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Feb-13-2009 01:03TweetFollow @OregonNews Marijuana vs. Anti-Depressants for PTSD
Dr. Phil Leveque Professor of Pharmacology Salem-News.com
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Image courtesy: vawatchdog.org |
(MOLALLA, Ore.) - I was asked by a healthcare professional at the Portland VA Hospital if I would help PTSD Veteran Victims to get permits to use legalized medical marijuana. I already had some Veteran patients from WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
The doctors and other healthcare professionals had heard from a sprinkling of Nam Vets that marijuana provided good relief PTSD and probably other battle related problems including pain from gunshots, mine blasts and almost anything else.
I told her yes and within two weeks I had more than 50 Nam Vets requesting my help. As part of their medical history I asked what previous medicines they had been given or prescribed.
I was astonished to review the lists. There were two main types: strong pain killers like Oxycontin and Morphine and every related pain killer.
Apparently many of these were given just to knock out the patients. These drugs are called narcotics because they CAUSE sleep.
Most PTSD victims have insomnia or difficulty going to or staying asleep. The second type of drugs were anti-depressants. Severe pain causes depression and some do enable sleep.
I was flabbergasted to read the anti-depressant list of many patients; Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, etc it goes on through the whole list of about 12.
The Vets were adamant about the miserable adverse side effects of both these kinds of drugs. I was familiar with the drugs like Morphine but the new class of anti-depressants had me baffled. I was also familiar with amphetamine type drugs which were stimulants which I originally assumed must be related in action to the anti-depressants.
Elavil was one of the first anti-depressants and it was a mild stimulant like a junior grade amphetamine but the newer ones were definitely in another ball park. The Vets complained that they were zombified by them and many stopped them and resorted to alcohol because of the illegality and scarceness of marijuana.
I checked my computer for anti-depressant dangers. I don’t shock easy but this was a shock. The FDA (Food & Drug Administration) reported that they caused a whole bunch of very bad adverse side effect including anxiety, depression, addiction, severe withdrawal, homicidal rage and suicide.
These PTSD Veterans didn’t need these adverse effects on top of PTSD.
Subsequent to my success with these Vets with marijuana I heard from Veterans all over the U.S. and the world that marijuana was better than both Morphine drugs and anti-depressants.
All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.
Penny Saxon June 3, 2013 9:59 am (Pacific time)
I have suffered from PTSD for most of my life due to some nasty stuff happening to me as a small child and in to my teens. I was told by my psychiatrist that my hard drug use of crack and meth was a way of self medicating. I did that for 18 years of my life. One day My good friend and enabler commited suicide ...he did not use drugs , but loved me enough to take care and love me through my hard times. the day he Died was the day I stood up to my addiction and haven't looked back for almost 3 years . I have an almost 2 yr old and My Psychiatrist tried me on Risperadone , ridalin , trazadone ....the risperadone and trazadone made me a zombie ... my son had a battery in his moouth and my niece called out to me several times that he had a battery in his mouth , her mom had to clap her hands in my face... Uh Penny didn't you hear Maddison?? I so didn't . I have used Marijuana for a long time now , and decided to only use marijuana. I have quit drinking , smoking cigarettes and I feel mostly ok now... Marijuana is a true helper of my ptsd condition. I can cope a little better , I pay better attention to my son , I can actually eat and sleep too. and being In Surrey British Columbia its illegal . I do have a dispensary card , and trying to get a bc medical marijuana card. wish me luck .
Mikey March 27, 2013 4:46 pm (Pacific time)
I suffer from PTSD from the Gulf War. I was a heavy drinker and smoker for over 3 years. This was because something was wrong with me, but I didnt know what it was. The Navy said thank you for your service and that was that. Six years later I almost died from smoking and drinking. At one time I was taking up to 16 meds from the VA. I started smoking pot because I read where war vets were having good reactions from it. I am down to about 6 meds now. The reactions I get from pot lasts about 4 days along with meds. Medication came from plants many years ago. To me this is a something that needs to be made legal. Marijuana helps me sleep and controls my PTSD from erupting. If I had been able to do this years ago I probably wouldnt have been divorced 3 times. Its a medication so please make it legal!!
