A new analysis of over 38,000 patients who used Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID’s) showed a 17% increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation.    Common NSAID’s used by patients are ibuprofen (Motrin) and Naprosyn (Alleve) to treat a variety of ailments.    Because they are sold over the counter and handed out by physicians [...]

A recent study examining the safety of Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID’s) demonstrated in increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Examples of NSAID are drugs like Motrin, Ibuprofen, Alleve, Naprosyn are used all the time by patients for any type of pain. They are also prescribed by physicians regularly. The bottom line is the data is showing that they are not safe and should only be used occasionally and not daily as patients typically do. This is why using medical marijuana is growing in popularity. It produces similar anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and has been used safely for thousands of years. READ ON…

Last week the FDA decided to ban the use of Darvocet (propoxyphene) by doctors in the United States and for drug companies that make it to pull it off the market immediately. The reason: they found it increases the risk of fatal heart arrythmias!

Darvocet is an opioid narcotic used to treat pain. It is the same class of drugs as percocet, vicodin, hydrocodone, oxycontin etc. It was approved by the FDA in 1957 and has been regularly prescribed for pain in around the world. DOCTORS CONSIDERED IT SAFE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES THAT STUDIED IT SAID.

WELL ONCE AGAIN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY GOT IT WRONG. And in this case patients died because of it. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT SO MANY OF MY PATIENTS COME IN AND TELL ME “I WANT OFF MY PAIN PILLS AND WANT TO USE SOMETHING MORE NATURAL AND SAFER”… HENSE THE REASON MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS THRIVING RIGHT NOW.

A recent study performed by researches at McGill University in Montreal demonstrated a reduction in pain in patients who used medical marijuana. Here is the link to the article regarding the study.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20015148-10391704.html

Although the study had only 23 patients in its pool I think their findings align with my conversations with over 5000 patients who I have treated for chronic pain. READ ON…

An important study just came out in the periodical “Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes” which demonstrated an increased risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attack and stroke for healthy patients who routinely use NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as motrin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, voltaren, celebrex, naprosyn, aleve etc. to treat pain. This is a very important study and you those patients who routinely pop motrins or take dicofenac to treat pain need to read. Marijuana has for many years been found to have potent anti-inflammatory effects without any of the increased risks associated with commonly prescribed NSAID’s.

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate women who suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)/premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). They often complain of headache, pelvic pain, breast pain, difficulty sleeping, bloating, irritability, anxiety, depression and an inability to concentrate. Typically the standard treatment that their doctors prescribe do not work well enough and they would like to try cannabis. I have seen amazing results with women who vaporize cannabis to treat their PMS.

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients suffering from fibromyalgia. The majority of my fibromyalgia patients are women in the >40 age group. Typically they present to me with a bag of prescription pain medications that they would like to stop.