Peter’s Story: Returning to the hobbies he loves and getting better sleep with medical cannabis

Please could you share a little bit more about your health and condition? 

My gout diagnosis started around 2010, so I've had it for a long time. It started to get really bad in about 2014. That’s when I first decided to see a doctor about it – before that, I put up with it for a long time. 

I tried various medications and changed my lifestyle, and obviously that does help a lot, but it's still there. It's a form of chronic pain, so it doesn't go away – it comes and goes.

I've tried various drugs, and they do work but not for very long. I also find that the side effects often outweigh the benefits. 

I eventually stopped taking everything and just put up with it. I basically lived on the ground floor of the house because I couldn't go up the stairs and didn't want to deal with the side effects of the medication I was on. 

So I ran out of options, and I was in pain. I wasn't living my life properly, so it was getting pretty serious. 

What other symptoms did you experience before treatment? 

Swelling and joint discolouration and distortion in both big toe joints.

It's so nasty and painful, and there are three levels to the pain. There’s a sharp pain, like someone's sticking a pin in your joint, then a sort of grinding pain similar to arthritis. Then there's the sort of numbing pain. 

All of that affected my sleep too, which was another issue I dealt with. So it was pretty bad.

Why did you turn to medical cannabis treatment?

I’d tried cannabis recreationally before and was aware of the effect it had, but in more of an uncontrolled way. 

It didn't seem like a good idea to go down that pathway though, because I wanted to know exactly what I was taking. I'm really interested in the terpenes and the different cannabinoids, and the way they interact with your endocannabinoid system. 

So getting medical cannabis that’s broken down into the various terpenes really helps, as you're able to sort of see which ones work best for you.

How did you find out about Releaf?

I was recommended it by a friend of mine who’s also a Releaf patient right now and getting on very well. There are a myriad of different clinics, so the recommendation cut through all the decisions about which one to try. I just thought I'd give it a go. 

The way it's set up is really good because you just have to pay for the first consultation. But even if you’re not eligible, you get your money back, so you’ve really got nothing to lose.

How did you find the sign-up process and your first consultation?

I thought it was a very slick environment to be in. You're really looked after, aren't you? And it's just really clear what's going on and the interface really works really well. 

It takes a lot of the worrying about it away because you can access consultations and advice really easily. Not that I've needed to, but I just find it works really, really well.

The first appointment was really easy. The doctor I spoke to was so friendly and relaxed and laid back about it, and he could see what was going on with my medical records and stuff like that. So yeah, it was very pleasant.

What was it like receiving your first prescription and learning how to use it?

It was brilliant. With DPD, it arrives, you open it, and there it is. 

Obviously, it's been prohibited for so long unless you go down this channel. It's lovely to be on the right side of the law and to be in an environment where you're not stigmatised about it or have to feel as if it's wrong. 

So yeah, I thought the whole process of the prescription sign-off and delivery was very easy and reliable.

Would you say your treatment has had an impact on your day-to-day quality of life? 

Yeah, absolutely. The reduction in the inflammation is remarkable. It's gone down like you wouldn't believe. The redness has dropped down to about 10% of what it could have been. The toe joint alignment is also better now and the swellings aren’t distorting the big toe joint.

And obviously, there's massive pain relief. The three kinds of pain that I described have all dropped right back down, and it's allowed me to sleep. 

The first time I took it, I think I must have had the best sleep I've had for absolutely ages. I just couldn’t believe how I felt when I woke up. It was almost emotional because it gave me a sense that I had a way out of the pain cul-de-sac. Freedom from the pain.

And then the wellbeing changes came after that. I’m happier because I've slept better and I'm out of pain. So, I'm all jolly and I've had a bit of a change of personality – it's just cheered me up and improved my mental health. 

I really appreciate Releaf for helping me out. I've got a new lease of life with it now, and I don't intend to leave or anything like that. It's a brilliant system, and I’m very grateful.

How have your friends and family responded to your treatment?

I haven't broadcast it, but everyone's very favourable. A lot of people say, "Oh, I thought this had been around for a long time?" And it has, hasn't it? It's been since 2018. But I don't think it's been as accessible as it is nowadays. 

I have told the family, but honestly, they're not that interested. It's not like a big deal anymore, is it? My son and partner are pleased for me and stuff like that, but I think the oldies might have a bit of trouble getting their heads around it.

I think it's a generational thing. I'm Gen X, but I think the boomers are going to have to do some thinking to get their heads around it.

What advice would you give to someone who's got a condition similar to yours or is considering medical cannabis treatment?

From the pain side, give it a try. With Releaf, the stigma isn’t there because it's a legal medicine. So try it, but the main message I’d send to anyone who can't get their head around it is: "Get over yourself."

Where I live in Somerset, there's quite a lot of the older generation living here, and I think they would really benefit from it. So, I'd like to help other people by recommending it to those who think it could help. 

If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis treatment options for the conditions mentioned in Peter’s story, please see medical cannabis for gout.