Medical Marajuana

My experience... I'm 48 now and started using MM about 2yrsago.  I was diagnosed with complex partial seizures about 18yrs ago and Iremember something from back in childhood too.  Probably like the rest ofyou, I have had all sorts of medications and I began a series of surgeriesabout 21/2 years ago and then stopped.  Previously I had about 3-4 seizures a month and in recent years the side effectsfrom the meds have gotten a lot worse- sore body, depression, tired,anxiety...  The mood changes and problems with concentration are the mostdifficult.  For a time I wasn't sure which was worse, the seizures or themeds.  After my first surgery (and before surgery number two and three) I tried MM,not really thinking it would do much but realizing that this was my lastopportunity try it and see if it would have any helpful effects- and If I wouldbe able to avoid surgery!  I tried it, didn't expect much, and then about6weeks later I realized I hadn't had any seizures and I had simply felt betterthan I had in years.  My joints and muscles didn't hurt and it was a bighelp in managing my irritability and general level of anxiety.  After1-1/2 years I tried dropping one of two medications (I was taking lamictal and zonogram)which has had a BIG effect.  My head was now clearer, I was generally morepresent and aware and I didn't feel depressed like I had been (although Ihadn't realized how I'd been feeling or  the full effects of mymedications until I stopped one).  I now have one seizure every 3-4 months(and there's usually a contributing circumstance- lack of sleep, not eating...). The negative effects of the MM have been that it can affect my memory andconcentration a bit (while I'm on it)...and there are sometimes I just don'twant to be high but need to be.  This is much better and a lot easier thanmy previous treatment...more seizures and the side-effects of the two medstogether.  I spoke to my doctor before I began MM and before I stopped my med.  Shewas not supportive of either at the time...which made it a bit more difficultto do.  Now after seeing the effects, she has acknowledged thepositive changes ... and told me she signed a petition in support of MM and MMresearch.  I'm excited (and a bit amazed) with the changes in myhealth...although a little troubled that were without the support of mydoctor.  Since this I have learned that, as a doctor of her hospital, she cannotrecommend or prescribe MM because of the threat of federal laws; her hospitalcould lose access to federal money and she could lose her med license (this isfederal).  Because of this she cannot recommend/prescribe MM... andbecause of this I could have missed my opportunity to make some positivechanges in my health (an uncomfortable thought now).  Currently there's not much research on MM (its schedule-1 so research has notbeen allowed) but a lot of anecdotal evidence and some studies that have begunin the last few years.  There are also a few documentaries out on MM and alot of info on the web to help understand it better for yourself.