In a perfect world, these patients stop drinking, attend AA and get on with their lives.  But that is not always practical and does not always happen.   Many patients are having GREAT success with taking one or two doses of cannabis when they get home versus having 4-5 drinks whether it’s beer, wine or liquor.   They report that they experience a noticeable difference in their moods, their relationships and their overall quality of life.

Even the biggest critics of marijuana use have to admit that these patients are way better off using cannabis as a replacement for alcohol.

Again, in a perfect world, these patients are “high on life” and and require NO medications. But we have to be honest and understand that that is not a reality for many people.

YOUR THOUGHTS?…

If you are addicted to alcohol and would like to see if substituting with cannabis may be an option for you feel free to contact me at 877-721-0047.

Be blessed.

Within the medical marijuana community, most people earning a living as a result of prop 215 and senate bill 420 (medical marijuana) do not want this to pass.   They are concerned that if it does they will not be able to continue to make a living like they currently are.   So if you speak to someone who has financial interest in a dispensary/collective or doctors office they will most likely say “keep it the way it is”.  Understandable I guess.   However, if those same individuals were not profiting from medical marijuana they would vote YES in a second… no doubt about it.

The passage of prop 19 will set back the medical community for sure…. that I am certain about.    LESS people are going to speak to their doctors about this because they will no longer need a recommendation.   This morning I was interviewed by one of my patients who is writing a story on prop 19 and I flat out asked him “If prop 19 passes would you come to see me to renew your recommendation and get a physical or would you just continue to use it without seeing the doctor?” His answer “I would not come in to see you.” This is not surprising.  I have asked randomly about 100 of my patients this question over the past 6 months and 70% said they would not spend the money to see a doctor if they could get it from a friend legally and use it legally.

The question becomes what happens to the dispensaries?   I asked a volunteer for  ”Yes on  Prop 19″ and asked him that question.   Will they be able to sell to recreational users or only be able to sell to patients?   His answer “we don’t know because each city has the right to make there own rules. HOW RIDICULOUS that they added that verbiage in this proposition. If dispensaries still have to only sell medicine to patients than I think a lot of them are going to go BYE BYE.   AND…. I think the prices that they will be able to charge are going to go WAY DOWN.   People can grow and use their own legally or get it from a friend… why pay the $60/eight ounce when they can grow it and use it for $15 per 1/8th ounce.

Because of HOW Prop 19 was written, I don’t think anyone for sure knows what the impact will be on the current system.   People can only speculate and if they feel their livelihood is threatened they are going to vote no.   Look no further than Humboldt County which is bracing for the worst.   The people there believe the passage of prop 19 will change Mendocino and Humboldt forever.

My personal thoughts?   Either way I am fine with it.  If it goes YES then the landscape will change and there will be opportunity.  If it goes NO then the current system will live to see another day.

YOUR THOUGHTS??

In my clinical experience discussing the use of medical marijuana with patients I have seen fantastic results with women in their late 40′s and 50′s who use it to treat peri-menopause and menopause.   It really helps reduce the mood swings and improve sleep.   Most people do not consider sleep deprivation a “serious medical illness” and critics of California’s medical marijuana laws often point out that it was intended for seriously ill patients and has been abused.   I would argue differently.

SOLID SLEEP is VITAL to HEALTH.  I will say that one more time.  A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP IS VITAL TO MAINTAINING YOUR HELATH.  Many of our hormones, to include Human Growth Hormone, are triggered by the sleep wake cycle.   This means that when it gets dark and you go to bed the body signals itself to secrete HGH.   HGH is responsible for growth and regeneration of tissues.  It is vital to good health.  If you are not sleeping you will not be in good health. Period.

In addition, when you are tired you have less energy to handle the challenges that are inevitable in life.  You are more cranky, you have less of a SEX DRIVE which affects the relationships in your life.  Sleep is definitely a commodity and many patients use cannabis EXCLUSIVELY to help them sleep at night.

If you get the right strain of cannabis you can certainly reduce the anxiety and mood swings that occur with menopause.   YOu do not have to use strains that are very psychoactive.  There are many indica strains that effect more your body than your mind and many people find that they can still function normally even while medicated.

