Splitting dose

[Youdontseehow]

Hi all. I started MJ in May. No side effects at all for first month on 2.5 mgs with about a 3lb weight loss in that month.

Started 5mgs two weeks ago and due to take dose 3 today. But….

week 1 on 5 mgs - injected Friday afternoon and spent most of Saturday morning in the loo with horrendous tummy cramping and diarrhoea. Was fine from about 2pm onwards that day and the rest of the week although appetite suppression was huge and I had to force myself to eat.

week 2 on 5 mgs - injected Friday afternoon and had two massive vomits on Sunday morning. Felt ok the rest of the day but again no appetite at all and forcing food down. No diarrhoea. I will add I had x2 gin and tonics and x2 small glasses red wine that Friday over the course of the day (2pm - 11pm) at a wedding.

So I’m due to take my third 5 mg dose today. My dilemma is - I’m working 12 hour shifts on Saturday and Monday and have a big celebration to attend on Sunday (but going is not an option unless I’m in a coma lol!). In my job, I’ll be out and about without constant/immediate access to a toilet.

So I’m looking for advice really. I’m thinking these are my options;

• delay injecting until after work on Monday night
• split dose and take 2.5 today and 2.5 on Monday night.

what do folks think? What would you suggest? Any other options?

thanks in advance!!

I'd delay in your shoes, not worth the risk

Thanks @SkibidiSigma

I just realised after posting that I’m also working Wednesday!! I don’t usually but it’s an extra to cover someone’s leave.

I would speak to your prescriber asap- mine has always given me great advice when I had issues

@spinningisthebest yeah I’ve emailed them for a call back.

I’ve seen a few reputable people on YouTube (doctors, pharmacists) who are taking MJ themselves and are regularly splitting the dose so I think I’m defying towards either just taking half a dose this week and getting back to 5 next week OR taking two 2.5 doses in a week.

Will wait until after I speak to provider though.

So for anyone that’s interested.

I spoke with my provider. They were very understanding. They said that although there were people splitting doses, there was no original research to support the approach. All studies to date have only looked at taking the doses as prescribed - none of the studies looked at split dosing ie taking more than one dose a week.

But she also said that some people are prescribed WLIs on a more than weekly basis eg every 4 days because of side effects, but reiterated this was under the guidance of a very experienced consultant doctor.

She also reiterated that she couldn’t support me taking a split dose/twice weekly dose and her advice was to titrate back down to 2.5 and see how that went.

So I’m going to take 2.5 today and revisit 5 next week when I’m more or less at home with no committments for the days after taking it.

I have split my dose this week after missing a dose for my holiday. I was worried about side effects going back to work the next day. I can’t see what difference it makes to be honest, I’m getting the same dose but with time for my body to acclimatise.

I have dropped down from 7.5mg to 5mg to help with side effects. Like you I had a ridiculous amount of suppression and struggled to eat. it’s interesting that it can be prescribed this way, suggests that there may be trials happening.

@tryingtobesogood thanks. So did you take two smaller doses in one week?

I did 2.5mg on Sunday and 2.5mg on Thursday. I can’t decide whether to do the same or go back to one dose.

@tryingtobesogood thanks.

I do have a bit of a background in clinical trials so I’m very aware of the difference between “no evidence to support something” and “the evidence is something is bad”.

With MJ, clinical trials have been controlled (as is necessary) but it’s been a relatively short period of time to gather data.

The cynic in me is also very aware that big Pharma stands to make a shed load of money from WLIs (and to be fair, they’ve invested a lot) so it suits them for everyone to stick to the 4 weekly/titrating up/not using the golden dose regimen.

I agree, the manufacturers have a vested interest in us sticking to the stated regime. But

I am also a researcher with a good understanding of science and clinical trials. There are many possible future permutations for dosing schedules etc. and it is likely that things will clearer once all the different trials have been carried out. but without the evidence base it’s down to individual choice and decisions about risk at this point.

I don’t feel a split dose is a risk, I’m not taking more than I have been prescribed, and I’m willing to take the chance that it might have risks, though I don’t know what they would be.

Probably worth plotting on a half life calculator to see what the difference is in accumulation in the system over time.

I’ve split my dose most of the way through my six months. At the moment I take 3.25mg twice a week. Works well for me as lower peaks and higher troughs. My doctor-led service (not UK) is fine with it. I’m also a researcher and ok with experimenting on myself - although this isn’t really particularly experimental. But seeing how often people are confused about doses, clicks etc, I do get why simplicity is a priority for self-administration of this medicine.

Soon heading into maintenance, so I think I’ll try gradually reducing my Thursday morning dose until I’m just injecting on Sunday evening.