From the age of 48, I felt it every day: the stabbing pain in both wrists. Holding or lifting things became a burden. The doctors made various diagnoses such as osteoarthritis and tick bites. But the treatments didn't help me much. They were probably misdiagnoses.
I couldn't relieve the strain on my joints. Because every day I worked on the construction site and planed the asphalt surface from the road with a large paving cutter. The machine I used for this is a colossus: around 26 tons. It took me around a quarter of an hour to climb down from this 3 meter high vehicle in the evening! My wrists reacted so sensitively and painfully to strain. I got used to taking painkillers in the morning. And if I knew I was going to have a tough day, I would increase the dose just in case.
New diagnosis and strong medication
I am someone who focuses on the good in life. That's why I was able to somehow suppress the pain. Until, at the age of 51, they shook up my everyday life with full force. I suffered a severe attack of pain. You can imagine it like a strong flu: all my joints hurt like hell and every movement is torture. I was immediately admitted to the hospital in an emergency. After some tests, the medical team made the diagnosis: rheumatoid arthritis. This is a chronic inflammatory disease. It restricts the affected joints and can even destroy them completely.
I then reduced my workload to a few percent of the job. Luckily the IV supported me financially.
To reduce my inflammation and pain, the doctors prescribed me the basic drug methotrexate indefinitely. I was also treated with cortisone. I was actually only supposed to take this medication for a few months. But two years after I stopped taking the cortisone, the next attack of pain came. I had to undergo further cortisone treatment. It almost seemed like I was addicted to it! With each attempt to reduce the dosage of the medication, my condition worsened.
CBD drops bring improvement
My sister, who works in the medical field, recommended CBD to me one day. She explained to me: “You won’t get any side effects from this. It is pain relieving and anti-inflammatory.” So I thought to myself: I'll try this out! I took 2x5 drops of the CBD mixture every day. Within 5 months I was able to successfully taper off the cortisone without suffering a relapse.
When I told my doctors about the effective therapy, they reacted very differently. From “This is a substitute drug” to “Try it. Nothing bad can happen anyway,” is all I heard from them. Of all people, the rheumatologist had no opinion on CBD. He never gave me a recipe for it. The health insurance company wouldn't cover the costs anyway.
A medication that I like
The remedy, which causes uncertainty among doctors, enables me to lead a self-determined life. Today it's been three years since the last bout of pain. I still feel my wrists every now and then. But overall I'm calm.
I have now been able to find a CBD strain that tastes good. My chosen mixture contains 20 percent of the herbal active ingredient. After taking it, I don't feel any change in perception and the joint pain goes away. What more do you want?
Finally a life to my liking again
Today I can even knead large amounts of bread dough without feeling any pain in my hands. I am already known throughout the neighborhood for my fragrant spelled bread. Since I retired, I have been baking and cooking a variety of delicacies for her.
With the help of CBD, I can live my life the way I want again. I hope that I continue to do well.
