When it’s about your wellness, you should be able to talk openly with a reputable medical marijuana doctor. Unfortunately, patients may be reluctant to talk with marijuana physicians because of the topic’s stigma. It isn’t surprising that very few people would be comfortable conversing with strangers on controversial issues. Worse, when the subject is cannabis, its stigma can be severe; thus, many people choose not to broach the topic. If anything, medical cannabis is only legal in certain states.
However, many physicians are willing to listen to their patients and help them access medication. Here are a few essential things to know when planning to talk about medical cannabis with your doctor:
Prepare Your Questions Or Concerns
Preparing for a medical marijuana appointment is like any other doctor’s visit. You don’t need to be an expert on the subject, but reviewing your questions and concerns with a trusted friend or loved one can help you cover everything you need. Write down any questions or concerns you have.
Be Open And Honest With Your Physician
Many people have grown up knowing that the use of marijuana is wrong or immoral. Medical or not, you may have avoided using this substance by all means. And while you want to be open and honest with a physician, you may be hesitant because of the stigma surrounding cannabis. However, according to research, patients who are open and honest with their marijuana doctor often get better care.
Being open means you talk with your doctor about any health problems that concern you, not just the ones they ask you. Your doctor will be able to give you better care if you can answer questions fully and freely, especially when discussing your marijuana history. Note that your doctor will need all the information possible to get an accurate diagnosis.
Stay Clear With Your Goals
Getting ready to meet a marijuana doctor involves having the right frame of mind, including having your objectives clear beforehand. It is advisable to know why you need medical marijuana before scheduling an appointment. Get clear about the symptoms. The doctors will ask a few questions to get a perfect diagnosis, after which they will determine if, indeed, marijuana will be helpful to alleviate your condition. It also helps them decide whether you need a different dosage or not and the method of administering the medication.
Furthermore, don’t forget that even though the law may not require you to have a condition in some states, it’s essential to apply for the medical cannabis card and show proof of why you will be in dire need of this treatment
Share Your Medical History
Marijuana can treat countless medical conditions. It is essential to share your medical history with an experienced doctor so they can prescribe the proper medical marijuana treatment. Your treatment history allows doctors to provide the best possible recommendations while ensuring the highest safety and efficacy.
They can also diagnose and treat conditions that can worsen your situation or affect the effectiveness of their medications. You should also review the medical records from previous health care providers and be prepared to share them with a medical marijuana physician during your appointment. It’s ideal for providing you with custom treatment solutions.
Give Examples Of Symptoms You’re Experiencing
When going in for your medical marijuana evaluation, it’s best to tell your doctor about your symptoms. Some symptoms may seem like they don’t apply to your condition. Still, the doctor will be able to consider all of the symptoms combined to determine what strains and products are most appropriate for your specific situation.
Share Details On Previous Medications
It’s essential to share what medications you have tried in the past so that the doctor can make a more informed recommendation, especially if other physicians have diagnosed you with conditions such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD.
At the same time, if you have any potential allergies or drug interactions with other medicines, ensure that you discuss this with your marijuana doctor so that they can prevent any issues from arising. Otherwise, medications that interact or conflict with one or more of your other medications can worsen your situation or increase anxiety, depression, or sleeplessness.
The ability to reach out to your physician and discuss medical cannabis is essential. The more you know about it and its laws within your state, the better you will get at holding relevant conversations. As a patient, you shouldn’t feel intimidated or apprehensive about cannabis because it’s a natural alternative to many harsh medications prescribed for chronic pain.
