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AIBU?

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Original poster

Flying with Cannabis oil

33 replies

Ansumpasty · 03/04/2018 09:52

My husband is early 30s with spinal problems. Doctors have prescribed him dihydrocodiene (sp?) to take 4 times a day, indefinitely. GP advised not to operate due to risks involved and sees no problem with a young man being on these tablets for the rest of his life.
I have a problem with it. I take CBD oil myself for anxiety and IBS and have found it brilliant. I know that many take it for pain and I’m going to try and convince my husband to give it a go. Obviously, he will need a lot stronger of a dose than I take.
Only problem is, he works abroad and travels to and from Europe continuously. Can you fly with CBD oil? I’m talking about the legal kind with no THC in. Thanks!

OP posts:
pannikin · 03/04/2018 09:53

Why do you have a problem with dihydrocodeine? I am on that myself for severe pain.
Yes it's not ideal but it does the job. It's up to your husband, surely, and if he's aware of the risks what's the issue?

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 03/04/2018 09:57

The issue is that it’s not good for him. It makes him massively constipated (I’m talking sometimes 8 days between going the toilet) even on laxatives. He also gets codiene headaches that last for weeks and make him vomit. He’s topping up with paracetamol just to try and take the edge off the codiene headache. Doctors then recommended cutting out one dose to ease the headache but he then gets awful leg ache withdrawal pains, even in that short time. It’s not good and it concerns me

OP posts:
ElderflowerWaterIsDelish · 03/04/2018 09:57

Of course the airport will pull you up of they find it on you, cannabis is illegal in the uk, and depending on what country you are flying to you could end up in prison as whether it's in oil form or other forms it's still contains cannabis and is still an illegal drug...why don't you go to the dr and get a prescription of something legal for your ibs and anxiety...it would be easier than potentially getting in trouble

pannikin · 03/04/2018 09:58

Yes ok I understand that, a major risk is addiction and I too get withdrawal symptoms when I've taken it a few days in a row but for me its a benefit / risk thing, I absolutely cannot function with the level of pain I have.
I've heard good things about CBD although not sure about taking it abroad - I think there's a few groups on Facebook for it. You could ask on there?

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 03/04/2018 09:59

elderflower I think you are confused. Cannabis oil is legal in the UK and they sell it in Holland and Barrett Hmm

OP posts:
pannikin · 03/04/2018 10:00

Elderflower CBD oil is not illegal! it's different from medical marijuana. OP I would consider looking for a specialised group or forum
You will just get uneducated posters like the above who have no idea what they're talking about re legalities.

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 03/04/2018 10:01

Thank you Pannikin and sorry to hear about your chrinc pain Flowers

OP posts:
Original poster
Ansumpasty · 03/04/2018 10:02

*chronic!

OP posts:
Shockers · 27/04/2018 06:56

I searched the threads for CBD as I have suffered from chronic hip pain for the past 3/4 years and it’s getting worse. I have done some research, but would like to know if there’s a brand which people who use it recommend. I’m quite excited and hopeful!

MyotherUsernameisaPun · 27/04/2018 07:03

Sorry to hear about this, OP.

I think you should probably ask the relevant airline for their policy, and also check the drug laws of any country he's flying to. Within the EU I don't imagine he would have any problems but I would be very cautious about taking it to any country with strict drug laws.

Incarnationsofunderstanding · 27/04/2018 07:06

Not to be skeptical but if they sell it in Hollanf and Barret and he's in such severe pain he is on prescribed high dose pain medication is it really likely to do the same job?

madamy · 27/04/2018 07:07

I don't know the answer to the cannabis oil question, but I certainly wouldn't take a GP's opinion on surgery as a given. Has he seen a spinal surgeon? They would be able to talk through risks and benefits of surgery. His pain control advice is a bit crap too. Should be on regular paracetamol and then dihydrocodiene on top of that. Also, is there a reason why he's not on an anti-inflammatory eg ibuprofen/naproxen?

user1471549672 · 27/04/2018 07:07

Has he tried taking paracetamol four times a day with additional dihydrocodeine if he is still in pain. Potentially needing less dihydrocodeine which should ease the constipation.

ny20005 · 27/04/2018 07:13

Cbd is fine to fly with but needs to be under 100ml

PenApple · 27/04/2018 07:18

As an aside I’ve just started using this for pain, and struggle not to throw up it’s so vile - any tips on taking it?

HerbWoman · 27/04/2018 07:28

Are you holding it under the tongue for a couple of minutes PenApple? If you're really struggling with the taste, you can buy it in capsules but it isn't as well absorbed in capsules as it is when taken sublingually, and of course will be more expensive.

Emily7708 · 27/04/2018 07:33

PenApple we use Charlottes Web Everyday in chocolate mint flavour, it’s much easier to take.

PenApple · 27/04/2018 07:35

Yes holding it under tongue, I’ll have a look at those thanks. Was £20 for this tiny bottle though so want to use it haha.

I did have a sweetie ready straight after swallowing but could still taste it 😷

kissthealderman · 27/04/2018 07:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Graphista · 27/04/2018 07:39

I don't know about cbd oil but have a similar set of circumstances to your dh.

Spinal injury that's too risky to operate on. Yes assessed by surgeons not gp. Risk is I'm currently still upright and mobile in technical terms (sonetimes need a stick or crutches) but the surgery because of the exact nature and location of the problem is 50/50 SMALL improvement or end up in Wheelchair or worse.

Has he been referred to a pain clinic? Has gp even considered other pain relief? There's lots of options BUT I believe dihydrocodeine is cheaper. Call me a cynic...

Also has he been offered other support that would help? Physio has been part of my treatment at times too.

Not saying to not try the cbd oil - I'm considering it myself for another condition. But to also make sure he is getting full support from nhs.

MaggieFS · 27/04/2018 07:43

Well if it's legal in the UK you'd be fine to exit via UK airports and then you'd need to check online it was legal for each individual country he's flying into so he doesn't get arrested on arrival.

No general or quick answers to that one.

bluerunningshoes · 27/04/2018 07:43

if he is flying out of europe regularly then he needs to check what medication is illegal in the countries he flies to, including stop overs.

opioids (including codeine) is illegal in many middle eastern countries for example.
no idea about cannabis oil, but can imagine that some countries don't allow it either.
he needs to check.

maxthemartian · 27/04/2018 07:47

He just needs to check about legality in each individual country he is flying to. Most of the EU is okay. The Gulf for instance very much not!
The Holland and Barrett stuff is very mild and there are much better brands out there but it's great that its being normalised so that people won't make uninformed statements about it being illegal.

kissthealderman · 27/04/2018 08:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Flowerpower321 · 28/04/2018 08:10

I use simply cbd. They do various strengths, you have to start with a small dose and build up gradually, not just go straight in with the strongest. It’s reduced my steroid dose enormously.