Has anyone used Sativex - UK prescribed version of cannabis?

[nitty]

Hi

I am asking this on behalf of someone who has a different medical issue - not IBD.

She is having a terrible time with an incurable cause of nerve related pain and has tried a number of medications without success. As well as now looking towards other forms of non-conventional treatments (acupuncture, etc) her GP suggested that she may be able to try cannabis. The NHS will prescribe this in the form of Sativex, but it is one of those postcode dependent funding issues.

If she can't get it on the NHS it will cost about £500 (or so I believe) to get it via a private prescription, and so we would want to know whether we can justify the cost. If it works for her we would do whatever it takes to find the money, as her life at the moment is intolerable and I am frightened of what the future will bring if there is no hope of relief, even if it is temporary amounts.

I would love to hear from anyone who has tried this particular version of cannabis. She is a very law-abiding pensioner and I don't think she would entertain any non-legal versions( - although who knows what desperation would push her to in the end).

 

[Daisy123]

I can't help unfortunately. It hasn't been offered as an option, although I have talked about medical marijuna to my Dr. I didn't think a private prescription would cost so much, perhaps included is a consultation.

 

[nitty]

Thank you Daisy123,

I'm hoping that because the GP mentioned it as an option it should be available in her area. The prices I have seen otherwise are only what I have read on the internet that other people have had to pay.

She is going to see some people next week for acupuncture and other non-conventional methods to help her to cope, but it would be good to know if there's anything else that can help her if these don't work.

 

[Daisy123]

Thank you Daisy123,

I'm hoping that because the GP mentioned it as an option it should be available in her area. The prices I have seen otherwise are only what I have read on the internet that other people have had to pay.

She is going to see some people next week for acupuncture and other non-conventional methods to help her to cope, but it would be good to know if there's anything else that can help her if these don't work.

I had acupuncture via my GP's surgery this week. I had eight sessions and thought that it helped. I am going to ask to be put back on the list for another eight. I hope she finds it a benefit too.

 

[illuminatus]

I'm assuming she has MS?

I can't speak from experience but from what others have told me it definitely helps. However, if it does cost £500 on private prescription it's not worth it for the amount you get in comparison to illicitly acquired cannabis. She would be much better off getting some of that and baking some cakes. The active ingredients are the same.

 

[nitty]

Not MS. It is central post-stroke pain, which is incurable and very difficult to treat. We now know she will be able to get it on the NHS, but her GP is working through all other alternatives first - I don't know why, as they all seem to have equally crumby side-effects and all seem to be equally ineffective! Still, she is patiently going along with it, but I know there are many days when she feels her life like this is not tolerable.