TomT September 22, 2012 5:14 pm (Pacific time)
I am a Veteran not diagnosed with PTSD but have friends that have the dianosis. Some of them use cannabis to help them and I see first hand how well it works. Someday the Federal classification and dogma associated with cannabis will be a thing of the past. I only hope to live long enough to see it with my own eyes.
switty March 30, 2012 12:41 am (Pacific time)
im tired of being a zombie, i turned to alchol less side effects.....smoked mary jane and found i felt less horror in my life while living it...im am ptsd dianosed permant disability..i want to live by the law and not do wrong so moving to another state so im not pressed to drink or worse do the drugs they perscribe to me. Im not a zombie and dont want to live my life that way. The green allowed me to sleep,no hang over,better outlook,and over all felt better bout myself...im a female vet what do i do? How do i do what i do legally????
mike April 2, 2011 7:30 pm (Pacific time)
Hey everyone im super late to this but I just recently got out of the marine corps as a 24 year old combat veteran of both iraq and afghanistan I have A crushed disk inmy back and my left shoulder is destroyed to the point of frozen shoulder I also suffered a TBI and have been prescribed about every medicing known to man to combat this I have recently started to use marijuana for medication and I have substituted every medicine that has been prescribed. I am now going to school full time and working full time cannabis has done this for me and I feel the Va and the fda needs to jump on board seriously it has to be about money what is the problem. Anyways that's my rant proud supporter of hollistic medicine
Spartan958 December 29, 2010 3:38 am (Pacific time)
I'm a 20 year vet suffering from chronic pain, anxiety/depression and PTSD. I also have Serotonin Syndrome. I do not drink due to cirrhosis caused by blood clots due to an injury. i take several maintenance meds for high BP, A fib, etc. Cannibis is the only thing I have tried where the side effects are far outweighed by the benefits. It's amazing all the hurting vets out there who could get relief but are not able to
Hopeful Army Wife November 18, 2010 2:01 pm (Pacific time)
It so saddens me that our government is not willing to help the thousands of suffering vets by allowing medical mj use!!! I am an army wife who self medicates for carpal tunnel. I use this instead of the vicodin. It helps me sleep at night and helps with nerve pain. My husband spent 6 months in Ramadi in 2007 and came back with PTSD, TBI and a crushed disk. His is taking prozak and ambien but I and he are not seeing much of a difference. I wish he was able to self medicate as well. I am tired of the screaming and night sweats!! God help us that our government will give these vets some relief!!
CAP October 15, 2010 1:25 pm (Pacific time)
Short and brief CANNABIS, helps we with PTSD after 3 years in combat LEGALIZE IT.
compton s fudan September 19, 2010 2:12 pm (Pacific time)
you wake up and realize one day that you are different from others. for me, it happened when i was forst married, at 37. i haven't maintained friendships. i seclude myself from people. i become hostile and deadly when confronted by pushy alpha males. i weigh 135 pounds. discovering what ptsd is at 43 is not what i planned in life. before if i lost control, i think i just disappeared from the lives of those around me. never saw them again. i am committed to my marriage and dont want to disappear. i am successful, own a house, and have three degrees. now i can add ptsd to the cv. ashamed that i am mensa, i add it only to convince you that i am not a pothead. it works to make me safe to be in public with my wife of 5 years and our two kids. i dont start fights. they have never been in danger of any kind. properly dosed, i no longer live in fear of beating to death any large jerks in suv's. legalize. please. other people need my relief.
Crump Juice, AZ September 5, 2010 1:34 pm (Pacific time)
I am an Iraq war Vet. I can tell you first hand that the VA is the biggest pill pushers that exist. I have done both routes, medical marijuana and pharmaceuticals, and mari j wins hands down. I have PTSD as well as several injuries including spinal damage in the neck with unbearable pain and spasms than are ever present. My pain is so unbearable at times it gives me nausea. Not only are the 6 different meds I take daily far more toxic than cannabis intake, they are seriously less effective in pain relief and mood stabilization. I have been on Ambien for sleep, recommended for use from 7-10 days, for 3 years now and have to take other sleep aids in conjunction with it. I am not the only Vet that has been on sleep meds for years on end! I have personally had a VA psychiatrist agree with, and admit off record, that cannabis is by far less toxic than the mountain of pills i have to take every day. Even the strongest muscle relaxers barely touch my pain from the spasms. I unfortunately live in Arizona, where they are about to pass the worst medical marijuana policy I have ever heard of! It will only be approved for terminal Cancer and HIV. I am currently licensed in the state of California for med mari-j, but am seriously considering moving to New Mexico. Thanks be to the voters of NM for leading the way on the use of cannabis for treatment of PTSD. I know I am not alone in the realization that it is the very best medicine known to date to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD most effectively.
