Could you tell us more about your condition and how it has affected your day-to-day life?
I think maybe about 4 years ago, I noticed that I was getting sporadic pains, stinging, burning, like a poker’s getting stuck in me, but that could be in my feet, hands, legs, or head.
So, I went to the doctors and after we’d ruled out everything else, he thought it could be fibromyalgia. I'd gone through a bereavement - my Nana passsed away with cancer - which can be a trigger for fibromyalgia. And I also have a family history of autoimmune conditions.
So for a good few years, I’ve been going through every medication possible. They didn’t work. I think looking back, I just felt more groggy than anything. With everything I took, it would just wipe me out, and I’d be asleep all the time - not really living.
That’s why I looked into Releaf, for a bit of relief!
How did you come across Releaf?
I had tried some cannabis gummies. I started taking them at night, and I noticed that this was totally better.
So, then I went on social media and it popped up in an ad, and I decided to give it a try. And I absolutely hate cannabis. I don't like the taste, I don't like anything about it, but it works. It works.
How did you find the consultation process?
The initial consultation that I had was brilliant. I came into it thinking, ‘I'm going to get this huge lecture of “you have to do this” and “you shouldn't do this”’, and honestly, it just took into account every possible concern that I had.
The doctor seemed to be very interested, she really wanted to help as opposed to just being like, "Right, there's your cannabis."
Really positive. The doctors know what they're doing, and it's nice to speak to a doctor that doesn't just roll their eyes when you talk about sleep apnoea, fibromyalgia, or back pain. It's nice for somebody to be interested.
How have you been finding your dosing regimen?
I’ve just been taking it at night, because I hate feeling anything other than myself. I think I can have up to 2 ml of oil per day, but I tend to stick to 1 ml.
And I also have a vaporiser for flower. So, I sometimes use that after my oil, for quicker relief just before I go to bed.
And the sleep! I’ve never had a good, long sleep before in my life. Because I have sleep apnoea as well, I never felt like I’d had a rested night.
But with this, I’ve noticed on the app for my sleep apnoea machine that where I usually get two or three dips a night, since I’ve been taking this, it’s been 0.6.
Have you noticed any other changes to your symptoms?
A huge change.
The last couple of days, I've been decorating the kitchen, painting cupboards, and I haven't had one bit of pain.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes little pains will pop up. Sometimes I could probably do with having a little bit of cannabis flower, but I try not to take too much because my body gets quite used to things. I don't want to spoil it because I'm having such a positive effect with it. But yeah, I've decorated kitchen cupboards.
I've done things that I've not done in forever.
Have you spoken to your friends and family about your medical cannabis treatment?
I tell everyone. I'm in all these groups on Facebook. If one pops up and they're like, "Can anybody recommend any medication for fibromyalgia”?”, I'm like, "cannabis”, and I'll tag Releaf in it.
I think coming from someone who cannot stand cannabis - I have nothing against it. I've got lots of friends who have smoked it in the past - but I can see the benefits in terms of health as opposed to just taking it pleasurably.
All the medication that I was on, I don't take omeprazole, I don't take morphine, I don't take anything. I literally have cannabis, and that's it. And I used to take maybe in excess of 12 tablets a day.
So, for what I've seen, the benefits are just so worth it.
Have you ever experienced any stigma?
I tend to stick to taking it when I’m at home. But I wouldn’t be bothered about vaporising it in public. If I was in enough pain when I’m out and about, I wouldn’t care less. There’s worse things out there than vaping a bit of herbal cannabis.
Everyone I’ve spoken to has said, “as long as it helps you”. All these people have seen me doubled over in pain on the floor, unable to move, can’t walk, can’t function, so they’re all just like, ‘get on with it, go for it’.
Would you give any advice to someone who may be sceptical about starting medical cannabis treatment? Yes.
Just go for it.
You can be on opiates for the whole of your life and be no further forward, where at least with cannabis oils and stuff like that, flower, it takes the inflammation down as well.
I just think, go for it. Why not? Many people take so many tablets, and we've got something like cannabis that we can access and it's a natural herb. People are more scared of that than pharmaceutical tablets. I've been there.
I would just go for it. Even if you hate it, get on with it.
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis treatment options for the conditions mentioned in this Patient Story, please see medical cannabis for fibromyalgia.
