Is it safe to use cannabis after surgery to relieve pain?
Going under the knife is never a good time. And no matter if it’s spinal surgery or tumor removal, surgery recovery can be painful. Doctors may prescribe opioid pain killers to treat pain after the procedure. But these drugs can be addictive and come with many side effects. As a result, many people want a different pain reliever. Relying on research that shows weed helps ease pain for other medical conditions, those who must get surgery want to know. Is it safe to use cannabis after surgery?
The opioid epidemic is no longer some shady secret. Many in the United States suffer an addiction to these powerful pain relievers.
But many of them began the road to their addiction after being prescribed painkillers like oxycodone or hydrocodone after surgery.
Though many surgeons now hope to prescribe less of these drugs, some patients still face the consequences of these prescription painkillers.
But how about weed? Is it safe to use cannabis after surgery?
It only makes sense that prior to getting sliced open that rolling up a fat J and smoking some THC and CBD would not only ease anxiety but also put you in a place of comfort.
But don’t smoke weed before getting into that surgical gown. Smoking can have negative effects with anesthesia,
Smoking can also increase the amount of coughing and sputum in a person which can be an issue for surgery. If a very loyal user of Mary Jane, it is crucial to tell the doctors and anesthesiologists about your use.
It may seem crazy to talk to your doctor about using pot, but it’s worth it for your health.
Plenty of research has shown the negative effects of prescribed opioid painkillers after surgery. But research is still in the works on the effect of weed use after a procedure.
Just across the pond in the UK, they have tested the effect of a cannabis plant extract for healing pain after surgery. This extract called Cannador was given to a total of 65 patients who had just recently had surgery.
The researchers gave them different levels of the drug. The results were clear and positive. As the dose increased, patients experienced less pain.
But Cannador did have some side effects like nausea or increased heart rate along with these higher dosages.
Still, cannabis showed it was beneficial for use after surgery, providing ideal pain relief with few side effects. Not to mention, cannabis is still also less addictive than opioids.
The medical industry and marijuana policy still have a long way to go before just anyone can get a weed prescription after surgery.
But for those who just had surgery looking to use weed to treat pain, consider healthier ways of getting high. Instead of smoking a joint or puffing on a bong bowl, try edibles, tinctures, or oils.
Coughing can interrupt the healing process. And even though you might be a master at bong rips, choosing something like vaping might keep your body more relaxed and open to healing.
No matter what, choose what works best for your pain management with your doctor.
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thanks for sharing.
Totally agree with your point "Know The Body" as every person have a different body and differ medical condition so before using or even think of using it consult your doctor.
And if one uses a quality product just to help with pain then there is no way of getting addicted.
And finally answer to your question Is It Safe to Use Cannabis After Surgery? Yes, totally worth a try.
I recently went through 2 surgeries on dec 7. I havent smoked weed in over 2 years. Never really liked it but back then i was trying it for pain. Was on pain meds for 18 years. But i packed a small bowl and had like 3 hits about 12 days after surgery. I did it prob 3 more times in a 2 week period. I cant even explain those 2 weeks. I do feel so bad for what i did to my husband. He actually thought i was having a breakdown and needed to be admitted to hospital. I was delusional and in a state of paranoia. I was accusing my husband of drugging me to make me look like i was nuts so he had a reason to leave me. My perception of things i was seeing and hearing was sooo messed up. And i would feel the affects for 2-3 days. We figured out that it was me smoking the weed that was doing it. But here is the kicker. I smoked it 2 days ago (trying not to think about previously) and it was a normal high. So at first we were thinking it was laced but now im trying to look up if it could have been a reaction or side effect of surgery and or medications from
Just had bunion surgery this morning 6/23, last week had my 1st ever colonoscopy. Both times hey said wait at least 24 hrs. Last week I took my normal cannacaps and rso with no issues. Today at least 10 hours after surgery, I'm taking my rso, just wanna relax.
Following any surgery that impacted core strength (like a laparotomy, thoracotomy, or laminectomy), I personally wouldn't want to indulge in any activities that might trigger coughing. The harms due to resultant pain and potential tearing of just-healing tissues, which would extend the necessary recovery time, would far outweigh any analgesic benefits to be derived. Hence I'd concur with the recommendation to restrict oneself to oils and edibles...
But i wonder, could the disruptions to the parasympathetic nervous system (dry mouth being just one of the impacts), which presumably would occur no matter the route of administration, delay healing somehow, such as through internal inflammation, cellular dehydration, or otherwise? If so, it would be advantageous for patients to be informed of the specific risks.
I had 2 back surgeries in 2019 (left sijoint fusion with ifuse and L5-S1 ALIF) and used medical marijuana as my primary pain medication. Opiates make me violently ill. I'm awaiting C5-C7 ACDF in November and again, medical marijuana is my daily pain medication, augmented by the occasional Tylenol and/or Zanaflex during a bad flare. It definitely works, at least for me.
Hi, I recently had my left shoulder replaced. I regularly eat 2 thc filled cookies per day and I also ingest CBD. I also ate 2 cookies the night before my surgery. As a result I was almost completely pain free. I never used the Percocet they gave me, just an ice pack occasionally. Btw I also smoke cannabis. My doctor said I’m strong, I say it’s the large amount of thc.
Hey i know this a year later but i just got surgery on my broken ankle. I am reading smoking Thc and cannabis is risky but i am used to using it as a pain reliever. Any suggestions on how i should go about this?
I feel like another thing that needs to be addressed is learning your strains and doing your research. I will always advocate for people to smoke the dank, but i feel like not enough people know about strains and what the different kinds of weed can do for you.
If you're gonna smoke, please try to get it from a dispensary or buy from someone who has their green card. With this you can get strains that are right for you.
Leafly is also a great source if your looking for information about strains and what they treat. It also has a review system so you let people know your experience and see others experience too.