When to seek advice before using Cannabino... - PSP Association

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When to seek advice before using Cannabinol oil or Cannabis (if it is legal in your country)..

Kevin_1 profile image
15 Replies

Sorry to keep banging on about this stuff.

I have been reading up on THC, one of the two families of drug in cannabis, the other being cannabinol.

I came across some advice on a clinical site which I think is important.

The article said that if someone is taking medication which affects the central nervous system they should seek medical advice before taking any cannabis related products as these have a potential to interfere with them. This would include the Parkinson's medications, anxiolytics and more.

Yes, its fairly obvious, but worth mentioning.

Cheers

Kevin

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Kevin_1
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15 Replies
Zeberdee profile image
Zeberdee

A gold 🌟 for you Kevin with your knowledge and information and with all that is going on in your life you still have time to enlighten everyone...brilliant.. Jxx

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle

I left a message on Parkinson's nurse voice mail yesterday asking them to ask Neurologist if ok for Mum to try the CBd Oil. Hopefully won't have to wait months for an answer!

Helen119 profile image
Helen119

Thank you for doing the research Kevin

Love and hugs xx

Dickwin profile image
Dickwin

Kevin

Great point. My wife had been using Medical Marijuana for the past year, and it helped her a great deal. But when she went for her screening for the clinical trial she just started, she was told that she would need to stop the marijuana use for at least 30 days in order to start the clinical trials, and for the exact reasons you cited - no medications that would affect the central nervous system. She had anticipated this, and had already stopped 2 weeks earlier. As much as she appreciated the overall relaxation, better sleep and muscle tension relief that she experienced from cannabis, the possibility of getting a potential cure trumped the cannabis use.

Regards, Dick

Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1 in reply to Dickwin

Good luck with the trial.

Best

Kevin

raincitygirl profile image
raincitygirl

I really appreciate your research on this and other subjects Kevin - No need to apologize!

Anne G.

Nanny857 profile image
Nanny857

I mentioned CBD Oil/Cream to the GP this morning and he smiled. Then asked if I was going to get it for W and added that some Neurologists here have a licence to prescribe it but mostly for MS patients. Think I need to go back to GP to see if ok to take with other medication W is taking.

Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1 in reply to Nanny857

Our neurologist said that it was not possible to prescribe it and that it was only available for a restricted number of illnesses. He did indicate it might be a good idea and asked us to feed back were we to try it. He is a PSP specialist.

You may find your GP cannot make that decision. Just like our neurologist. There is no research into this for PSP/CBD.

This morning I read about CBD oil and Levodopa. CBD oil is often given to folk in the States with Parkinson's. However even the major Neurological publications did not consider interference of CBD oil with other meds. They treated it separately, though discussing both. They all reported favourably about CBD oil.

In other words your GP may well not be able to comment on two counts. First the lack of research of CBD and PSP/CBD and second because there is no research on the interference with other meds and they work off research and other prescription criteria... This is not on the page.

What neds. is W on right now?

If you might find it helpful I can identify those which are focussed on the Central Nervous System. Those are the ones of concern here - merely from my reading - I am not a Doctor.

Best to you

Kevin

Nanny857 profile image
Nanny857

GP said there are just a few Neurologists here who are licensed to prescribe it but mainly for MS.

W is on Warfarin, Bisoprolol, Candesartan, Tamsulosin, Atorvastatin and Mirtazapine. Also Lansoprazole to stop the nausea from taking the other meds.

Thanks for your help with this. Much appreciated. xx

Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1 in reply to Nanny857

Hi Nanny857

Well the fact she asked you if you were going to try it seems to indicate that there are no issues.

Cautions first - I am not a Doctor and so this is just ab amateur comment.

The only medication there which works on the Central Nervous System as such is Mirtazapine. I was surprised to see it there as it is a second level anxiolytic for severe/chronic depression. Was he ever tried on the first tier anxiolytics such as the SSRIs? They are far more gentle and they are very effective too. The NICE Guidelines recommend they are tried first. NICE Guidelines are the guidelines Doctors are advised to follow. Sorry if I'm interfering. He might well need second tier.

Cannabinol and Mirtazapine use different metabolic pathways. Think of it as they are doing different thinks to the Central Nervous System, driving on different roads if you will. So one might imagine that they don't interfere with one another.

These are the interactions for Mirtazapine. There is only a simple caution on drowsiness for cannabinol.

bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction...

But please remember - I am not a Doctor - merely someone looking up information.

I do hope this helps you a little.

Best to you both

Kevin

Karynleitner profile image
Karynleitner

I would love to try CBD oil for Dan. There is a place in the US to order it. I am slightly confused about strength and dose. Dan takes carbidopa/levodopa once a day (morning.). He also takes a high dose vitamin B folate.

The apathy caused by this disease is causing such frustration for all of us who love him.

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Karynleitner

Yes apathy is a hard symptom to deal with. It is very frustrating for the carers at times.

Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1 in reply to Karynleitner

Hi Karyn

bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction...

The fact that Cannabinol is not listed doesn't mean it won't interfere. They do both use different metabolic pathways. E.G. they are doing two different things.

Yes, the apathy is such a downer. I try to look at is as Liz being more settled in her self.

Wishing you all the best.

Karynleitner profile image
Karynleitner

I have looked into ordering an oil for Dan. It is listed as 750 mg. The recommended dose is 6ml or 20 drops. I will titrate him off of the carb/levodopa . This has been suggested anyway. I notice no difference with it, but have been told it may decrease the rigidity . He only takes it once a day. After a week of no medication , I can watch to see if there is an increase in rigidity etc.

At this point I can decide to try CBD oil or go back to meds . Presently, we are waiting for a home nurse etc. I will wait until our new help is in place before rocking the boat. Any help with his cognitive function or apathy would be a blessing. Just to give his children a chance to see a bit of their dad again. He is able to speak, voice is great, but he is too apathetic to put forth the effort. He will sometimes watch a blank tv screen if no one catches it. Sometimes when a new caregiver comes in he will saw a few words, engage for a bit , and even answer questions, yet we can’t get his go shake his head.

Thanks So much for all you do for all of us. Your presence here truly makes a difference .

Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1

Hi Karyn

Thanks for your kind words.

As an aside...I was reading this morning that PSP and CBD folk don't respond much to Levodopa. It was part of a list of diagnostic features differentiating PSP/CBD/MSA and Parkinson's.

Best of luck.

:)

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