A few nature pics, notes about some things to come here on the blog, plus, "Flutterby" - A New Poem

Hello there!
It's been longer than I prefer since I've last posted on here :/

Between the Neil Young concert my man and I were lucky enough to attend a few weeks ago upstate, being a heat sensitive person in the peak of New England summer (woah, humidity!), and the sudden drop in temps we've had over the last week (WTF, signs of Fall already? Winter is coming! Ah, Rural Vermont Life), along with a few other health issues I won't get into, I have been pretty laid low.
"Low on spoons" as they say ;)

But, I'm back on my feet, caught up on a major freelance project I've been trying to hammer out for some time (Shameless self-plug: Go get a subscription to Auto Restorer magazine!), and am very excited about everything that is happening right now, including posts for this blog that I've been wanting to get out for some time.

Driving Upstate Vermont in Late Summer is a glorious experience! :)

A preview of what's to come:
- A write-up about the Neil Young concert, and the Monsanto/Starbucks/Grocery Manufacturer's Alliance lawsuit against the state of Vermont
- New Product reviews! - UV Clothing, UV Parasols, Collapsible Canes, and other "Spoonie" friendly wear/aids
- The last part of my series about my mental approaches to managing life with chronic illness
- New B.M.F.F.'s - "BadMofo Fridays" - Where each week I'll be highlighting various people who inspire me  
- A new series about who I am, and how I manage my Fibromyalgia thru Diet and Lifestyle
- Completing a series I started a long time ago about how I manage seasonal allergies, colds, and flus using natural remedies that actually work (something that has plagued me since I was born, and have a ton of anecdotal and scientific evidence for)

It's moving more slowly than I'd prefer, but I'm learning how to work with the Fibro and become a better integrated artist, entrepreneur, and person every day.

And that is all that matters.

Fall colors are already starting to show in the mountains up here in New England

And now, a new piece of poetry I wrote over the last few weeks.
I was in a bit of a haze when it came out, and looking at it now, I am still not completely sure who or what this is about. It could be one of a few matters I've been trying to work thru, or a combo of them.

Either way, it's pretty, if I don't say so myself :)
Enjoy, and thank you so much for reading!!! 

"FLUTTERBY" 

When you pout

with your cherry stained mouth

Do you ever doubt yourself too?

If it came out that I wasn't strong

could I accept this from you?

You, who can do no wrong

you, who always belong

Like Living Summer

she flutters along

And I wither in her path

Like Living Summer

she flutters along

I'm not bitter or anything

but, sometimes, The Wrath is still strong

Fresh as a stove-top burn

You've scorched me so many times

the scar tissue almost covers the fine lines

and wrinkles

Impressions of Time

upon the skin

Your facade is paper thin

but this is a battle I cannot win

No matter how much I rage and foam

Like Living Summer she flutters and roams

as I look on from this gilded cage

Alone

*Love & Light*

Renata Carmen 

WTF Is Fibromyalgia?

Hello everyone! Thanks for checking out my latest blog post. My apologies that I haven’t been writing more, it’s been a great struggle for me. But I do plan on being here more often, sharing information from my journey that I hope will help others in similar situations. Hope you had a great Holiday and New Year surrounded by loved ones and delicious foods! 

I’ve realized that I’ve not yet discussed my chronic illness in detail, so I would like to take some time to talk about that today. 

Should you find anything useful on this here blog, please consider donating to my PayPay account (I’m working on adding Bitcoin here too!). I am unable to work at this time, but have not yet qualified for Disability, so no amount is too small. 

Most of all I’m just flattered you’re here. Thanks for stopping by!

WTF is Fibromyalgia? 

Before the decline in my health in 2011, I’d never even heard of Fibromyalgia, nonetheless knew anything about this debilitating chronic illness. I didn’t even really understand what a chronic illness is. I guess it’s one of those things that you couldn’t possibly comprehend unless you’ve experienced it personally, but as a writer I’m compelled to try and describe it so that those lucky enough to not know firsthand may understand, or at least get as close as they can to understanding, what it’s like to not be well, indefinitely. 

A “chronic illness” is defined by The Center for Managing Chronic Disease as “a long lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured.” Examples of chronic illnesses that are probably more familiar are allergies, asthma, epilepsy, and diabetes.

Fibromyalgia is defined by The Mayo Clinic as “a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues.”

If it sounds vague, that’s because it is. Fibro, like many immune or central nervous system (CNS) mediated syndromes and diseases, is poorly understood. The mechanisms of action and onset haven't yet been fully identified. It does not show up on labs and this makes it a huge PITA to diagnose. The current theory is that something is wrong with the part of the brain that processes pain signals, like having the volume knob on an amplifier cranked up to “11” at all times. 

