Chronic lower back pain, need strains that keep me FUNCTIONAL.

jd4083 · Feb 25, 2010

Hey folks. Been self-medicating with cannabis for many years, but only recently for physical pain. I've searched around and the general consensus appears to be that knockout indicas are the best "painkilling" strains. This is a problem for me - I really don't like the effects of indicas (instant couchlock + sleepiness for me) and simply cannot smoke heavy indies in the day or I lose all focus and my productivity crashes.

For this reason I have stuck with sat's, but lately the lower back pain that has been around off and on for a few years since an atv accident has been ON all the time, and with much higher intensity than ever before. I'm in my early 20's and I feel like a fucking old man, guys, this is killing me.

I realize that I may need professional help from a chiropractor but in the mean time, I need some advice on some strains that can at least dull the pain to a manageable level WITHOUT rendering me useless and burned out for the rest of the day.

Another issue I have is this - I have a pretty diverse selection of strains, and I've had a lot of killer knockout indie's from my humboldt buddies along with some local commercial indie crops. I have yet to find a strain that actually dulls the pain/relieves it in any way, for me pot just seems to take my mind away from it -- and that just ain't cutting it anymore... I've got a lot on my plate right now and the last thing I can deal with while trying to open a restaurant is walking with a hunched back and aching in pain all day long like I'm 30 years older than I am.

The last strain that I found to really take care of pain was DJ's Blue Moonshine, unfortunately, it also took care of my brain as well and had a way of turning me into a drooling idiot with a couple of hoots. I don't have the cut anymore anyways so I'm looking for something new.

Help is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

-m

kmk420kali · Feb 25, 2010

First off, I would go see a chiropractor ASAP-- If it is something he can fix, the relief will be instant!!
As for meds...maybe experiment with some Indica/Sativa Hybrids--
I really couldn't tell you which ones, as I am more a heavy indica person--
I know that isn't much help, but good luck-- :tiphat:

Bob Jones · Feb 25, 2010

I've been dealing with the same problem for many years. The most effective solution I've found is eating the herb instead of smoking it. I make cannabutter and then turn it into peanut butter cookies. For some reason I find that eaten weed has less impact on my mental processes and more of a physical effect.

A couple of other ideas. First, you're going to have to accept the fact that you're going to have to spend some time resting with the weight off you back (laying down) to take the stress of it and let it recuperate as much as possible. It's tough to do, I'm in my 50's and it's hard and even more so when you're younger, but it will make a huge difference if you do it.

Second, if the pain is really interfering with your life, don't rule out other forms of pain meds. I use Ultram ER which is a long lasting form of Tramadol I take just once a day and it's what makes the difference between being able to hold down a job and not. Docs don't have near as much problem prescribing Tramadol as they do the more heavy duty stuff and I'm able to be fully functional while taking it.

jd4083 · Feb 26, 2010

kmk420kali said:
First off, I would go see a chiropractor ASAP-- If it is something he can fix, the relief will be instant!!
As for meds...maybe experiment with some Indica/Sativa Hybrids--
I really couldn't tell you which ones, as I am more a heavy indica person--
I know that isn't much help, but good luck--

thanks dude, I know I need to get in there but I'm busy as shit and the only local chiropracter has a several month waiting list...so for now I'll have to take care of it the best I can on my own. My bro-in-law has an inversion table and the thing is gnarly, but I question how safe it is in the long term for my back.

Bob Jones said:
I've been dealing with the same problem for many years. The most effective solution I've found is eating the herb instead of smoking it. I make cannabutter and then turn it into peanut butter cookies. For some reason I find that eaten weed has less impact on my mental processes and more of a physical effect.

A couple of other ideas. First, you're going to have to accept the fact that you're going to have to spend some time resting with the weight off you back (laying down) to take the stress of it and let it recuperate as much as possible. It's tough to do, I'm in my 50's and it's hard and even more so when you're younger, but it will make a huge difference if you do it.

Second, if the pain is really interfering with your life, don't rule out other forms of pain meds. I use Ultram ER which is a long lasting form of Tramadol I take just once a day and it's what makes the difference between being able to hold down a job and not. Docs don't have near as much problem prescribing Tramadol as they do the more heavy duty stuff and I'm able to be fully functional while taking it.

It's been a while since I've eaten any edibles. Last batch was space cookies made with really nice amber glass bho and it took me well over half a gram worth of BHO in 8 or 9 cookies to actually feel the effects for a few hours. (for reference, one or two .1 hoots of good oil put me into space for 2+ hours every time) Everybody else got super blasted. Unfortunately that's not a very efficient use of my resources and that's the name of the game for me at least at this particular time.

