Discussion
Any ideas how to go about trying to get this from the GP? I have a relative that has the worst gout pain imaginable with attacks coming monthly, also the uric acid is causing terrible swelling in his joints and bone erosion in fingers and toes. He tried all the terrible drugs with terrible effects - allipournol, febuxastat, the opiate pain killers, diclofenac etc. Its almost like they expect you to take these stupid drugs and take more drugs for the side effects however he can't take these due to kidney disease and heart disease. I know its the big bad drug that everyone loves to hate but in comparison to things like colchichine every hour (which is basically a poison) it may as well be sugar. I really thing the NHS is gravely negligent not allowing this for people in serious pain, makes me so mad that doctors can be so ignorant just to protect drug company profits.
He's tried the co-dryamol and another I can't recall the name, both ineffective. The main issue I think is the damaging effect of taking the usual drugs when having pain for a week. So I guess it's the expense that's stopping them dishing out sativex, why don't they just grow the stuff and prescribe it?
I take sativex for my MS. My pct won't touch it so have to travel to another pct where a Neuro is running the trials. As a painkiller its not brilliant but helps with spasticity in my legs. For pain management, along with gabapentin I use Butran patches. The patch may be a better option for them.
if you want sativex its about £440 for a 3 spray pack from what I've read of people buying privately.
if you want sativex its about £440 for a 3 spray pack from what I've read of people buying privately.
Richyboy said:
He's tried the co-dryamol and another I can't recall the name, both ineffective. The main issue I think is the damaging effect of taking the usual drugs when having pain for a week. So I guess it's the expense that's stopping them dishing out sativex, why don't they just grow the stuff and prescribe it?
ok so on a scale of 1-10 o opioids you've barely reached 1, i suspect the other was probably dihydrocodeine, there's a hell of a lot more stronger opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine.Silent1 said:
Richyboy said:
He's tried the co-dryamol and another I can't recall the name, both ineffective. The main issue I think is the damaging effect of taking the usual drugs when having pain for a week. So I guess it's the expense that's stopping them dishing out sativex, why don't they just grow the stuff and prescribe it?
ok so on a scale of 1-10 o opioids you've barely reached 1, i suspect the other was probably dihydrocodeine, there's a hell of a lot more stronger opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine.To the op, why not get the GP to refer to a hospital pain specialist - they are the experts, rather than a car forum. Sativex is a pharmacological handgrenade, and really not suitable for what you are describing.
As others have mentioned, there are much better, specific drugs which may prove beneficial.
As others have mentioned, there are much better, specific drugs which may prove beneficial.
Farmerpalmer said:
To the op, why not get the GP to refer to a hospital pain specialist - they are the experts, rather than a car forum. Sativex is a pharmacological handgrenade, and really not suitable for what you are describing.
As others have mentioned, there are much better, specific drugs which may prove beneficial.
i'd agree with that , the hospital pain teams are very useful resources and it;s a growing area for the best and brightest in Anaesthetics to acquire as a interest.As others have mentioned, there are much better, specific drugs which may prove beneficial.
Silent1 said:
ok so on a scale of 1-10 o opioids you've barely reached 1, i suspect the other was probably dihydrocodeine, there's a hell of a lot more stronger opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine.
Just out of curiosity, what is the strongest painkiller you can get?Mr Pies said:
Silent1 said:
ok so on a scale of 1-10 o opioids you've barely reached 1, i suspect the other was probably dihydrocodeine, there's a hell of a lot more stronger opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine.
Just out of curiosity, what is the strongest painkiller you can get?Richyboy said:
He's tried the co-dryamol and another I can't recall the name, both ineffective. The main issue I think is the damaging effect of taking the usual drugs when having pain for a week. So I guess it's the expense that's stopping them dishing out sativex, why don't they just grow the stuff and prescribe it?
That's exactly what they are doing. GW Pharma grow 30,000 plants a year, they even get to do it at the Gov's high security Porton Down facility. There's nothing 'magic' about their process either. When I looked at their accounts back in 2010 their profits were something daft like £23.5million on a turnover of £24million. Alternatively they could see a rheumatologist with an interest in gout, there are a number of other options for gout that would treat the problem not the symptoms of the acute attack - probencid, sulfinpyrazone are older uricosuric drugs with different patterns of potential side effects and rasburicase which is a recombinant uricase that is very effective(but not yet licensed in UK). Symptomatic relief will not avoid the potential joint damage of gout.
Mr Pies said:
Silent1 said:
ok so on a scale of 1-10 o opioids you've barely reached 1, i suspect the other was probably dihydrocodeine, there's a hell of a lot more stronger opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine.
Just out of curiosity, what is the strongest painkiller you can get?Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff