Liz’s story: Horses, hope and holistic health with medical cannabis

Can you tell us about yourself and the conditions you’ve been diagnosed with? 

I’m a mother and a grandmother who loves horses and animals. I live in a small town, and we keep a lot of animals here, so it's general chaos around my house most of the time. 

I was a professional driver with Tesco until last year, when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. Unfortunately, due to my condition, it became impossible to continue there.. I’ve been through a lot, but we have to laugh about these things sometimes, because otherwise we cry. 

All of a sudden, I just started breaking bones. The first time, I was messing around with my son—joking with him about his dog, and he gave me a big bear hug and I felt something crack. I went back to work six weeks later, and while my co-workers and I were loading the van, someone banged into me and I cracked my ribs again. 

I had a bone scan after that, and the doctors told me I had osteoporosis. They said, “Your bones are pretty bad. You could break your hip at any time.” 

I have no idea where my osteoporosis came from, or if it’s hereditary, because my parents died when I was a child and I have no siblings. My daughter was quite worried about it and asked me, “Is it going to carry on with us?” I have no answer for her. I haven’t got a clue. There is no one to ask. 

Were there other treatments you tried before turning to medical cannabis?

My GP prescribed painkillers, anti-inflammatories, medicine for my bones and calcium supplements, but I’m stubborn and I don’t like to take them. I’ve told my doctor as such: I hate tablets and always have, I can’t swallow them easily. 

When I told my doctor that I don't sleep, he just said, “Well, have sleeping tablets”, again I felt like I wasn’t being listened to, and that was just that. 

I make my own decisions, and I'm not going to be dictated to. I’ve always been this way when it comes to my health, even with the COVID vaccines.

How did you end up discovering Releaf?

I didn't know about medical cannabis until a friend asked me if I’d thought about it. He said that it had helped him, so I said, “Well, I'll give it a shot,” and started researching online. 

I can’t remember where, but I think I had seen the name Releaf somewhere before I started looking at different clinics. When I saw the name pop up in my search, I thought, “Well, I'll just try that one. And if I don’t like it, I’ll keep working my way down the list.” Nothing ventured, nothing gained! But, it seems I’ve made the right choice so far. 

Since starting treatment, has there been a noticeable difference in your day-to-day life?

Yes. I'm actually sleeping now, which I can’t remember doing for a long time. I haven’t slept in about 15 years, but I’m sleeping now, which is a miracle. It’s still broken sleep, but before Releaf I was literally not sleeping at all. 

Before medical cannabis, I couldn't sit or stand still, even for short periods. I’d be up and down, changing positions and always moving around. Now, I’m able to sit still for longer periods, which is quite impressive. My pain has eased a lot, compared to what it was, and there have been no negative side effects—nothing at all. 

I’ve been more independent—getting around more and doing a lot more driving on my own. As I said, we have horses, and I love being able to spend more time with them. Before, I just couldn't deal with our animals, so I’d send my son. I still can't do much heavy lifting, but I've been going up to see the horses every day and I just watch them. I keep well out of their way, of course, because they're very good at kicking, and I don't need any more broken bones! 

I only use the medical cannabis flower, not the oil, and I take it as needed, depending on what’s happening that day. It seems like I can get used to one strain, so I’ve tried a few different ones and I’ve had about five or six consultations so far. I recently asked for a stronger strain, which seems to be having a better effect. 

I know the pain in my bones is always going to be there. My bones are still clicking, but at least it's manageable now. My treatment completely takes the edge off, which is fantastic. It's all been very helpful, and I know that if I want to make any changes to my prescription, I can just pick up the phone.

Have you felt supported by the team at Releaf throughout your journey?

The Releaf support team has been really helpful, they’re good as gold.

I actually phoned the team this afternoon because I saw my new prescription had the word “cake” in it. I said, “What? I don’t want cakes, I want the flower!” She just laughed and explained, “No, no. That’s just part of the name of this particular strain of flower. It’s not an edible.” I said, “Okay, fair enough!"

Have you faced any stigma or concerns from others?

No.

If anyone didn’t approve, I’d just tell them to go and get stuffed. I think you’ve gathered by now that I don't care what people say.

I know what I’m doing is within the law, so if it’s a problem, don’t speak to me—I don't need the aggravation. I’ve got my children, my grandchildren, and my animals; that’s all I care about.  

My feelings about health are quite simple: do what’s best for you. 

Medical cannabis is more natural than some of the things that doctors try to give you. People who don't know anything about medical cannabis say, “What about this, or what about that?” They talk negatively about it, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

And, you've got to try something. If it works for you, it works!

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