Opening Up About Cannabis for AxSpa Treatment

By Jes Hojsan

2 min read

For most of us, we have grown up in a world where cannabis was illegal, or at least society frowned upon it. There’s a lot of subconscious ideas that we have, or some ideas that we are told about cannabis, and this is the reason it took me too long to find my way to using medical cannabis as treatments for my ankylosing spondylitis symptoms, my mood, and getting a better night's sleep.

I was afraid of judgement

I had a huge fear around cannabis use before I began to use it as medicine. Then when I noticed what a difference it was making in my life, I wanted to share, but the fear of judgment was HUGE. Majorly huge. I didn't want people to think of me as a bad mom. I didn't want to be seen as lazy, or incapable, or irresponsible, or any of the negative ties that come along with using cannabis. I wanted to be looked at just how I always was, but before the debilitating aspects of my disease set in.

What people have shared with me

Opening up and sharing has been really eye opening to just how wrong I was about feeling judged. The truth is, more people told me that they too use cannabis as their best course of action for many different reasons. Once again, simply sharing and finding my people through Instagram, gave me a whole new outlook on cannabis, and it also gave me a new confidence in knowing what was right for my body.

Talking to others and opening up

Since sharing about my cannabis use, it’s given me the opportunity to talk to others who use this medication and that’s opened a lot of opportunities to learn more about ways to optimize my medical cannabis use, and also simply educate myself on the history and additional benefits.

Listen to yourself and your body

Again I know cannabis is not for everyone, but if it is for you and your feeling nervous to open up about it, know that there could be people who don’t understand it because they have not had to rely on a medicine to the extent that those with chronic pain do. I do know that after adding cannabis to my medications, the second best thing I’ve done is open up and share about my cannabis use!

Has anybody found that using medical marijuana has helped their AxSpa or any related symptoms? Share in the comments below.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The AxialSpondyloarthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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toddmoore Member
I agree with the article and everything in the comments. I hope others may appreciate a few "cons" that I would also like to offer for consideration. Like many Boomers, I've had my share of cannabis experience, both as a teen for fun and then later, as a young married man. That latter usage was not only recreational, but also, looking back, maybe also a therapeutic mental escape of sorts (due to a very high pressure job I had - or maybe it had me). Yet, even while still that position, I eventually decided to stop smoking marijuana. I did so after gradually realizing I was not at my best mentally when high or even buzzed. Keep in mind, the stereotypes of marijuana use do have a certain basis in facts. First, if you are smoking cannabis, let's not fool ourselves - holding smoke in your lungs is likely not a harmless practice. At least nowadays you can avoid this by doing edibles or vaping. The following may be a relative point, but marijuana is stronger now. I recall the huge difference in higher potency between even the best Columbian from the 70's and even the most average marijuana available in more recent years. So dosage will be an important factor to consider and manage. Of course, there will be "the munchies" which, let's face it, always means over-snacking. Over a period time this, combined with other side effects, may add up to some weight gain. Then there will be a tendency to be more sedate (to just chill and watch TV or listen to music). Nothing wrong with that, but it may not always be the best use of time. Many, if not all, types of cannabis will cause a degree of drowsiness and this often leads to sleep (maybe when it is not the best time or place). Oh, and don't forget or discount the mental fog and occasional confusion that goes with the marijuana territory. Every pot smoker likely recalls what it's like to come to a stop sign when driving and temporally forget where they are. I eventually came to the conclusion that, (for me) I needed to stay mentally sharp rather than habitually taking the edge off with dope. I just started letting the joint by-pass me at get-togethers - and I still had a good time. So, this is what I learned and have observed along the way. And that is largely why I do not view the recent trend embracing cannabis as all that positive for society in general. However, if you have medical reason to use Cannabis (which is the point of the article), then all fine and good. I only suggest you go in with eyes open, aware of both the pros and the cons - and maybe set some limits for yourself ahead of time.
1. Rebecca C Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="toddmoore" user-id="4280375"/> - Thank you for your response. We appreciate having you in the community and for your opinion. I have to agree. Having used THC/CBD medicinally, I have had to deal with more cons than pros when using marijuana in all forms. It just doesn't work for me - on pain or inflammation. As we begin to learn more and more about it, breaking it down - terpenes and cannabinoids - I am hearing that it affects those with chronic inflammation differently, but I am still learning the ins and outs. I have logged into the Medicine Box and listened to a podcast with Ethan Russo is a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher, and former Senior Medical Advisor to GW Pharmaceuticals, who goes into GREAT detail about the plant and its pros and cons dealing with endocannabinoids, titration, intoxication, efficacy on chronic pain, etc. Here is an article from his library on his site. His site is <a href='https://ethanrusso.org/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://ethanrusso.org/</a> Also, Dr. Ethan Russo: Cannabis can be better yet author by The Cannabis Enigma Podcast - click the link in the article at the top https://cannigma.com/podcast/dr-ethan-russo-how-cannabis-can-be-better/ I encourage everyone to learn about this topic and what you put in your body.
Anna Samson Moderator & Contributor
CBD has helped me a lot. Sometimes it’s the only thing that can get me to sleep while in pain. Thank you for writing about it. The stigma around it can make talking about it even in a medical context difficult.
James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
It is crazy how much societal attitudes (not in all cases of course) have changed over recent years. I always thought it was crazy what a bad rap a plant with health benefits used to get! Really glad to hear that you have found something that helps you so much and that the stigma attached to it is easing for you! Best wishes, James (Community Member)