"But, it goes to eleven."

Onset does seem to be “triggered” by a traumatic event or period of stress, such as major surgery, pregnancy/childbirth, or infection. Another interesting fun fact is that Fibro and the rest of the Immune/CNS illnesses are about 9 times more prevalent in women than in men. So hormones seem to play a role in this as well. It's a great medical mystery that I've become mildly obsessed with. 

We could read medical definitions ‘til the cows come home, but they don’t do a good job painting a picture about what the person affected is feeling or how their life is impacted.

So this is Fibromyalgia in my own words. 

It’s been very painful to write these concepts down, and even more difficult to share them, but I know it’s pertinent to the grieving process to get this stuff out. I think partly what’s held me back from sharing these gritty details, is not just because it’s uncomfortable, but also because I don’t want to be defined by my illness. I don’t want to be looked at as “that sick girl”, the person who is always talking about their diet or meds or symptoms or whatnot. I don't want to make others uncomfortable or scared by being honest about how I feel. I don’t want people to see me coming and duck for cover out of fear they will get cornered by a health related lecture or seemingly endless complaints about my latest aches and pains. 

But I do feel that it’s important to “come out of the closet”, so to speak. Us sick people need to share so that others know they’re not alone. And maybe by describing my experience I can help those not directly impacted understand these “invisible illnesses” a little better. 

I do not share this out of a desire for pity, but in the hopes of educating and inspiring :)

FIBROMYALGIA IS...

...Insidious and mostly invisible, like a slow poison. Confusing because it's different from day to day and person to person. Sometimes I need a cane, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I have the energy to do things on my own, and sometimes I don't. Making plans can be difficult because it's hard to predict how I'll be feeling in the future.

...People telling you “But you don’t look sick!” or "I wish I were as skinny as you!" thinking they’re being helpful when actually they’re discounting your experience.

...Being undiagnosed for three years. Looking for answers for three years. Doing all manner of tests and bouncing from specialist to specialist to specialist. Hemorrhaging money to try and figure things out. Being told you’re not sick, you’re making it up, you’re a hypochondriac, you’re sensitive, you’re mentally ill. 

...Going from an overtime working, SoCal commuting, hardcore raving and clubbing, race car fixing, beach combing, social butterfly, to a homebound hermit who can no longer stomach the facades of Facebook, in less than three years. 

...Having a timeline for your life: “Before I Got Sick” and “After I Got Sick”.

...Changes in the way my brain works that adversely affect creativity, memory, and the ability to focus, solve problems, and communicate. Writing used to flow out of me like water, now I struggle to squeeze it out drops at a time. I’ve become much more image based and thus am developing a newfound love of the visual arts. I’ve also become incredibly self-conscious about social interaction.

...Being a half Mexican from L.A. who has become extremely limited in where I can choose to live or travel because of debilitating sensitivities to UV rays and fluctuations in Barometric Pressure. A Mexican, sensitive to the sun!?! WTF?

...Missing sunbathing like a bird with clipped wings misses flying.

...No longer being able to work or be self-sufficient, but not qualifying for SSI/SSDI, and feeling like a burden to your loved ones as a result.

...Not being able to remember anything like I used to! Important dates, what time it is even though I just looked, what I came into this room to do (or was it to get something or tell somebody something?), how to spell words I never struggled to spell before, if I left the stove on, if I’ve told you this story already, if I’ve taken my supplements today. 

...PAIN. Indefinitely. With an opiate allergy. Threatening to drive you mad. Affecting the positions you use when trying to sleep. Stabbing. Throbbing. Aching. Burning. In my gut and abdomen. In my muscles. In my tendons. In my nerve endings. In my joints. In the bottoms of my feet. In my head. In my eyes. When I menstruate or ovulate. Sometimes it’s just one body part that’s bothering me, other times it’s everything at once.

...Struggling to eat/maintain a healthy weight, and feeling nauseous and sick most of the time, like a nuclear bomb went off in my gut.

...Feeling trapped inside my own body. Like my body has betrayed me. 

...Feeling like my life has been flipped upside-down, like I don’t have control over anything.

...Feeling misunderstood by everyone, including family, and struggling to express myself properly so they can understand better.

...Mind-blowing insomnia, like trying to sleep while buzzing off stimulatory drugs, mixed with extreme hypersomnia that makes me feel like a sloth with narcolepsy.

...Feeling like I have the stamina and vitality of a frail 95 year old woman carrying a 50 pound pack of lead. 

...Feeling like I’m on a roller coaster I can’t get off of when my vertigo kicks in.

