BACKGROUND
Today, medical marijuana is legalized in the United States in 30 states, including:
Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecty, Delaware, DC, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hamshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York , North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
Each of these states has its own rules and guidelines for use and qualifications.
Here in Florida, the Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Amendment 2, was held on November 8, 2016 for qualified patients under the supervision of a qualified and licensed marijuana doctor. In addition, this amendment was adopted in the amount of 6,518,919 (71.32%) votes of YES and 2,621,845 (28.68%) of NO votes.
The federal government has re-classified marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, which makes it illegal to appoint marijuana doctors to its patients. These marijuana doctors can only make recommendations for medical cannabis in accordance with state law, which can be valid for up to 1 year. Patients cannot go to the pharmacy to fill out a prescription for medical marijuana.
In accordance with strict rules, medical marijuana doctors cannot be associated with medical distributors or cannabis dispensaries.
Only certain patients with “debilitating ailments” receive legal protection in accordance with this amendment. Diseases related to his position include PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), chronic muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis, convulsions, epilepsy, glaucoma, Crohn's disease, cancer, HIV / AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's Disease and Parkinson's disease.
Although the aforementioned ailments were referred to as “primary debilitating conditions,” according to this provision, Amendment 2 also stated: “or any other ailment / condition with similar severity / symptoms, as determined by the physician, that medical use of marijuana outweighs any potential risks to health. "
Currently, there are about 50 well-known and listed doctors in marijuana in Florida.
More information and features of this topic are also available on the Florida Department of Health website (http://www.floridahealth.gov) on how to become a patient of medical marijuana in Florida. More information on amendment 2 can be found here.
DISEASE OF PARKINSON
A few months ago, I met a video on Facebook about a man with Parkinson’s who was given a shot of medical cannabis. The video before and after was quite impressive. Before treatment, you may see this person’s significant shaking, stuttering, and abnormal crying. After the video a completely different face was shown. His speech was intelligent and audible. He had no stuttering, jolts, and he showed very controlled movements. This man walked and talked like any normal person. He also told how he improved the quality of his life.
As a physical therapist, subject to different cultural backgrounds, I personally have mixed feelings about medical cannabis. As a health care professional, however, it is quite an insight to witness one of my significant changes with regard to the medical use of cannabis.
Mr J.L. with Parkinson's Disease
For over five years, Mr. JL has come to me for the treatment of physical therapy and for the problems caused by his Parkinson's disease. Knowing the progressive nature of the disease, I watched how this gentle soul copes with the consequences of this debilitating misfortune. His primary physicist would have sent him for treatment when he began to develop weakness, rigidity, tremor and, above all, problems with balance when he reported that he was falling at home.
We will see him for about six to eight weeks each time. We have worked to improve his coordination, strength, flexibility and balance in order to ensure his safety and self-sufficiency at home, since he lives alone. It should also not fall, which predisposes to more severe injuries and complications.
Change
About a few weeks ago, he came to the office to schedule physical therapy when he was again referred by his doctor. Having worked with this patient for many years, I tried to find out what changed in him. I looked and carefully watched as I made my initial assessment. Perhaps he noticed a curiosity that scoffed because he recognized me as a smile. No longer able to contain my curiosity, I asked him: “Mr. Jay, what are you up to?” Mr. J just laughed and asked me why curiosity!
Well, finally, it dawned on me. John barely had any tremors on his right arm, where he usually showed typical tremors of the disease. His neck was flattened and not moved to the right. Moreover, his speech was clear! Another thing that hurt me was that he was doing better. Not great, but he could turn around without shuffling what I saw him for many years.
He finally shared with me that he started taking medical cannabis for more than a month, as recommended by his neurologist. A friend of hiss allegedly mentioned to him a video on Facebook about a man with severe Parkinson's disease. This man received a shot of medical cannabis, and the change was visible in a few minutes. This, apparently, prompted him to consult with his chief physician, and then with his neurologist.
The change I observed with Mr. J after having had medical cannabis a month later is significant. His speech has improved. His voice sounded deeper and louder. He had no stuttering, and he had more control over his right hand than an almost non-existent tremor. He also stands straight. His balance and coordination improved, all the more thanks to the advanced retraining that he is currently receiving.
