Recently, out of no where I started experiencing extreme pain on my left upper arm ad back left shoulder area to where it was interfering with my blogging hobby.

The pain became so bad that I resorted to a hospital emergency room visit in the middle of the night where I was treated with Prednisone , muscle relaxing medication and some pain medication. The pain medication did little. This worked for a time, until the pain returned to where I again was treated by Prednisone , muscle relaxing medication and some pain medication. This medical treatment plan was effective to where I started to feel some sense of relief which was short lived. One afternoon I had an ear ache that was out of this world to where I ran to a local urgent care center thinking that the doctor would prescribe some antibiotics but he insisted that I did not have an ear infection. He again prescribed   Prednisone which almost immediately alleviated my pain.

My daughter who is an RN advised me that when Prednisone exhibits this immediate effect, then I’m probably suffering from some kind of inflammatory disease. She recommended CBD (medical marijuana) and tumeric. I’m now also under the care of an orthopedic physician to where I’ve undergone an MRI, blood work, etc.

While I can attest to the fact that Prednisone does work, I can also tell you that medical Marijuana has been also effective. Prednisone is an oral, synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid (steroid) used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation but  cannabis is also  known as a great anti-inflammatory agent.

Here is the rest of the story…

On July 8, 2018,  Helena Miles of  Greencamp.com penned the following report for The Growth Op, “Marijuana for arthritis: Latest research, patients’ experiences and best strains”

“Over the past few years, cannabis has become a popular supplement among people suffering from arthritis. In every country where the plant has been legalized for medical use, arthritis is on the list of medical conditions that allow for the use of cannabis.”

“Arthritis is caused by the inflammation of the joint tissue, and cannabis is known as a great anti-inflammatory agent. There are many cannabinoids in the plant, but THC and CBD are the ones “in charge” for fighting pain and inflammation.”

“When researchers first noticed that cannabis has some potential in treating chronic pain, they basically didn’t have a clue how that actually happens. They first discovered that the joints of people suffering from arthritis have extremely high levels of CB1 receptors. That led them to conclude that the substances in marijuana which trigger the activation of those receptors have the potential to reduce inflammation, as well to reduce pain.”

“The fact that THC was the one binding to those receptors and that it was so effective in reducing inflammation, triggered the further curiosity of scientists. So, in another study, a group of researchers discovered that THC was able to change molecules, leading to suppression of inflammation.”

“The second most prevalent cannabinoid in marijuana called cannabidiol (or just CBD), has shown to be effective in treating arthritis symptoms as well. According to a study done by the University of Kentucky, applying CBD topically can relieve inflammation as well as pain in conditions connected to arthritis. What’s also important, besides the great therapeutic potential, is that CBD provides relief without any side-effects. Another study found that early CBD treatment can prevent pain and nerve damage in osteoarthritic joints.”

“What we can take away from these studies is that THC and CBD work in unison, but that high CBD marijuana strains may be the best choice, in this case, giving us the best of both worlds—pain relief with clear headedness and without strong psychoactive effects.”

For prednisone side effects, READ MORE.