Has Anyone in Canada Ever Heard of "Sativex"?

By Mark Sunday, December 16, 2007

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My doctor prescribed Marinol (a sythethic THC) for pain (wasn't too expensive ... just a $25 copay with my health insurance). I'd like to try "Sativex,' since it it derived from real marijuana (grown by GW Pharmaceuticals in a "secret" secured greenhouse located in the south of England). btw: I've been on vacation (or should I say Holiday) to the South of England and it's not very big ... at least not big enough to hide a greenhouse,

"Sativex" has an additional Cannabinod which counteracts the side effects of taking just THC. I'm toying with the idea of going up to Canada with a USA Rx for "Sativex" from my doc.

Right now I'm using my 5 mg Valium when needed (up to 3 x day) to counteract my most frequent side-effect (which is when my heart feels like it's racing) ... I'd probably be breaking the law by buying Sativex in Canada and then trying to cross the border back into the USA, The border is tightening up ... passports, etc. I think mail order will also not happen until the FDA approves Sativex for use in the USA.

I still have not heard from any of the many Canadians who post on these boards on the topic of "Sativex," Are there TV commercials for drugs like in the states. I can imagine something like: "side-effects include but are not limited to uncontrollable munchies, feeling good, etc."

In my case, I've been taking Marinol for 2 weeks and I've I lowered my slow release morphine tabs from 180 mg to 30 mg in a period of 2 weeks. Tomorrow, I'm lowering myself to 15 mg of morphine which I'll take for a week and then stop completely. Cheesy

To my friends in Canada: Has anyone tried "Sativex"?

Mark

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Comments (10) | Add comment

Adrian Serra

12/16/07 9:28pm

that is an awesome feeling when you reduce meds , isn't it ?

that is what i am hoping would happen for me . i will ask about it to my NP here .. thanks for the info, I did look into it a bit more .. Adrian

Mark

12/16/07 11:46pm

Yeah you're right! ... I feel much more alive! I'm feeling twenty-something instead of fifty-something ...

Mark

12/17/07 10:49am

I found the following on the Web re: "Cannabis and cannabinoids" for treating FM.

"Fibromyalgia patients frequently self-report using cannabis therapeutically to treat symptoms of the disease. Writing in the July 2006 issue of the journal Current Medical Research and Opinion, investigators at Germany's University of Heidelberg evaluated the analgesic effects of oral THC (∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in nine patients with fibromyalgia over a 3-month period. Subjects in the trial were administered daily doses of 2.5 to 15 mg of THC, but received no other pain medication during the trial. Among those participants who completed the trial, all reported a significant reduction in daily recorded pain and electronically induced pain. Previous clinical and preclinical trials have shown that both naturally occurring and endogenous cannabinoids hold analgesic qualities, particularly in the treatment of cancer pain and neuropathic pain, both of which are poorly treated by conventional opioids. As a result, some experts have suggested that cannabinoid agonists would be applicable for the treatment of chronic pain conditions unresponsive to opioid analgesics such as fibromyalgia, and they theorize that the disease may be associated with an underlying clinical deficiency of the endocannabinoid system."

Mark

12/18/07 7:51am

This is posted on a Canadian Chronic Pain site

<http://sunshine35446.yuku.com/topic/7536>

I'll continue with this thread over there. You may have to copy and paste the link.

Mark Big Smile

stuie

2/ 8/08 8:47pm

I pick up my first box of sativex vials tomorrow. So far all I know is that is is expensive.....$650 a box (4 vials)(here in Canada). I hope my insurance company covers it...maybe I should have called first...oh well. I'm excited to try it. I just wanted something more effective than baclofen to help keep my jumpy legs calm at night...so I can get better sleep. I'll let you know how things go. Big Smile

Mark

2/ 8/08 9:41pm

Stuie,

please let me know how it goes ... I'm trying to to get into the phase 3 trial/compassionate FDA-approved trials in the states ... I'm currently taking Marinol but I keep reading how Sativex is better because it contains 2 benefical cannibinoids (THC and CBID). Marinol only has the THC portion. Have you ever tried Marinol? I only ask becauce you'd be able to judge which is better (and if that was the case to begin with). Thanks in advance for any feedback at all.

Mark

Tracy Lewis

2/21/08 6:32am

Hi Mark

I am a student in England and I have seen a number of comments you have made regarding the issue of use of cannibinoids for chronic pain. I am currently doing an assignment on contentious health issues and I have chosen this subject as it interests me greatly. I was hoping that you may be able to assist me with you knowledge of the subject and your personal opinions of the advantages and disadvantages for its use.

I hope you dont mind me asking? Big Smile

Regards Tracy

Mark

2/21/08 1:02pm

Hi Tracy, I emailed you back ... all that I need is a list a questions in a bullet format and I'll provide everything that I know on this topic.

Mark

lewistal

2/23/08 9:29am

Hi Mark

Thank you for your response, I wasnt actually expecting it so Im really pleased, my course has been a bit hectic last couple of days so Im just trying to catch up with myself Pinch I would really appreciate your assistance. Ill be back to you as soon as possible with a list of questions.

Many thanks and kind regards

Tracy

Ella

3/17/12 9:25am

I suffer from Fibro/Myofascial Pain/chronic pain and have requested/applied thru my Dr. to try "Sativex" but was turned down because my Pharma-use indicates that I have not yet tried the traditional meds available !! I wont use my Celebrex or Nsaids because of harmful side-effects. So for 15 years, basically no support or help has been offered other than basic info re; foods, exercise. So, I eat healthy and exercise. I am self-employed, so I am able to work during my less painful hours !! Isnt it ironic tho, that my Dr. offered that I could attend a six-week course, 150 kms from home, that would teach me how to cope; dress myself etc... , to be prepared for when my health further deteriorates ! ! any helpful thoughts would be greatly appreciated....here in Canada - Ella

Has Anyone in Canada Ever Heard of "Sativex"?

I found the following on the Web re: "Cannabis and cannabinoids" for treating FM.

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