After struggling through my 20’s, I was finally diagnosed around the age of 30 with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. EDS is a genetic disease that effects the connective tissue in the body, with symptoms like Joint hypermobility (loose/unstable joints which are prone to frequent dislocations and/or subluxations & hyperextensible joints), joint pain, musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, digestive issues, along with a multitude of other subsequent symptoms. For the past 10+ years,
I was prescribed an ever growing myriad of opioid medications to try to combat the debilitating pain I was in. Nothing helped, & in fact my pain just seemed to increase year after year. With my doctor’s guidance I slowly reduced & removed all of the opioids I had been taking & am now just over 1 year opioid-free! My pain is pretty much the same as it was when I was taking the opioids, but at the same time, I am feeling much better ...I have less occurrences of brain fog & my quality of life has simply improved! I have now had 2 specialists call me a “victim of big Pharma”. I know my doctors were only trying their best to HELP me, & they did what they were taught to do. It’s wonderful that we’re now learning more about opioids & chronic pain conditions, but that still doesn’t bring back the last 10 years of my life… my child-bearing years. Over the years, I’ve made other EDS friends that I usually see annually at an international EDS conference. I’ve witnessed noticeable improvements in several people & when I ask them WHAT it is that they are now doing differently, inevitably it is that they live in a state or country where medical cannabis is now approved & available for use! I’ve had so many conversations with people that have my same disease, & whose pain, fatigue, & overall quality of life have improved DRAMATICALLY by introducing medical cannabis into their lives! We all live in this SAME United States of America, & I am only asking for the same access to these medications that I’ve seen so many others benefit from, by simply residing in another State.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Our Conditions
All
Patient & Caregiver StoriesThese stories represent real Iowans suffering from complex medical conditions that need access to medical cannabis right here at home. Archives |