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Health Pain

Ask A Doctor – Migraines & Chronic Inflammatory Disease

Written by Dr. Leah Zachar

Migraines

Question: I know CBD is very beneficial for migraines. Why you think it helps?

Answer: Migraines are neurological. They are caused by alteration of metabolic activity at the area of the midbrain. The midbrain is considered the “migraine generator.” This alteration of metabolic activity results in a “spreading wave of depression” which travel to the occipital lobe (causing the visual aura), and may travel to the parietal lobe (which results in the symptoms of tingling), and sometimes also the frontal lobe (causing stroke-like symptoms).

Migraines improve on their own, without treatment, but the associated pain during the migraine can be incapacitating. CBD, which works centrally, can help alleviate the discomfort associated with the migraine.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Disease

Question: I have chronic inflammatory disease. I’m in constant pain & suffer from daily headaches. I also have epilepsy. I was told that all this is a normal side effect from having brain cancer, surgery & chemotherapy 3 years ago. I believe some of this is true, but I do not want to be heavily medicated for the rest of my life! Advice? I take Percocet as needed, Topamax, Imitrex, nortriptyline. They work sometimes but not always. How do I know what mixture of CBD will help me?

Answer: You have asked me many medical questions. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is often considered the chronic form of Guillain–Barré syndrome. Symptoms include fatigue, general malaise, and peripheral tingling sensations.
Treatment is usually with centrally acting agents including antiepileptics, antidepressants, and opioids. It is one of the most frustrating diseases to treat in the medical community because, so little is known about it.

However, CBD (cannabidiol) is recommended as it does not have any significant interaction with any of the medications you mentioned and as your disease is “central” and CBD works “centrally”, it will help you.

The CBD Testers Ask A Doctor sessions are free events happening every Thursday at 1 EST. Join the group below….

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If you liked these questions and answers and want more, why not check out the Q&A from the ‘Ask A Doctor – CBD & Opioids, CBD Dosing For Pain

[Image credit- Pixabay]

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About the author

Dr. Leah Zachar

Dr. Leah Zachar, M.D. is a physician who worked for nearly thirty years in Internal Medicine.
She currently is a scientific adviser to CBD Testers. Dr. Zachar believes that there is much that medical cannabis, and cannabidiol in particular can offer to traditional medicine.