The main goal of using medical marijuana is to reduce your symptoms.  However, while doing so we also want you to NOT have to rely on the various medications your doctor will prescribe to reduce those same symptoms.    Here are the 5 areas that my patients see major relief from.

1. Insomnia:  Many cancer patients have a very difficult time sleeping because of pain, nausea and anxiety.    Without quality sleep your body can not get the rest and recovery it needs to deal with the stressors of dealing with cancer treatment.     Commonly their doctors will provide sleep aids such as ambien, lunesta or trazodone.      These medications, although very sedating, often leave my patients feeling completely “wiped out” the next day.   The often tell me they feel like zombies and would prefer not to take them at all.    In addition they have numerous other side effects.

Medical Marijuana is VERY sedating.  However, the advantage it seems to have over the commonly prescribed sleep aids is that is does not leave the patient feeling groggy in the morning and they wake up feeling very rested.   In most cases, one or two doses 30 minutes prior to going to bed does the trick.

2. Nausea, Vomiting and Lack of Appetite:  Any patient who has gone through chemotherapy will tell you about the horrors of continuously vomiting throughout the day and night.    It leaves them in a state where they are not only depleted (from electrolyte loss) but it also destroys their appetite at a time when they need to nourish their bodies.    Medications like zofran and phenergan are typically prescribed to combat these symptoms with limited success.   They too also have side effects that patients must deal with.

Medical marijuana has proven to reduce nausea and stimulate a patients appetite.   It is this area where I see patients getting the most benefit from marijuana.    Patients report a significant reduction in the amount of nausea.  They also tell me the finally feel like eating again.   Proper nutrition is critical to patients recovering and healing from cancer.   Without the vitamins, minerals and macronutrients that every cell needs to do its job it is much more difficult to be cured (which is the ultimate goal)

3. Chronic Pain:  Cancer patients experience pain for a number of reasons.   For some it is because the cancer has spread to their bones.  Other patients have extensive surgeries to remove the cancer and have post-operative pain.   For some, it is general aches from being in bed so much that they have chronic muscle spasms.   Regardless of the source, it is very debilitating and demoralizing.   I have seen patients placed on everything from opiates (oxycontin, fentanyl patch and morphine) to high dose NSAIDs (ibuprofen) to drugs like celexa (which are anti-depressants) to reduce pain.   The problem is that opiates are EXTREMELY constipating, nauseating and cause a myriad of other side effects (itching, depression).   Patient tell me the hate taking pain medication for this reason and many decide to “tough it out” versus having all those side effects.

There are numerous studies looking at medical marijuana and pain management.   In my experience cancer patients have been able to completely eliminate their need for any other pain medications when they medicate with marijuana.  In many cases, if there is not a total reduction in pain, patients state that they are less concerned or aware of the pain.

4.  Anxiety and Depression:   Cancer is a diagnoses that for ALL patients is very scary.   All of sudden you have to start considering your mortality, your family and your finances.  This can be overwhelming for many patients.   Who is going to provide for their family?   How are they going to pay all their bills?   Who is going to raise their children?   All of these are questions that patient who are diagnosed with cancer must confront.    Typically I see doctors prescribe drugs like xanax (alprazolam) and valium (diazepam) to reduce their symptoms of anxiety.   If patients get depressed there are put on drugs like lexapro.   All of these medications have significant side effects that when taken with all the other medications makes them feel flat and “zonked out”.

Medical marijuana can be very relaxing for patients.   Many patients tell me it helps them take their mind away from their illness and allows them to enjoy the day.   They report an elevation in their mood and spirits and feel great about not having to take these other drugs.

5. Anti-tumor properties:  There is a lot of research going on right now looking at the anti-tumor affects of marijuana.   Some studies have shown a reduction in tumor size from the marijuana itself.   Scientists are not yet able to say that cannabinoids can someday be curative for certain cancers but it seems that the research is pointing in that direction.   I want to be very clear that I am NOT saying that medical marijuana will cure your cancer.   However, I think it is important for you to understand that it will not make your cancer worse and if anything should work synergistically with chemo, radiation and surgery.