...Feeling like I’m a rusted Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz when I’ve pushed too far and my chronic fatigue, inflammation, and arthritis kick into overdrive, making it difficult to move or walk.

Good friends are always there to help get you unstuck :)

...Losing Confidence: to go for drives, trips, or run errands by myself; to have conversations; to keep up on bills; to be an independent adult. 

...STRESS: Over money. Over my health. Over where I live vs. where I want to be. Over safe access to medicinal cannabis and other plant medicines. Over what people think. Over the lack of a light at the end of the tunnel.

...Desperately struggling to accept “a new normal”, while being tortured by dreams in my sleep of “my old life, the way things used to be”.

...Losing pigment in my skin, and getting random rashes and itchy feelings everywhere.

...Having half as much hair on my head as I did before 2011.

...Having your joints lock up on you and creak like an old haunted house. 

...Only having about 4-6 hours in each day I can be active before I burn out and need rest, usually for the rest of the day.

...Being best friends with a cat.

...Trying to pick up the pieces and figure out what’s next.

...Needing weeks to put together a measly blog post :/

That was a lot of some pretty heavy shit, so here's an adorable pic of my cat Freya to perk us up :)

*Whew*

That was some pretty heavy stuff. Hopefully educational though. 

I must confess it does feel good to finally be talking openly about my life as a chronically ill person. 

On to the “inspirational” part...

I would like to also include some positive things that have come out of this experience. Learning to cultivate an “Attitude of Gratitude” has become a vital part of my “Wellness Action Plan”. I cannot cure Fibromyalgia, but I can choose to not let it beat me down or ruin my life. I don’t have to quit, I don’t have to accept “no” or “you can’t”. I can still live a fulfilling and beautiful life!

FIBROMYALGIA HAS GIVEN ME:

...An opportunity to get to know myself intimately, becoming a stronger and more integrated person everyday.

...Exposure to industries, people, and ideas I probably wouldn’t have otherwise: Medical Cannabis and other Plant Medicines, Natural and Alternative Medicine, Herbalism, Neurochemistry and Pharmacology, Shamanism, Eastern Philosophy, Psychology, Personal Development, Alternative Spiritual Paths that truly resonate with me, Comedy and the healing power of Laughter, Alan Watts, Sasha and Ann Shulgin, Terence and Dennis McKenna, Carl Jung, Jim Rohn, Darren Hardy.

...Liberation from being overly attached to society and fear - fear of death, fear of being able to keep up with The Jones’s, fear of complying with the Status Quo, fear of consciousness exploration, fear of pain.

...An opportunity to contribute to causes far greater than my previous pursuits and truly serve others. 

...A strengthened and enriching bond with my super amazing boyfriend/hetero-life-partner. 

...A healthier perspective on life - “how to be truly present”, how to be grateful for all the little things we take for granted - the time we’ve been given in this life, being able to see, hear, speak, walk, taste, smell, stand in the sunshine, make love, give love, create, destroy. 

...The empowerment to believe in myself and take 100% responsibility for everything in my life.

...The opportunity to learn that I can overcome any obstacle, especially the greatest of all: Those that reside in my own head. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this super-duper long post! 

I hope you found it informative and inspiring :)

What are some tools you use to overcome your circumstances? 

What are you grateful for in the midst of any challenges you face?

*Love & Light*

Renata Carmen

Please, if you find any value from this blog, please consider making a donation to the PayPal link at the top right of the page. I don't create these posts expecting anything but to help/entertain others, but I am a disabled mechanic/artist who is not currently receiving SSI/SSDI and when I'm flared up it's hard if not impossible for me to get my hustle on. I'm also working on adding Bitcoin here! :) 

Holistic Tips for Surviving the Holidays in Good Health (That Actually Work!) – Part 1: Common Mullein

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving yesterday filled with love, laughter, and wonderful foods!

As we enter the joyful chaos of this Holiday Season, we find ourselves caught up in a whirlwind of social events: eating, shopping, eating, gifting, eating, and traveling (and did I mention eating??).

This 45 day crunch of consumerism and partying can wreak havoc on the body’s defenses, making us more prone to catching the season’s flus, colds, and other bugs that threaten to dampen our merrymaking. There is nothing worse than being too sick to enjoy festivities that you have been looking forward to all year!

So how does one survive this onslaught with enough vitality left-over to enjoy the ride all the way through midnight on December 31^st , and beyond into the New Year? Especially when you are at a slight disadvantage from having a chronic illness or compromised immune system?

