Today we talk to Kimberly, a stylist and mother in her 30’s who uses cannabis and CBD to treat her neurological disorders like Narcolepsy, idiopathic neuropathy, and hypothyroidism. Here’s her story:
By: Kimberly Regalado
I was not fond of weed growing up and even into my 20s. I worked extremely hard and it was never something I even thought about.
Now, I’m in my 30s. I’m a Wife and Mother. I’m a Stylist. My prime right?
I suffer from Narcolepsy, idiopathic neuropathy and hypothyroid
ism. It’s been a whirlwind of doctor visits and American Medicine.
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Every couple of weeks a set of new pills. At one point I was on 20 meds and maybe two of them were important, but many just created more problems.
My hands would go numb and my arms would drop without warning during an appointment with a client.
I was scared and embarrassed all at the same time. Nine years of doing hair and now I cant perform??!
I started being unable to walk to the bathroom and most days up the stairs because my muscles didn’t want to keep going.
Due to hypersomnia/narcolepsy, this was probably the most scary of my symptoms. I’d be driving then all of a sudden a huge fog would come over my eyes and my brain would stop functioning.
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I’d “wake up” and I’d be parked at my job or home not knowing how I just got there.
Relentless headaches seemed to be intertwined into all of it, weight gain and painful sex. I could go on but you get it. It’s effects are felt in all parts of my life at this point.
I started researching to see if there was anything else I could do, and CBD popped up a lot. The science just made sense.
My walls started to come down. My mind started to open. Could this be for me??! I tried it. I tried a few different milligram options and a couple different companies.
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I saw hope but it wasn’t enough to manage my body. I do, however, give small doses weekly to my son instead of ADHD meds.
He’s had asthma and sugar intake issues. CBD has changed his little life!
So that means cannabis was next. Though the stigma in Texas, the laws, and the overall lack of knowledge kept me from it for longer than I should have.
I tried it. Best decision ever.
I remember the first time I tried it, I’ll never forget that night. I had used some flower and, of course, had no idea what strain it was, but within seconds my brain was clear, my hands moved freely, my legs worked! I was sold.
Every day I find more that it helps me with. Ive been able to stop all but one of my medications.
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I’m not symptom-free but the pain management and body function I now have is more than enough for me.
I’ve become very diligent in my search for the perfect strain. I’ve narrowed down what times of day I use cannabis or CBD and how much.
I’ve learned and I’m still learning. I can’t help but smile at the future and all that is being found out about cannabis and its healing and preventative ways.
For me, over the course of of these next few years, I will not let my illness or stigma of this beautiful plant, keep me from living life with my little family.
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