Crump Juice AZ September 5, 2010 1:13 pm (Pacific time)
I am an Iraq war Vet. I can tell you first hand that the VA is the biggest pill pushers that exist. I have done both routes, medical marijuana and pharmaceuticals, and mari j wins hands down. I have PTSD as well as several injuries including spinal damage in the neck with unbearable pain and spasms than are ever present. My pain is so unbearable at times it gives me nausea. Not only are the 6 different meds I take daily far more toxic than cannabis intake, they are seriously less effective in pain relief and mood stabilization. I have been on Ambien for sleep, recommended for use from 7-10 days, for 3 years now and have to take other sleep aids in conjunction with it. I am not the only Vet that has been on sleep meds for years on end! I have personally had a VA psychiatrist agree with, and admit off record, that cannabis is by far less toxic than the mountain of pills i have to take every day. Even the strongest muscle relaxers barely touch my pain from the spasms. I unfortunately live in Arizona, where they are about to pass the worst medical marijuana policy I have ever heard of! It will only be approved for terminal Cancer and HIV. I am currently licensed in the state of California for med mari-j, but am seriously considering moving to New Mexico. Thanks be to the voters of NM for leading the way on the use of cannabis for treatment of PTSD. I know I am not alone in the realization that it is the very best medicine known to date to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD most effectively.
Chris August 14, 2010 8:52 am (Pacific time)
I'm an Iraq war vet and I have PTSD and hearing loss. Before I got help I was a mess. Flipped out all of the time, turned into an alcoholic, had non stop memories replaying in my head, fealt like I was being followed, and was severely depressed. Guess the wake up call was when I woke up in the VA phych ward. Guess I had a drunken flash back and almost took my life. Thank God my wife helped me by taking me in. I'm on Seroquel and Celexa now. It doe's help, but they never did help all of the way with the flashbacks. I now have a medical marijuana card and this is the best I have been since before the war. I work hard, can tolerate people, and take care of my family well now. For those that think marijuana use is bad you should seriously do a little more research.
Alucard August 8, 2010 4:04 am (Pacific time)
I reccomend trying MDMA (Ecstasy) - it was used to treat PTSD as well as couples relationship therapy. I did it 3 times and it cured my depression, self-loathing, fear, and pent up rage growing up behind the Iron Curtain.
bsc 11b May 12, 2010 12:51 pm (Pacific time)
i couldnt agree more with all that is said in all of your stories i to am on many meds for almost 3 years now for the same things explained above.im a vet myself,ive been to iraq and seen horrible things that i cant get out of my mind.marijuana does help me but like many of you have siad im not telling but i dont want to be considered a drug addict,MARIJUANA HELPS ME!!! god bless all of you.
Michael April 28, 2010 3:53 pm (Pacific time)
I have lost every disability and SSI case because of my using marijuana. Marijuana is the only thing that has worked for me for 40 years and I agree the pharmaceuticals make me a Zombie. Is the marijuana keeping me mentally ill and from working...THEY say yes. However, the reality is that if anybody did hire me, there would come a point in our relationship where I would exhibit inappropriate behavior or due to fatigue, not make it to work and in either case, not be employable. I doesn't seem I will ever win my disability or SSI and therefore will be poor. Very poor. What a waste.
ShawnC February 19, 2010 12:54 pm (Pacific time)
I have Sever PTSD I take 1,200 mg of Serquiel with other med to help me sleep,I have flash backs, panic attacks, Bi polar, and high Anxiety. My meds make me feel like I am in a comma state all the time. I have been on others meds but so far the Serqueil has help me a little. But I still don't like to out side or sleep at night. But when I smoke or eat Marijuana/Marijuana cookie I can go out side or hang out at a store or mall with out wanting to run with the high levels anxiety that I have being around people. But here in Kansas it is Illegal and I am afraid that some day I will get caught and go to jail for self mediating. With marijuana I live with out all the fear or paranoia that I have. I want to go back to work and stop relying on the monthly checks for SSI. I tried to find a way to get it through the government but I couldn't find anything here for Kansas. My meds would run me about 1,600 dollars a month with out my Medical Card. I believe that if Kansas was a state that had MM I would save the tax payers about 1,000 dollars a month. I am tried of depending on the state and the American tax payer for whats wrong with me. Its been nine years with this sickness and I wont to be better. I hate my life now and I lost every thing because of my illness. I and truely sorry if this doesn;t make any since but I and doing this on meds. My meds have very bad side effects. I wish all the luck to all the people here like me with PTSD. Peace and god bless.
