Cannabis therapy : have you tried it? how do you access it? how effective is the treatment for you?

I would like to get an idea of how widespread cannabis therapy use is amongst people living with breast cancer. If there is enough interest, might we consider joining the broader discussion about medical cannabis access and legality.

It’s all well and good that legislation has been passed regarding access to medical cannabis but the reality is, few are able to access the scheme. My Oncologist and GP are both supportive of my cannabis use but told me it is difficult to access unless all other treatment options have been exhausted.

I started using medical cannabis about four months ago. I was motivated to explore the treatment after talking with another cancer patient who was having outstanding relief from cannabis oil. I hit doc Google hard for a number of months, reading and researching all I could about medical grade cannabis. I learned about the different strains of cannabis, about CBD, THC & CBN and the many different cannabis and hemp products now available I also learned that there are people selling ‘medical cannabis’ that has no active ingredients. So, a reliable supplier is very important.

I eventually discussed my thoughts about trying medical cannabis with my oncologist. He was supportive of my using it for pain management and asked where I planned to get it. The place I mentioned has been in the business for a long time and has a good reputation for supplying quality products. A lot of cancer patients in the region go there.

I take cbd paste for pain management and cannabis oil in the hope that it will kill off the Mets in my bones (oncologist not as optimistic as me re the oil). I have had outstanding results in terms of pain management. I was taking Palexia SR150 mg twice a day and Panadol osteo three times a day. For those unfamiliar with Palexia, it is a strong opioid used for managing pain - it effectively numbs pain and your brain. I now only take cannabis extract to manage my pain and I feel so much better. My bloods are normal and the disease is stable; I have Mets in my bones but all my organs are now clear :)
FYI - I am also taking Femara 2.5mg and Kisqali My health skyrocketed soon after starting this treatment. It seems the ulternative and conventional meds are working like a dream together.

I look forward to reading your stories. If it might be useful I will write a summary of our experiences

medical-cannabis

metastatic-breast-cancer

pain

treatment

arpie
Member
7 years ago
Thanks for that info, @jena - Sadly, the hope in getting it made more readily available to those who need it may have been stymied by big pharmaceutical company's lobbying - not wanting to lose there foot hold in all the pain meds that they already supply at great expense! :( I bet they've been a big part in making it as difficult as it is to access it legally.

If it works (and there is plenty of evidence to show that it does!) It shouldn't be made THAT difficult to access it legally and at a reasonable price.

When I was on Letrozole & in extreme pain, I tried some of my sister's legally acquired cannabis oil - just overnight - and it didn't 'do anything' for me - and I realise it would take a couple of weeks to work out a dose that suits me - so didn't pursue it. A short time after, I changed meds to Exemestane, which has far less side effects for me than Letrozole did and now only take a single anti-inflam at nights. I still have the odd day/night in discomfort - but not 24/7 any more.

I will follow this thread with interest!! ;)
jena
Member
7 years ago
Thank you @arpie. I believe you are absolutely correct re big pharma. Big business has way too much influence in this world of ours
I’m glad you have your pain under control.

Yes, it does take a little time to get your dosage right. We give our little elderly dog cbd drops because she is sensitive to all other pain medication. It’s like a miracle. It took us about 10 days to get her dosage right ... she was a little spacy when we increased her dose too quickly. She’s back to longish morning walks and has completely stopped chewing at her legs and seems completely comfortable. It doesn’t work for everyone but it certainly works for Chomo and me.
jena
Member
7 years ago
Update
I attended a medical cannabis workshop in Nimbin this weekend. The Hemp Embassy runs the workshop twice a year The workshops are a great place to get information and talk to people who are using medical cannabis and those making it, as well as folk working in health care.
If it is too difficult for you to attend, you can contact the Hemp Embassy. Their volunteers are knowledgeable, compassionate and very helpful. They prefer questions in writing, which you can do via their website. http://hempembassy.net/contact/

I had an appointment yesterday with a nurse from a company called Cannvaclinics. The company offer a service to get TGA (Theraputic Goods Administration) approval for access to medical cannabis. If you are approved, which is likely for those of us with metastatic breast cancer, Cannvaclincs arrange to deliver your cannabis medicine to a local pharmacy.
https://www.acma-solution.com.au/ - for info
https://www.cannvaclinics.com/
I’ve passed through step 1, nurse eligibility ($25). Next step is an appointment with Cannvaclinic’s prescribing doctor. This costs $80 but the fee includes submitting your TGA application for approval. I will post an update once the process in complete to let you know if it is all as simple and straight forward as it seems
Sister
Member
7 years ago
@kmakm
arpie
Member
7 years ago
I hope you get your approval, @jena - shame there are still so many hoops for others to jump thru if not with Mets :( God knows that there are plenty of us in chronic 24/7 pain & could do with it! :( My change of meds hasn't been as good as I'd hoped - 6 months after swapping to Exemestane - the pain is back in my hands worse than ever. I am currently trialling some prednisone in the lead up to the Uke Festival in Feb - but am only allowed it in short bursts - not long term. :(