*For those patients who are concerned about having to smoke marijuana:   There are devices called vaporizers which allow you to inhale medical marijuana completely smoke free.   They have been studied at the UCSD Cannabis Research Center and do not contain any harmful carcinogens or carbon monoxide.  They are simple to use, ODORLESS and very affordable.  I will show you how to use them at the time of your visit.

Overall, the major benefit of using medical marijuana is that it replaces 5 or 6 medications that your oncologist would normally prescribe to help combat all these symptoms.   I have had patients tell me that marijuana “has been a Godsend” and that “they wouldn’t know what they would have done without it”.     I take care of patients from all walks of life and unanimously they tell me how grateful they are to be able to meet a doctor so open to discussing this treatment with them.

Lastly, let me leave you with this.  Many of you are wondering why your oncologist will not endorse, discuss or recommend using marijuana to use while treating your cancer.   Many of them are not allowed to as dictated by their hospital policy or insurance companies.  Others do not understand it enough to give you their opinion.   Lastly, some do not believe in it.

You may also be asking:  If marijuana is such a “Godsend”, why isn’t their more research?

There is good reason for pharmaceutical companies to lobby against legislation that would allow marijuana to be researched and prescribed by ALL doctors.   ONE PLANT CAN REPLACE 6 MEDICATIONS.   This represents a significant loss of revenue to the drug companies.  In addition, doctors get the majority of their research from studies pushed by the pharmaceutical companies themselves.     As a result, very few are willing to step outside the box and recommend medical marijuana instead.

If you are reading this and have been diagnosed or in the middle of cancer treatment, I encourage you to come in and speak with me about the benefits of using medical marijuana.   I will spend as much time as you need exlaining how the whole process works.  I will walk you through the different strains of medicine, show you how to use a vaporizer and even help you find professional dispensaries.

Lastly, I am a firm believer in the power or prayer and the mind to help your body heal itself.  I regularly pray with patients who are open to it and I find it lifts their spirits and makes their visit with me extra special.  All you have to do is ask!

Be blessed.

Step 1: Determine if you have a qualifying diagnosis
Most patients think medical marijuana can only be recommended for dying patients or those with severe disabilities. In California, that is not the case. The most common reasons patients receive a medical marijuana card are:

a. Chronic Pain: any condition where chronic pain is a component can qualify. For example, back pain, joint pain, post-operative pain etc.

b. Muscle spasms: can be for many reasons but things like Multiple Sclerosis, Restless Legs Syndrome

c. Nausea and Poor Appetite

d. Insomnia and Anxiety

e. Mood disorders such as depression.

f. Inflammatory bowel disease including Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

***There are over 250 indications that we can recommend cannabis for. You can simply call our office and find out if your diagnosis will qualify. 877-721-0047

Step 2: Gather your medical documentation.
When you see a doctor for medical marijuana he will need to review your medical records and verify your diagnosis. You can simply contact your treating doctors office and ask that they release your medical records to you. They simply have you fill out a form.

Step 3: Locate a doctor that is specialized in recommending medical marijuana
Dr. Breen has extensive knowledge about the medicinal benefits of using marijuana and will be able to answer any questions you may have. Visit our website at www.MCSoCal.com and see our office locations in Irvine, CA and Long Beach, CA

Step 4: Simply bring in your documentation.
At your appointment Dr. Breen will review you medical records, go over all the benefits and risk of using medical marijuana, perform a physical exam and then determine if it is an appropriate treatment approach.

Step 5: Purchasing your Medicine at a Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Doctors are not allowed to provide you with the medical marijuana so you have to go to a local medical marijuana dispensary. You will need to bring your written recommendation signed by Dr. Breen They will make a copy of it and verify your eligibility by using our 24 hour online verification system. You can then purchase up to 8 ounces of medical marijuana.

The process is as simple as that. Dr. Breen and the staff of MCSoCal will make sure that all your questions are answered before your leave our office. We realize that for many patients this is a very new experience and can be nerve racking. We want to assure you that your doctors visit will be very professional and compassionate.

Thanks for visiting our site and reading our blog.

