Chronic Pain Patient: Medical Cannabis Gave Me My Life Back
A patient living with complex regional pain syndrome shares her experience of transitioning from high-dose opioids to a cannabis-based treatment plan under specialist supervision.
Sarah, a 42-year-old former nurse from Sheffield, was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome in her right arm following a workplace injury six years ago. By 2023 she was prescribed the maximum licensed dose of two different opioid analgesics, still experiencing breakthrough pain on most days, and had been unable to work for three years.
Finding a Route to Cannabis Medicine
Following a recommendation from a fellow patient in an online support group, she sought a referral to a licensed cannabis medicine specialist. Her GP, while not authorised to prescribe CBMPs directly, was able to write a referral letter supporting an assessment at a specialist clinic.
After a comprehensive initial consultation covering her full medical history, current medications, and treatment goals, she was prescribed a whole-flower cannabis product for vaporisation alongside a high-CBD oil for daytime use. The prescribing specialist provided a detailed titration schedule and scheduled a follow-up appointment at four weeks.
Outcomes After 12 Months of Treatment
- Daily pain scores reduced from an average of 7.8 to 4.2 on a 10-point scale
- Opioid dose reduced by 70% under supervised tapering
- Sleep duration improved from an average of 4 hours to 6.5 hours per night
- Returned to part-time volunteering work after 18 months of treatment
"I am not cured. But I am present. I can hold a conversation. I can help in my community. I got pieces of myself back that I thought were gone forever."
This case is being contributed anonymously to the UK Medical Cannabis Registry as part of ongoing real-world evidence collection. All identifying details have been changed to protect patient privacy.
