Anyone with RA tried CBD oil or rub?

[Knit12]

I have had RA for over 25 yrs, most of it on sulphasalazine which suddenly stopped working 2 years ago when I had the biggest flare. Since then I have been on methotrexate tablets and injections. Both worked well but they brought me out in so many spots on my face I looked like I had acne and didn’t want to be seen in public. My Rheummie was brilliant stopped everything for a month. Then I went on Humira for 5 months, same thing happened. Now I’m on week 9 of Benepali no rash so far, but the pain and swelling in my joints is unbearable. My hands, wrists, shoulders, feet are all swollen and I can’t bend my hands.

I have been in touch with the rheumatologist they want me to stick it out to week 12. They called me in 2 weeks ago and I had a steroid injection, but it has had little effect. I am now thinking of trying CBD oil as I’m sure I read on here someone on Benepali was taking it with great success. I’d be interested in your experiences before I speak to my rheummie about it.

[oldtimer]

If you put CBD in the search box you should find previous posts on this subject.

The evidence, however, is not yet there for effectiveness and the amount of active principal in the preparations available over the counter seems to be very variable.

[Hidden]

I second Oldtimer’s reply.

The research in humans is sparse and very patchy, but the best pain relieving response anecdotally seems to be in people where there is a greater element of musculoskeletal pain as opposed to inflammatory because the oil acts as a relaxant: most people that take it orally will tell you that they feel very calm and physically relaxed whilst on it. I’m not poo-pooing it, and some people have had good results, but I researched it ahead of trying CBD myself, went in with an open mind, and ultimately came out disappointed given how many people claim it works wonders. The most recent studies suggest that other elements of the plant are actually required for the compounds to effectively relieve systemic pain, which is why the prescription drugs available such as sativex (used in MS for spasticity but also proven to improve pain) all contain a level of the psychoactive element THC in significantly higher quantities than the 0.2% legally allowed in CBD oil here in the UK.

If you did decide to give it a go, you do need to check with a doctor or knowledgeable pharmacist first as it’s known to cause issues with efficacy for a number of other meds, including certain cardiac drugs. My GP said that he couldn’t advise me to try it as it’s not scientifically approved, but that he saw no harm in me - personally, given my health and medication - doing so, he wasn’t in any way dismissive. You need to find a reputable source of a good quality, legislated oil, such as your local homeopath or natural remedy shop, and you also need to understand the different strengths available and the dosing - different people do need different doses depending on body size, and you do need to build up to a therapeutic dose and give it at least a couple of weeks at that dose before deciding if it’s effective for you or not. Even if it had worked for me, I would have ultimately found the cost prohibitive - a 10ml bottle of decent quality 5% oil will set you back about £20 minimum, and that wouldn’t even last me 5 days with the recommended therapeutic dose for my weight.

Bottom line: it works for some, not for others, but if you’re going to go down that route then you really do need to do your research and understand the dosing and different options in terms of strengths etc.

[Vonnie10]

Hi I’ve tried cbd and thc none of them worked except I was stoned of the thc nice feeling but still didn’t help the joints

[Hidden]

Hi Knit12,

I tried it without any success, just put a big hole in my pocket. I have read that it does work for some Good luck! 🤗x