31 Days of CF: Gemma’s Story

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by Luisa Palazola |

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Day 9 of 31 Days of CF⁣⁣ Topic: Medicinal Marijuana ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We asked @gem.mcl to share her experiences: ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I go to college in Durango, CO, where I study theatre, singing, and creative writing. Because marijuana is legal where I live, I have had the opportunity to explore new cannabis-infused options to help treat multiple CF symptoms that I have, as well as my depression and PTSD. With my pulmonologist’s permission, I wanted to see if it would help with symptoms that have been hard or impossible to treat.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ CF lungs are fragile, but there are safe options that do not involve inhaling the product, like: lotions, edibles, drinks. I have found that my stomach & joint pains are alleviated when I use cannabis. Marijuana is also known for the iconic “munchies,” because it induces hunger. Everyone with CF knows how important eating huge amounts of calories is, but often, my depression gets the best of me and I have trouble with motivation to eat as much as I need to. Cannabis helps tremendously.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It has also impacted my ability to thrive despite having severe depression and PTSD. For years, I took pharmaceutical psychiatric medications and therapies that didn’t seem to help me as I needed them too, so I tried to see if medical marijuana would help me. In addition to a solid support system and a peaceful living environment, I have found that my use of cannabis has greatly eased my symptoms of mental illness. I no longer struggle with severe suicidal thoughts or suffer from debilitating anxiety. It calms me down to a point so I can function and allow myself to live, instead of focusing on past trauma or what makes me really depressed.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Marijuana affects everyone differently. For me, cannabis has improved my quality of life and I use it medically. However, be advised that it is not for everyone. For some people, it can worsen mental illness and cause severe panic and anxiety. People with CF should also talk to their physician when considering trying using marijuana. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician

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About the Author

Luisa Palazola avatar
Luisa Palazola Luisa Palazola is a 25-year-old with CF living in Memphis, Tennessee. She injects her perspective as a Hispanic woman and her love for life and stories in all her interactions. In her downtime, she's learning Portuguese and is an avid coffee lover.

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