Medical cannabis

[thesootherfairy]

Anyone else here tried medical cannabis?

I'm currently trying it. I suffer from chronic pain from ankylosing spondylitis with lots of peripheral symptoms.

I tried 9 different anti inflammatory drugs and lot of others for pain.

The clinic I spoke to were really helpful. I got my prescription about a month ago.

It is helping with the joint pain and tendonitis pain and stiffness. I've stopped using other forms of pain relief and I sleep better so feel less tired.

Anyone else?

The police don't care if you smoke it. It's supposed to be vaped only (the oil my boyfriend gave me is in a vape form, he uses the flower in a vape or smokes it in a joint). We've been stopped by police a couple of time while he's smoking, he has just shown them the cancard and they have shrugged and that was it.

I don't think I'd qualify for the reduced cost scheme, I'm not on any benefits and earn a good wage, it's just that I'm subsidising my DS at the moment while he's out of work so my wage has to stretch further. My BF is happy to share his with me but at some point I'll need to make a decision, I can't nick his forever.

I once had a visit from the police when I was smoking - it was regarding an incident on the street they wanted witnesses. They asked if the smell was cannabis and I said "yes, it's for my arthritis" and showed him my hands and feet and he just said "ok" and I heard no more. I think it is effectively declassified for personal use - where I live - anyway.

This is a really interesting thread. I have AI arthritis and have always wanted to know if it would be a benefit as I’m stuck on opioids.

Edibles (containing THC) are really easy to get hold of, in various strengths and flavours. They are technically illegal, but it is my opinion (for what it's worth) that the police don't care and no CPS team is going to recommend prosecution of someone who can prove they are in permanent pain and trying to cut down on, say, codeine/opiods or alcohol.

Read all you can: patient.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/medical-marijuana-pain-what-use-for
Honestly, it has changed my life and improved it - no opioids since 2017 now. I cannot recognised the woman I was.
I started with Ganja tea which was prepared by a good friend who couldn't bare to see how much pain I was in. She is a masseuse and knows a lot about herbal medicines. I moved on to smoking it in the evening because, honestly, I enjoy it hugely and it makes me sleep. I have zero pain related anxiety now as well.
Read read read and learn :) Good luck

@CherryRipe1 the clinic writes to your GP so no need to tell them.
My GP is very aware of my chronic pain issues and has spent a lot of time helping me access services from local hospital and trialled me on lots and lots of different drugs to try and find the best possible solution.

She was supportive.

I don't think MC clashes with any other medication. There wasn't anything listed anywhere.

On smoking it rather than vaping. Technically clinic wouldn't know but should you find yourself in a situation where police became aware then clinic might find out.

I didn't think I'd be able to get the hang of vaping. But I have and I certainly wouldn't consider smoking. Vaping is great. Doesn't feel harsh in your throat and no nasty smell.

Also makes the cannabis more efficient because smoking it instantly incinerates some of the helpful stuff where as vaping doesn't. More pain relief and faster.

I realise it's not for everyone. The prejudice and stigma is definitely an issue too. I wouldn't tell anyone in RL. DH knows but that's it.
But what those who don't suffer from chronic pain do not know is the horrible side effects from strong prescription opiates or anti inflammatory drugs.
Much less never being free of pain and the fact that many of us will decline as in our diseases are degenerative in nature.
Or the desperation to find something which can make life bearable again and even enjoyable.

Thanks OP, that's very helpful to know. I'd like to get off pregabalin so hopefully the medical cannabis enables this.
Yes, the judgey pants healthy pain free folk can do one as far as I'm concerned. They don't walk in our shoes. If it gives someone their life back & legally then it's win win. 🙂

@CherryRipe1
😂 yes they can do one with the judging. Those who are not affected just don't understand what it is like to never be able to turn your pain off.

I felt MC was worth a go and I'm glad I did. In an ideal world there would be a cure but this isn't happening so I am left with finding the best solution out there.

Well, I bit the bullet and rang Integro. The lady was very nice and helpful. I've got all the initial application stuff & just need to sort my medical records. I'll be looking at around £150-£200 pm for the oil + additionally the consultation cost etc. I might try Sapphire too. Hopefully I'm a suitable candidate and it works. I'm glad it worked for you OP, this was such a good thread to find!

@SpinCityBlues I'm totally ignorant so apologise but how to get hold of edibles? I have been suffering with my shoulder for 15 years now (torn rotator cuff) and arthritis in my hands. I'd be happy with smoking but again have no source and also have teens and it's obviously harder to do privately! So what's the easiest way to go about getting edibles? Thanks

@Sibleycress some CBD shops will usually drop you a hint if they know you're legit.

What a great thread!

How is prescribed cannabis taken? In what form? Is it the oil?

It's flowers that are vaped or oil in a syringe. It's illegal to smoke it but vaping and oils are legal.

For me from integro it was an oil in a syringe that you hold under your tongue for a minute so it's absorbed into blood stream. Think it was 4/5 times a day.

Oil and flower for me. Flower works more quickly and dosage easier to control. Oil is good for nighttime.

I get flower, I vape it but as an ex tobacco smoker would prefer to smoke.
I've found it easier to dose (it's not like drinking you feel it immediately so you stop when the pains gone) by smoking with vaping it's a learning curve!

DH has been taking it since April and his chronic anxiety has gone, after years and years of struggling. He also now sleeps properly.

Our GP has a private clinic and he was the one who suggested DH try it for anxiety and sleep having seen how successful it was for many other conditions.

The only issue is you cant easily take it abroad and so our holiday in Spain in October will need some managing.

You can take to your France Spain Italy Germany Denmark Luxembourg and Norway.

As long as you bring prescription printed out and the MC has the pharmacy labels on the tubs.

You might need a letter from the clinic as well for some countries (Finland I think).

There was something online I saw. I'll see if I can find it.

oh really? Thank you. We aren't in the UK but Jersey so hopefully the rules are the same? When DH looked into it, it was very difficult and there were so many hoops to jump through!

Ah don't know about Jersey. Sorry.

@SpinCityBlues Would you mind sharing where these are available from please? Is it from places like IG and Fb and how does one ascertain from the seller that they contain THC? I'm planning to go on mmj but these might help in the interim or even replace the need for mmj if they help. Thank you

It's simpler to obtain a prescription and make your own edibles.

Whilst I'd be worried about breaking the law obtaining anything on black market, I'd be more worried about supporting black market where the illicit drug trade is part of organised crime ie human trafficking etc.
might sound odd but couldn't bear the idea of others suffering because me of me.

Anyway a non issue as I have a prescription now.

There are lots of recipes online for edibles. They all look simple. I am planning to try some soon.

I think this is a sound idea.