Beka’s Canna-Story Part Three of a Three Part Series
At age 14, Beka (now 35) was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This is her Canna-Story.
The Introduction of Cannabis as Medicine
Beka’s condition was deteriorating and desperate for relief, she wanted to try cannabis. However, there was no way to know the quality or attributes of what was available since there wasn’t a legal medical cannabis program in Missouri. What they were able to try provided minor relief, mainly with stress and mental exhaustion. Then Andrew took a job in Oregon, where there was a well-established Medical Cannabis program. Beka talked to her doctor and he supported her trying it. Oregon had very high-quality cannabis and in less than a week they noticed a real improvement in her symptoms. Within two weeks of smoking medical-grade cannabis, her bladder control improved and Beka was taken off the bladder control medicine she swore she would take for the rest of her life!
Andrew has Crohn’s disease and in 2016 it flared up when he couldn’t’t afford his pharmaceutical medications because of a gap in access to his health insurance. Between his Crohn’s disease and Beka’s MS, they needed to take six months off to recuperate. Beka wanted to start moving her body and they began visiting the many local trails near them in Oregon. Andrew noticed improvement in her gait when she smoked cannabis. When she would start dragging her feet on their walks, he had her take another hit, and she was able to continue walking without drop foot issues. They decided to start experimenting with other cannabis products and tried RSO, a very potent cannabis medicine. They continued working on her endurance by going on regular walks and continued to see improvement. They did a lot of slow walking, using a cane and holding Andrew’s hand for support and saw her endurance levels continue to improve.
One year later, in 2017, she built up enough endurance to do the MS walk in Oregon. She had been in MS walks several times but was always pushed in a wheelchair. This time she was able to walk it with her cane, and although it was slow and painful, she completed the walk! Afterwards, she was determined to stop using the cane and Andrew started being her support while walking. A few months later, she took her first steps without a cane or any outside help – a first since 2009. For her 30th birthday party in 2017, she was able to walk through the door without the need of a wheelchair or cane. Instantly causing many guests at the surprise party to start crying tears of joy, especially her parents.
Every doctor told her as her walking deteriorated, she would never recover it and as Beka’s MS progressed, she would permanently depend on assistive devices to walk. Today she is able to walk on her own without assistance of any kind and they attribute it to cannabis! People who didn’t know her during the early days of her diagnosis, would never know she has MS or ever had severe walking impairments. It has been 21 years since being diagnosed – she started using cannabis in 2012. After the move to and having access to Oregon’s high-quality, medical-grade cannabis Beka saw dramatic improvements in her condition. She went from only being able to walk 50 – 100 steps to walking 1 – 2 miles. What was most unexpected was her doctors near disbelief and amazement at the improvement in her scans; it seems her disease is no longer progressing. She regained feeling in her legs and toes, which has helped her develop stumble recovery so she’s not falling anymore.
In April of 2018, Andrews pharmaceutical medicine for his Crohn’s disease was no longer effective. With his own health declining, he was having trouble working full time, so they decided to move back home to be closer to their support network.
Upon returning to Missouri, some of her doctors were unsupportive of cannabis use, but she visited a pain management doctor who encouraged it as a treatment option. He even spoke at a seminar where he recommended THC/CBD. Beka and Andrew were shocked to hear a doctor finally recommending cannabis in Missouri. Missouri’s Medical Marijuana program was approved in 2018 and they would soon have access to high-quality medical cannabis again.
Beka’s Doctor, who had not seen her in several years since her condition worsened, was shocked to see improvement instead of further deterioration. The doctor didn’t know what to do about it and said, “What do you need me for?! You are doing so much better all you need to see me for is to refill your prescriptions and your annual MRI.” Her neurologist was also shocked at the level of improvement and is now willing to authorize cannabis use for his patients.
Beka’s experience has led her to believe in the healing properties of cannabis as medicine. However, due to the limited research and availability of information, it is a trial-and-error process. She knows firsthand that it can be a challenge to figure out how to proceed with getting the right medicine while having to be your own advocate. She leads an MS support group where she is able to help people learn about the benefits of medical cannabis. The combination of THC and CBD helps her more than any other medications she was prescribed and can counteract many of the side effects they cause. Beka has found that tinctures, salves, and RSO have been the most impactful in helping her symptoms.
When asked what they would say to someone who wants to try cannabis as medicine, Beka and Andrew both agreed, “Dispensaries are the best resource for learning about different products, strains, and terpenes.” They also stressed the importance of high quality, medical-grade cannabis that has been tested. Oregon and Missouri have high testing standards that produce higher quality medicine and as the Missouri program develops and more products become available, we will see better and better medicine on the market. They recommend, “Trying medical-grade cannabis and to work with your budtender to help find what may work and ALWAYS start with a low dose and go slow.” Another notable point they made was that high THC is not necessarily what you need to see the benefits. They also suggested, “Beginners looking for help with chronic pain should try combining products that have both CBD and THC. Most importantly, don’t be afraid of trying it.”
Though Beka has seen dramatic improvement in her condition, she is still on eight different medications, all of which are for symptoms of the disease. She takes medication for the daily pain, memory issues, depression, migraines, and of course her MS meds her Mom told her she could not stop taking.
Andrew also found enormous relief from his Crohn’s disease by medicating with cannabis. Both of their families are now full supporters and even investing in medical cannabis because of the noticeable benefits. Their families know it is their medicine and the relief they get is unmatched compared to the pharmaceuticals prescribed. Despite the challenges she and Andrew face on a daily basis, they support each other and have a good attitude. Her family provided a lot of support and taught her to never give up from a very young age.
When I asked Beka and Andrew what they would say to people who disagree with cannabis, they said, “We’re not looking to get high, we use it for therapeutic reasons.” Beka says that smoking medicates her body, rather than making her feel high.
Cannabis Is Their Medicine!
Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this Patient story is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this Patient story [OR ON MHW’S WEBSITE]. Missouri Health & Wellness, LLC makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in this story [OR ON MHW’S WEBSITE] and if you choose to rely on any information provided by Missouri Health & Wellness, LLC (MHW), you do so solely at your own risk.