Anonymous February 15, 2010 2:22 pm (Pacific time)
I am a 33 year old veteran USMC first 6 months after 9-11, I get out in 2004, and the world had changed for the insane, I will say that Marijuana has been a life changing drug, nothing the VA gives me works for very long, and then they just up your dosage, the side effects are horrible, I just went down there and got a solid copy of everything they got on file for me. I have told the VA that I use Marijuana but everytime i say anything they leap to the extreme and say that I am abusing it, and now I need theapy, OMFG these people are stupid, get with the NOW and learn something!!! Marijuana works for PTSD!!! Its helps in the recovery and through VA therapy, They dont need to know that you use, its not there buisness, if it helps, use it!!!! DNW
nemo January 15, 2010 1:28 am (Pacific time)
i have had ptsd for five yars, ive been on almost anti- depressent and anti-psychotic there is. the sad thing is that im only twenty, and the best thing ive ever come across where drugs that render you unconscious and pot. im currently trying to get the state of alaska to give ma a card. any ideas that would speed up the process would be nice.
Tod 2E November 19, 2009 9:36 pm (Pacific time)
I have had some PTSD since i was a child because of the beatings i took from my parents. And then i fought in the first and second gulf wars, somalia and kosovo from the front seat of a combat trains truck. I am a four time combat veteran not of the horrors of a "Vietnam" type war but of a cumulitive type that most Gulf war era vets dont know they even have yet or seem to notice or even talk about. It starts with the episodes of extreme outofcontrol anger and always for no reason whatso ever. You need anger with PTSD to get you motivated to do anything at all because you just have no engergy. The list of symptoms is long and lonely and Nothing the VA gave me even remotely worked. Welliburton, Celexa, Prozac. sleeping pills. What a night mare... until i realized that Marijuana works and works well. I am cured but steps would be taken too stop me and my little cure if I ever tried to once again get a real job. So i live alone and in poverty. End of story? Legalize MJ please because Its real medicine for some people.
James Barrett November 2, 2009 8:28 pm (Pacific time)
this is all going in a good direction! Im a 26 yrs.. OIF 100% sc.. for PTSD and other things but Pot has been the best thing ever I hate tacking a bucket of med everyday pots has made my life work the law is on the way of changing so hung in there guys
jill September 23, 2009 4:36 pm (Pacific time)
Hello,
Is there another email address for this doctor? The one provided is not working.
I suffer form severe PTSD. I have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist and am on SSI Disability because of it. I do not want to drink alcohol for many reasons. I tried antidepressants only to discover that I have Serotonin Syndrome, so I can't even take antidepressants. It was a horrible experience and it increased my anxiety and panic attacks. I have done much research and have read that Marijuana can help with PTSD. I tried it and it worked beautifully, without any side effects. I just don't want to engage in something illegal, so I do not use Marijuana currently. I also am a mother, so using Marijuana could risk me losing my children. CPS does not like mothers who use Marijuana for any reason. They do not bend on this. I feel that it will help my child in the long run to have a mother who does not have this anxiety. Having a toddler and PTSD is a difficult combination to deal with.
I ran into your article about Marijuana and PTSD online. I'm happy all of those Vets can use it and that you helped them. I'm wondering if you help people who have not served in a war, but who have PTSD due to severe abuse. I was so abused, that I suffer much physical pain too. I am allergic to Codeine and do not like the side effects of pain killers anyway. I have severe migraines, flashbacks, panic attacks and insomnia. Marijuana cured all of this. I had never tried an illegal drug before and don't want to again because of the risk of doing an illegal activity. I'm a law-abiding person. Is there any way you could help someone like me obtain a permit for Marijuana. I would not take it for recreation. It's against everything I believe in. I just really need help with my PTSD. I'm in counseling and that does help, but nearly enough. I've tried everything, including holistic treatments such as Yoga, Meditation, Kava and Aromatherapy. Nothing works and sometimes it seems as though my PTSD symptoms are getting worse. If you can't help me, could you perhaps point me in the right direction of someone who could help? Thanks, in advance.
Sincerely,
PTSD in Massachusetts
Editor: Hello Jill, I am sorry if our email is giving you a hard time, it has been coming up lately and we're trying to figure it out. We also have the address salemnewsroom@gmail.com and I will make sure to get you in contact with the doc, thanks!
