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Government to ease rules on medicinal cannabis products

Richard_Scope
Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
The Home Secretary has announced a relaxation of the rules around the prescribing of medicinal cannabis products. From the autumn cannabis-based medicines will be available on prescription for those in the greatest need.
Medicinal cannabis announcement 
Scope
Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

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Comments

  • Markmywords
    Markmywords Community member Posts: 419 Pioneering
    It's a rare day when politicians change their minds.

    "Specialist clinicians" only? When any GP can prescribe opiates?

    We're not quite there yet then. Still good news though.
  • Misscleo
    Misscleo Community member Posts: 647 Pioneering
    Rpll.on.the autumn woo hop 
  • littleruthie123
    littleruthie123 Community member Posts: 511 Pioneering
    Wow hope so about time! Brill ?
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    A well thought out and fought campaign can achieve great things.
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

    'Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.

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  • Lou1963
    Lou1963 Community member Posts: 2 Listener
    Lets hope its not just for the select few, i've a copy of the application and it honestly is a book !
    I've been using CBD to help me over the last few months as I'm having real difficulties with pain meds x
  • Topkitten
    Topkitten Community member Posts: 1,285 Pioneering
    I am desperate now for some sort of improvement as I am on the maximum dosage for opiate patches in the current guidelines. However, I suspect that, if it is a difficult or long-winded process then my surgery will not bother. After all, they keep ignoring safety reports even those generated by the police.

    Today has been too much. Whilst I haven't overdosed I have taken too much too fast of the top-up mads I have and will go over the top by the end of the day. I won't bother reporting it as it will only cause me even more complications in the future. Apart from an upset stomach soon after I haven't had any issues and the pain reduction in my right leg brings it down to only savage..... but I can cope with that.

    TK
    "I'm on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell" - from Wrong side of heaven by Five Finger Death Punch.
  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,793 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Topkitten, how are you today? 
  • Topkitten
    Topkitten Community member Posts: 1,285 Pioneering
    Ty for asking @Pippa_Scope, I don't come on every day as I don't have the strength to answer people all the time like I used to and sometimes because I can't stop being negative.

    Today I am not well. I have been asked by the GP to take max dose Tramadol to try to avoid the withdrawal effects, whilst it does help a little it doesn't get rid of it and causes other problems. Because I haven't been taking meds 4 times a day for years I don't always remember or don't want to move to start the pain off again. Also it's only a stopgap as I am due to have a change again in the next few weeks and it always get worse so even if it did help a lot it wouldn't be for long.

    I called the Crisis Line yesterday and my first question was "Why does everyone want me dead?", because that's how I feel all the time. All of the services either ignore me or don't believe me when I tell them I get no help. I get stupid questions like "Who does your shopping?" or "Who cooks your meals?". I tell them I order online but don't need much because I hardly eat anything anyway. If they want further details I tell them what I've had that day and then say "That's about average" or ", more than usual". Like today.... I had a bowl of cereal and a yogurt and 2 coffees, which is about average though I might have a little chocolate soon. I do have lots of cold drinks but still a bit dehydrated as I've been sweating from withdrawal a lot today and it's been too hot for me to cope with I think, not sure about the temp as I seem to have lost body temp control lately.

    I should have taken more Tramadol and other meds today but had to stop after the first lot as next time I felt that if I started taking some I wouldn't stop. So now I dare not move about much so the pain stays low and so that I can manage without taking more. If I could sleep I might cope better but I tried a little while ago and only dozed off for about 15 minutes and I don't feel tired. Had 2 nights I haven't slept in the last 4 so I think that's coming apart too.

    I haven't left the house in 4 weeks because, although I can't cope not going out, I am frightened I'll go park in a lay by somewhere and walk across the lanes hoping to get knocked down. I can't seem to think of anything else right now.

    Oh.... forgot.... when I rang the Crisis Line I didn't get to speak to anyone except the woman on reception. She looked up what they were planning for me after my phone call 2 weeks ago when I told them I couldn't cope. She said that I am supposed to get a visit from a doctor and nurse (despite me having problems with more than one visitor at a time). So I asked how many months I'd have to wait for that 3, 4 or 5 and she said "Oh no, not that long" but then refused to give me any indication of when this might or might not happen. As I said...... I'm too much trouble and the people that should help me don't care.

    So.... I can't cope here but can't move for months minimum, probably next year at the earliest. I can't get help or even get assessed for help as Social Care blacklisted me with lies. The GP is ignoring me even when they get safety or hospital reports. My children never even call except for the occasional call from my son arranging to visit and then not turning up about once every 6 weeks or so. I never even got to see my children or grandchildren on Father's Day.

    I can only see one way out of this which, sooner or later, I can hopefully be strong enough to try. In the meantime there is only pain, savage pain, withdrawal and misery.

    TK
    "I'm on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell" - from Wrong side of heaven by Five Finger Death Punch.
  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,793 Disability Gamechanger
    Not at all @Topkitten- we're really glad to have you as part of the community and I hope you know that you're more than welcome to talk about how you're feeling or what's happening with you.

    It's so disappointing to hear how other services have let you down and while I know it's by no means a substitution for the practical support you clearly need, I hope there's at least something positive you can gain from having people who listen and knowing that we're all rooting for you. 

    I really hope the team at the Crisis Line do manage to facilitate things for you sooner rather than later- it would be really interesting to hear how it goes, so please do keep us updated. I really hope today is as kind as possible to you, too. 
  • JulestheBat
    JulestheBat Community member Posts: 16 Connected
    Hello :) 
    I just want to say that the legalization of Medical Cannabis would be an immense benefit. 
    Having used CBD for a while I did get the errr herbal version and found that more effective than CBD alone. It was the first thing that fully stopped the pain for me. 

    " If in doubt, Freak em out" - Sharon Needles 
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    I have begun CBD oil this week. I want to see if there are any benefits for me personally. Thanks for sharing your experiences @JulestheBat. I hope to post back soon with some of my own.
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

    'Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.

    Want to tell us about your experience in the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know. 
  • JulestheBat
    JulestheBat Community member Posts: 16 Connected
    @Richard_Scope good luck ? Hope it gives you some relief ?
    " If in doubt, Freak em out" - Sharon Needles 

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