I’m thinking of leaving the big cheese.
My first two appointments I felt were okay, the doctor I saw asked me a lot about cannabis on my first visit, but I don’t feel I ever learned anything new in how to treat myself better, I didn’t receive any strain advice (I know what works okay for me but maybe they could tell me better?) second visit they literally just wrote up what I asked. It was no different from walking in to a recreational dispensary other than “how’s it going for you” one would expect a pain specialist maybe to provide some advice from their years of training and experience with other patients.
-Maybe I’m asking too much?
I feel like they are setup to distribute, not to actually care for their patients and guide them with professional experience.
Maybe I’m being too harsh?! I’ll let you know what it’s like ‘on the other side’ if I move….
Third visit, now I’m really unimpressed. The gentlemen was clearly lay down on a bed or sofa with a backdrop on so it didn’t look like it (until he moved his head!) now I don’t know about you, but I don’t take doctors very seriously when they’re the ones lay down! 🤷🏻♂️ he didn’t really take me too seriously either pointing out I was prescribed too many different strains, I wouldn’t be the the first to describe his demeanour as somewhat patronising and almost in disbelief as to what I’m saying is true. And I’m not a touchy person, I’m easy going as anything but he was simply unprofessional. It was clear to me he knew little about cannabis too. This was followed up by a prescribing letter with daft comments that looked like a child wrote them.
Cantourage?
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25 comments
Dinamus
- 4y
Rep: 3825 Lvl: Gold
I have felt the same way about my experience with TMCC. They didn’t talk to me much about the products they were wanting to prescribe to me. Didn’t ask me what I would prefer or talk me through any strains. 2nd appointment lasted 10 mins, just to quickly write me up. Felt really anxious and on edge after each consultation, and found myself thinking “wow, I just paid £50 for that?” each time. I expect service like that from the NHS, it’s still bad but at least it’s free. This is supposed to be a private service, so really I expect a better experience. Off to Cantourage myself, as long as things run smoothly. Who know if it’ll be better service but at least I’ll probably get some tastier strains.
11
JonEmalo
- 4y
Rep: 4834 Lvl: Gold
Similar experience. Two - five minute appointments, no real knowledge or choice of strains or strength or effects, finally ended up paying twice for two pots of cannabis because they couldn't provide one with both THC and CHD in it. I emailed them (politely) about some of the critical feedback they're getting on here and the next thing I know I've got a discharge letter from them. Wtf?
Really, really poor service with 'consultants' who know next to nothing about medical cannabis and probably did two or three days of online training about it then they're good to go. They're not specialists, just GPs or other qualified doctors trying to make a few extra quid doing online consultations in their spare time.
The sensible money at the moment seems to be on Cantourage but I've only seen good feedback, I've no experience of them myself yet.
8
Ihopeyouknow
- 4y
Rep: 3963 Lvl: Gold
Can’t say I’ve found the same personally. I’ve found Sapphire very helpful, and didn’t feel like I was having to tell *them* what I needed, like with most private appointments. Their knowledge was also brilliant, they caught that it would be dangerous for me to use oils when I hadn’t even thought of that.
I see Sapphire as more of a dispensary for me, they dispense and monitor medication which is further overseen by MDTs in my NHS care.
Sounds like the doctor you saw probably was unprofessional, but perhaps he has reasonable adjustments due to his own illnesses? We can only hope.
Either way, I’ve read many posts similar to yours, with people having better experiences once moved elsewhere.
8
Stort
- 4y
Rep: 4229 Lvl: Gold
I will be honest I've got an appointment on Tuesday night and if its the same pain consultant, I can confirm similar experiences. At first consultation he told me he wasn't going to recommend treatment but the board can overrule him. Which they obviously did, but that doesn't fill me with confidence that he is going be a good consultant. He was very patronising. Basically told me that while I was still on opiates the cannabis treatment wouldn't work. I mean wtf kinda shit talk is that.
He didn't like the fact I lived in Holland for years and have over 30 years of knowledge on cannabis. From cultivation to strains and effects. I've got aassive iq and love learning new things so I am constantly reading and teaching myself new stuff, to be then belittled by some prick that knows as much as I've forgot. I'm going at him on Tuesday and the clown is getting put in his place if he starts talking shit, he is getting told he is talking shit.
I have seriously thought about moving because of him and the prescription issues with not prescribing certain strains. Still actually might move, they can keep the 50 quid 🤪
7
Trippy
- 4y
Rep: 3941 Lvl: Gold
I left buddy karl and the woman pharmacist knew fuck all. Literally they prescribed me 10G tilray £10 gram.
Tilray is £11.20 and comes minimum 15 grams how you cant get that right its basic info on products they prescribe. Told me they wouldn’t support multiple strain changes. They then told mr i could email and switch my replacement strains then told me i need to pay £50 for follow up.
