctors unless absolutely necessary. My jaw dropped wide open reading about the mistakes and delays when your hubby went to hospital. It's very worrying that some people might not have been as on the ball as you.

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    1. I completely understand your wanting to avoid doctors whenever possible. I think we are conditioned to not question physicians. But I've learned that to have the confidence to do that.

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  6. The oil contains CBD focuses and the utilizations differ incredibly. In cannabis, the aggravate that is well known is delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. Rooted Scales

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