MCSoCal Staff

All of these medication are stimulants (amphetamines) and have very similar side effect profiles.  The most common reasons that patients with ADHD are seeking treatment with medical marijuana are … READ ON

…insomnia and decreased appetite.   These drugs work on the central nervous system by blocking the re-uptake of norepinephrine and dopamine (both sympathetic nervous system neurotransmitters).   Because they act to keep people hyper-vigilant and focused they come with a bunch of unwanted side effects.  The most commons side effects are:

1. Insomnia 2. Decreased Appetite 3. Dry Mouth 4. Nausea 5. Vomiting 6. Abdominal Pain 7. Diarrhea 8. Irritability 9. Headaches 10. dizziness 11. Anxiety

Listed are 11 common side effects which most patients do not want to deal with.  The problem is that these drugs are VERY effective at treating ADHD so most patients will experience significant improvement in productivity and ability to focus.   However they need help dealing with the side effects.

Today I had 3 patients coming in because of insomnia and poor appetite related to ADHD medications.  Medical marijuana is an outstanding option for the because 1. The correct strain of marijuana is very sedating and 2. Marijuana is an appetite stimulant.

Most patients only have to take one dose of an indica strain 30-60 minutes prior to going to bed.  They typically report falling asleep very quickly and also wake up feeling rested.  Contrast that to traditional sleeping pills like Ambien or Lunesta where patients wake up feeling extremely groggy.

In addition these patients feel like eating again.   Without proper nutrition no one is going to feel or be healthy.   Eating a well balanced diet is tantamount to feeling healthy.  I can not tell you how many patients skip breakfast and lunch because of these medications.   There is no way that they can live long healthy lives with dinner as their first meal of the day.

Physicians really need to pay attention to side effects of the medications they commonly prescribe.   Many times patients complaints are a direct result of drugs they have been prescribed.

If you have ADHD and are one of these medications and would like to explore using medical marijuana to combat the side effects feel free to give my office a call at 877-721-0047 or visit us online at www.mcsocal.com and pre-qualify for free.

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

MORE AND MORE ORDINARY PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR RELIEF.

Just this morning my first patient was a 46 year old man who has been working as a landscape architect his whole adult life.   Since 2008 he has been out of work and has had to take handyman jobs here and there just to make ends meet.   He has been happily married for 20 years but the financial strain has been “so hard on my wife and I”.   As he is telling me this story tears are forming in his eyes and his head down at his chin.   He is a very hard working, proud man.  He wants to take care of his family but “does not know how much longer I can handle the stress.”  READ ON…

I can not tell you how many patients come in to see me every day with his same story.   The economy is affected peoples health adversely.   The reason he wanted to try medical marijuana is that the Xanax made him too groggy in the morning and he has been drinking more than usual in the evenings.   He recently read of an NHL hockey player (Derek Boogard-New York Rangers) who overdosed on xanax and alcohol and he became very afraid of the same thing happening to him.   His goal is to replace both the alcohol and xanax with medical marijuana in the evenings.   He admitted to using it sporadically for the past 2 months with excellent results.

The bottom line is that medical marijuana can be an excellent sedative for sleep and an excellent anxiolytic for anxiety.    If used in small amounts, patients can still function throughout the day without having to get “high” like back in the 1960′s.    If vaporized they do not have to expose themselves to any carcinogens or carbon monoxide.

As far as the strain, patients can pick which one works best for them.   Traditionally, indica strains are more sedating and less psychoactive (less “high”) than sativa strains because of the lower concentration of THC.     I recommend that patients try multiple strains to find the one that alleviates their symptoms the most and that they tolerate the best.

If you have questions regaring medical marijuana or would like to make an appointment feel free to contact me at 877-721-0047.

Be blessed,

He came to me because for the last 2 months he has been using medical marijuana and says it has helped tremendously.   He feels he is sleeping better and his days are not spent worrying (as much) about his mortality.     READ ON….

What is CLL?  It is simply a cancer that affects the white blood cells in the body.  White blood cells fight infection and regulate the inflammatory response in the body.   Cancer means that cells grow out of control, unchecked.   Normally cells grow, function and then die off.  They do not just keep proliferating.   So in this case we see a rapid growth of white blood cells in the body.  What happens is that these cells grow unchecked in the bone marrow (where blood cells are formed) and take over.    The bone marrow becomes overwhelmed and can not properly produce blood cells.

