I'm originally from Canada where MedCan has been legal for just about 25 years. I don't see it as any different from being prescribed codeine-derived meds.
I've been a medical canabis patient in the UK for 2.4 years for chornic pain.
I had an appointment with my GP 2.5 years ago about my (then 1 year old) issue with pain. I told her I did not tolerate any opiates well and asked about other treatments. I was told that all that was available -there was nothing else. Nothing. It was a very distressing appointment. I became a patient at Sapphire soon after that.
I saw my GP for something else after not seeing her for over a year and a half. She suddenly insisted on a referral to a Pain Clinic. Obviously, she knew I was a patient at Sapphire from the letters they had been receiving. This was the first I had heard of NHS Pain Clinics and I asked her what could they offer and she really had no answer other than that had had a 'holistic' approach to pain?
I have an appointment next week (after 14-month wait)
Has anyone dealt with an NHS Pain Clinic whilst prescribed medical cannabis? I'm wondering what to expect with attitude really. I've printed out a bunch of Canadian studies regarding cannabis use and chronic pain specifically just for fun when they spout the usual 'there isn't enough evidence' :)
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12 comments
Lodon
- 6mth
Rep: 3538 Lvl: Gold
My pain specialist is very much pro-cannabis and says they’ve seen many patients seek private treatment and benefit from it. She asks me at each appointment about my experiences and definitely doesn’t show any signs of disapproval, but rather not being too happy that she can’t prescribe it on the NHS herself.
For the most part my experience seems to be that it’s generally the GPs who don’t tend to like it. Most of the specialists have enough experience in whatever condition you have to know how difficult it can be to manage symptoms and has likely done extensive research of their own to see for themselves how beneficial it can potentially be for some where other treatments failed.
8
Mashpal
- 6mth
Rep: 4361 Lvl: Gold
I'm under the NHS pain clinic. They really have done absolutely nothing at all. Literally, nothing. I asked them about MC and they had a nurse who knew about it so she went away and at our next appointment she gave me details on T21 and MC. That's how I chose my clinic. Ive Literally only just started MC as of yesterday so I have no idea what the GP/pain clinics reactions will be.
6
Spaceman7
- 6mth
Rep: 3246 Lvl: Gold
I’ve not had an appointment at a pain clinic since becoming an MC patient but been seen twice in different areas over the past ten years. In my own experience it was a complete waste of time. They couldn’t offer me anything at all despite me explaining to them how difficult life had become with chronic pain. My MC dr is far better and completely understands, he’s one of the best drs I’ve ever seen.
3
Steveo
- 6mth
Rep: 3994 Lvl: Gold
It'll most likely be more about psychological support for living with pain than anything medical, possibly physiotherapy referrals too. I found the pain psychologists very helpful. Depending on the underlying cause for your pain, they can make onward referrals (if you need neurology for example) or do interventional things like nerve blocks.
3
Feala
- 6mth
Rep: 3960 Lvl: Gold
Have been referred to pain clinic via GP twice over the past almost 4 years, I've been seen through the Connect Health pain clinic both times, honestly every member of the pain clinic team I interacted with was very pro-MC and wanted it to be more widely available for chronic pain patients and informed me of the long-term effects of opioids, which no GP or consultant had, and some of these opioids I'd been on for nearly 4 years before I became an MC patient.
Pain Clinic (at least in my experience) looks at the mental health side of chronic pain and how it links in to everything. Helps learn more about clean sleeping habits, pacing activities etc, I also attended group sessions with pain clinic which helped me realise I'm not alone in the battle with chronic pain
I hope you find it useful OP hope you have a positive experience as I luckily did.
3
Ellisahen
- 6mth
Rep: 5783 Lvl: Gold
Theres definitely a difference, opioids are physically addictive and ruin lives, cannabis saves lives by keeping patients off opioids lol. The pain management clinic I saw recently basically said they're all for if it's prescribed by a legit doctor/clinic and it means I don't need to take opioid based analgesics or long-term NSAIDs.
2
Ilona
- 6mth
Rep: 3758 Lvl: Gold
I'm at an NHS pain clinic for the last year. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis with classic "Fibro" symptoms to boot (severe pain and fatigue all over).
Pain specialist was really interested in MC (although kind of saw it as a holistic "well if it works it works" kind of therapy).
I've waited a long time for appointments, treatments and follow ups as they are overwhelmed, but I've had:
Epidural steroid injection for herniated disc that was pushing on my sciatic nerve. Worked well for three or four months.
Amitriptyline at night for sleep (stopped after a week as was terrible).
Lidocaine infusion (intravenous). Absolutely amazing treatment that pretty much halted my systemic pain overload and put me into remission for several months. Unfortunately waiting months to find out when the next treatment will be.
You're lucky to get a referral and I hope they offer some solutions, there is nowhere near enough help for chronic pain in the NHS. I wouldn't have been offered the Lidocaine infusion anywhere else except private.
Good luck!
2
CharlesHob
- 6mth
Rep: 3613 Lvl: Gold
My NHS pain Consultant (pain clinic) was also my first MC Doctor! I told them i use Cannabis (street weed) for pain, they told me about MC clinics and my journey began.
2
Matthewdem
- 6mth
Rep: 4427 Lvl: Gold
Only for severe cases so far, and only a few as far as I know. General pain patients do not qualify.
2
Gibby
- 6mth
Rep: 3941 Lvl: Gold
I have been seeing an NHS pain clinic for 4 years on and off.
My consultant told me I'd be better off with cannabis than morphine/Pregabalin/benzos.
I switch up between cannabis with a bit of benzos/valium during tolerance breaks.
I imagine individual pain Drs and clinics have different ideals and ideas.
But out of the 6 or 7 consultants I've asked, all but 1 old dinosaur told me I'd be better off with cannabis for nerve pain than any pharmaceutical interventions.
1
Toad
- 6mth
Rep: 5778 Lvl: Gold
My experience of an NHS pain clinic was awful. A judgemental "doctor" who could barely speak English (I only mention because I'm really not exaggerating!) told me I was taking too many opioids (I was taking only as prescribed by my GP), and said there was nothing else they could offer. Supposedly they are supposed to offer some kind of CBT as well, but haven't been able to hire a psychiatrist for over 3 years?! I've tried CBT before in any case, and it was not at all helpful for me personally.
AFAICT, NHS pain clinics exist to dish out weak opioids and strong NSAIDs, in cookie-cutter fashion. They weren't interested in me or my medical problems, and will not do anything that isn't on their limited "script" of prescribable meds. It literally made me feel worse!
1
Dudley86
- 6mth
Rep: 5933 Lvl: Gold
I dealt with the pain clinic before becoming a MC user, they only do mindfulness and self help, they told me they couldn't help me because those things wont work for me. They just sent me a leaflt for understanding pain, they seemed to take an "its all in your head" approach. They suggested an anti depressant other then that they couldnt help. Was a complete waste of time for me personally
1