Sativex

[doublevision1]

I asked about this quite a while ago but with so many new people I though I would ask again.  I am strongly leaning toward trying this drug for the pain in my hand which is driving me nuts.  I am on the highest dose of Neurontin plus 75mg of Elavil at night, with minimal to moderate relief.  When I asked my neuro about it last year, he just yes, he is familiar with it and yes, some of his patients are on it.  He discouraged me from trying it pointing out that some of  its side effects are already complaints of mine: fatigue, poor concentration, memory.  Hower I'm getting to the point that I want to at least try it; if the side effects are unmanageable I will stop.

I had a good conversation with my pharmacist today, he said he handles it rarely but does have a customer who is a MS patient who has been able to get off all other pain meds because Sativex gives her great relief.  He commented that it must not taste very good (it's a mouth spray) because a vial was broken recently and the smell was awful.  I read others comment about the terrible taste on other message boards.  I discussed recently with my GP; she has never prescribed Sativex though believes cannabis can really help alleviate MS symptoms.  She is willling to prescribe it so I can at least give it a try.

If any of you have experience with this med, good or bad, I would love to hear about it.  I realize most of you won't as most here are American and this med isn't approved in the U.S. unless that has recently changed.

[marymoto]

Hello i was just curious if you have migraines and if the sativex is helping with the pain?

[Lulu54]

you might be interested in this upcoming discussion  ---- it is a free webcast blog.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/multiplesclerosis-unplugged/2011/11/15/turkey-check-cranberry-sauce-check-medical-marijuana

[tessky]

We do know how the majority of chemicals in medical marijuana work.  Sativex is primarily synthesized to contain Tetrahydrocannibinol "THC" (which provides the "high" and causes euphoria and sedation) and Cannabidiol "CBD" (which provides anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, anti-pain effects and is known to destroy cancer cells).  In most modern strains for the "leafy" medical marijuana (i.e. not synthesized), THC has been 'bred' to be high due to peoples' desire to be "high," while CBD goes by the wayside, despite that CBD is one of the most therapeutic and safest chemicals known to effectively treat a variety of conditions.  Unfortunately, lack of information is prevalent (not to mention the spread of disinformation) and most of the international medical community is unwilling to explore the potential of Cannabidiol (CBD).  There is a growing campaign to raise awareness, however, and I implore you to check it out: http://projectcbd.org/

[doublevision1]

I was asked about the cost of med.  It was $560 for a month supply dispensed by a Safeway pharmacy in Alberta.  Not covered under Alberta Blue Cross non-group plan; though is covered under my employer group plan (10% co-pay).

[doublevision1]

Update:  just took my first spray of Sativex.  Tastes gross but tolerable.  Can't wait to brush my teeth.  Am supposed to start with one spray twice a day and then add one more spray per day until I achieve pain relief.  I think it will take some experimenting to achieve the right dose.  As most of you know, neuropathic pain waxes and wanes in intensity and sensations can range from pressure and squeezing to burning and itching to creepy crawlies, pins and needles, to knife stabbing, electric jolts to numbess.  I get all those sensations in my left hand that come and go.  Figuring out whether I'm getting relief frrom the drug or just normal varying intensity of pain will take some time I think especially as I will be conservative in increasing the dose.

I am trying not to get my hopes up, I know neuropathic pain is one of the hardest MS symptoms to treat.  Hoping this will help and that the side effects aren't intolerable. Side effects such as:  fatigue, dizziness, fainting, panic attacks, confusion, depression, paranoia, anorexia, feeling bdrunk, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, transient toxic psychosis, anxiety, impaired memory, 'strange ideas', slurred speech, poor balance, blurred vision, feeling of general happiness easy laughing  or a 'high'.  As you can see, many of the side effects are also symptoms of MS.   Fortunately being of sound mind without history of depression, anxiety, etc my doctor believes I am at lower risk for these kind of side effects.  Hopefully I just get the 'feeling of general happiness.'  That actually sounds awesome as far as side effects go. :)   Wish me luck!

[COBOB]

Mine too.  Colorado is in a unique position since the Right Grating Patient Access to  Medical Marijuana is not a law.  It is the 20th Amendment to Colorado State Constitution.  Law can be overturned pretty easily and the government may try to limit access via laws, but the chance that those laws will be overturned is pretty high since access is a constitutional right here.

[Mustang0064]

me too...sometimes i make bhang it's a drink with milk and leaf, or cannabutter ginger cookies, or vape or smoke...vaping is the best next too eating, smoking is simplier but not as effective.  I am currently awaiting my license to smoke and possess  ;)

[Guitar_grrrl]

The leafy stuff helps IMMENSELY with my spasms!  

[tiredaz]

I'm guessing you must be in Canada.  Arizona has recently passed a law permitting medical marijuana.  I don't have a dx yet, but have lots of pain and double vision.  I'll be interested to know how this works for you.  Good luck.

[jensequitur]

To be honest I'd much rather take the herbal supplement than the Sativex.  The problem with the processed pharmaceutical is that we don't really understand why mmj works - so how do we know we put the right chemicals in Sativex?

[doublevision1]

....speaking of medical marijuana....I saw my GP today and she has prescribed the Sativex for me.  Couldn't get it filled today as the pharmacy needs to order it in.  I'll be out of town for a few days so will start it when I return; or perhaps wait till the following weekend to start as it will likely be very sedating till I get used to it.  My paresthesias-ridden fingers are crossed that it's going to be helpful....and not taste too awful...

[doublevision1]

Thanks Bob.  My husband just pointed out to me that I probably will have a problem travelling out of country with it.  Am going to L.A. as well as France in the next couple of month, guess I will have to leave the Sativex at home if I am taking it then.

Really unbelieve your federal government's position on medical marijuana.  I have several friends and relatives who have relied on it for pain relief and appetite during cancer treatments, and it helped them enormously.

[COBOB]

I have a card from the State of Colorado and put the leafy stuff in the vaporizer as is allowed by Amedment 20 to the Colorado Constitution, but the US Federal government still list marijuana  as a Schedule 1 drug with no medical use.  Right.  So I don't see Sativex being allowed in the US by the FDA and DEA anytime soon.

Bob