A Desperate Search for Relief: Navigating Pain and CBD- Unveiling Remadie Part II
After the closure of the Behavioral Health department in early March 2020 due to the 'Shelter in Place' order, our search for an alternative pain relief solution became more urgent. Dennis' overdose marked the end of his pain medication prescriptions. We grasped the gravity of this order in the battle against Covid-19 as the daily death toll surged. Like many others, fear gripped us—fear of contracting the virus and dealing with its consequences. The stark reality was that Dennis transitioned from 'in-patient care' to my care at home. Initially hoping to escape his relentless pain, he now carried that pain with him. What actions could we take, and what role would I play in this challenging situation? In these moments, our belief in a 'higher power' became our guiding light, a source of strength during this trying time.
As we grappled with this new reality, we started hearing a lot about the potential benefits of using CBD for various medical issues. I learned that CBD was derived from marijuana and had become legal for general use. For me, someone who had been "clean and sober" for 41 years, anything related to marijuana or cannabis was an absolute no-go. However, desperation can drive you to consider things you never would have otherwise.
I vaguely remember that we had purchased a small bottle of CBD from a health food store before the "shelter in place" lockdown began. Dennis might have tried taking it orally a few times, but I couldn't recall any significant relief for him. That's when our quest to find the right CBD for pain relief commenced. I can't even count how many different brands we experimented with until, finally, I stumbled upon a compounding pharmacy that recommended a specific brand of CBD isolate. The term "isolate" meant that all the THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, had been removed. It seemed like we had finally found a solution to help alleviate his constant pain, but instead of ingesting it, we decided to apply it directly to the painful area on his back. It made sense, given the multitude of products claiming to provide relief when applied topically that filled our shelves.
However, within mere seconds of applying the CBD to his lower back, both my hand and Dennis's back turned beet red and began to burn intensely. This initial attempt proved to be a resounding failure, signaling the beginning of our quest for pain relief. Recognizing the need for an effective pain relief solution that didn't cause skin irritation or burning, I embarked on a series of experiments. I sought to mix the CBD with various bases, incorporating elements that could deliver the purported properties of pain relief without harming the skin.
As I delved into these experiments, it became clear that our journey to find relief was far from over.