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Can Marijuana Be Recommended For Giant Cell Arteritis Related Headache?
Question: my sister has giant cell arteritis and has bery bad headaches. will marijuana relieve some of her pain?
Brief Answer:
Drugs as advised should be taken under doctor's prescription
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Giant cell arteritis related headache and visual involvement is usually managed by steroids in high doses primarily and steroid sparing agents like cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine may be used.
Other drugs like aspirin is also recommended for stroke prevention.
For headache you may additionally give some pain killers like amitryptiline, tramadol.
Marijuana can not be recommended for treatment.
If unrelieved by medications then should visit the neurologist for assessment regarding any other additional cause or factors leading to persistent headache.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Drugs as advised should be taken under doctor's prescription
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Giant cell arteritis related headache and visual involvement is usually managed by steroids in high doses primarily and steroid sparing agents like cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine may be used.
Other drugs like aspirin is also recommended for stroke prevention.
For headache you may additionally give some pain killers like amitryptiline, tramadol.
Marijuana can not be recommended for treatment.
If unrelieved by medications then should visit the neurologist for assessment regarding any other additional cause or factors leading to persistent headache.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
my sister said she has tried all of these meds with side effects complications and minumil help. tightening of the fascia in he head is a huge problem. cranial facral release gives minimal relief, but at least some. can't take pain meds with acetaminophen. doctors have no other suggestions for pain. she has been to the U of M in mich. and saw a rheumatologist who (from what i heard from my sister) was almost useless and had no recommendations.
she has been dealing with this for many years. is there anyone in the country that specializes in this? she REALLY needs help.
she has been dealing with this for many years. is there anyone in the country that specializes in this? she REALLY needs help.
Brief Answer:
Requires evaluation and examination by a neurologist and psychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
May be she is suffering from chronic tension type headache with or without giant cell arteritis.
Is she having bilateral headache ?
Any visual complains?
Sleep disturbances?
Stress?
She needs an evaluation by a neurologist and probably if required a psychiatrist for complete examination.
Amitriptyline, sertraline or other pain modulators can be used.
Botox injection may also be used if indicated after evaluation.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Requires evaluation and examination by a neurologist and psychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
May be she is suffering from chronic tension type headache with or without giant cell arteritis.
Is she having bilateral headache ?
Any visual complains?
Sleep disturbances?
Stress?
She needs an evaluation by a neurologist and probably if required a psychiatrist for complete examination.
Amitriptyline, sertraline or other pain modulators can be used.
Botox injection may also be used if indicated after evaluation.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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