Patients with rheumatic conditions often suffer from related chronic pain. When first-line traditional medications such as acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory medications do not suffice, then other options are needed. The traditional medications may ultimately not provide sufficient pain relief, or alternatively, they can pose as a contraindication due to underlying hypertension, renal, and/or ...

Street drug analysis became a valuahle treat­ rnent tool during the "Summer of Love" in 1967 when thousands of young people flocked to San Francisco's Haight-Ashhury district and began "turn­ ing on" to a variety of unknown substances includ­ ing "peace pills." Adolescents with acute toxic reactions were walk­ ing into the walls of the Haight-Ashbury Free Med­ ical Clinic, and the counselors' u...

Forty-one patients undergoing outpatient anaesthesia and operation were studied. Nineteen received inhalation agents. Twenty-two received narcotics. Up to one hour post-operatively, patients who received inhalation anaesthesia performed significantly better than did those who received narcotics. After 60 minutes there was no significant difference between the two groups. It is suggested that na...

BACKGROUND The use of medical cannabis is increasing, most commonly for pain, anxiety and depression. Emerging data suggest that use and abuse of prescription drugs may be decreasing in states where medical cannabis is legal. The aim of this study was to survey cannabis users to determine whether they had intentionally substituted cannabis for prescription drugs. METHODS A total of 2,774 indi...