Martin's story: Embracing medical cannabis to manage chronic pain

Can you explain what living with chronic pain feels like for you?

Mornings can be really tough. I always wake up feeling like someone has been kicking and punching me throughout the night, and that’s from the moment I open my eyes.

My EDS, which I was diagnosed with around eight years ago, means my muscles have to work extra hard to support my joints because my skeleton doesn’t hold itself in place like most people's. When I’m asleep, those muscles finally relax, which leaves me feeling battered and bruised when I wake up. It’s not just one area—I get pain throughout my body - in my neck, jaw, back, hips, wrists, hands and knees. I’ve got arthritis in my spine from years of wear and tear, which I could have avoided with a childhood diagnosis, unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.

My work and lifestyle have, of course, added to certain issues surrounding my pain levels. I’m a freelance illustrator and printmaker, and if I'm working with, say, my printing press, I'll end up with a lot of wrist and finger pain from pressing for extended periods, as well as back pain from hours of standing or sitting in an awkward position. I have a motorised sit/stand desk to work on, which helps, but only for certain jobs. 

Then there’s the driving. When I travel for work, I might be driving hours, and by the time I arrive, I’ve seized up. So, instead of resting on the way there, it’s actually the opposite. Getting out of the car and going straight into a job - standing, moving, pressing, painting - it takes a toll. It’s a knock-on effect that adds to the pain I already feel each morning.

How did the NHS approach treating your condition?

The NHS provided a very basic physiotherapy programme and some painkillers. It felt like they handed me a list of exercises and said, “Do this,” and that was it.

The treatment plan was in place to keep my muscles strong enough to support my joints, so exercise was (and still is) a necessity, even though it usually resulted in my pain flaring up. That in itself made the idea of exercising pretty daunting - I was constantly balancing the need to keep my muscles strong with the reliance on painkillers to manage the flare-ups. I started to worry about dependence issues, and I also hated the side effects.

They prescribed medications like naproxen, a stronger version of ibuprofen, and codeine when the pain got really bad. While these helped with the pain, they came with their own problems. Codeine especially - I’d take it for a few weeks during bad periods, but after a while, it felt like my body was missing the codeine itself, almost as if that was causing some of the pain.

Is this what led you to look into alternative treatment options?

It’s quite odd because I hadn't really thought about medical cannabis before. Then, one day, a few months back, I saw an advert—which came not long after a friend had mentioned in passing that medical cannabis was now legal. Seeing that advert sparked the idea in my mind in a more powerful way, so I clicked on it and started looking into it.

I’ve never been a smoker and have always been into fitness and training, so I wasn’t sure it would suit me. Sure, I’d tried cannabis recreationally a handful of times years ago, but I was never a regular user at all, and the idea of it actually being a legitimate medicine was a new concept to me. I guess the best way to put it was that I was curious, but also a little sceptical.

But after clicking through to the Releaf homepage and spending some time reading through the content, everything looked very much above board and super professional. I saw all the options available and really liked the look of the subscription package. It covered everything - unlimited consultations, postage, and everything else - so I wouldn't have to worry about those details every month. So, I made an account, sent through my medical records, and booked in for my initial consultation.

How was your experience getting started with Releaf?

When I had the initial consultation, you know, I didn’t really know what to expect. I wasn’t even sure if I’d be eligible, so I went in with some uncertainty.

After speaking with the specialist, though, it turned out to be a really good first meeting. The doctor went over everything, and was extremely professional. They explained what I could expect from treatment and introduced me to things I hadn’t considered, like different medical cannabis flower options and varying THC levels.

I also really liked that there were UK-grown and produced options available to me through Releaf. Supporting local businesses and the UK economy is important to me, and it's reassuring to know that the quality of the product is highly regulated and reliable.

Can you tell us about the effect medical cannabis has had on your everyday life?

I didn’t realise there were cultivars that could help with creativity while still allowing me to stay functional, go out, and get on with life. I’d imagined it might leave me feeling stuck on the sofa, but it really supports my day-to-day activities without holding me back. Professionally, it helps me with creative thinking and I find it quite energising.

For daytime use, I was prescribed a specific flower to do just that as well, to reduce my joint pain considerably and target inflammation. I have a different flower for evening use as it is more relaxing and help my mind to switch off. It also helps to reduce the pain I’m feeling when trying to get to sleep. 

Recently, at my last appointment, I mentioned that I thought I might have built up a bit of a tolerance to THC. I wasn’t feeling the positive effects as much as I had been initially, so we discussed changing the cultivar to something different. The doctor recommended one with CBG, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s actually a lower THC strain than I was using before, but it’s been more effective in managing my symptoms, specifically inflammation.

It’s interesting because it showed me that it’s not just about how strong the cultivar is, it’s about finding the right one that works specifically for me. Whenever I have had any concern or query, I've never felt fobbed off. The doctors and support staff have always taken the time to listen to me, and help me find options that actually work for me.

It has made a huge difference in terms of work. While I have a studio in West Yorkshire, I also work from home or wherever I am that day - I’m not always in one place. Sometimes, I might work from a library or travel for freelance projects.

Even just a few years ago, the idea of using cannabis regularly is not something that I would have ever considered. The thought of it becoming a legitimate part of my treatment plan was completely foreign to me, but in all honesty, it hasn't had any of the detrimental effects that people may associate with cannabis use.

Although I was advised on the dose and how long the effects could last, there was still a learning curve, as we all respond differently and what works for me, could be much different to many other patients. 

It’s opened up opportunities that I don’t think I’d have gone for otherwise. It’s given me an option for relief that lets me stay active and in control, and it's also changed how I see my own capabilities.

There were projects I might have turned down in the past because I’d have thought, “What’s the point? I won’t be able to manage it physically.” But I don’t feel that way any more. Now I feel like I can say yes to things without doubting whether my body can keep up.

So that’s really the core of it - it’s given me a lot of confidence in my abilities and in what I can achieve. Instead of feeling restricted or held back, I feel capable.

Would you give any advice to someone considering medical cannabis as a treatment option?

Obviously, everyone reacts differently, but I would say don’t let your initial hesitations or scepticism hold you back. 

When I was first prescribed medical cannabis, I wasn’t sure how it would work for me. It was hard to know how to use it effectively, when to take it, and how long the effects would last. But once I got used to it and understood what to expect, it was all just so easy. It doesn’t interfere with my daily life at all - it actually helps me to do more of what I need to do.

So, if someone’s considering it, I’d definitely say go for the consultation. Yes, there's a cost, but if you're not eligible, they refund it, which reassured me at the start. I remember wondering if it was even legitimate—it crossed my mind if it might be a scam. But after looking into it, I thought, “I’ll put it on a credit card just in case.” Everything was completely above board, and I’m glad I gave it a chance.

So, to anyone who’s on the fence, I’d say, take that first step and see if it’s right for you. If you are unsure about vaping, then full spectrum oils are also a valid and equally effective option for many. I tried them, I liked them - even the taste - and they worked really well for pain, but the effects lasted longer and they weren’t suitable for my lifestyle.