Medical Access

[merl1n]

A couple of months ago I asked my GP about obtaining cannabis to treat my ongoing symptoms.

"Ohh ahhh, I don't know anything about the processes, I wouldn't know where to start..."

Being that I'm in SA and there being no clinic's here (our state Gov't (Liberal) still have their heads buried firmly up their own arses)  I thought the whole process would be a waste of time

I went investigating and found a clinic in NSW, who would go through the whole process online.

 

So after a couple of weeks of paperwork both from myself and my GP, today I got the call from the clinic and have had the initial approval.

I now have to obtain the approval from the TGA but from what I've been told this should not be a problem and should take less than a week.

The Dr I spoke to has told me that what he would be prescribing is a CBD and THC combination as my situation is pain related.

I asked the Dr about the cost of the medication itself as it is NOT on the PBS and I have to say it is NOT cheap.

The Dr himself would not actually tell me a defined cost but advised me to call the chemist in Victoria.

Upon doing so I was told $270/50ml + postage ($30), so $300 delivered. First thought "Fuck, it'd be cheaper to go buy an ounce" but have decided to follow through with the process.

 

At this point I have not been told of the recommended dosages, so how long that 50ml is going to last I am unsure.

I am also unsure if I may be able to get my local chemist to get it in for me or whether it needs to come from an approved compounding chemist, solely in Victoria.

 

So the processes have been started. The dr and the prepaid TGA approvals have cost me $550 so far (that's without the script itself), so let's see how much more it's gonna cost

When I have any further info I will let you all know.

 

Just thought others maybe interested

Merl1n

[bufo marinus]

Glad that you're jumping through the hoops and showing everyone what's available merl1n, it all helps break down the wall.

[merl1n]

Hey Mr Brown,

"Do you think after a while you'll be trying to make your own oil up with a mix of thc and cbd?"

 

Ohh hell yes. I already make my own 'whole plant' oil using iso. This Capilano oil  does have a mix of both THC and CBD at set quantities of 10.5 mg/ml of THC and 12.9mg/ml CBD. There is no way I could be as precise and mine also contains all of the other cannabinoids within the whole plant material.

 

Mr Brown and Bufo,

'Breaking down the wall' is something I can do (Even if I can't do SFA else). People NEED to know. There is another option, yes, it's VERY $$$$, but if those who can, don't, we can't be bitchin and moaning about government action (or lack there of) when the lack of participation, in such trials, reinforces the govt claim there is no call for canna as a medication. They need to be told via statistical data. So I'll be a statistic But at the same time I'm getting a tangible benefit and educating you lot lol lol  That's a plus all round then.

Edited August 16, 2019 by merl1n

[merl1n]

OK, so I've had my first review by the perscribing doctor. Another $80

Explained that I have recieved a benefit but that an opiate is still being used at a reduced rate.

It has been recommended by the doctor that I up the dose to .5ml three times/day

Due to the increase in frequency the doctor has increased the script from 50ml/script to 100ml/script.

 

I was informed that as per TGA rules they need to review every month for 3 months, from there the reviews can be extended out to either once every two months or once every three months. Still at $80/consult.

Having participated in medication monitoring previously, I had reams of paperwork to complete charts, lists and graphs needed to be completed each day. But no such thing with this trial, which makes me wonder just how comprehensive any data gained will actually be. Presently its all anecdotal ie what I think the results are. rather than a comprehensive, documented trail of progress. All seems a bit lacking to my way of thinking. To cover all of this for myself and having copies all of the previous paperwork I decided to document it all anyway using the proformas from previous trials

But then that's their programme and as I've said before I'm gonna stick with the programme's recommended dosages/timings etc

 

So that's the update.

Merl1n

[afgahn bob]

one small voice 4 all that are voiceless soon becomes a roar

 

we all gotta start somewhere even if we don't wanna put in hard yards

 

by the sounds of things your won of the few ppl that go all in

 

just wanna commend u merl 4 jumping through the hoops of gov beuroucrosity (no spell checker) 4 the benefit of others

 

afghan phantom says where one man shows the way, others will follow.  once again I've had to much oil but hope u underkerstand 

 

good onya merl I hope all is well with fam, have 2 go as keyboard is melting

 

all b best bob

[Porky 1982]

Your a classic bob. I haven't commented for a while on this one but ive been reading it. Thanks for sharing all this with us Merl great info indeed. [emoji106][emoji106]

 

Posted from the OZ Stoners mobile app

[merl1n]

"one small voice 4 all that are voiceless soon becomes a roar

 

we all gotta start somewhere even if we don't wanna put in hard yards..."

 

I completely agree Bob, we gotta start somewhere and that's partially why I'm going through all this crap. The idea was to reduce (or even better eliminate) the opiates from my diet, but even with the recommended increase in the oil I'm still finding the need for an opiate. But then even a reduction is a plus IMO. This is being relayed back to the program coordinators so they can chart it and keep a record.