Most health sources quote the same usual remedies: Vitamin C, Echinacea, Elderberry, Garlic, Homemade Chicken Soup, Lots of Fluids, Lots of Rest, Tea, Zinc, Peppers, Local Raw Honey…the aids we have come to know and love when we aren’t feeling our best. But the majority of these treatments aren’t as effective once sickness has kicked in full force. They certainly help with the symptoms, sure, but what do you do when The Plague is going around the office and you wake up with what you know are the initial signs of impending doom? How do you stop that freight train?

I have dealt with chronically swollen lymph node glands in my face and neck, along with upper respiratory, sinus, and ear infections, ever since the ripe 'ole age of two years. My poor parents did everything 1980’s conventional medicine advised them at that time; I was on such heavy doses of antibiotics for so long they had to monitor my blood on a monthly basis to make sure the meds weren’t affecting my body in any adverse ways. The infections were so chronic I was eventually scheduled to get a tube in at least one of my ears, but a turn of life events in the family caused a lapse in our health insurance and so thankfully I was spared that potentially detrimental procedure. I continued to have chronic upper respiratory issues, including bi-annual Strep and bacterial infections, until I started aggressively adjusting my diet and lifestyle in 2009. During my lifetime, I have built up a tolerance or had an allergic reaction to just about every antibiotic and sinus med known to modern science.

In short, I know a thing or two from firsthand experience about managing the health of the ears, throat, nose, and lungs. And then there’s the whole immune system thing. I have been studying that too, since mine is pretty screwed. Am I a doctor? No. So don’t be brash, if you have some sort of pre-existing condition etc. you should always talk to your doctor first before trying something new.

But, I am someone who can tell you what has worked for me, and anyone I know who has tried it. Most recently I got to try these cold remedies on my boyfriend, who is not only my caregiver, but also works full-time in customer service at a grocery store. Needless to say, he has been a bit worn out from all the Holiday Crazies that emerge like a long-dormant locust invasion during this time of year (you know who you are! For shame!).  He started feeling unwell on Sunday, and by Monday was feeling fatigued along with a tell-tale “tickle” in his throat. The sort of throat “tickle” that usually becomes a painful, sore mess which makes swallowing feel like the worst torture, and right before Thanksgiving! Nooooo! My hard-working sweetheart was not going to be sick on our beloved and well-planned Turkey Day! Not if I had anything to do with it. He diligently followed my suggested regiment and by Wednesday was feeling loads better! My boyfriend was so impressed with the results he suggested I share my regiment with The World.

So, dear World, I share with you the four holistic aids I have found most useful for staving off infections, colds, and managing upper respiratory issues. They are inexpensive and easily accessible, in fact, you probably have one or two sitting in your kitchen pantry right now. I hope they serve you as well as they have aided my household, especially during this hectic time of the year.

Today I would like to discuss Mullein, an herb whose useful properties aren’t widely known outside of the wonderful world of Herbalism. The ironic thing is that we have probably all seen it at one time or another and regarded it as “just a weed”, rather than recognizing it for the versatile Plant Medicine that it is.

Verbascum thapsus , known as Common Mullein or Great Mullein, is a flowering weed that is usually found in open spaces where the ground has been disturbed. It is prolific and grows all over the continental US and beyond into Canada and Mexico. Since most Americans don’t have access to meadows, streams, fields, or forest openings, the majority of us have spied Mullein’s distinctive towering spikes of bright yellow flowers growing in ditches along roadways or scattered throughout the open wastes of dumps.

Picture from Wikipedia, its too cold where I am to get any of my own shots of Mullein growing

All parts of the plant have been used for medical applications since time immemorial. Mullein is primarily used to manage afflictions of the ears, especially infections, and it is also used as an expectorant, to alleviate swelling, mange the health of the lymphatic system, and treat spinal injuries. It is most commonly used as a tincture, but is also drunk as tea and even smoked. 

Mullein was first recommended to me by my Dad, who has Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome, which we suspected I also had until it was ruled out by a VKH specialist earlier this year. Before he said anything to me about it, I was totally unfamiliar with the plant. My Dad and I share many of the same symptoms, including tinnitus, hearing sensitivities, and “feelings of fullness and itchiness” in the ears, and to my pleasant surprise I have found Mullein does an excellent job of alleviating these issues.

The very first time I used Mullein I was desperate. Earlier this year, while managing a flare in my inflammation, I woke up with the unmistakable sensation of full blown Strep Throat. My throat hurt so badly it felt like it was on fire, I sounded like I had swallowed a frog, the lymph nodes on my face and neck were swelling up, and my ears hurt and felt as though they were full of cotton. I knew I was in deep trouble, and wasn’t sure how to proceed. Even if I had easy access to transportation and wasn’t homebound from my light sensitivity, I would have still been hesitant to hop on over to a doctor’s office for what would more than likely have been a prescription for antibiotics. Not only do antibiotics take anywhere from 24 hours to a few days to start working (not an appealing thought when you’re in Strep Throat pain), I’m allergic to pretty much all of them, the rest can trigger a flare-up in certain autoimmune diseases so I avoid them as much as possible, and nowadays I’m far more hesitant to drop the medical equivalent of a nuclear bomb on my Gut.

