CBD

As you may recall I have been using CBD oil for 5 years which helps with my osteoarthrosis. However, if you're using codeine, then it may be difficult to take this (as there needs to be ideally a 4 hour gap between taking CBD orally & codeine).

If you're considering CBD patches, then these are ideal as they're absorbed transdermally instead. As with any CBD product, you should start at a low dosage (I used 15mg per patch), & see how you go. I would still advise talking first to a pharmacist or your GP mentioning all the medication you take to be absolutely on the safe side before buying any. Such patches would not interact with codeine as it's taking CBD & such medication close together orally that can be potentially problematic, but do have a word with a pharmacist/GP first to keep yourself safe.

Some info about CBD patches here:

https://www.simply-cbd.co.uk/blogs/news/how-do-cbd-patches-work

From my experience (& research) it can take some time to find the benefit of CBD, so keep an open mind & be prepared to try them for a couple of months. We're all different, with CBD oil I was in fact surprised to find a beneficial effect after 2 & a half weeks, tho know of others where it took weeks more before they found the same. I really hope they help.

My pharmacist was quite intrigued when I discussed CBD, as she said I was the first to enquire. She looked online in the Electronic Medicines Compendium, but, as you've found, as CBD isn't considered a medicine, then nothing can be found to compare, or see any adverse reactions with prescribed drugs. It was actually a locum dentist who had asked me why wasn't I trying CBD for pain relief, so that led me into researching CBD.

If you've bought CBD from a reputable source with lab-certified results you will find that the level of THC (the part that makes you high) is minute (my oil is 0.0249%). So, there's absolutely no problem with driving. In the UK, CBD must contain less than 0.2% THC, which wouldn't cause any sort of 'high,' to be legal.

To get a cannabis-based product for medicinal use (CBPM) you would need to find a Dr on the GMC's specialist register to have it prescribed. Ruling out children with intractable epilepsy who can be prescribed CBD, e.g. Epidiolex, the main group of patients eligible are those with spasticity caused by MS in whom other treatment hasn't helped, who would be prescribed Sativex, which contains both THC & CBD. You don't have to inform the DVLA (unless you also have epilepsy) & can drive so long as you don't feel drowsy/sleepy (which is commonsense for everyone).

You can get 'medical cannabis' privately rather than from the NHS, but I don't know what the THC content will be in these.

Whilst CBD is metabolised in the liver by a group of enzymes called cytochrome P450, it doesn't have any harmful effect (other than it can block many prescribed meds & some over the counter ones too if they're both taken at the same time). CBD actually promotes homeostasis in the body, so is beneficial in helping overall well-being.

CBD is actually present in breast milk, & we all have a naturally occurring endocannabinoid system, which should be gradually 'woken up' by using CBD with a low content initially.

Not enough studies have as yet have been done, but it seems to be particularly promising as far as pain & anxiety go, & seems to have a neuroprotective effect. Personally I found it does help with joint pain, but unfortunately has had little effect on my neuropathic pain, as yes, we're all different.

The only thing commonly found with CBD oils is that they can make you feel a little dehydrated initially, but this only lasts for a few days, & you just drink a little more water to compensate.

Have a look around where you got your patches from, they have list of FAQs & some interesting & informative blogs.

I ended up with IBS after being prescribed naproxen for infected bursitis so its possible that it’s causing your diarrhoea?

Sorry for the late response @Wibbles - whilst it would be correct to say that taking a medication orally can sometimes affect another med's effectiveness, & certainly with CBD, if taken orally, this can either reduce the effectiveness of your meds, or cause a potential overdose of your meds if they're not taken some hours apart…..with CBD patches, as the CBD is absorbed through your skin, no such potential adverse effects should apply.

CBD patches aren't the same as CBD oil. CBD oil is used under the tongue, & broken down by certain liver enzymes, the same ones that break down over 90% of prescribed meds, as I've said before, so you'd need to discuss this with your pharmacist/GP before taking CBD oil.

Of course I can't say for sure, but I'd say the patches couldn't possibly be causing your problems because of the different absorption route; one through the skin & another taken orally.