 

 

"...Thanks for sharing all this with us Merl great info indeed. [emoji106][emoji106] "

 

Posted from the OZ Stoners mobile app

 

There's no harm in sharing the info. Others may be considering it as an option, but the whole process can seem a bit convoluted (Which it is), many dr's simply don't know the processes and some don't want to go through the hassle of obtaining the approvals to prescribe as that stigma of being a 'dope fiend' still permeates. But again as Bob states "...we all gotta start somewhere..." so OK, I'll make a start.

 

Merl1n

[merl1n]

When I started this whole process my GP was unsure how to go about it all.

Yesterday the GP called me at home telling me he has another patient looking at trying to obtain access, so I provided him with all of the info and explained the processes and costs.

He told me the patient wanted to get the oil via a local chemist (as did I) but explained to him that locally the costs can be anywhere from 50 to 100% more.

 

Last week I was getting low on the oil so called the chemist and ordered another bottle so I could get it prior to running out and today I received it. The chemist themselves do not hold any in stock and it has to be ordered in, so anybody considering this route needs to be aware of the lag time from processing the order.

 

Merl1n

[sudsey123]

When I started this whole process my GP was unsure how to go about it all.

Yesterday the GP called me at home telling me he has another patient looking at trying to obtain access, so I provided him with all of the info and explained the processes and costs.

He told me the patient wanted to get the oil via a local chemist (as did I) but explained to him that locally the costs can be anywhere from 50 to 100% more.

 

Last week I was getting low on the oil so called the chemist and ordered another bottle so I could get it prior to running out and today I received it. The chemist themselves do not hold any in stock and it has to be ordered in, so anybody considering this route needs to be aware of the lag time from processing the order.

 

Merl1n

I have read all 11 pages of your progress and struggles and admire you, also appreciate it bc you are leading the way for everyone in this country.  I am very new to all this, my first encounter was 7 years ago when my mother was diagnosed with a brain cancer and there was nothing doctors could do.  I researched RSO and after a lot of hassles got the plant and extracted the oil,  it cost thousands of dollars,  didnt save my mothers life but it gave her quality life.  Now I find myself in the same situation, my 88 yo father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given his age,drs have only recommended palliative care,  lucky his GP is on board re CBD and he was prescribed,  the approval and the supply of the oil only took one week,  the cost is around $200,  I am yet to receive the invoice for it,  dad is in aged care and we get billed monthly.  I believe this is amonth supply,  but will see.  He is in advanced stage of the cancer,  the oil seem to be working well for him with a supplement of endone every now and then.  I was able to obtain some cookies for him and will start him on a 1/4-1/2 and will see how we go,  I dont know anything about them nor have I ever used them or know anyone who has.  Dad being in a nursing home makes it hard to administer them,  since I cannot tell the nurses about them.  I am a bit worried about it, to say the least,  incase he falls or is too high and tries to go for a walk around the ward.  But if it helps with the pain, I'll find a solution somehow.  I am searching and reading on here,  what people did in similar situations and how they coped.   Thanks again for your info. 

Edited September 28, 2019 by sudsey123

[AquaDolly]

I have read all 11 pages of your progress and struggles and admire you, also appreciate it bc you are leading the way for everyone in this country. I am very new to all this, my first encounter was 7 years ago when my mother was diagnosed with a brain cancer and there was nothing doctors could do. I researched RSO and after a lot of hassles got the plant and extracted the oil, it cost thousands of dollars, didnt save my mothers life but it gave her quality life. Now I find myself in the same situation, my 88 yo father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given his age,drs have only recommended palliative care, lucky his GP is on board re CBD and he was prescribed, the approval and the supply of the oil only took one week, the cost is around $200, I am yet to receive the invoice for it, dad is in aged care and we get billed monthly. I believe this is amonth supply, but will see. He is in advanced stage of the cancer, the oil seem to be working well for him with a supplement of endone every now and then. I was able to obtain some cookies for him and will start him on a 1/4-1/2 and will see how we go, I dont know anything about them nor have I ever used them or know anyone who has. Dad being in a nursing home makes it hard to administer them, since I cannot tell the nurses about them. I am a bit worried about it, to say the least, incase he falls or is too high and tries to go for a walk around the ward. But if it helps with the pain, I'll find a solution somehow. I am searching and reading on here, what people did in similar situations and how they coped. Thanks again for your info.

I work with Age and disability.

Don't worry about him going for a walk around. They encourage walks in age care. If you give it to while the door is shut any staff must knock on the door before entry. All staff I have worked with can't wait to see cannabis become mainstream. We know what it can do to help.

A few age care facilities in Queensland have doctors on staff who are happy to prescribed cannabis so talk to the facility coordinator.

I'll pm you the organisation I know who does advocate it in Queensland.

 

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

[kloud9]

PlantMed

 

Posted from the OZ Stoners mobile app