So that leaves me with very little options via Western Medicine. What’s a Strep-Throaty girl to do?

Quite fortuitously, I came down with the Throat Affliction from Hades during the very same time I was performing preliminary research on Mullein for treating the afore-mentioned Tinnitus, hearing sensitivities, and other ear issues I’ve been dealing with during the onset of my autoimmune disease (whatever it ends up being – it’s looking like Lupus or Mixed Connective Tissue Disease but I’m still undiagnosed at this time). 

After reading about the plant’s supposed powerful effects on ear infections, my boyfriend came to my rescue for the zillionth time and brought a bottle of Mullein Leaf Tincture home from work that afternoon. I had been in pain for several hours, unable to eat anything not in liquid form or smoke any of my medical cannabis. Even the simple act of swallowing caused excruciating pain. I was not a happy camper, to say the least.

After reading the bottle and doing some third party research, I put the maximum suggested dose of two droppers of tincture into a small cup of water and drank deeply, making myself swish each gulp around in my mouth for a few seconds before swallowing - so as to help my lymph node glands absorb it more readily. The tincture looks a lot scarier than it tastes; having a very dark brown, basically black color, but mild earthy taste that is easily masked by whatever liquid you choose to put it in. 

I felt relief immediately. It was like a cool hand had massaged my throat/ears/glands and relaxed them. 

This result has since been repeated in others, most recently my boyfriend. My research had shown Mullein is highly noted for the instant relief it can provide to swellings and the pain caused by them. How wonderful to see it working in real time!

After a few days of using the Mullein tincture as directed on the bottle, along with the other three aids I will be discussing in the rest of this series, my Strep Throat and any signs of ear or lymphatic infection were completely alleviated! I felt like singing my praises from the rooftops! And then I did my “Suck It, Big Pharma” dance! How I wish my folks had access to information in the 80's like we do today with the Internet. This herb could have made my childhood far more bearable.

I am in love with this versatile and humble “weed” and strongly encourage you to conduct your own research so that you may see how it could bring positive health benefits into your own home (or workplace). I no longer consider my medicine cabinet complete without a bottle of Mullein tincture, and look forward to growing my own or wild harvesting it someday (from the wild - not from near a trash heap!) so I don’t have to keep buying it. But, at less than $20 a bottle, and around 30 servings per container, I have zero complaints about cost (Can’t find it in your local stores or have a difficult time leaving the house like I do? Amazon has Mullein, along with a bunch of other holistic stuff!). And its ridiculously safe, although the bottle does say to avoid “while pregnant or breastfeeding”. Not sure what that’s about. Merits more research, but since I don’t plan on spawning anytime soon (*knocks on wood*) I haven’t taken the time to look into it. 

If you do and find anything of interest, please share your findings with me!

Here are three really good websites for getting started on your own Mullein research:

http://herbcraft.org/mullein.html

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mulgre63.html

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/common_mullein.htm

I do hope you find this information enlightening and empowering!

What are some of your favorite remedies for treating throat or ear infections?

Stay tuned for the rest of my Tips for Surviving the Holidays in Good Health!

*Love & Light*

-Renata Carmen

Please, if you find any value from this blog, please consider making a donation to the PayPal link at the top right of the page. I don't create these posts expecting anything but to help/entertain others, but I am a disabled mechanic/artist who is not currently receiving SSI/SSDI and when I'm flared up it's hard if not impossible for me to get my hustle on. I'm also working on adding Bitcoin here! :) 

Patient Review - Medical Cannabis Product - Mary’s Medicinals Transdermal Patches!

*Note: I am an independent, third party patient, reviewing new products that come into the dispensary I have designated as my Primary Care Center. They highly value constructive feedback from a patient who has a genuine debilitating condition, as well as previous experience in the industry. I hope my unique and candid insights help the Medical Cannabis Industry continue to evolve in ways that always keep patient needs first.*

Please, if you find any value from this blog, please consider making a donation to the PayPal link at the top right of the page. I don't create these posts expecting anything but to help/entertain others, but I am a disabled mechanic/artist who is not currently receiving SSI/SSDI and when I'm flared up it's hard if not impossible for me to get my hustle on. I'm also working on adding Bitcoin here! :) 

Management of chronic pain can be a great challenge. Most effective pain relievers are dangerous or potentially addictive, and every body has unique biochemistry, so what works for some people may not work for others. Cannabis has the potential to be an extremely strong analgesic, among its countless other uses, but an efficacious delivery method is vital for the body to absorb and use it properly.