Squirrel September 23, 2009 10:21 am (Pacific time)
I'm a 100% combat disabled Vietnam Vet. Besides the physical problems, I'm also rated 100% for Combat PTSD (approx. 30yrs now). I was a USMC sniper in 1969 and 70. I live in Texas where Cannabis is illegal, so I don't do it and wouldn't know where to find it. I wish I could. I do not have friends who are drug dealers so, it's not available to me. I know for fact that it has saved my life and sanity. For years I refused VA treatment and grew my own cannabis out of self defence. I'm so fed up with the VA that I'm about to tell them where they can put their pills and go back to secretely growing my own. Thank god I'm allergic to Prozac, but they have me taking benzodiazepines, oxycodone IR, etc. I'm ready to flush them all. I've spoken to Dr. Leveque and his observations and conclusions are correct. NOTHING takes away the nightmares and stress like cannabis. I wish the world would wake up, I need help.
Andrew May 11, 2009 5:40 am (Pacific time)
Cannabis is by far the superior drug. Also, for Gregorio, you should note that nicotine is more or less harmless--tobacco is not.
80% Disabled Vet April 18, 2009 9:38 pm (Pacific time)
For all who are quick to judge those of us who suffer from a form of psychosis you can hardly immagine, let alone empathize with us... concerning the blood, guts and gore that haunts us daily and nightly with halucinations, feelings of fear and anxiety, torturous and repulsive nightmares that cause us to wake - fighting and gasping for air while soaked in sweat, that we dare not repeat in the open public for fear of public persecution rather than provide the necessary help need to get us through the torment. You say that's hogwash, "Who's going to persecute or put down any vet who opens up and shares what's in his mind". I say... All will. All who've yet to experience the moment they had to track down their enemy, shoot him and knife him in a hand to hand "Up in your face" life and death struggle to the last breath of their opponent. Have you ever watched any one die? Did you have to dig out your military partners remains from under collapsed buildings and utilized the decaying body parts like a puzzle to piece back in the "most logical" order in a lime bag to be sealed and sent back home to Mom. What do you think that does to our minds? Are you people really that F'in niave that you can't even put yourself in a war vets position and come to the quick realization that they need some pretty heavy counseling and medication? I have many mental disorders from my graphic and gut wrenching experience (that I almost wish I could put on video for the niave and judgemental to imbed the horrific experiences in their mind to be played over and over again as they do in mine! Perhaps then, we vets who suffer like no other can receive what we need to survive. I have been poked and prodded in my mind for 8 years going on nine. September 11th is what brought on my PTSD. I have been experimented on for 9 years. The Veterans Administration has broken me down. Through the coctails of medicine constantly changing, my metabolism slowed down. It wasn't until 100 pounds later that I realized the medication was causing me to gain weight. The experimental medication phase kept me depressed. I didn't notice my weight, I didn't care about life, or anything else for that matter. One day we finally reached a coctail that worked for the most part. All my psychiatric issues were being resolved except one. The haunting, horrific nightmares that cause me to wake sometimes swinging to strike my wife. Thank God she understands and loves me enough to help me through this. As I continue to suffer from nightmares, etc, someone introduced me to Marijuana. My nightmares disappeared. I could sleep for the first time in years! I slept so peaceful I didn't want to get up! I freaked because this was the answer I was looking for that the VA couldn't find in the hundreds of pills I took. So my current coctail of medication combine with nightly use of Marijuana has made my life normal again. Judge me if you will. But remember... I was hated overseas for you... America... The gut wrenching images that polute my mind and the fear and anxiety that pierces me daily were all taken in the name of YOUR defense to maintain the freedom of each and every one of you. If you're going to judge me because THC heals my nightmares, then let me take you to my favorite third world country where they like to sodomize American men and gang rape American women. When you return, don't be surprised if the first thing you do is light up a joint. I don't want to smoke it. I'd rather just get it as a pill. It's the THC I need, not the tar and crap that goes along with it. America, be real please and have compassion over your vets. If they need THC to function like a normal person, then get out of their way, stop casting stones, and welcome them with open arms.
Elizabeth March 11, 2009 6:41 am (Pacific time)
I am not a vet of war, but a veteran of my childhood. I have had intense fears since the age of 2, nightmares since the first grade. I am 35 now. Using marijuana is the only way I have ever been released from the hell of my dreams. I am so thankful for it. I truly wish for it to be legal. I have sorrow for all that people suffer through, and just how blind that some can be to judge what they do not understand.
