Kieran’s story: Tackling arthritis and breaking stigma

Can you tell us about your health?

Arthritis is, unfortunately, a hereditary issue in my family. My mum had rheumatoid arthritis, and so have other family members. I started getting pain in throughout my late 20s/early 30s.

For the first few years, I put my knee pain down to footballing because I played a lot of sports when I was younger. I thought it was just a bad knee from football. But then, as I got older, the pain started spreading to other places - my hands, my wrists, my elbows - everywhere. My wife said, "Go to the doctors and get a blood test," because it’s hereditary. The first blood test came back normal. I went for another one three months later - that came back normal too. But I still wasn’t happy, so I went for another opinion and got referred to a rheumatologist in November 2023.

The long waiting lists meant I wasn’t able to see anyone until March or April 2024. Since then, I’ve been referred for physiotherapy, which has been helpful, and undergone a series of tests. These included procedures like nerve conduction studies on my hands to assess functionality and rule out other potential conditions such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

I’ve tried different anti-inflammatory medications, but I didn’t get on with them. They eased the pain, but it was still there. Codeine didn’t control the pain, and it made me drowsy, and co-codamol wasn’t much better. The doctor couldn’t give me anything else at the time.

Did you know that medical cannabis was a legal option you could try? 

At the time, I thought medical cannabis might be legal in a different form, like oils or tablets from your doctor, but I never thought you could get flower to vape. When I saw a poster for it in the chemist, I went in and asked about it, but they didn’t know much. They said it comes sealed, and you just pick it up. So, I went online and started researching.

So, what led you to Releaf?

I researched all the top medical cannabis clinics in the UK, and Releaf stood out. They had amazing reviews, and I loved that everything’s under one roof - the dispensary, the doctors, everything.

So, I started the sign-up process with Releaf and was pretty surprised at how quick and easy it all was. Releaf contacted my GP for my records on my behalf, and I got accepted within a week of starting the journey.

The initial consultation was great, the doctor I saw listened to me and helped me find the right strain and dosage. It’s been brilliant for managing my condition.

A big reason for turning to medical cannabis is that my condition has worsened, and as a consequence, I’ve had to start working from home. But, even sitting for long periods makes me seize up, and the pain becomes unmanageable. The prescription tablets just aren’t effective for me, and I was worried about the heavy side effects that can and do come along with long-term use, like kidney problems.

With cannabis, I know exactly what I’m putting into my body - it works really well, and I don't have to worry about the ingredients.

And how have things been going so far?

To be honest, it’s been so great.

I know If my condition worsens or something’s not right, I can just ask about different flowers, and they’ll help me try something else. After 5 months of being a Releaf patient, I have been for a few follow-up appointments, and the specialist has listened to every bit of feedback. I have tried a few of the flower options, and now have two cultivars that work really well for my health needs.

It’s just about finding the right one that works for you. It took a little trial and error, but the doctor was always willing to listen and make adjustments. It’s been a very positive experience overall, and I am happy with the level of care and attention I have received from Releaf.

With Releaf, the cost is manageable, and the whole thing is just really straightforward. For me, the cost is definitely worth it because I know it's safely grown and regulated. It's not like buying cannabis off the street (which I think costs about the same) or paying £20 for medication that doesn't even work.

What changes have you noticed since starting treatment with medical cannabis?

On evenings after work, when I’m able to vape my medical cannabis, the relief is incredible. It relaxes me and takes the pain away on a completely different level compared to my previous treatment options. I also sleep better, and I feel less stressed. It’s hard to explain - it’s just a better kind of relief than any of the prescription meds I’ve tried.

Cannabis has improved my appetite too. I’ve always been someone who eats well, but sometimes I’d feel too tired or in too much pain to bother. With cannabis, I have the energy and motivation to eat properly again.

Before starting medical cannabis, I was also only getting about five hours of sleep per night and I’d wake up in pain most of the time. It’s tricky because, on the one hand, I love long sleep - I feel so much less tired the next day. But if I sleep too well and don't move as much during the night, I can also wake up with stiffness and pain. But if I am waking up in pain either way, I would prefer to well slept for sure.

