Does Fibromyalgia Qualify You for Medical Marijuana?

The list of medical conditions that qualify for having medical marijuana are as follows:

1. Terminal illness
2. Cancer
3. Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
4. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
5. Decompensated cirrhosis
6. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (nervous system disease that weakens muscles and affects physical function)
7. Agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease
8. Post-traumatic stress disorder
9. Drug-resistant epilepsy
10. Autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior
11. Glaucoma
12. Chronic debilitating migraines

A chronic or devastating disease or medical condition or its treatment that leads to one or more of the following conditions:

1. Cachexia or wasting syndrome
2. Troublesome nausea
3. Seizures
4. Severe and lasting muscle spasms associated with several diseases
5. Severe, devastating pain that has failed to respond to previous treatment or surgery for more than three months

If you are younger than 18 years, you should contact a pediatric neurologist, gastroenterologist, oncologist, or palliative care specialist if you have the following conditions:

• Resistant epilepsy
• A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition where they have failed treatment involving one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Intractable nausea
  • Severe, painful, and persistent muscle spasms
  • Autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior

Fibromyalgia is a common neurologic health problem that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the body. It is accompanied by fatigue, disturbances in thought and memory, psychiatric symptoms, and extreme anxiety about the physical symptoms (somatic symptoms).

Fibromyalgia affects approximately five million Americans every year and mostly affects women although some men may be affected by it. Fibromyalgia commonly affects middle-aged individuals; however, children may also be affected at times.

Several studies report a positive response for using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia with low side effect rates. However, it all depends on the person and the medications they take.

Marijuana may trigger a range of reactions in different people and could even interact with the medications they take.

Some side effects of medical marijuana may include:

• Slower reaction times
• Negative drug-to-drug interactions
• Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
• Increased heart rate
• Dizziness
• Potential for addiction
• Hallucinations
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Impaired concentration and memory
• Increased appetite

Hence, it is important to consult your doctor before taking medical marijuana.

To understand how cannabis works for fibromyalgia, we need to understand how the endocannabinoid system (ECS) works. ECS is responsible for maintaining the balance within the body and helps with communicating messages. During fibromyalgia, this ECS goes off balance, resulting in pain, insomnia, and more.

Marijuana consists of cannabinoids that can reinstate the endocannabinoids in the body to restore the off-balance ECS. Medical marijuana cannot completely cure fibromyalgia; however, it can tremendously increase the quality of life by alleviating pain, insomnia, and nausea.