Those patients with compromised digestive systems, fast metabolisms, high tolerances, and/or chronic illness often find ourselves struggling to keep ahead of our symptoms. I know the issues such people can have all too well! I am currently disabled and homebound due to a genetically inherited autoimmune disease. Besides the pain and inflammation I deal with on a daily basis, I also have been desperately struggling to manage the extreme pain caused every month by my menstrual cramps. They have ruled my life for almost 14 years now; affecting my work schedules, social plans, and overall quality of life in ways that are impossible to comprehend unless you have been there in some way yourself.

 

So how does one manage this kind of pain in ways that are as minimally damaging to the body as possible? 14 years and counting is a long time to rely on pills, and I know firsthand how detrimental they can be when used long-term. I’ve lost multiple friends to overdoses from prescription drugs, and my body has been torn up from chronic NSAID use. I also have a true allergy to opiates and sulfates. This is why I have been experimenting with Plant Medicines instead of pharmaceuticals, using myself as a guinea pig, and Cannabis still remains one of my favorite Plant Allies.

To be honest, I am disappointed with the majority of Medical Cannabis products currently in production. Many of the “medibles” on the dispensary shelves are made up primarily of ingredients like refined sugars, starches, chocolate, grains, dairy and other major allergens – items which promote inflammation and my chronically ill body can’t tolerate at this time. These are “stoner munchies”, not medicine. Some vendors are pretty legit, focusing on whole foods based and allergen friendly ingredients, but in the end, if it’s a product that’s consumed via the mouth, it’s probably not going to work very well for patients like me. My gut is just too damaged and thus anything I eat doesn’t get absorbed very efficiently; throw in my lighting fast metabolism, annoyingly high tolerance, and pain that rivals anything else I’ve felt before (including when I had an accident that involved losing the end of my middle finger – story for another time)…then you may start to understand how I’m able to rabidly consume the products that put your “six foot two, 210 pound buddy to sleep”.

"Medicine"?

When I am in the midst of my most severe pain, what we would call “Level 10” if using the standard “0-10 Assessment Scale” (see above Scrubs clip), and the only medical cannabis products I have are edibles, tinctures, drinks, or flowers, I find I have to consume something at least every 2 hours to keep my pain within a manageable threshold, on top of smoking or vaporizing constantly. This is not only expensive, time consuming, and taxing on the body, the last thing I want to do to when I’m getting my ass kicked by my cramps is eat a sweet or salty snack every few hours for days on end. In my quest for pain alleviation, I keep thinking to myself, “There has to be a better way!” Please don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of all methods of cannabis delivery, as they all serve their purposes. Some people get the relief they need from half of a 100mg cookie, and that’s great! It’s just that I personally have been really, really struggling to find a medical cannabis product that efficiently alleviates my long-term, debilitating, chronic pain, and after conferring with fellow patients in similar situations, I know I’m not alone.

Thankfully, Mary's Medicinals has unveiled a series of new products that I am very excited about.  They are called “transdermal patches”; sticky silicone patches that are applied to the skin and deliver the medical cannabis directly into the bloodstream! These are straight-up pharmaceutical grade medical products. Transdermal patches are an ideal way to manage pain like mine, because the medicine is delivered straight into the bloodstream, is completely bio-available (meaning 100% of the medicine is absorbed by the body, compared to an edible where only about 10% is readily absorbed) and the effects last exponentially longer than any other method of consumption. At least, this is what the lovely information packet that came with the patches declared. I couldn’t wait to put these claims to the test. And the patches were delivered to me, by my super awesome boyfriend (and caregiver), right when I needed them most – the first day of my menstrual cycle or what is known in our household as “D-Day”. No exaggeration, I plan and prepare for my cycle like a survivalist preparing for the Coming Apocalypse. I have to. I fear my monthly pain infinitely more than zombies or food shortages. You can kill zombies and grow food. It's not that easy to manage chronic pain!

The product packaging features nostalgic images of old-time apothecary bottles, information about some of the primary cannabinoids currently under medical study, and the transdermal patches themselves. They are offered in doses of 10 mg, and are cannabinoid specific. So far they offer CBN, CBD, CBG, THC, and THCa specific patches, as well as blends of CBD/THC. Each one is recommended for specific applications and symptoms.

I got three patches in my sample kit:

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)- Suggested for relief from pain & anxiety, reduction of muscle spasms & nausea, promotion of sleep, & appetite stimulation.

