Hi Ryan: Sorry to hear what you have been through. I can tell you my own experience with the meds. I have been on both Prednisone and Methotrexate for years . I am 82 so I guess one could say I'm an example of the results of these meds. My bones have been badly compromised and are so very fragile. Nonetheless, I am able to get around, make dinner, and enjoy many parts of life. I recently have been trying a few different treatments for pain, one of which is marijuana and another is Acupuncture. I have found the mild marijuana capsules help a little so far and the Acupuncture also gives some relief. However I have been on neither long enough to tell. Welcome aboard. Josie

Hi KK,
Nice meeting you, and sorry we are in the same RA boat :(
Regarding the Vegan thing, you may be 100% right. I figured I would just go hardcore as I do eat a lot of meat and food with dairy. But to your point it could just be a gluten thing. As of yesterday I made it one full week as a Vegan. Lost 5 pounds in the process also :)
Im actually flying to Denver in a couple hours to visit a couple Medical CBD places. They carry very high dose CBD oils and edibles. In Texas where I am, options are very limited. Im also going to try a couple Edibles using high CBD and low THC strains.

As far as where Im at today, Ive tried 2 CBD oils I bought locally for 2 weeks now. One is a 100mg and the other is a 350mg.
When I wake up I do a dropper full of 100mg and within 15 minutes I feel an overall 'soothing' in my joints and body in general. It for sure does help but its not a pain killer by any means.
I tried taking the higher dose (350mg) in the moring (2 drops), but I feel the same as the 100mg.
I know you would think stronger would be better but to me its been the same result.
I called Colorado Medical CBD places and they think a very low THC and higher CBD might be good for me.
This is really what I want to try just to see whats what.

Lastly they have edibles with 5,000 mg of CBD and only .53 thc (you wont get high), and I'd like to see what that does.

Im giving this a shot over the next few weeks. If it doesnt work I guess I will have to cave to big pharma.
Im not sure how long it takes to get irreversible joint damage but I dont want to delay things too long if CHB isnt working.

Here is also a couple links to some things I read yesterday :

https://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/cannabis-do...

I will for sure share my updates with you on the higher dosage CBD products soon.

Take care,
Ryan

I have taken Methotrexate now for over 2 years. No side effects. I take the minimum dosage and only once a week. My doctor says you have to take it with folic acid. So I take 1 mg of folic acid each day, and the methotrexate once a week. All good.

Hi Ryan, welcome! Sorry u r eligible to join our group. Sounds like u have had some other medical problems also. I have never tried any type of diet modification. Recently, I did try smoking THC. I will tell u it was the equal of taking my pain meds. I take oxycontin & percocet daily. They r prescribed, & I take them multiple times everyday. I am interested in trying out the oils. Smoking does not last as long as the pain pills do. This only would temp. Help w your pain. Ra is more than just a pain problem. I implore u to start any & all Ra meds your Dr. Wants u to take. The Ra meds r the only way to slow the progression of the disease & slow down your joint damage. Once our joints r damaged , there is no reversal of this. Hope this helps. Stay strong!

Hi KK,
I have a slight update after going to Colorado.
First off, on my way down my knee swelled up and made it fun and painfull to walk. Gotta love RA.
And keep in mind Im taking Prednisone.

I had called ahead and narrowed it down to three places that understood what I was trying to do.
High CBD and low to no THC. Flower ( smoke ), Edible's, and Tinctures.
I bought a little of everything and tried it out based on advice received from the Medical Cannibus experts.

Right out of the gate I tried a 20mg/CBD-2mg/THC gummy. Within 45 minutes I could bend fingers I hadnt in months, and my swollen knee felt 60% better.
I walked around and felt the best I have in ages. That said I felt no 'high' whatsoever. Just wanted you to know. About 2-2.5 hours later I felt stiffness in my knee coming back, but fingers still good
About 5-6 hours later I was still good minus the stiff knee. But no pain throught all this. I went to bed and woke up the next day. Felt stiffness all over again but pain still better. Popped a second gummie and about 45 minutes I felt great the entire day. I was so shocked I called my wife and told her how insane it was

Day three I woke up and instead decided to smoke a joint called Phenom Phen. 17% CBD, 3% THC
It was almost instant. Felt great all over. Maybe a slight Euphoria but you wouldnt know talking to me. I feel like I could be fully functional in a job lets say.
Bad news was about 2 hours later I was coming down.
Took another two puffs and same result, good but shorter result. I called back the Cannibus shop and they said I probably needed to smoke every day for a few days to build up in my system so smoking flower lasts longer. He also said Edibles always last longer, but take a litte more time to kick in.

I tried a 500mg CBD tincture day 4 ( liquid dropped on tongue ) that had 1mg THC. It was a totally different feeling. I felt super calm. Almost relaxed. No euphoria or anything, just a cool calm. It pasted about 4 hours. It wasnt as good as the edible, and just a different feeling all together.
.