Patient StoriesFadi’s Story: Fighting pain and finding his appetite with medical cannabis
Fadi’s Story: Fighting pain and finding his appetite with medical cannabis
Condition(s):
Chronic Pain
Joined Releaf:
June 2025
Prescription Type:
Flower, oil
After moving to the UK in 2013, Naples-native and food lover Fadi began working as a chef while enjoying London's melting pot of multicultural cuisines.
He was living an active lifestyle at the time too, spending his days swimming, diving, fishing, travelling and riding his motorcycle. But that all changed after experiencing a motorcycle accident in 2020.
Fadi underwent surgery on his knee following the accident, and after 18 days in hospital on morphine for the pain, he was sent home to recover with strong painkillers.
While he was now pain-free, the prescribed medication came with unwanted side effects, particularly in terms of reducing his appetite.
Managing his pain was one thing but, as a chef and self-proclaimed foodie, his lack of appetite was taking a toll on his way of life.
Now, after being a patient at Releaf for just over a year, Fadi is ready to share his story of how he takes medical cannabis to help manage his chronic pain and keep his appetite up.
What was the hardest part of living with your symptoms before medical cannabis treatment?
When I tried to go back to work after the surgery, the pain increased and I couldn't really work as effectively. It affected me, especially my appetite.
The doctor at the beginning told me I had to use these strong painkillers because I was in so much pain. But even after that, there was no other medication to help with the side effects, and nobody gave me the possibility of relief.
My point, and one of the main reasons I'm doing this, is because not many people know about the potential that Releaf can offer.
How did you find the sign-up process and your first consultation with Releaf?
Very, very easy. Clear and very professional.
I started on a lower percentage of THC and felt it was done properly at every step. I felt very well followed up, to be honest, as if I was in a high-end private hospital.
It's an amazing service and, like I say, a nice surprise which I didn't expect. I was not aware of this option at all.
In terms of your treatment, which type of medical cannabis have you been prescribed?
I’ve been prescribed the dried flower, but I have tried the oil as well.
After working with my clinician, I’ve managed to find a nice balance of treatments. Sometimes at night, when I have had a long day and I push too much, the oil is useful. It gives me relief and helps me sleep.
What was it like receiving your first prescription and learning how to use it?
I was quite excited and not particularly worried.
The first time I received my prescription, I looked at everything that came with it. It was nicely presented, and the leaflet inside the packet gave me a lot of information. It was a very good experience.
Would you say the treatment has had an impact on your day-to-day quality of life? Has it affected your hobbies, work or family life?
Yeah, of course. My family are actually all happy for me – they can see I’m much better, particularly with my appetite. It’s helped with that issue significantly!
Even my mood as well. Obviously, I felt very sad at that time, so it was a big relief to feel better within the first few days or a week of taking the prescription.
I realised straight away that this was the medication I needed, and it works perfectly for me.
How have your friends and family responded to your treatment?
Most of them, actually 99% of them, weren’t aware of it either. They said: “Are you sure? Double-check and be careful if it's an online thing.” But then, of course, Releaf have a very good reputation.
Some of them were concerned at first, but they now say: “Fadi, you are in good hands.” They are all very happy for me.
Have you faced any challenges or stigma as a medical cannabis patient?
I always make sure to follow all the instructions and take the dried flower with a vaporiser, so I’ve never had any issues with that, because I always try to be as discreet as I can.
I'm a very shy and reserved person as a human being. But I know from the feedback I’ve had from a few friends or people I know that some people still have this judgment and cliché about cannabis.
I'm not a judgy person, so I don't mind if people judge me in that way. If I know myself and that I'm not doing anything wrong – or affecting anybody else – it doesn't bother me.
Some people just don't want to understand, and they think they're right and they carry on. I don't mind. I go my way.
What advice would you give to others who are considering medical cannabis?
I would just say don't be afraid of it, even if it's something completely new. Do your own research, talk to your friends and ask for their opinion.
Sometimes, even in my case, you need good words from a friend, someone with more expertise. And definitely getting advice from people who have been prescribed high anti-pain relief before is worth considering.
Personally, I would highly recommend it.
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis treatment options for the conditions mentioned in Fadi’s story, please see medical cannabis for chronic pain.