If you are a patient going through or in menopause I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU to at least consider is marijuana is something that can improve the quality of your life.   If it doesn’t work you can simply NOT USE IT.   In the meantime you have not harmed yourself in any way.

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

Typically diabetic neuropathy starts by affecting the peripheral nerves to patients feet and legs.  They can experience sharp pain when walking, decrease sensitivity to temperature, tingling, numbness and eventually when the nerves because completely destroyed no feeling at all.  I once took care of an elderly women with severe diabetic neuropathy who fractured her ankle to the point where her tibia was protruding directly through her skin.  Basically it snapped in half.  Amazingly she felt NO PAIN because her nerves were destroyed.

Many patients get put on medications such as gabapentin (neurontin), narcotics like vicodin and even anti-depressants such as amitryptiline.    Most patients report very little relief in their pain but also have unwanted side effects.   They report a significant reduction in their pain with even small doses of cannabis.   They can use it as often as they need without any fear of overdose, addiction or end organ damage.  They also can medicate using a digital vaporizer which makes it odorless and smoke free!

If you would like more information on cannabis and chronic neuropathic pain or would like a consultation please give us a call at 877-721-0047.  Dr. Breen has offices in Irvine and Long Beach California.

When it comes to quality of life and your marriage it’s hard to think of too may things that can improve a marriage then a good sex life.    Couples that routinely have sex are 75% more likely to stay married.  That is a huge quality of life factor.

I am beginning to talk more and more about introducing cannabis into relationships to improve couples sex lives.   I truly believe that this will become a much more common use of the medication over time.

If you would like more information about cannabis as a medicine feel free to give us a call at 877-721-0047.   I have offices in Irvine and Long Beach and see patients Monday- Friday.

If you are thinking about whether or not you can benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis I encourage you to pick up the phone and give us a call at 877-721-0047.

Here are some things to consider when deciding on what clinic (doctor) you are going t o receive your recommendation from.

1. Do not use a clinic where you are seen by a physician assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner.  You must have your recommendation signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO).  These clinics that are being run by PA’s are slowly being investigated and shut down.  Your recommendation will no longer be able to be verified and you have throw away your money.

2. Do not go to a clinic that has ANY affiliation or sits adjacent or even in a dispensary.  Many clinics are advertising $45 recommendations because they are being run by dispensaries who know that you are going to spend money in their store.  The problem is that if the dispensary gets raided the clinic will most likely be shut down as well.  AGAIN YOUR REC WILL NO LONGER BE VERIFIABLE

3. Do not fall for the $60 recommendation fee.  They charge that and then the doctor only gives you a 6 month recommendation and charges you to renew.  The problem is that now you have to take another day to go see the doctor for the same thing and pay all over again. THEY WILL TELL YOU ITS 12 MONTHS OVER THE PHONE…. BUT WHEN YOU SEE THE DOCTOR HE HAS A CHANGE OF HEART.  ITS CLASSIC BAIT AND SWITCH.

4. STAY AWAY FROM CLINICS THAT GIVE YOU A RECOMMENDATION BUT DO NOT REQUEST YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS! By law they have to have medical records on file.   Clinics like this will not be able to back up their recommendations in court and the doctor can potentially lose his license to practice.

Visit us at www.mcsocal.com today and see the difference.

With all that said I told her I would post a blog so that we can collective pray for healing, pray for peace and pray for their child.

Naya and Nathan: I pray that God brings healing into your life.  I pray that he helps you cure this cancer and bring peace to you and Nathan during this difficult time.  I pray for your unborn child.  I pray that his or her sole lives in eternity with God.  Be blessed today.  Thank you for allowing me to take care of you.

If you would like to post a prayer I am sure that they would appreciate it much!

If you would like more information about cannabis and its healing properties feel free to give our clinic a call and schedule an appointment.   877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free at www.mcsocal.com

Respectfully,

Dr. Breen

In 2002 Pfizer was AGGRESSIVELY pressing its sales reps to push doctors to prescribe a drug by the name of BEXTRA to patients suffering from acute pain.   It was an off label indication for the drug.

