Every so often, we hear a story that reminds us why we do what we do. Recently, a customer shared his story with us, and we were moved by the positive impact that cannabis has had on his life. In this blog, we’d like to share the story of Lee, a 51-year-old veteran with Parkinson’s who says cannabis has changed his life for the better.
Introducing Lee
Lee was born and raised in Houston and joined the army at the age of 17. He spent 6 years in the military and 12 years in the reserves. He’s married with five daughters, and for over 2 decades, he worked in oil and gas before being laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this extra time on his hands, he decided to finally get his shoulder checked out, which had been causing him pain due to all the physical labor.
The diagnostic imaging tests showed that Lee had torn his rotator cuff, but the orthopedic doctor saw something else that was even more concerning. Lee’s doctor recommended that he find a neurologist because the images were showing signs of young-onset Parkinson’s Disease.
Lee’s Struggle with Parkinson’s
Soon after this shocking revelation, Lee’s dominant side, his left side, began violently shaking at up to 120 BPM (that’s two full shakes per second). Despite having no symptoms weeks prior, his condition became immediately debilitating. After trial and error with different doctors, he found a neurologist that he liked and found a mix of prescriptions that started to ease his symptoms. “I was prescribed four different drugs and took roughly 15-18 pills per day, so I was living off of the stopwatch,” Lee shared.
About two years after his diagnosis, Lee underwent a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS), which involves implanting electrodes in the brain to treat movement disorders and other neurological conditions like Parkinson’s. “It’s basically zapping my brain in order to agitate the gland that produces dopamine so I can reduce the amount of pills I take,” Lee explained.
Though Lee’s symptoms were originally on just the left side of his body, he received implants on both sides of his brain to reduce symptoms that have migrated to the right side of his body. The procedure seemed to be improving his shaking and overall condition until he started developing bradykinesia. Bradykinesia is a disruption of motor movements, and in Lee’s case, it causes his entire left side to become rigid.
“My hand is stuck in this C shape, and my toes will sometimes curl up… I can lower the DBS so that it doesn’t shock my brain quite as much and cause the bradykinesia. But then the problem is that my shake comes on. So the choice is like, do you want to be punched in the nose or poked in the eye?” Lee shared.
Lee’s bradykinesia causes a deep, sore type of pain in addition to his other symptoms. “[The bradykinesia] is only half the problem. My lungs are shot, my anxiety is high, and I have chronic fatigue. I’m always tired because I’m always flexing. Another symptom of Parkinson’s is strange sleeping patterns. So I sleep 8-12 hours a day, but never in a row,” Lee said.
Lee’s Journey With Cannabis
After talking with his doctor, Lee decided to try cannabis as a more natural alternative to the pharmaceuticals he was taking, and he trusted Pecos Valley Production to walk with him on this journey. He’s found that consuming different strains throughout the day helps him with his pain and energy levels so he can do more things that he enjoys.
“When I take sativa strains, it calms down my left side, and it gives me a little bit of energy. For example, on the weekends, when I meet up with some friends, we like to watch college football games and play dominoes. So for that, I’m smoking flower, and I’m able to keep up with the group. But at night, I take Indica gummies. Last night, I didn’t take one, and I was up until 3:30 in the morning,” Lee shared.
Lee’s Message About The Healing Power of Cannabis
Lee has experienced firsthand how cannabis can be medically beneficial, and it’s frustrating to him to see how closed-minded people can be about it:
“I think people would be blown away with how many people they interact with daily that use marijuana. I don’t think the stigma will change right away, but it starts with the law. Then [cannabis companies] can put their money in banks and do normal transactions and take ordinary income and file normal taxes, and there can be more research and development. I don’t think it’s a gateway drug. I think it’s ridiculous. I think a lot of things behind it are very, very ridiculous.”
Providing Patients with Natural Relief at Pecos Valley Production Cannabis Dispensaries
Lee is just one example of the countless people we’ve been able to help through the transformative power of medical cannabis. With numerous success stories like Lee’s, we are proud to have made a positive impact on so many lives, offering relief and a renewed sense of well-being to those in need. Our dedication to supporting individuals on their journey to better health continues to drive our passion for what we do.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about how medical cannabis can be a life-changer, find a Pecos Valley Production near you and let us guide you on your journey to natural wellness.
*The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.*