I've considered checking out tramadol/ultram, only tried it once and that was back in my high school years, ate like 10 of the things and had an odd experience to say the least, but from what I can remember I can see it helping out a bit. My major goal is to stay away from prescription drugs in general, especially painkillers. For me that's a slippery slope to say the very least and I'll leave it at that.

I also noticed that it's only since I've stopped heavily lifting (3-5 times week, 90-180min at a time) the pain has come back and become progressively worse. Have personal trainers in the family and learned good form a long time ago... + plenty of experience lifting so I'm confident I did not injure myself in doing so. I do think that perhaps my more sedentary lifestyle (my work has me on the computer 10+ hours of the day) as of lately is contributing to the pain because my muscles just simply aren't being used like they were "used to."

Thanks for posting man, I might have to take another look at the ultram route..

seekinggreen · Feb 26, 2010

I've had problems with sciatica for years and what works best is, after smoking (sativa or indica) do your back stretches and go for a long walk. This works well for me and if you haven't tried this yet you might to give it a go.

kno3brock · Feb 26, 2010

I do think that perhaps my more sedentary lifestyle (my work has me on the computer 10+ hours of the day) as of lately is contributing to the pain because my muscles just simply aren't being used like they were "used to."

There is the problem! When I was in my teens I could do anything I wanted. In my 20's I could snowboard or surf all day long and only feel a little sore after. In my 30's snowboarding or surfing made me more sore and then my back started acting up. Late 30's I started having serious back troubles that stopped my from snowboarding and surfing and all kinds of other enjoyable activities.

Physical therapy saved the day. Stretching and muscle training will hopefully keep me doing the things I want well into my 60's!

Stretch and situps! Learn how to do it the right way from a physical therapist.

Also- I like heavy indicas at the end of the day. Medicine Man, Black Domina, and Deep Chunk's are all good for muscle relaxation.

RetroGrow · Feb 26, 2010

I'm dealing with severe back pain due to multiple disk tears. Narcotics don't even touch it, but i have found hashish is very good for inflammation/back pain. It works for pain better than herb, IMO.

JCChronic · Feb 26, 2010

hey JD, I don;t have any suggs. for strains but, I have a buddy that two years after I met him started walking around all hunched over from back pains and I'm talking severely,and was diagnosed with Croans (sp?) disease by three different "specialists" then the following 3 years his posture was slowly entering the severe stage. unbelieveable from when I first met him, so he goes to a fourth doctor, who runs some other tests and discovers a tear in his intestine and proceeded to go in and stitch it up, within weeks his posture was back to new.
I've also had lower back problems for 20 years and Chinese doctors that do massage therapy (the painful kind) on my ham strings solve the problem until I tighten up again. Point is don't assume that your accident was the only cause of your back pain, get it checked out, it is worth it. Why do everything half assed until you can find time to get better, fix it now and do your life properly, restaurants don't have free time.

Dr.Diddy · Feb 26, 2010

Back pain sucks especially when you are young. I am 26 and am in pain everyday, varying levels each day, but pain nonetheless. I have used hundreds of strains and to be honest nothing helps more than an edible of good quality. Massage helps but the one thing that will get you feeling good again, no doubt is gonna be working out again. I have noticed when I have been fit and active I have felt fine, the pain was still there but not overwhelming. Now that I put on a few pounds life just seems harder, I know what I have to do to change it, now I just gotta do it.

titoon29 · Feb 26, 2010

mate, use a vaporiser. it is a functionnal high even with indicas.

the effect is a really closed effect to edibles. and it is good for your health.

and do some sport and stretching. i ld really recommand you to have a look at the tai chi chuan, it is a martial art strongly recommanded to any person needing a stretching sport while not being to hard.

-StashBastard- · Feb 26, 2010

I fractured a vertebrae and herniated a disc in my lower back at work when I was 23. I am 38 now.

Doctors wanted to replace parts of my spine with Titanium and bone from my hip in one spot. Drill a hole in a vertebrae,insert a balloon and inflate it by filling with some special surgical glue in another.

I refused and never had any surgery.

It gets worse every year. A nightmare of bad pain that I will never wake up from.

Stay away from the pills as long as you can. The longer you take them the less they work and you end up getting hooked on them.

Be careful with Tramadol. I believe its under estimated by some doctors.

It is probably safer than the large amounts of Tylenol you end up taking with regular Oxy/Vicoden/whatever opiates use but is no less addictive.

Tramadol is very addicting with VERY real withdrawal when you stop.