Drug reps were given huge sales bonuses for selling doctors that this drug was safe to give for patients for chronic arthritis, pre menstrual syndrome (labeled indications) and also acute pain (an off label indication)

BEXTRA is a drug classified as a COX-2 inhibitor.  It was used to stop inflammation in conditions like arthritis and was promoted because it DID NOT cause stomach ulceration and GI bleeding like many NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)  such as motrin.

AMAZINGLY, there were studies conducted that CLEARLY showed that BEXTRA increased the risk of HEART ATTACK and STROKE in high risk patients (ie older patients with arthritis and OH YEAH heart disease).  PFIZER KNEW ABOUT THESE STUDIES AND IGNORED THEM!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

THANKS TO DR DENNIS MANGANO, who compiled his own data and presented it to the FDA after pfizer had already pushed through incorrect safety data, thousands of patients lives were saved.   He single handedly was responsible for this drug not only being taken off the market but pfizer ultimately being charged with a crime and paying out millions of dollars in damages.

It is a FACT that patients DIED AS A RESULT OF PFIZERS criminal negligence.  DOCTORS WERE LIED TO. PATIENTS WERE LIED TO. PATIENTS ULTIMATELY DIED.

PFIZER DESERVES A HUGE F U!

Its no wonder that so many patients are turning to medical cannabis to treat their pain. It is a plant given to us by God.   It is not toxic to any of our major organ systems.   There is never been an overdose from using cannabis.  There is no risk for physical addition.   Patients don’t have to worry about drug drug interactions.   And IT WORKS!  Patients report a huge reduction in pain, an increased ability to fall and stay asleep, relaxation and a reduction in muscle spasm.   Studies have shown that it clearly is a safe alternative for treating pain.

If you are tired of taking pain killers and have a bag of medications that you would like to give back to your doctor, feel free to schedule an appointment to see if cannabis is right for you.  Call us at 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free online at www.mcsocal.com

Cannabis has a stabilizing affect on the digestive system.  Because it binds to the nerves that control the digestive system it will reduce symptoms of IBS.   Patients with diarrhea will start to have normal bowel movements.   Abdominal cramping will be less frequent and intense.   Patients appetites will improve.

The great thing about cannabis is that it has very few unwanted side effects.  Patients can medicate without fear of hurting their liver or kidneys.   This patient stated that since starting his cannabis regimen his frequency and severity of attacks has been reduced dramatically.

In most cases of patients with digestive complaints the preferred method of medicating is by inhaling using a digital vaporizer.   There is immediate absorption without ANY SMOKE AT ALL!!!   Also, the smell is significantly reduced so patients can medicate discreetly.

If you or someone you know would like more information about the postive benefits of using cannabis for digestive complaints feel free to schedule an appointment by calling 877-721-0047 or visit us online at www.mcsocal.com and pre-qualify for FREE.

Plaquenil is a drug that is used to treat malaria infections.   It also happens to have immunosuppressive properties and is used to limit inflammation.   Arthritis is a disease that is characterized by pain secondary to joint inflammation.

This patient stated that the plaquenil was working great and her joint pain had been reduced tremendously.  However it was causing pretty debilitating abdominal cramping, nausea and occasional vomiting.    In many cases this can be reduced by taking with food but for her it was persistent and frequent.

A few weeks back she ran into a friend who had been using cannabis to treat her lupus arthritis.   She convinced my patient to try a little to see if it would help.  Not surprisingly her abdominal cramping subsided and her nausea went away.   In addition her joint pain was significantly improved.

Cannabis has many anti-inflammatory properties.  It directly binds to receptors on immune cells and modulates the inflammatory response.   In addition it also reduces pain by directly binding to receptors in our nervous system.

My treatment plan for her is to try vaporizing an indica strain at night to help with sleep and use a topical cream during the day.  She will most likely use cannabis indefinitely as there is no cure for arthritis (outside a joint replacement)

If you suffer from joint pain and would like to discuss whether or not cannabis can improve the quality of your life feel free to contact us at 877-721-0047 and schedule an appointment.  You can also pre-qualify online for free at www.mcsocal.com

See you soon!

Dr. Breen