NEUROPATHIC PAIN: CESAMET used to reduce opiates

My name is Matthew and I have been taking CESAMET for the past five years at least. It had been prescribed to me to try and reduce The amount of OxyContin-CR that I was taking. I have found it effective In reducing my opiate intake and as a muscle relaxant, especially at higher doses. I do feel the dopiness associate with marijuana sometimes but most of the time I don't.

I did research with the government for 10 years in the agricultural industry, I am a graduate from Nait, Biological Sciences – Renewable Resources (Ecology). My education includes experiments In the lab, at work experiments were conducted in the field/lab/Greenhouse/controlled environment. My position included Collecting data, analyzing data, and writing up the report. I also have written two papers and Are published in a science journal, I am co-author.

I have been a member of CPAC (Chronic Pain Ass of Canada) since 2000. I have been asked by CPAC to write my story of my injury and how I have been able to overcome most problems and issues. I have also been asked to write up an experiment which I conducted on myself with Cesamet. They are currently in the editing stage.

I was involved in a hunting accident on November 16,1997, where I was shot by a 30-06 on the left side of my neck. I had been mistaken for a moose by the shooter. I have been dealing with severe Neuropathic pain and many other symptoms ever since. I was in severe pain and I needed proper help and proper medication to control my pain. Not only was it for pain control, but also for all other symptoms which had developed from my injury physically, mentally, and emotionally. I was suffering tremendously and screaming for help. The fact is I'm lucky to be alive!

I have been teaching med students, residents, doctors who are applying to practice here in Canada, and a few specialists, about chronic pain, not only the neuropathic pain I am dealing with, but a lot that is pertinent to chronic pain in general. I was asked by the head doctor of the pain clinic at the U of A, Dr. Brian Knight, to teach one of his classes as well.

I do not consider myself an expert, I am just a very knowledgable person in many areas. I do however know more than most medical persons about chronic pain, having to deal with it, finding information on my own, and learning from every doctor or specialist for the last 15 years. I have an honorary doctorate with the Millwoods Family Clinic in Edmonton, not official yet. My doctor has been using me as a teaching patient for the last five years at the clinic I go to for my regular check-ups and counselling.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD, a depressive and anxiety disorder, disturbance of sleep patterns, possible seizures, allodynia (hypersensitive nerves) on the left side of my face, neck, shoulder front and back, so bad at times where the light touch of a shirt or blanket can aggravate and intensify my neuropathic pain. This pain is literally in my face, not figuratively, and the intensity level is unbearable most of the time because it is always there.

For what its worth I feel that if cesamet is a drug approved for use in the USA, Canada and elsewhere then is it not wrong to allow forum members to ask advice of other members here.

I should add that I am vehemently anti drugs, in that I mean anything not prescribed by a doctor. I have no need myself to consider anything like this. However I do feel for those that have tried everything and are prescribed this. We can hardly call them "druggies". It seems unfair that they are not allowed to discuss their issues with this medication just as I have with fentanyl and OxyContin. We are talking about a legally prescribed drug, from a legal pharmacy.

No one knows the future of chronic pain. I am not in the predicament of some here, I even remember a time when I wouldn't even consider opiate pain meds. But times change and if drugs like cesamet offer hope to some who have tried everything available then should we be making it appear underhand by not allowing it's discussion here.

I in no way mean to offend anyone by this post, this is just my very humble opinion!! I have found the suppport here invaluable and just think it should be open to anyone using legally prescribed medication. I should add I am in the UK and haven't a clue about the rules here re this type of drug!

Jane

Please understand the mods do not make the rules here at Healing Well. Only the owner/administrator does this. All the mods can do is make sure the rules are followed. If you have a problem with any of the rules here at Healing Well by all means send the administrator an email and take it up with him.

Thanks.......Susie

Hey everyone...

Spoke w/ Admin about all of this - and this particular drug is ok to talk about :) Just FYI....

Take care -- Tina

I just wanted to add so that people outside the U.S. understand that the pure form is still illegal here according to Federal law...Even in prescription form for medical use.