Always pushing oils on me as well and refuse to prescribe grow no irradiated flower so i didnt even wait for my follow up i just left to cantourage. Same price structure way better im so happy i switched. Got 2 strains now and im asking for a third on my next consult in 2 weeks time and also asking to up my flower max daily to 1.5 from 1g
I honestly cant see it being an issue where i know for a fact id be refused this at sapphire.
I felt i had no say as a patient with them however i feel there is an element of person centred approach with my new clinic 👍
6
Yvonne
- 4y
Rep: 4602 Lvl: Gold
I found the experience the same I moved to Integro and it feels like a real medical clinic. My initial appointment was free and over 45 mins with a Dr who knew about the strains and terpines and was really thorough. I just feel integro is set up like an actual clinic rather than Sapphire who prescribe and leave you be.
4
Scdler
- 4y
Rep: 4002 Lvl: Gold
I'm so sorry people have had not so great experiences.
I love my lady who is super kind, she was VERY aware of my limited budget. I really respected that as not all of us can just pop in to office, do some overtime lol.
I've had really good experiences. Compared to a life on opiods....with GPs saying there are nooooo more meds for you to endure.... and I mean horrific side effects 😓
..
..
. it far outweighs for me.
But we're all different. That's a good thing, be mundane and boring if not!
Blessings and Peace y'all on a manageable day as best as they come 🪴🌿🦞🌿🪴
4
Pepperbear
- 4y
Rep: 5279 Lvl: Gold
Very similar to my short experience with them
4
Runt
- 4y
Rep: 5031 Lvl: Gold
Pretty much a similar experience, the pain doctor I had seemed like he was just following a guidebook on catchy jargon for cannabis and prescribed me balanced flower which is aight but the BM I buy pre-clinic is still better by miles (smell and taste) which is why I just mix the two.
Waiting on my refund for my follow-up they said 7-10 working days before I get the fund back. Its been 3 weeks now. Really considering to do a chargeback and be discharged effective immediately. Cantourage are just waiting on me to book my app, was hoping to use that refund money for my first consulation with Can as living paycheck to paycheck has it limitations lol.
3
Bobarboy
- 4y
Rep: 3930 Lvl: Gold
Na it's not arriving till Monday/Tuesday
3
Killerhazard
- 4y
Rep: 4753 Lvl: Gold
Yea it must be the same guy, he was just plain rude!
I'm trying T23 Green gelato, I've heard it's pretty good
3
Mupps
- 4y
Rep: 3786 Lvl: Gold
I've moved to zerenia because of a similar experience at sapphire, my pain clinician at sapphire was disgraceful if I'm being completely honest!
3
Richvew
- 4y
Rep: 5749 Lvl: Gold
Do any of the drs have more than maybe 3 years experience treating patients with medical cannabis. My previous dr seemed to be interested in what I could teach him about cannabis and the entourage effect ect
3
Hal9
- 4y
Rep: 4703 Lvl: Gold
I know nothing about what strains and levels of thc work for me so was looking forward to having that discussion with them, was very disappointed when they didn’t explain why I’m on the strain I’m on, would just like to know more about it and it’s possible effects on me. Totally agree it’s set up to dispense to patients who already know what their needs are.
2
foztrott
- 4y
Rep: 6494 Lvl: Gold
Of course it should, and the fact I said I intend to come off the opiats fell on deaf ears. I've already cut out my day time one. I only take one at night but intend to drop that to, once I find the right strains for me 😉
2
Lodon
- 4y
Rep: 3538 Lvl: Gold
The prescribing letter that had childish comments.
2
Feala
- 4y
Rep: 3960 Lvl: Gold
Yep no problem
2
Matthewdem
- 4y
Rep: 4427 Lvl: Gold
Yep no worries at all
2
Richie
- 4y
Rep: 4049 Lvl: Gold
Cantourage is amazing 🤩
2
Ihopeyouknow
- 4y
Rep: 3963 Lvl: Gold
Just spoke to the guys at Cantourage - it’s nice to speak to people who actually know cannabis, and care. And that was just the free call, not even with a doctor, instead of some unhelpful call center where the ladies read off scripts and cannot make decisions outside of the script.
So refreshing- more to come!
1
HenryBig
- 4y
Rep: 4657 Lvl: Gold
Ask if you can have video of your consultation.
1
Bruno
- 4y
Rep: 6255 Lvl: Gold
When you say that the doctor didn’t give advice, what questions did you ask? It would be really bad if they couldn’t answer your questions. I’m with Cannabis Access Clinics and they always answer and advise following my questions or when I explain a symptom.
1
TravisMe
- 4y
Rep: 3992 Lvl: Gold
[deleted]
-2
GlenBot
- 4y
Rep: 4195 Lvl: Gold
Could we see the letter pls?
-3
brianuk
- 4y
Rep: 4551 Lvl: Gold
You’re being to harsh.
-13