Trust me,you are better sticking with just cannabis as long as you can.

Make edibles, keep canna butter in the fridge. Bong/vape a strong sativa for days/motivation and getting things done. Indica for sleep and bad pain days on the couch.

I like having lots of strains to switch between and mix.

Black Domina is a great strain I like a lot and I like Jack Herer too.

.

ol briarhopper · Feb 26, 2010

Give yourself a healing period.I would recommend 6 mos.-1 yr. and then know your limitations and except them.I have been in the construction industry for 30 yrs. and have had several times where I didnt think it would get better but it always has so far.Time off of your feet is the best medicine if you can get it...good luck...ol briar

DoobieDuck · Feb 26, 2010

JD I feel your pain, very sorry to hear of anyone with these issues. I've had several spine surgeries with hardware FYI. I would suggest a specialist, back surgeon, over a Chiropractor, possibly your general Doc to start with and let him point you in the right direction. I drink tea for relief, but have to use narcotics. A year ago I tried some hash and have been using it exclusively since. Good luck Bro..you are getting some good advice and suggestions from our members, and I thank them for that..keep us in the loop please..DD

theJointedOne · Feb 26, 2010

try finding something called "ingrid", its usually in SF.

The purples work well for pain ive heard as well.

215 User · Mar 26, 2010

RetroGrow said:
I'm dealing with severe back pain due to multiple disk tears. Narcotics don't even touch it, but i have found hashish is very good for inflammation/back pain. It works for pain better than herb, IMO.

My story as well but spinal stenosis/deep tissue massages helped me a great deal. :tiphat:

I found the best relief from these strains;
Kushage & O.G. crosses
Sour Hybrids
Amnesia Haze from Soma
:artist:

B. Friendly · Mar 26, 2010

I have fibromyalgia. Here's a plant I have been lookng at Notice the THCV compound which I am curious about:

Malawi Gold is internationally renowned as one of the most potent psychoactive pure African sativas. Afropips’s Superior first grade Malawi Gold was selected from 10 years experience with top Malawi growers for the spiciest taste & the most psychoactive clean vibrant high. The high is long lasting & has an enjoyable alert mental clarity coupled with a warm pleasant feeling that radiates throughout the body. The unique tropical & luxuriant spicy sativa up high can be attributed to the presence of THCV in this early cultivated strain.

Harvest · Mar 26, 2010

Hey buddy, i too suffer from chronic back and other pain, and have come to the conclusion that nothing helps with pain like a true kush. OG, Master, and my favorite for medical purposes Bubba Kush (pre-98 if possible).

Danks2005 · Mar 26, 2010

I also am mid 20's, and have been dealing with back and neck pain since a car accident when I was 17. I have pain everyday, some days worse than others. When it gets real bad I go ahead and take the vicodin. I also get muscle spasms in my lower back, when I start to feel muscle tension I take Soma's. I try to control my pain with edibles made from pure indicas, along with smoking indicas and hybrids. Without weed my prescriptions barely last the 30 days they are intended for. With weed, a 30day prescription lasts 50-70days. I also take tramadol, if i need something stronger in the day time.

If you do have muscle pain or spasms in your back, ask your doctor about soma's they are fantastic, help with pain, and don't make me feel icky like the opiates. But the opiates do have their place. It is hard treating chronic pain, you have to limit the pills to only when the pain is very bad, If you take them, even as often as prescribed they tend to loose their effect quickly causing you to want to up the dose. You have to be careful with these things but they definately have their place.

I haven't been working because of my back pain, took almost 3 months of not working before I started to get some relief. Now it's been 6months, and I haven't taken any painkillers in 2months. I'm thinking about a career change so i can keep it that way.

jd4083 · Mar 26, 2010

Thank you for your comments. I actually am a big fan of the Master Kush cut my Arizona buddy has, not sure which (if any) of the popular ones that is and recently got a taste of the pre 98 bubba, both were fantastic pain relievers but once again rendered me useless, maybe because they were both cut very late with a lot of amber.

Very interested in the Malawi Gold posted, thank you for that. Will be checking that out as soon as I hit post in fact.

thanks guys...peace

guest3854 · Mar 26, 2010

JD, I too suffer from chronic back pain. I think you'll find some very valuable info here in this thread, http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=98433

I would consider using a sativa/indica, judging from yer needs. Also, tha wife an' I got a new, memory foam bed. Spending 6-8 hrs is a considerable amount of time used for sleeping and we both have seen vast improvements in our back health. Somethang to think about.....

Stay healthy,
Steele

Chronic lower back pain, need strains that keep me FUNCTIONAL.

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