So that is why it's more "controversial" here as people can still get into trouble even if their state has passed laws saying it's ok. It's not something that is prescribed as often for pain but more for nausea in those who are dealing with Chemo, Glaucoma or other issues.

 

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 1/5/2013 9:20:54 AM (GMT-7)

Susie

Sorry, if I haven't made myself clear, I only meant those taking medications like cesamet. I was really referring to a post where, I think it was miss Bunky or something like that, was advised that because it was medical marijuana, it could not be discussed on this forum.

As I told you before, I count myself lucky to have found this forum, I have had fantastic support from you and many others. I am not one to cause problems, I promise you, I just felt sorry for the person that was told cesamet could not be discussed especially when it had been prescribed by her doctor. I realize now it was an older post so maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it. I guess I just wantedv her to be able to access the support that I have had. I am so sorry if I have upset you or anyone else.

Take care Susie, hope you are good

Jane

I just wanted to add something so that there is no misunderstanding. Although "medical marijuana is illegal under federal law, this is not the same as the FDA-approved medications Cesamet and Marinol. These medications are used to treat pain and chronic illnesses like cancer and AIDS. You will not get in any legal trouble for using these properly prescribed medications. Just an FYI.

*this response is in general..not to anyone in particular*

My point was only that "medical marijuana" is still illegal under Federal law as there have been a few states that have now legalized this so this can be confusing on what is and is not allowed to be discussed on this site.

This is different from Cesamet which has the ingredient Nabilone in it which is FDA approved...That is not really considered "medical marijuana" by DEA standards so it is classified as a Schedule 2 medication and is ok in the U.S. It's important for people who live here to know the difference. Just like Marinol which is a Schedule 3 medication and is also FDA approved. These both have "components" of the marijuana plant THC.

So, I just wanted to make aware to those that live here (and for those reading outside the US) to where the states that have Drs. who  prescribe real "medical marijuana" to patients now, it is still illegal under Federal Law.

The information is below:

In June 2011, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reviewed a petition to reschedule marijuana. Based upon scientific and medical evaluation, as well as scheduling recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), DEA denied the petition to reschedule marijuana. HHS determined that marijuana has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S., and lacks accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

Regardless of state laws to the contrary, there is no such thing as “medical” marijuana under Federal law. Marijuana continues to be a Schedule I substance meaning that it has no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 1/5/2013 11:52:52 AM (GMT-7)

Hey Chirping Cricket I would like to hear more of your study...I too from Canada was prescribed Nabilone last June for Chronic Back Pain, but Pain doc took me off it very quickly (2 weeks) as I found it made me euphoric. Since then he has me on a strong Opiate based pain med which the side effects are horrific. I was just going through my pain journal and the only side effect from Nabilone I saw was a euphoria feeling, but now I am thinking we didn't stay on it long enough. If I had more info I may talk to him on trying it again, as I am sure it is alot safer long term than an Opiate.

Thanks...

Snowbunny21 said...
*this response is in general..not to anyone in particular*

Regardless of state laws to the contrary, there is no such thing as “medical” marijuana under Federal law. Marijuana continues to be a Schedule I substance meaning that it has no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

better look again!?!?

United States federal government officials have consistently denied that marijuana has any medical benefits. On the other, the government actually holds patents for the medical use of the plant.

Just check out US Patent 6630507 titled “Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants” which is assigned to The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The patent claims that -

“Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and HIV dementia.”

 

The patent was obtained in October of 2003.

MrPCman, what's wrong with euphoria?  I always thought that it was a good thing-----even a great feeling!  That's the side effect most of us can only dream about!

Well snowbunny, everyone's definition of 'euphoria' could make for a long long discussion.    According to most dictionaries, it simply means "a feeling of happiness".     If you want to read into it a more sinister and disturbing connotation then that is your prerogative.

I agree with you that in most cases the best we can strive for is to 'neutralize' the pain, but to a lot of people that in itself might be construed as euphoric!

Fair enough snowbunny.