During therapy sessions, Mr. J could quickly bounce the ball on the floor with better accuracy. We saw him throw and catch the ball in a standing position, not waiting for him to hold it. Previously, someone stood and held him, because he had slow reactions and reflexive reactions. His walking has also improved. Just a few months ago, he pulled his right leg and walked with very short steps. He lost his balance with the slightest attempt to turn around or lift his leg higher to stand on one leg.
These seemingly subtle changes in him in just a month of using medical cannabis changed his life. He shared that he feels more relaxed and less worried about falling. He can do simple household chores with more confidence, and he can tolerate more advanced therapeutic exercises during physical therapy sessions. He does not feel tired and is able to perform more tasks during the day.
Mr. J is still on this trip and wanted to share this experience and tell me his story. Knowing him and his past, he is not the type of person who would take marijuana without makeup for simple rest and self-denial.
About JL
Mr. Jay was originally from Central New York and moved to Florida. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about seven (7) years ago. Previously, it was a designer for a very prestigious producer in Syracuse, whose customers include the White House, 5-star hotels and prestigious restaurants. He was also a member of the Barber Quartet as a tender for SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of the Paintball Quartet in America) and was on several amateur Broadway shows in New York. He was an art teacher for high school students.
His life changed when he was called to ministry sometimes in 1986. He participated in a healing ministry, which he found mainly with people who had tumors. He traveled abroad to extend his healing. It attracted so much attention that even the media noticed and made several reports about his ministry. He is now retired and lives in Palm Beach Florida.
It is a privilege to know this particular person who did so much in his youth. He devoted so much time and determination to help others. I am deeply grateful for humanitarian assistance. J has rendered and how his ministry touched many lives. I consider him another unsung hero of his time.
His desire to make me share a fragment of his story is a privilege. Moreover, to be able to work with him, to promote his progress and see his motivation and determination over the years, this is a very inspiring experience.
Personal fight of Mr. JL with Parkinson's disease.
Mr. Jay, he said, was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about seven years ago. He was under the supervision of an internal medicine physician practicing in Palm Bay, Florida.
About Parkinson's Disease
As described by the Mayo Clinic staff: "Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease of the nervous system that affects the transport of the disease, the disease also often causes stiffness or slowed movement."
Subsequent effects of the disease include the following: facial expressions, also known as masked facies or hypomimia, and reduced speech quality, which can be fuzzy, soft, even stuttering. They are very common in patients with whom I have worked. Also affected is the patient's ability to walk. There is a loss of manual oscillation from stem stiffness, stiffness and shuffling of steps due to inconsistency.
Unfortunately, this disease is progressive, and modern medicines are aimed at improving symptoms, but not at treatment.
Currently, there are many ongoing studies for treatment, including surgery to regulate certain areas of the brain and electrostimulation.
However, there is currently no standard treatment for treatment, according to the National Parkinson Foundation.
In addition, medications, lifestyle modifications, exercise and rest are recommended.
Drugs prescribed
Currently, the following drugs are prescribed: carbidopa-levodopa, infusion of carbidopa-levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT inhibitors), anticholinergic drugs and amantadine. -Source: Mayo Clinic Organization
Parkinson's and surgery
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedure, where electrodes are implanted in specific areas of the brain using a generator implant in the chest area near the clavicle, which sends impulses to the brain to reduce symptoms. However, this is not a cure, and there are many risks and side effects. Both medication and DBS will not stop the development of the disease.
Parkinson and physical therapy
Physiotherapists begin working with these types of patients at different stages of the disease. This is primarily due to the functional decline caused by inconsistency, dyskinesia (involuntary movements) and stiffness, which makes purposeful and spontaneous movements very tedious.
These problems can make even the most basic functions, as feeding, care and cleaning are very difficult. Walking becomes very unstable. Stirring gait is very common where it is difficult for them to take the first step (because of bradykinesia - very slow movement), but as soon as they leave, it is also very difficult to stop. Many of these patients are at high risk of falling, and a large number in the later stages depends entirely on care.
When it comes to physical therapy, patient education regarding appropriate exercises, movement strategies, task modification, gait training and fall prevention strategies are part of an overall care plan and functional intervention. They are also often referred to as speech therapy for speech and nursing problems, as well as for professional therapy for self-care and hand or upper limb functions.