This patient noticed this when he started feeling fatigued more than usual.  This was most likely because he wasn’t producing enough red blood cells (which carry oxygen to the cells of the body).   He also noticed that he had reoccurring mouth infections (result of abnormal white blood cells).   When his doctor checked his blood counts it was clear something was wrong.

A diagnosis of cancer is a very life altering event.   It instantly changes patients priorities and immediately forces them to consider their mortality.   Fo my patient is threw him into a severe depression with underlying anxiety.  (interestingly the survival rates for CLL are pretty good)   He had a real difficult time knowing his days were numbered… even though every one reading this, including me, is “on the clock.”  The difference is that we don not think about often.  Cancer patients do all the time.

Cannabis (marijuana) can be a great alternative for patients that do not respond to traditional medications or have to stop them due to side effects.   Typically one or two doses of a medical grade strain will suffice.   This will allow patients to still function as far as their day to day responsibilities yet get the benefits of the medicine.

He told me he used many different medications and they all worked to a certain extent.  However the side effects he was experiencing made the risks outweigh the benefits.    It wasn’t until he tried cannabis that he felt some relief without worrying about any side effects.    He simply has been using it in the afternoons and at night to help him sleep.   He uses a vaporizer to avoid having to smoke it and prefers an indica strain because of its sedating affects.

This morning I took care of a 35 year old male who has been using medical marijuana for the past year to help improve his sleep and anxiety.   What he said was that his symptoms are still there, albeit not as intense, but he was renewing because he was no longer taking Ativan or Ambien to control his symptoms.    For him that was a major accomplishment because he did not “like taking pills.”

He did ask me how long he thinks he will need to stay on cannabis.   The answer is that for every patient it is different.  Marijuana will help control symptoms but is not going to fix the underlying cause of his anxiety (which are job stressors).    Until he learns skills to cope with the pressures at work his symptoms are going to be there.   So we discussed various coping issues to help him remove the “wasted worry” from his life.

The reality of the situation is that he is using one dose of cannabis 4x per week an hour before he goes to sleep.  He could realistically do that the rest of his life without having to worry about any major damage to his body.   But it should be every patients goal to completely be off all medications and be 100% healed.   That is my goal for him.

If you are wondering is medical marijuana can improve the quality of your life I would encourage you to make an appointment to see me.  877-721-0047.

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

In this case I think a couple of things contributed to his paranoia.  The first was that he took 3 doses right away.   Because there is no standard dosing and no way to know for sure how many milligrams of cannabinoids you are inhaling, it is difficult to know if you used just enough or too much.    What we recommend is that new patients use one dose (one inhalation) and wait a full 30 minutes before taking a second dose.   It takes about 30 minutes on average for cannabis to have its peak effects.

Secondly, my patient was given a strain of medical marijuana called sativa.   Sativas tend to have a higher concentration of THC which is the main psychoactive ingredient in the plant.  This leads to, in general, stronger psychoactive effects.

Why do some patients get paranoia and other don’t?   Scientists do know for sure yet (they probably would but lack of funds for studies limit its research) but think it may because of receptors in an area of the brain called the amygdala.

This feeling is very uncomfortable.   You may have heard or not heard about the police officer who confiscated marijuana and then used it…. and ended up calling 911 because of sever paranoia.   The call is VERY REAL but also hysterical.  Listen to it here.

99.9% of the time you do not need to call 911 as this feeling will wear off and you will be fine.   But certainly if you feel compelled to get medical attention do so.   It will most likely end up just being a VERY expensive experience.

Some things that really help when first trying medical marijuana is to have someone you trust with you to reassure you that you will be fine.   In most cases this is all that is required to help get you through it.    Also, go slow and make sure to tell the people at your dispensary that you do not want something to psychoactive.

Today I treated a 43 year old women who came to me to try medical marijuana as an alternative to Wellbutrin, Xanax and Ambien for her insomnia, anxiety and depression.  She states that this has gone on for about 15 years.     She was tired of how those medications made her feel.  ”Like a zombie” she said.      Then she asked me “do you think this will help.”