DJ March 1, 2009 12:09 am (Pacific time)
"CANNABIS" is the Correct name of the plant that grows everywhere, cash crop
Phil E. Drifter February 28, 2009 8:06 am (Pacific time)
Of course. Which is why it's illegal.
Anonymous February 14, 2009 7:40 am (Pacific time)
To friend February 13, 2009 9:59 pm I'm in East Tennessee.
MickeyD February 14, 2009 1:28 am (Pacific time)
I was prescribed Marijuana to help with nightmares from some very scary experiences in the jungles of VietNam. Here in California this is legal but the Feds keep saying it isn't. The marijuana helps me sleep and keeps the nightmares at bay. I only smoke one joint a day, half when I get home from work and half an hour before bed. So far my employer doesn't know or I could lose my job. As yet, with the very moderate dosages I take I haven't failed a drug test yet and have even passed a hair test so what my boss doesn't know won't hurt him but it sure does me a world of good.
Gregorio February 13, 2009 11:44 pm (Pacific time)
The war on drugs, esp. THC, is a complete farce. Alcohol kills more Americans any other drug except nicotine, yet these two are the legal drugs while THC remains forbidden. To deprive suffering people of help is the true crime. I am certain that some day Dr. Leveque will be vindicated and that day cannot come soon enough.
Ashley February 13, 2009 11:15 pm (Pacific time)
My father is a Vietnam veteran and a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He only recently started utilizing VA services and they, for a time, had him strung out on all sorts of pills, many of them exacerbating his already present problems rather than making them go away. Thank you so much for fighting for our vets; they shouldnt be treated like this.
friend February 13, 2009 9:59 pm (Pacific time)
vinnie - where in tn are you?
stalker February 13, 2009 7:52 pm (Pacific time)
Plus marijuana has far less side effects especially for the elderly people. Great relief for a wide range of issues.
Ryan February 13, 2009 6:15 pm (Pacific time)
Skipper, not that I know anything about the V.A. and their often less than ethical practices, however I wanted to point out that Oxycontin and Oxycodone are two different drugs. Oxycontin is a much stronger version that has a time release coating while Oxycodone (non-generic name is Percocet) is 5 mg Oxycodone with typically 325 mg Acetaminophen (Tylenol). It's easy to get the two confused but there is a major difference. I hope you find the solution to alleviate your pain. Best wishes.
casebolt February 13, 2009 4:19 pm (Pacific time)
Oxycontin has been slowly shifted out of the public prescription sphere after all the numerous drug busts relating to it in recent years. There's a reason it's referred to as "hillbilly heroin". A horrible drug that should only be prescribed for the most severe pain, and sparingly even then. Kudos to Dr. Leveque for being willing to try alternatives to the established medical norm. PTSD is a horrible condition that many doctors seem to be at a total loss to deal with. While each case may be different, perhaps expanding our treatment options will finally provide a measure of relief for those unable to find relief by other means.
Vinnie February 13, 2009 4:02 pm (Pacific time)
I am a Vietnam vet that just have been diagnosed with PTSD about 4 years ago. My Physiologist in the VA clinic told me she wished she could prescribe Marijuana for me but because of where I live in Tennessee that it's illegal. Hopefully some day in the near future this will change. Thank You for a glimmer of hope.
me February 13, 2009 3:44 pm (Pacific time)
oxycontin is oxycodone
FYI February 13, 2009 12:03 pm (Pacific time)
Oxycodone is a generic drug while Ocycontin is a time-release version and is a brand-name/patented drug...
I thought Dr. Leveque lost his license over the medical marijuana issue? Did he regain it?
Editor: Dr. Leveque has not sought to regain his license. To our great fortune, he is primarily writing articles for Salem-News.com. He still testifies in court as a forensic toxicologist. Dr. Leveque has written extensively about his experience with the Oregon Medical Board. You can search these articles on this site and Google by using his name and medical marijuana and Oregon Medical Board.
Skipper Osborne February 13, 2009 9:21 am (Pacific time)
It is interesting that Dr. Leveque said that the Veterans Administration prescribed Oxycontin; when I asked for it (I have cronic severe pancreatitis), the V.A. told me it was a "non-formulary drug, and that they do not carry it.?" I have been prescribed Oxycodone; What gives?
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