THCa (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) - Non-activated form of THC. Suggested for non-drowsy pain relief, anti-spasmadic, & inhibitor of cancerous cell growths.

CBN (Cannabinol) - For muscle spasms, inflammation, & insomnia.

I must admit that initially I was very skeptical of the dosage. At only 10 mg I was tempted to try all 3 patches at once and consider myself lucky if I felt any effects at all.
But, I was advised against it, and after my experimentation am glad I listened. 

Here are my findings:

3:35pm – Started with the THCa patch, since I am seeking “non-drowsy pain relief”. At this time, my pain level is around a 7. I’m also feeling dizzy, nauseas, fatigued, and have no appetite. The instructions suggest applying the patch to a “venous part of the skin; top of foot, inside of ankle, inside wrist”. Based on this, I put the THCa patch on top of my right foot. I find the plastic lining difficult to remove - had it been a day when my arthritis was really acting up I would have needed assistance getting it off - but once applied the patch feels surprisingly comfortable and light on my skin. The adhesive doesn’t feel heavy and my skin is still able to breathe. There is a warning in the instructions stating that “burning or itching” may occur upon application, but happily I feel no such affects. It seems Mary’s went out of their way to use high quality materials in these patches, which is greatly appreciated, since they will be on my skin for at least 8 hours. 

What the patches look like when applied

4pm – Starting to feel pain relief. It’s coming in “waves” – my body starts to relax and eyes get heavy for around 10 minutes, then the pain will peek through for about the same amount of time, and then it is masked again by another wave of pain relief. Perhaps it’s because the patch is on one side of the body and the blood has to flow around. The instructions do say “While it delivers cannabinoids at a controlled rate, it is not a perfectly steady release.” I’m also finding that my head feels a bit “funny”, very similar to how Marinol made me feel when I first tried it many moons ago (long before we had things like blogs). Overall, the effects feel  very nice; more effective than any edible product I’ve had in Colorado. When the pain is masked, its down to a 2. When the pain peeks through the “cannabis curtain”, its closer to a 7. So yes, the THCa patch is definitely working. Probably will need to apply a second patch soon though, my pain is really starting to become severe.

4:11pm – Applied the CBN patch to the top of my left foot. I’m hoping that having patches on both sides of my body will help steady the release of the medicine, as I’m still feeling the effects in very noticeable “waves” and the pain that is peeking through now is very strong, getting close to Level 10. I’m also thinking that the synergy of the THCa combined with the CBN will help my head feel less “Marinol-like”.

4:50pm – Pain is almost completely alleviated! I’d say my pain is now around level 2 or 3 and staying there pretty consistently. Seems like having patches on both sides of the heart really helps, along with the synergy of multiple cannabinoids. I’m still fighting the vertigo and dizziness I was feeling before applying the patches, but its probably because I haven’t eaten anything yet today. Oh. Food! I forgot how awesome you are! My appetite is now totally primed. I’m gonna go raid my kitchen! Be back in a bit J

5:30pm – Feeling much better after eating. So happy I was finally able to do that! Now I’m ready for a much needed nap.

6:30pm – Woke up feeling groggy but in good spirits and still free of pain. The effect of the two patches combined is proving to be very strong, very narcotic-like. Awesome! Once out of bed my grogginess clears up. Ready for dinner now!

8:40pm – Still feeling effects from the two patches, including The Munchies. The “waves” affect still comes and goes, but much less pronounced with patches on both sides of the body. Pain levels are currently fluctuating from 2-5, but the cycles where the pain peeks through are much shorter than the times I feel relief. Head still feels a little bit funny/”Marinol-like”, but its easy to ignore. It’s a small price to pay considering most efficient analgesics have really harsh side effects like nausea, dizziness, constipation, and physical addiction.

10:30pm –Baked an improvised dessert, and it was glorious! I’ve eaten a lot today, and that’s good news, because I really struggle with eating and absorbing nutrients, and my doctor wants me to gain at least 10 pounds. Still feeling waves of symptom relief, but have definitely passed the peak. My head is much clearer now, eyelids aren’t feeling as heavy, and the pain is making itself known again. But the patches themselves are still very comfortable. I’m surprised that I keep forgetting they’re on top of my feet, and even when I remember I don’t feel them much at all. No itchiness or discomfort to speak of, and I have very sensitive skin. Pretty sure I will need to apply the third and last patch before I am able to go to bed for the night. Gonna smoke/vape a bit and brush my teeth before making up my mind.

10:55pm – Yep, definitely need that last patch. The pain is becoming very strong again. I apply the THC patch to the inside of my right ankle, targeting the veins that run through that area. Currently my pain level is fluctuating between 3 and 6.