My first response to her was: “Let me ask you this question.  What do you typically eat throughout the day and how often do you eat?”

That is when her husband started shaking his head and she became reluctant to discuss her diet with me.   To put it mildly; she ate like shit.     Skips breakfast, drinks soda and coffee, eats a ton of candy and ice cream prior to going to bed.   She ate very few protein foods and no healthy fats.  The carbohydrates she at were all high glycemic (raised her blood sugar very high very quickly) foods.

This patient is depressed and has anxiety because (most likely) her serotonin levels are all over the place.   Serotonin is the main neurotransmitter in the brain that controls mood.   It requires adequate protein and fat in the diet in order to manufacture.   Specifically you have to eat an essential amino acid (must eat, can not make) called tryptophan in order to make it.   Diets high in carbohydrates and sugar and low in protein are going to deplete stores of serotonin.

Now consider this.  Her doctor put her on a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor to improve her mood.   But the problem is that there is most likely not enough serotonin in the first place.   What this patient needs first is to fix her nutrition.   Once she does that her mood HAS to improve.

There depressive and anxious states are the result of poor nutrition compounded by life stresses that patients do not have the ability to deal with (mostly because of poor nutrition and lifestyle habits)

My recommendation: fix your nutrition first.  Give your body everything it needs and stop giving it toxins and THEN see what happens.   If you are still symptomatic then and only then should you consider medications.

Be blessed,

Here is a brief summary of some of the patients I evaluated:

1. 30 year old female who was started on Lexapro for anxiety a year ago.   She stated that although it helped her anxiety she had completely lost her sex drive and her marriage was suffering.    She said over the past month she had been using cannabis with good results.   It really helped her libido and did relieve some of her anxiety.  Although not as effective as lexapro overall her quality of life has improved.

2. A 73 year old man who has metastatic lung cancer and is losing significant weight secondary to no appetite and the increased demands of the cancer on his body.   His goal is to use cannabis to improve his appetite and reduce any pain from the metastatic lesions in his bones.

3. A 24 year old male who has had multiple surgeries after breaking bones while doing motorcross.   He had used opiates in the past and developed a dependence and addiction to them.  He currently uses cannabis for pain management to avoid using percocets.

4. A 29 year old women who has been self medicating with cannabis for the past 8 years for severe menstrual cramps.   She was using motrin 800mg but they were not as effective.

5. A 55 year old women who is menopausal and has difficulty sleeping at night.   She claims to lay in bed “tossing and turning” for 1-2 hours and often wakes up 2-3 times per night.  She recently tried a friends cannabis and “got the best nights sleep in a long time.”  She wants regular safe access to it.

6. A 60 year old male who has sever anxiety due to the economy and also having to take care of his sick father.   He claims that he uses 1-2 doses of an indica strain at the end of the day to help him relax.

These are all common stories of patients that are using cannabis to improve the quality of their lives.   They range in age from 18-97 and have a variety of complaints.

If you are unsure if you could benefit from using cannabis feel free to contact our office at 877-721-0047 or through our website www.mcsocal.com

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

61 year old white female who using cannabis for her restless legs syndrome.

34 year old white male who has a diagnosis of anxiety and depression.

61 year old white female who suffers from arthritis

55 year old white male who had surgery to repair C5-6-7 herniated discs following a motor vehicle accident

51 year old white female who is going through menopause.  She has symptoms of anxiety, hot flashes, insomnia and is easily irritated.

41 year old white make who had reconstructive surgery on his right ankle and suffers from arthritis.

27 year old white female who suffers from anxiety since the age of 17.  She uses cannabis instead of xanax.

25 year old white make who injured his C6-7 vertebra surfing.   He uses cannabis for pain management.

59 year old white female who has sciatica and chronic lower back pain.  She uses cannabis instead of oxycontin.

You would be very surprised by the typical patients that I see using cannabis for their symptoms.   I think the majority of people when they think of medical marijuana envision “teenagers getting stoned.”  That is not the case and quite the opposite.

If you are suffering and would like more information on whether or not cannabis can help you improve the quality of your life feel free to call our office at 877-721-0047 or contact us online at www.mcsocal.com

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen