Dystonia and Marijuana (Cannabis) Therapy
April 24, 20108 CommentsDisease Treatment
blepharospasm,
cervical dystonia,
childhood-onset dystonia,
Dopa responsive dystonia,
Dr Sean Breen,
drug-induced dystonia,
dystonia,
focal dystonias,
generalized dystonia,
huntington's disease,
idiopathic torsion dystonia,
levodopa treatment,
limb dystonia,
marijuana evaluations,
medical cannabis of southern california,
Medical Marijuana,
oppenheim's dystonia,
oromandibular dystonia,
primary dystonia,
secondary dystonia,
segawa variant dystonia,
spasmodic dystonia,
torticollis,
wilson's disease
As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I have had the opportunity to take care of a few patients with the diagnosis of dystonia. Dystonia is an extremely painful disorder that is characterized by severe muscle spasm. It can affect any muscle group in the body. One of my patients c/o cervical dystonia which affected the muscles in her neck. She would get severe neck spasms and terrible headaches. She described them as incapacitating. The pain was frequent, interrupted her sleep and was breaking her spirit.
Little is known about the exact cause of dystonia and there are not many treatments that provide ANY relief. Patients often have to face the fact that they may live their entire life with some form of regular pain.
The above patient was 62 years old and had been suffering for many years. She had been introduced to cannabis through a friend who suffered from pain but was always reluctant to try it. She was raised in a very conservative family where she was told marijuana was a dangerous drug to avoid at all costs.
It was only a few months later that as a result of a suggestion from her son (a Pastor) that she reluctantly tried it for the first time. What happened over the next 12 hours was truly amazing. Per her son, she fell asleep and slept through the night for the first time in many years. It also reduced her neck pain by “75%”. She instantly became a believer.
Since that first time she has subsequently used cannabis daily to control the muscle spasm, reduce her pain and improve her sleep. Although she is not pain free the cannabis has dramatically improved the quality of her life.
Cannabis has been studied most intensely in patients who experience neuropathic pain and severe muscle spasm. It works directly on the nerve cells throughout the body. In simplistic terms, it reduces the transmission of pain throughout the body. It also helps reduce muscle spasm by working on the neuromuscular junction.
Although it not curative, I think any patient with Dystonia would benefit by trying cannabis as a medicine. There are very few if any downsides to giving it a try. You can’t overdose on it, you won’t become addicted to it and does not adversely affect any major organ system. It really is a benign medication when compared to the army of medications pain patients are usually prescribed.
If you suffer from dystonia and would like to see if cannabis can improve the quality of your life please feel free to call us and schedule an appointment. Our toll free number is 877-721-0047. Visit us online at www.mcsocal.com
Respectfully,
Dr. Breen
Have you thought of suggesting botox for symptomatic treatment of this disorder instead of suggesting she start taking Cannabis on a daily basis ? Botox is the known treatment of this condition, and I am very suprised that as a doctor you are not aware of this.
Thank you for your comment. The reason she came in to see me was because she has been to every specialist and no one has been able to help her. Per her neurologist, he has had limited success with botox. She was simply here because the cannabis helped incredibly. I honestly feel its the best COA for this patient.
That is exactly why this plant exists on this earth; to help people that need relief. I am not a doctor, but why would anyone use botox to help alleviate pain? Isn’t botox dangerous anyways? Do we even know the effects of botox long term even though it is approved by the FDA? The big pharma companies and the idiots who actually believe in them will one day know the truth and of course, then will jump on the bandwagon that marijuana is so great once everyone else say it is okay. Wake up America. This doctor is how we need all doctors to behave, to look after what is best for the patient.
I am a 63yo man and several years ago was diagnosed with torticollis. I have been treated with muscle relaxants and botox injections. The muscle relaxants did not help much. The botox helped with the small spasms but eventually wore off and I needed to receive the injections again.
Yesterday I tried cannabis. All of the spams disappeared for several hours. My head was completely steady as if I had no torticollis at all. The relief I felt was remarkable. No spasms, no pain and since no spasms or pain, no anxiety.
Cannabis treated the torticollis unlike any treatments I have had prior, complete and total.
Now the problem is how to integrate cannabis into my daily life. The usual side effects of cannabis use were present. I am an IT professional and need to interact with other professionals every day.
I can see using cannabis to treat the torticollis when I am not working, but the side effects will be a detriment at work. Perhaps it is the dosage that I need to work out.
In any case, I found relief albeit for only my non-work time.
John-
That’s the one drawback to cannabis. It still produces psychoactive effects and can’t be used throughout the day for many patients. That is the reason we need to re-schedule the drug so that it can be researched and prescribed without the psychoactive effects. I recommend that you ask the collective for a strain with low THC percentage. It SHOULD be the least psychoactive while still producing benefits. Dr. Breen
Thank you John, I too have been treated for 2 years with Botox for my Dystonia. The problem is the treatment only lasts for about a month and I have to wait three months in between treatments (not to mention it costs 2K per session) Thank god my insurance covers it. I does help with the migrains that pre-Botox I had five of the seven day on the week. But it runs out and I need something to ease the pain. I have a RX for marijuana and live in a state that allows medical use however I recently got laid off and now I have to stop using it to be able to get a job. I only use it as per needed, NEVER before work only before going to bed. I so appreciate this website. I really feel guilty using it but it is what works for me.
I have Paroxymal Dyskinesia (a form of Dystonia). I tried many on the pharmaceutical options for my condition, but found the symptoms from the medicines were almost as bad as having the condition! About 5 years ago, I discovered that if I took a very small dose of cannabis sativa in the evening, my symptoms were greatly reduced. Since I found this out, I no longer ever need to use my wheelchair, and my spasticity and pain have been greatly reduced. It has been a God send. A lot more research needs to be done, as I’ve found certain varieties exacerbate symtoms and others totally relieve it. Research would provide more options for people who suffer greatly from this terrible condition.
I am caring for my brother who has severe Depression, Dystonia and Epilepsy. You do have to be careful and consider all factors when contemplating alternative treatments. Many years ago my brother began having muscle spasms, tremors, tics, and myoclonic movements. After a year on Seraquil with no improvements his neurologist prescribed Abilify. With the doctors knowledge my brother self medicated with Cannibus Sativa and continued taking Abilify. This allowed him to function most of the time. However the Abilify triggered epileptic seizures, so Dilantin was added to his regiment. The Cannibus use still kept him functioning most of the time. What is worth noting is the most significant deterioration in his condition came when he stopped using Cannibus. His movements became extreme, the seizures worsened in strength and frequency, and he began experiencing suicidal ideation. Since that point more anti-seizures have been prescribed and dosages are continuing to climb on other meds. Nothing is under control anymore. Here’s the big kicker, since his health has declined soo dramatically since coming off Cannibus he no longer has a job or the ability to buy Cannibus Sativa to use for self-medication. When you make a decision for treatment make sure you are looking long term…..