Mr. J. Battle
I first worked with Mr. J about 5 years ago. Although he was not in the late stages of the disease at that time, he had already identified the main visible symptoms of the disease: trembling hands and neck, masked facies, stiffness and significant inconsistency. He walked very slowly, shuffled and walked even from room to room for a long time, as he could not make quick turns. When he turns, he tends to lose his balance and fall. His reflexes were very slow. He could barely catch the ball or jump. His speech was slurred, barely audible, and he stuttered. It is difficult for him to climb and descend on simple curves and stairs. He fell several times from problems with balance.
Mr. J continued the program of physical therapy and was always very motivated. For each of the episodes that he transmitted to us over the years, he always showed improvement and always carried out the specific exercise program that we prescribed. However, due to the progressive nature of the disease, he had a physical decline, and again we had to work with him.
He told the story of how he first noticed the changes in him from Parkinson. He first mentioned when he taught high school students to draw in his art class in New York. He said that he was gradually experiencing difficulties with drawing and using his right hand, as he developed a tremor. The rest was accompanied, including a change in his facial expression, with stiffness and a sense of rigidity all the time. This began to deteriorate gradually in all the years before his move to Florida.
Once under the care of an intern, he was prescribed Sinemet and other medications that he had been taking for many years.
The last time I saw him for treatment was at the beginning of 2016, when he had significant jerks on his right arm and an involuntary twitch on his neck. His disguised facies progressed, his face almost trembled, and he walked with such a shuffle and difficulty. He could barely move one foot before the other. He also reported falls due to worsening balance problems.
That is why, when I saw him in March of this year, I saw significant changes in him, which he attributed to medical cannabis.
Medical cannabis: capsules and clots
Then he told his story. After learning about the potential benefits of medical cannabis for Parkinson's disease, he consulted with his chief physician, who referred him for further consultation with his neurologist. His neurologist recommended trying medical cannabis due to the impending nature of Parkinson's disease.
Then Mr. J started working in cannabis medical capsules, where he said that it contained about 30 capsules of 25 mg each. It cost him about $ 80 or so, including shipping. With its shipment, a sample of a pack from a version of gummies of about 5 gummies per package arrived. According to him, the capsules were bitter, and he took 1 capsule per day.
He added that after the first capsule he felt so calm and calm. He could move, easier to get up and get out of bed, it is better to go in and out of the chair. He also noticed that his tremors were much smaller than the first time.
Mr J stated that he liked cannabis sheets better because he tasted like sweets and tasted better than capsules. Moreover, the effect of the clot was much faster than that of the capsules, and was much cheaper. Capsules apiece cost about $ 3 each, and their sheets were about $ 1 apiece.
To imitate the effect of these dwarves, Mr. J said he was trying to thaw the capsule under the tongue to remove the edge of his bitterness. He also chewed regular gummy candy. It worked for him.
Today, Mr. J continues physical therapy, where we see that he is better tolerated and performs exercises at a high level of balance that he previously could not do. He has very little tremor on his right hand, he no longer shows twitching on his neck, and his reflexes improve. I see it with my ability to make a turn and not lose my balance. We do not need to hold him while he catches, throws or builds the ball in order to improve his protective reflexes, which he needs in order not to fall. he can raise his legs higher when walking, and his shuffling is much less.
Still aware of the progressiveness of this disease, it simply inspires this very gentle, kind, intelligent and talented person to overcome the simple everyday functional obstacles caused by this exhausting and irreversible disease.
For the population suffering from debilitating diseases, the day-to-day victory is that it can move and perform tasks that seem so trivial to most of us is a blessing.
Legalization of medical marijuana is currently and will continue to be a congressional battle. У всех нас есть разные позиции и серьезные мнения по этому вопросу. Продолжаются исследования о его плюсах и минусах. Я предвижу больше осознания его существования как альтернативного лечения различных заболеваний, которые не реагируют на обычную медицину и лечение.
Однако, как медицинский профессионал, он просто может быть свидетелем функциональных изменений в г-н Дж., Как он может оставаться независимым и самодостаточным, чтобы получить травму.
В настоящее время я работаю над поиском человека, который может поделиться со мной негативными последствиями медицинской марихуаны. Я хотел бы услышать от вас и поделиться своим путешествием и опытом, конечно, анонимно.
Пожалуйста, обратитесь ко мне, если у вас есть что поделиться.
Мой привет за прекрасный день и до моей следующей статьи!
