CBD Oil Relief

I was prescribed CBD oil in September of 2023 in hopes that I might find some relief for the paralytic spasms which have occurred nightly for the past 15 or so years.

The dosage I was prescribed was THC:CBD = 1:30 mg/ml.  The volume taken was ramped up over a period of time until a final dosage 1.5 milliliters twice daily was achieved.  The suggested dosing was 1.5 ml in the morning and 1.5 ml an hour or so before bedtime.

This regime worked reasonably well but since spasms occurred mostly at night, I was told by the CBD oil physician that I could "play around with it".  I decided to shift 0.5 ml from the morning to the evening making the dosing 1.0 ml in the morning and 2.0 ml before bedtime, thereby keeping the 3.0 ml volume initially prescribed.

I might have tried increasing the volume, but at $30/30 ml bottle, the cost would begin to add up.  As I use 3.0 ml/day, a 30 ml bottle lasts me ten days.  That adds up to 3 bottles per month or $90/month, or $1080.00 per year.  A hefty chunk of change for anyone on a fixed income.  Increasing my dosage would impact my bank account, yet what price for relief of physical and mental anguish?

My private insurance plan does not cover medically prescribed CBD oil.  I understand that the Federal Government does allow it as a tax deduction.  I will submit receipts at tax time when I've accumulated sufficient numbers to make it worthwhile.

I was skeptical anything would offer relief.  Baclofen which is supposed to calm spasms seemed to have no effect on me.  Oh, I'm certain it had some action, but it didn't make my life any better.  Once when I tried to ween myself off the seemingly inactive drug, I found that my legs, when spread apart, wanted to pull in together.  It had some relief on tightness but as for painful annoying, repetitive leg spasms - a leg which would contract and lift off the bed up to 12 inches then release and slam back down onto the mattress, over and over for hours on end, it did nothing.

After so many years of painful, annoying leg spasms, what was the result of adding CBD oil?  It has made a great difference yet it is not by any means a magic potion.  Spasms have lessened to a great degree and those that I experience are much milder.  Then again, every week or two, the original spasms return for a night to remind me that they still exist.  Though not 100% effective, I'm delighted that the CBD oil works as well as it does.

The question now is - why isn't this prescribed to all paraplegics as the first-line drug for those who experience paralytic spams?  While all injuries differ, it should be offered to determine the level of effectiveness in each person and in each medical situation.  To me, the oil's taste reminds me of when as a child, I might chew on a piece of straw or a blade of grass.  It has that sort of flavour.

I take the oil using a 1ml syringe however some sort of gelatin pills filled with oil are available.  Type of delivery probably depends on the volume of oil that you are prescribed.

The amount of THC, the active component of cannabis, is so low in the product that I was prescribed, that there is no psychotropic effect.  No, I don't get a buzz.

Has my life improved?  Sure.  But I still get spasms.  It's like someone punches you in the gut 100 times a night and then relief is offered.  You are now punched in the gut only 50 times a night and with somewhat less force.  Life still may suck, but I'll take whatever relief I can get, thank you.

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