Marijuana and neuropathy

Objective: Chronic pain is a major problem for patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. This exploratory study examined patient reported efficacy of medical cannabis for pain management in this population. Methods: Participants (N = 56; 71.4% female; Age = 48.9, SD = 14.6; 48.5% CMT1) were recruited though the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation. The online survey contained 52 multiple choice questions about demographics, medical cannabis use, symptomology, efficacy, and adverse effects. Results: Nearly all (90...

Pain is one of the most common reasons to seek medical attention, and chronic pain is a worldwide epidemic. Anecdotal reports suggest cannabis may be an effective analgesic. As cannabis contains the terpenes α-terpineol, β-caryophyllene, and γ-terpinene, we hypothesized these terpenes would produce analgesia in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. We used the chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve mouse model, which produces mechanical allodynia, assessed via the von Frey assay, as well as thermal hyperalgesia assessed via the hotplate assay...

Distal sensory peripheral neuropathy (HIV-DSP) affects upwards of 50% of people living with HIV. Causing often debilitating symptoms of tingling, numbness and burning, HIV-DSP can result in disability, unemployment and low quality of life. Comorbidities further complicate nursing care, heightening risk of polypharmacy and symptom exacerbation. Therefore, a neurological sensory assessment, combined with the patient's self-report of symptoms, can help nurse practitioners visualize, quantify and understand symptoms...

BACKGROUND: Efficacy of inhaled cannabis for treating pain is controversial. Effective treatment for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy represents an unmet medical need. We hypothesized that cannabis reduces neuropathic pain by reducing functional coupling in the raphe nuclei. METHODS: We assessed the impact of inhalation of vaporized cannabis plant (containing 10.3% Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol/0.05% cannabidiol) or placebo cannabis on brain resting-state blood oxygen level-dependent functional connectivity and pain behavior induced by paclitaxel in rats...

Background and aims Cannabinoids are increasingly used for medicinal purposes, including neuropathy. Gastroparesis is a neuromuscular disorder and neuropathy plays a large role in its pathogenesis. It is thus reasonable that cannabinoids can serve a beneficial role in the management of gastroparesis. Our study evaluates the effect of cannabinoids on gastroparesis symptoms. Methods Twenty-four (n=24) patients with gastroparesis and refractory symptoms were selected from a single gastroenterology practice associated with a tertiary care medical center...

A 54-year-old male with a history of left posterior parietal ischemic stroke, epilepsy, tobacco and marijuana smoking, and alcohol abuse, presented with acute left visual loss and diplopia. On examination, he had reduced left visual acuity and a left oculomotor nerve palsy. CT angiogram from aortic arch to circle of Willis identified extensive thrombus occluding the left common and internal carotid arteries, extending to the left ophthalmic artery. This case demonstrates acute visual loss from ophthalmic artery occlusion, and left oculomotor nerve palsy from occlusion of the inferolateral trunk of the internal carotid artery (cavernous sinus portion)...

BACKGROUND: Although fracture rates are higher in HIV+ than HIV- women, whether HIV infection increases risk of falls is unclear. We determined the longitudinal occurrence and risk factors for falls in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), and explored associations with cognitive complaints. METHODS: Recent (prior 6 months) self-reported falls were collected in 1,816 (1,250 HIV+; 566 HIV-) women over 24 months. Generalized estimating equation models using stepwise selection determined odds of any fall (versus none)...

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency and risk factors for falls among middle-aged HIV+ and HIV- women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). METHODS: We quantified self-report of any and multiple (≥2) falls in the prior 6 months among 1,412 HIV+ and 650 HIV- women with mean age 48 years. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of demographics, behavioural factors, comorbid conditions and medications with odds of any fall (versus none) and multiple falls (versus ≤1 fall)...

The number of states legalizing medical marijuana is increasing. Medical marijuana is possibly effective therapy for HIV-associated sensory neuropathy. Despite legalization at the state level, however, the current and contradictory federal drug enforcement policy creates the risk that physicians who recommend medical marijuana to their patients will lose their ability to prescribe medications. The federal-state tension has legal and ethical implications for neurologists who receive a request for medical marijuana from their patients since neurologists must strive to both relieve suffering and obey relevant laws...

Persons living with HIV/AIDS use self-care for symptom management. This study assesses the use of marijuana as a symptom management approach for six common symptoms for persons living with HIV/AIDS--anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy. This sub-analysis of the efficacy of a symptom management manual encompasses the experiences of participants from sites in the U.S., Africa, and Puerto Rico. Baseline data are analyzed to examine differences in the use and efficacy of marijuana as compared with prescribed and over-the-counter medications as well as the impact on adherence and quality of life...

The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy is frequent in HIV disease and is often associated with antiretroviral therapy. Unhealthy behaviours, particularly substance-use behaviours, are utilized by many HIV-positive individuals to manage neuropathic symptoms. As part of a larger study on self-care for symptoms in HIV disease, this study analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of unhealthy behaviours to self-manage peripheral neuropathy in HIV disease. Sociodemographic and disease-related correlates and unhealthy behaviours were examined in a convenience sample of 1,217 respondents who were recruited from data collection sites in several US cities, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Taiwan...

This feature presents information for patients in a question and answer format. It is written to simulate actual questions that many pain patients ask and to provide answers in a context and language that most pain patients will comprehend. Issues addressed in this issue are carpel tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, glucosamine and chondroitin, hypnosis, marijuana.

UNLABELLED: The primary goal of this paper was to present a comprehensive picture of substance use disorders in a sample of patients receiving opioid therapy from their primary care physician. A second goal was to determine the relation of positive urine screens and aberrant drug behaviors to opioid use disorders. The study recruited 801 adults receiving daily opioid therapy from the primary care practices of 235 family physicians and internists in 6 health care systems in Wisconsin. The 6 most common pain diagnoses were degenerative arthritis, low back pain, migraine headaches, neuropathy, and fibromyalgia...

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV and is often associated with antiretroviral therapy. As part of a larger study on self-care for symptoms in HIV disease, this study analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in HIV disease, sociodemographic and disease-related correlates and self-care strategies. A convenience sample of 1,217 respondents was recruited from data collection sites in several US cities, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Taiwan. Results of the study indicated that respondents with peripheral neuropathy (n=450) identified 20 self-care behaviors including complementary therapies, use of medications, exercise and rest and/or elevation of extremities...

The use of cannabis for medical purposes is a controversial but an important topic of public and scientific interest. We report on the results of a self-administered questionnaire study conducted in the United Kingdom between 1998 and 2002. The questionnaire consisted of 34 items and included demographic data, disease and medication use patterns and cannabis use profiles. Subjects were self-selected; 3663 questionnaires were distributed and 2969 were returned [1805 (60.9%) women, mean age 52.7 years (SD 12...