Trials and tribulations, spinal cord stimulator

https://painpalsblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/29/stim-update/

But a downside of this particular scs (Medtronic) is that in order to continue the pain relief, it must not be left switched on all the time. St Thomas’ recommend several hours on, several off – but I am finding the periods of time when switched off very difficult to cope with, particularly at night. I understand the rationale for turning the device off: if the tingling sensation becomes the body’s new baseline, then there is little room for manoeuvre with further pain relief. But this doesn’t help me when I’m climbing the walls!! Any advice from out there would be gratefully received…

It’s all the pain in the way she smiles

There’s all the pain in the way she walks
It’s all the pain in the way she talks
It’s all the pain in her wave goodbye
It’s all the pain in the way she smiles
There’s all the pain in her fatal charm
All the pain is in her arms

That’s right, Gavin Rossdale is shirtless. Rock out and enjoy.

Marshmallow

Wikipedia:  “Marshmallow probably first came into being as a medicinal substance, since the mucilaginous extracts come from the root of the marshmallow plant, Althaea officinalis, which was used as a remedy for sore throats.”

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/what-the-marshmallow-test-really-teaches-about-self-control/380673/

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my tiny little corner of the internet.

Lemonade

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lemon.html

(Photos taken 4/25/2016.)

Thinking Of You, Prince Rogers Nelson

No More Drug War.

Does Narcan kill more people than it saves?

http://www.startribune.com/details-emerge-from-prince-s-emergency-landing-in-moline-illinois/377302181/

Prince was unconscious when his bodyguard carried him down the steps of his private jet after it made an emergency landing in Moline, Ill., just days before the superstar collapsed and died at Paisley Park in Chanhassen…

Several sources with direct knowledge of the death investigation, however, have told the Star Tribune that paramedics gave Prince a shot of the opioid antidote Narcan, and that Prince had overdosed on an opioid…

It wasn’t just the chronic pain and the opioids that killed Prince, it was also Narcan.

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/because-her-pain-never-stopped/

For instance, to the uninformed, it is inconceivable that someone who nearly died from a drug would run out that very same day and buy more of it. Narcan works by binding to opioid receptors, blocking the effect of narcotics like heroin. In drug users with a physical dependency, it also has the effect of causing severe withdrawal symptoms. This all but guarantees that the first thing a user will think of after their overdose is reversed is getting another fix…

“It’s snaps you right out, but now you’re sick,” she said. Tammy explained how EMTs took her to a nearby hospital for treatment, but her withdrawal symptoms were so bad she ran from the vehicle when it reached its destination. She says she tried shooting up to feel better but the naloxone in her system blocked the heroin.

“You could do 30 bags and you’re not going to feel nothing for hours,” she said…

Prince took more painkillers because his pain never stopped.

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/2015/01/26/what-are-the-long-term-effects-of-narcannaloxone/

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/naloxone-in-schools-a-good-idea/

The government is pushing the use of Narcan, but they don’t understand what the consequences will be, nor is the addiction industry prepared for these consequences. Does this drug kill more people than it saves?

Meet the combat veterans who grow medical marijuana for their brothers in arms

http://mashable.com/2016/04/04/veterans-cannabis-santa-cruz/#_O3PoTbFgkqs

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors prescribed drugs — lots of drugs — for Scallan’s PTSD after his return from Iraq in 2009. He says he took 600mg of Seroquel, a powerful psychiatric, each night to sleep. He popped 3mg of Klonopin whenever he felt an anxiety attack flaring up. He took 200mg of Zoloft for depression each day, as well as opiates prescribed for pain…

After about of year of smoking pot daily, Scallan was able to stop taking the opiates, Zoloft and Klonopin. He was down to 150mg of Seroquel each night to sleep. Then he ditched that as well.

Scallan had finally found relief, but his journey had just begun. Soon, he’d meet other combat veterans with similar stories. Soon, they’d help spearhead a movement for their peers, some of them struggling, some of them homeless, all of them sharing a military history and an appreciation for medical pot.

Scallan had no way of knowing this at the time, but he was soon to find an entire network of support, purpose and community through marijuana…

Peppermint

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/14/peppermint-health-benefits.aspx

Peppermint oil capsules have been described as “the drug of first choice” in IBS patients, as it safely helps alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Research has shown that it is effective in children and adults alike, with one study showing a 50 percent reduction in “total irritable bowel syndrome score” among 75 percent of patients who tried it… Peppermint may help to relieve muscle spasms and pain. Try massaging its essential oil onto sore muscles or adding it to your bath water for muscle pain relief…

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3560662/Brew-Peppermint-tea-rosemary-significantly-improve-long-term-memory-adults.html

Photos taken 4/25/2016.

Butterscotch

Wikipedia:  “Butterscotch is a type of confectionery whose primary ingredients are brown sugar and butter…”

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_butterscotch/

Photos taken 4/25/2016.

Could Marijuana Help Treat Painkiller and Heroin Addiction?

http://www.hightimes.com/read/could-marijuana-help-treat-painkiller-and-heroin-addiction

Advocates argue a growing body of scientific literature supports the idea, pointing to a study in the Journal of Pain this year that found chronic pain sufferers significantly reduced their opioid use when taking medical cannabis. And a study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found cannabis can be effective in treating chronic pain and other ailments.

But the research falls short of concluding marijuana helps wean people off opioids – Vicodin, Oxycontin and related painkillers – and heroin, and many medical professionals say it’s not enough for them to confidently prescribe it.

In Maine, which is considering adding opioid and heroin addiction to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana, Michelle Ham said marijuana helped her end a yearslong addiction to painkillers she took for a bad back and neck.

Tired of feeling “like a zombie,” the 37-year-old mother of two decided to quit cold turkey, which she said brought on convulsions and other withdrawal symptoms.

Then, a friend mentioned marijuana, which Maine had legalized in 1999 for chronic pain and scores of other medical conditions. She gave it a try in 2013 and said the pain is under control. And she hasn’t gone back on the opioids.

“Before, I couldn’t even function. I couldn’t get anything done,” Ham said. “Now, I actually organize volunteers, and we have a donations center to help the needy.”

Most states with medical marijuana allow it for a list of qualifying conditions. Getting on that list is crucial and has resulted in a tug of war in many states, including several in which veterans have been unsuccessful in getting post-traumatic stress disorder approved for marijuana treatment…

My comment:

While some in the medical industry and the government believe there isn’t a difference between addiction and dependence, medical science shows there are plenty of distinctions between the two. So, instead of saying that we should use cannabis to treat opioid “addiction,” the more precise (and palatable) term might be that it should be used to treat opioid “dependence.”

The Aliens Have Arrived

Photos taken 4/23/2016.

Celebrating A Good Haircut

Thanks, Robert from Great Clips (at Juan Tabo and Montgomery).

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/celebrating-bad-haircuts/

Truth In Advertising

Photo taken yesterday.

Free Weed

Stupid weed, wouldn’t let me get a good picture of it.

Many different angles, and dozens of photos later, I gave up. (Stupid weed.)

See, this is just a weed — it has no rights and nobody’s trying to protect it. So, it was easy for me to pluck that sucker and take it home. (And it was free.) (FYI, don’t pick wild bluebonnets in Texas — it’s against the law.)

I know she looks different, but it was a bumpy ride home. (Ducks were involved.)

And it appears she doesn’t like my tap water.

After modeling for me, Ms. Free Weed’s final resting place was in my trash bin. (Dude, it was good while it lasted. Sorry I killed you.)

A Spoonful A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Photos taken yesterday.