Keep us in the loop! Good luck!
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
I think that cannabis is an excellent option for providing relief from the side effects of other medications and improving quality of life, however I am cautious about claims that it contains the disease.
I'm glad you are having some success regarding access. I would have no idea how to obtain a prescription, both my GP and oncologist are OK with the idea, but neither are willing to assist me getting hold of it. Thankfully my overall health has improved in the last couple of months, so i am not pursuing at the moment. If, or more probably when, my condition changes, I will certainly look into it further.
I took a home made coconut oil and cannabis infusion during chemo and found it helped me sleep and manage constipation, but that wasn't an assessed product. I dislike being stoned (probably due to overindulgence in my youth) and find it makes me feel anxious, but the oil worked well if I took it at night. Mxx
jena
Member
7 years ago
Thanks @arpie

so sorry to hear you live with 24/7 pain. My pain was absolutely terrible, especially my lower back and hips. I can honestly say that I feel for you.

I was taking Palexia SR150mg and Panadol osteo twice and day and Ordine 2mg/ml for break through pain. These drugs gave me pain relief but I felt disassociated with the world as I was in a haze - they dulled the pain and my brain. Basically, my quality of life was total crap.

After 6 months of research I decided to give medical cannabis a burl. I figured I’ve nothing to loose and a lot to gain. I know it doesn’t work for everyone. I’m one of the lucky ones as I have had amazing pain relief

Since July last year I’ve taken no opioids and my pain levels are minimal and mainly relate to a broken pelvis. If it wasn’t for that darn break I’d be able to do pretty much anything I want to. If you try a cbd concentrated paste you can rest assured it has no psychotropic effect - you will not get high. It has no bad side effects, so I encourage you to do your own research and consider giving cbd a try for managing your pain.

I wish you well and may you find a way to properly manage your pain.
jena
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Zoffiel
Thanks for your input. Did someone at the hospital give you the coconut oil infusion? I’m impressed if that is the case. I’m glad to hear it helped you.

I don’t expect cannabis therapy will be a miracle cure for me but some people have had amazing healing associated with it throughout history. ..... I like to believe it is possible that I might be one of these folk. So, after reading many cannabis research summaries and anecdotes and history of its use and whatnot, I decided it was worth trying. Like you, my oncologist and GP were supportive but found the TGA approvals paperwork too time consuming.
I recently discovered https://www.cannvaclinics.com - check them out as they can arrange your approval for access to medical cannabis therapy.

I don’t like getting stoned either, so I take a full spectrum medical cannabis oil at night and sleep like a baby (it contains all the goodies the cannabis plant has to offer). It doesn’t seem to make me high though, just very sleepy.

CBD is not psychotropic, so someone taking a cbd concentrate to managing symptoms will remain clear headed. Most cbd products readily available are made from Hemp, which has virtually no THC, the psychotropic element that makes cannabis illegal.

Overall, my health has improved out of sight over the past 6 months. Friends and family who hadn’t seen me for a while have been amazed at how well I look. So for me, cannabis therapy has literally changed my life. I wish everyone who wanted to could easily have access to it, especially for pain management because it does not have the unpleasant or harmful side effects of opioids.
I’m very happy your health has improved. May you keep improving and have no need for more medicine :)
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
@jena, I made the oil myself. I put the hooch in a tray, covered it in very good quality liquid coconut oil and baked it very slowly for a few hours. It's a technique I mastered in the years that Alice B Toklas' cookbook was the mainstay of many a party. The slow roasting works better than cooking in a sauce pan, that stuff can taste disgusting. Coconut oil has a low smoke point, so it's important not to burn it. What a performance, my house smelled very interesting for a couple of days :)
Milly21
Member
7 years ago
My sister takes cbd oil for anxiety,she has one with thc in it but has told me you can buy one without thc and would be good for me for inflammation and immune effects, has anyone had one without thc,and would it be ok if you had hormone cancer and on tamoxifen ? I was thinking about having one she has with small amount of thc but was concerned about how you go if pulled up and drug tested as she just makes her own and hasn’t got prescribed?