11:15pm – Pain starting to become alleviated again, but too exhausted to stay up any longer and take additional notes. Off to bed with this sleepy but content patient.

Next Morning – 

Woke up around 8:30, not completely refreshed, but I’m blaming my hormones, hot flashes, and late night berry cobbler for that and not the patches themselves. Having two fresh patches to apply prior to bed instead of just one probably would have been beneficial; despite that my pain is still subdued which is a lovely surprise. Overall, I’m in good spirits, and feel much better after my morning routine of smoking/vaping and sipping some warm ginger tea. I feel mentally sharp and have an overwhelming desire to do something active/social ; a rarity for me nowadays.

The patches are still very comfortable on my skin – no itching or sweating, and they remain firmly in place. I put socks on in case the corners tried to lift up while I was sleeping, but I don’t think that was necessary. These patches are very thin and so don’t have a tendency to snag on surfaces like sheets.

Removing the patches from my skin was surprisingly easy and comfortable. I must note that I don’t have hair on any of the areas where I applied the patches, so I can’t comment on how badly they tug on hair. Once the patches are removed, there is a bit of redness that lasts a few minutes, but I experience no itching or irritation. The residual tackiness is easily removed with little to moderate effort using soap and water, and adding an exfoliate like baking soda helps. 

Right after removing all three patches, can barely see any redness or irritation

Although the instructions state “the cannabinoids remain in the blood for several hours even once the patch is removed”, about 20 minutes after removing the patches I am hit with a wave of pain. Apparently they were still releasing cannabinoids! Unable to go purchase more and desperate to keep the pain from coming back full force, I pull the now wadded up ball of patches out of the trash, unravel them, and stick them back on my feet! Luckily, after about 30 minutes, I start to feel minor relief again, which lasts through the afternoon. I’m impressed by how long the effects last, and wish I had more to get me through the following few days! From now on, I definitely plan to have a stash of Mary’s Medicinals Transdermal Patches in my medicine cabinet at all times.

Afterthoughts:

This is by far the best medical cannabis product and delivery method I have used to date for treating my most severe pain. It even rivals many of the true narcotics that I’ve experimented with in the past. The ease of use, discreet application, long lasting affects, relatively stable delivery, and bioavailability make for an incredibly efficacious medicine. If you had told me last week that I would feel viable effects from 10 to 30 mg and they would last for over 6 hours, I would have laughed in your face. I’ve eaten 800 mg edibles that went right through me and had barely any effect at all. These patches are so efficient that those with lower tolerances or less debilitating symptoms could (make that “should”) cut these patches in half, or even quarters.

-There are only a few minor changes I would like to see take place with these patches:

1) I would greatly appreciate a more user friendly plastic backing. Once started, the backing came off with little effort, but I found it was very difficult to get started. Perhaps there is some way to make it like a sticker’s, where the plastic is perforated and peels off in pieces. This way someone with arthritis could just fold the patch and the backing would already be started and ready to peel off. 

Example of suggested plastic backing

2) I strongly prefer the synergy of multiple cannabinoids to the way isolated ones make me feel. This may be caused by the fact that my condition is systemic, i.e. involving the entire body, and so I may benefit the most from as close to a “whole plant” experience as possible. Perhaps Mary’s could offer patches in different combinations of cannabinoids, along with one higher strength level, like 15 or 20 mg. I could have definitely used something a bit stronger when I was in the grip of my Level 10 Pain.

3) Lastly, my experience shows these patches release the medicine more consistently when there is one on either side of the heart, so perhaps they could be packaged for use in pairs, or this suggestion could be added to the already detailed and helpful instructional packet.

Overall, an excellent, pharmaceutical grade, medical cannabis product! Strongly recommended for the traveling patient (think: flying!) and/or those suffering from chronic illness or long-term debilitating symptoms; especially pain, inflammation, insomnia, and cachexia.

A massive “Thank You!!!” to Mary’s Medicinals for creating and distributing such a wonderful and viable medicine, not just another “stoner novelty”. I look forward to experimenting with your full line of Transdermal Patches to manage my myriad of symptoms, and to more Medical Marijuana companies offering similar grade products in the future.

What are your favorite Medical Cannabis products or companies in Colorado today?
Which new products would you like to see produced by these companies, or reviewed on here by this self-appointed guinea pig?

Thanks so much for reading and your continued support!

*Love & Light*
-Renata Carmen

Please, if you find any value from this blog, please consider making a donation to the PayPal link at the top right of the page. I don't create these posts expecting anything but to help/entertain others, but I am a disabled mechanic/artist who is not currently receiving SSI/SSDI and when I'm flared up it's hard if not impossible for me to get my hustle on. I'm also working on adding Bitcoin here! :)