I'm a 49-year-old professor, herbalist, and retired nurse residing in Southern Oregon. In 2012, after suffering a complex health collapse, my list of diagnoses included autoimmune Lupus. My symptoms of Lupus included chronic renal failure, fatigue, brain fog, with joint inflammation and pain.

My ability to function was severely impaired due to the severity of my symptoms

In 2013 my physician labeled me "totally and permanently disabled." Pain management was my initial goal for trying Cannabis therapy, as an alternative to harmful opioid pharmaceuticals, which was complicated further by associated sleep impairment and fatigue. My pain included daily headaches with light sensitivity, joint pain, and malaise (lymphatic inflammation).

Prior to trying Cannabis, I was taking multiple pharmaceuticals

Including Lupus medications Prednisone and Plaquenil. Prednisone side effects include mania, sleep disruption, skin fragility, and Cushionoid Syndrome (facial swelling).

As my use of Plaquenil continued, my eyesight acuity began to decline as an expected side effect. This protocol was not working effectively, and the next planned intervention proposed by my Rheumatologist was Methotrexate, which entails a life-threatening side effect: cancer.

As a nurse, I was very motivated to find better solutions to address my pervasive health issues and their negative impact on my life.

I wasn't educated on the EndoCannabinoid System or Cannabinoid Science in nursing school, so my success was a lucky happenstance

I started Cannabis in 2013 when the only products available were homemade quality THC and THCa. I was not privy to competent medical guidance, my husband's grower friend donated trim so he could make FECO for me. The cultivar he grew happened to be an excellent match for my primary goal of pain management.

I personally didn't harbor stigma against Cannabis

This was my preferred recreation tool during my 20s since swapping to Cannabis alleviated the "hangover" effect I previously experienced with alcohol. In retrospect, although my intention for Cannabis use was social relaxation without the next-day impairment common to alcohol, this also provided likely harm reduction. This likelihood is supported by alcoholism being prevalent in my inherited genetic lineage, and Cannabis decreasing my alcohol consumption, which thereafter was limited to rare occasions.

Since becoming a Cannabis patient, which evolved my career focus to a medical Cannabis consultant and educator, I have experienced significant stigma both from my immediate family and the mainstream medical community at large.

Currently, I use a wide variety of Cannabis products

During the day, I take a non-intoxicating and pain-targeted tincture blend including a 1:1:1: ratio of CBD, CBG, and THCa totaling 60mg. In the evenings, I add a tincture of THC (75mg), CBN (5mg), and Beta-Caryophyllene (250mg), plus a homemade THC chocolate edible (30mg) when extra support is required.

Before incorporating Cannabis for my condition

I was barely functional, with some days spent bed-bound. Pain, fatigue, and brain fog captured much of my energy, such that maintaining a normal daily routine was extremely challenging and impossible some days.

After incorporating Cannabis 

The pain that drained my energy decreased, my sleep and chronic fatigue improved, plus the brain fog lifted - which, of course, is the opposite of the Cannabis stigma.

About 6 months after starting daily THCa and THC intake, my Lupus labs seroconverted, reflecting that I no longer qualified for the diagnosis of Lupus. Thereafter, I was able to discontinue the use of both Plaquenil and Prednisone, further improving my overall health by relieving the corresponding side effects of those medications.

As a nurse, my seroconversion of Lupus got my attention

This does not occur using the mainstream medical approach. My own health experiences were the driving force for my subsequent deep-dive into medical Cannabis research, where I learned about this subject that was omitted from my nursing school curricula. Finding research that specifically explained my Lupus seroconversion, reflecting that THC is immunosuppressive, and can calm the self-attack we label autoimmune.

This fed my passion for Cannabis and my evolution to becoming a Cannabis cultivator, patient consultant, and medical professional educator, including my serving as a University professor teaching college courses on this topic. Following patient needs has guided my path with Cannabis, both as a patient and an educator, and I'm thankful for every minute of this journey.

This is Janna’s personal story and not meant to be medical advice. It is for informational purposes.

To work with a medical Cannabis professional, please visit our directory of coaches, educators, and medical professionals. Everyone's Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is different; good results start with the right approach. You don't have to figure it out on your own.

If you need help with any terminology in this article, you may find some answers in our glossary.