Submitted by Lamont T. from Richmond, Virginia

I am a 49-year-old retired Army combat veteran. I am from Richmond, Virginia and I have been dealing with chronic pain for over twenty years.

December 2004 while serving in Iraq, I was in a military vehicle accident involving a M984 HEMTT WRECKER in which the driver hit an embankment. Luckily, I was wearing my Kevlar and vest when I was thrown into the roof of the vehicle, causing me to hit my head and right knee, knocking me unconscious. The downforce of the accident was so great that upon impact the round in the chamber of my weapon and the magazine were ejected. I was holding my weapon and due to the downforce, I injured my right wrist which later I found out that I had broken my scaphoid which led to me needing four-corner wrist fusion.

Challenges I’ve Faced

The challenges I’ve faced were the loss of mobility due to multiple injuries and surgeries, which led to a bout of stress and depression.

After taking care of myself for so long now, having to rely on my wife to remember VA appointments, taking prescriptions, eating meals, and sleep schedules was also a huge challenge. Not being able to enjoy the activities I once enjoyed, such as basketball, fishing, and running, and even now typing this twenty years after the accident, is causing me to feel overwhelmed.

Treatments Prior to Cannabis

I tried numerous treatments prior to finding CBD and THC. I’ve tried painkillers, water therapy, steroid injections, tens unit, biowave, radiofrequency ablation, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatments all of which did not work.

Most of these treatments did not work for me due to me still serving in the military at the time. The painkillers and the other treatments, which would sometimes cause drowsiness and pain, did not work well with my job in the military, so I would stop taking them.

I’d heard of people getting great results from the use of CBD and THC for chronic pain but was reluctant to try them

Due to my actively serving in the military at the time, the use of CBD and THC would have ended my career. After being medically retired from the military, I could then try alternative treatments, and that's when Dr. Demetria Bates introduced me to and educated me on the benefits of CBD and THC.

My Positive Experience

At first, I struggled with the stigma of those who used Cannabis, mostly due to lack of knowledge; now, I recommend it to others who I feel could benefit from its use. I have plenty of positive experiences from using CBD and THC. My quality of life improved as a whole. I can exercise more, I'm more focused, and I'm able to enjoy activities with my youngest son and grandchildren.

Most Restful Sleep

I have tried several types of Cannabis, including CBDA, CBG, and THC Gummies, but by far, THC Tincture has worked best for me. 1ml 2 hours before bed gives me some of the most restful sleep I’ve had in years.

Prior to using CBD and THC, on average, I would get four hours of sleep at night; now, I’m more focused, experience less pain and average six to seven hours of sleep.

Before and After Cannabis

Before incorporating Cannabis for my chronic pain and anxiety, I rarely did the things I enjoyed due to the amount of pain those things caused.

After incorporating Cannabis, I have enjoyed more walks in the park with my youngest son, taken longer road trips with my family and just a better quality of life.

Cannabis has given me my life back

As a chronic pain sufferer for over twenty years, the use of Cannabis has allowed me to get back to living my life as I had prior to the accident. The walks in the park with my wife and youngest son are now a staple in my life. Cannabis has given me my life back and for that, I am grateful.

This is Lamont’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.

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