I just think people need to open their eyes to the possibilities with medical cannabis because it needs to be more widely available, in my opinion. Since I’ve started using it, it’s been absolutely brilliant. I’ve been sleeping better. On my days off, I can use it during the day and get about, doing the bits and bobs I need to.

Is there a reason you only take medical cannabis after work or at the weekends? 

Well, I did speak to my employer when I started treatment. Originally, the response was, “No, you’re not doing it. Do it in your own time,” like it’s a recreational drug or something. That’s the kind of attitude I got. I had a meeting initially, and they said they’d push it back to get more information,ut then I didn’t hear anything for a few weeks.

I chased it up and got an email saying, “You can’t do it. If you want to use it, do it in your own time.” Again, like I’m doing something illegal. Since then, I’ve had a consultation and been put on a strain that helps with arthritis, cholesterol, nerves, and IBS. It’s got a lot of good properties.

Releaf sent me a copy of my prescription, so I worded another email and sent it to work. They came back saying no again. Now, I’ve got a meeting set up with occupational health to see how it affects my day-to-day work. But they’re still saying there’s nothing more they can do because I work from home.

They’ve said I’ve got a good desk and a comfortable chair, so there’s no adjustment they can make to help me. But the only thing that really helps is my medical cannabis. On days when I’m struggling and can’t use it during work hours, I have to log out because the pain’s too much. That means I’m losing income, and it’s just not sustainable. It’s a bit of a catch-22 situation. 

Due to the issues I am having with work, and their refusal to accommodate my medical cannabis use, I can't medicate in the way that works best for me.

When I wake up, if I could just reach over to my bedside table, grab my vape, have a couple of vapes, and lie there for 10 or 15 minutes to let it kick in, I’d be able to get out of bed a lot better. But without being able to medicate and then start work, I'm still in pain in the mornings.

I start work at nine, so I’m up four or five hours beforehand, but by the afternoon, I’m flagging and nearly falling asleep. Work isn’t moving forward with this, and they’re not educated enough to see medical cannabis as medication, not a drug.

I could just use it, but I don’t want to risk disciplinary action. Hopefully, occupational health will help after Christmas. It’s been five or six months since I started medical cannabis, but they’ve not budged. I’ve only had seven or eight sick days, which isn’t bad considering I can’t use my medication. I just want to work, not be on benefits. Medical cannabis is safe, controlled, and effective. You can’t overdose on it like prescription meds, and for me, it works.

What advice would you give to others considering medical cannabis?

The reason I’m doing this and sharing my story is to spread awareness and help others. There might be someone like me, using medical cannabis and working, whose employer has said no, and they’ve just accepted it without pushing back. I want people to know they don’t have to suffer in pain or accept that answer.

There’s a grey area between recreational and medical cannabis, and I don’t blame employers for their decisions. It’s new territory, and there aren’t many drugs that started on the street and became a medical medication. But cannabis is different - I’ve always been a strong advocate for it because there’s so much good in it.

For someone like me with a long-term condition, managing symptoms is something I’ll always need to do. It’s about finding a way that benefits not only my symptoms but also my well-being and longevity. This is it, and that’s what I keep saying

It's made a huge difference to my life, and I believe it can for so many others. I see it as a miracle plant, a plant that has been part of human history for longer than we know, and one that can bring so much relief and healing. That's why I encourage anyone who is struggling with chronic pain or other health issues to research, educate yourself, and consider medical cannabis as a potential option for relief.

I’m fighting so hard to be able to use it at work because it gives me a new lease on life. The winters are especially tough for me – they’re the worst time of year for my joints. That’s why I go on holiday in the winter to get some sun. I didn’t take my medical cannabis with me on my last holiday because I wasn’t sure about the rules, but it’s something I’ll look into for future trips now that I know that it is legal to carry to many holiday destinations and that Releaf can help me with all the necessary paperwork.

For more information about medical cannabis treatments for this condition, please see medical cannabis for arthritis.