My medical records are really sparse – where do I start?

[Spongecake]

Hello lovely friends. I would really appreciate some advice on my eligibility and how to get started on this journey.

I'm 56 and I have anxiety, agoraphobia and insomnia. One of my major anxieties is a phobia of anything medical (not to mention social anxiety), and so I hardly ever go to the doctor! I'm very reluctant to use conventional medicines and have had some awful reactions to them in the past, so I prefer to use holistic options instead. Consequently there's almost nothing in my medical records ... I haven't seen my GP for around 15 years.

I have been self-medicating with cannabis for over two decades and it's amazing. It keeps my anxiety under control to the point where I no longer have panic attacks. It has calmed my agoraphobia to the point where I can actually go out of the house every day. I just vape a bit every evening and it seems to keep me on an even keel. With 20-odd years of experience I know how much cannabis truly helps me, so I really ought to be eligible. But the requirement for two previous treatments is a sticking point.

There's only one relevant thing in my medical records. Around 2005 I had a very serious panic attack which caused me to have a seizure while driving. My GP wanted to prescribe me Seroxat (an SSRI antidepressant). I wouldn't touch the stuff with a bargepole due to the side effects, so I didn't take up the offer of a prescription. He told me I wouldn't get better without it, but I did – because I used cannabis instead, and it has kept me free of major symptoms ever since. (Though I never went back to tell him so.)

I now find myself in a position where I need a legal cannabis prescription. To cut a long story short, the police took away my meds but recognised that I was a genuine (if informal) medical user and advised me to get legal stuff from a clinic. I'm now suffering a lot more anxiety in the aftermath of dealing with the police, so I really feel I need to get this sorted out.

What do you suggest I should do as a first step? Do I go to my GP and tell him I've been self-medicating successfully for years but that my symptoms have flared up following the police incident? I don't really want to have to take the doc's meds just for the sake of it, but it seems that this is a requirement.

Or should I try contacting one of the clinics, tell them my circumstances and just see what they say?

I've been leaning towards Alternaleaf but am also looking at Cannabis Clinic Cardiff because they seem to be such great people. Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Joshyy]

So;

Its quite difficult to obtain a prescription for cannabis based products, if you haven’t got a direct diagnosis for an illness, and tried 2 other alternative medications. This can be physical medication, or forms of therapy.

However some clinics take it on a case by case basis. I would recommend trying Medicann

 

[GrownHealth]

Hello lovely friends. I would really appreciate some advice on my eligibility and how to get started on this journey.

I'm 56 and I have anxiety, agoraphobia and insomnia. One of my major anxieties is a phobia of anything medical (not to mention social anxiety), and so I hardly ever go to the doctor! I'm very reluctant to use conventional medicines and have had some awful reactions to them in the past, so I prefer to use holistic options instead. Consequently there's almost nothing in my medical records ... I haven't seen my GP for around 15 years.

I have been self-medicating with cannabis for over two decades and it's amazing. It keeps my anxiety under control to the point where I no longer have panic attacks. It has calmed my agoraphobia to the point where I can actually go out of the house every day. I just vape a bit every evening and it seems to keep me on an even keel. With 20-odd years of experience I know how much cannabis truly helps me, so I really ought to be eligible. But the requirement for two previous treatments is a sticking point.

There's only one relevant thing in my medical records. Around 2005 I had a very serious panic attack which caused me to have a seizure while driving. My GP wanted to prescribe me Seroxat (an SSRI antidepressant). I wouldn't touch the stuff with a bargepole due to the side effects, so I didn't take up the offer of a prescription. He told me I wouldn't get better without it, but I did – because I used cannabis instead, and it has kept me free of major symptoms ever since. (Though I never went back to tell him so.)

I now find myself in a position where I need a legal cannabis prescription. To cut a long story short, the police took away my meds but recognised that I was a genuine (if informal) medical user and advised me to get legal stuff from a clinic. I'm now suffering a lot more anxiety in the aftermath of dealing with the police, so I really feel I need to get this sorted out.

What do you suggest I should do as a first step? Do I go to my GP and tell him I've been self-medicating successfully for years but that my symptoms have flared up following the police incident? I don't really want to have to take the doc's meds just for the sake of it, but it seems that this is a requirement.

Or should I try contacting one of the clinics, tell them my circumstances and just see what they say?

I've been leaning towards Alternaleaf but am also looking at Cannabis Clinic Cardiff because they seem to be such great people. Any suggestions welcome.

Welcome to the community @Spongecake and your medical history with meds or lack of them is very similar to my own and I very rarely visit my doctors but the first meds I tried I stopped very quickly as they didn't agree with me but this is a tried medication and also like you I have used Canna for my symptoms successfully for over 30 years and this will count in your favour with certain clinics as you are just trying to carry on your treatment legally so really should be embraced .
Reading this you are making the right decision here I would say getting a prescription and would personally I'd recommend CCC highly as they are the clinic I'm with and excellent and I wouldn't think your medical record would be a concern as you would have a thorough consultation with the specialist and he'd would fully understand the situation from what you have described above .
Other clinic's are cheaper to join so it depends on your budget and Alternaleaf cost £10/month and Medicann is free to join and free consultations in the future and many patients use the clinics successfully but each have there limitations with meds access and and are more volume/budget clinics than CCC .

I would definitely contact a clinic first as they will tell you and assist with exactly what you need to do going forward

 

[JDVaper]

Hey @Spongecake . Just wanted to say hi and welcome to the community.. I connect with your story and feel your frustration and hopefully one day we will live in a world when CBPM's are freely available to everyone !
It would be great to hear how you get on so wish you the best of luck on your MC journey

 

[Spongecake]

Thank you all very much for the lovely welcome and advice.

Thank you @GrownHealth for your suggestions, and I do really like the vibe of Cannabis Clinic Cardiff – I watched the videos you posted and they are definitely my kind of people. I don't have a huge income but I am prepared to pay a bit more for good service and to support people who are doing it for the right reasons, so I will probably go with them.

I contacted them and they responded very quickly, but the bad news is that the two-previous-treatments rule is a regulatory requirement from the government, so they don't really have any choice about that.

It is very disappointing, as all I'm looking to do, as you say, is to legitimise a treatment which I've been using successfully for years. It's daft that I can't do so without trying two other completely different treatments which may not be right for me at all. But then we're all very used to cannabis laws being daft and counterproductive, aren't we?

I will keep you posted about my progress with this, because I'm not going to give up, I'm going to find a way to resolve it even if it doesn't happen as quickly as I'd hoped.

 

[GrownHealth]

This is bad news but strangely all clinics do not have the same policy as you'll see below and absolutely don't give up as one way or another it's just about ticking certain boxes and these boxes change from one clinics policies to another .

The below line is from our Medicann page which is a new clinic which uses IPS Pharm as it pharmacy with an expanding formulary and could be a stepping stone as they say they have no firm rules on two previous licensed medications failures so if you could qualify for a prescription from there could that pave the way in the future for a transfer elsewhere should you choose as they would would be taking on an already approved medical cannabis patient if you were to be prescribed .

A case-by-case prescribing model with no firm rules on two previous licensed medication failures while fully aligned with GMC guidance.

Medicann UK

Medicann Clinics provide expert, patient-centric, medicinal cannabis consultations & education.

MedBud.wiki

 

[Scriptoh]

Hey Sponge welcome, some clinics definitely say they only require you to have considered two types of medication instead of trying them so might be worth looking into them first... cant remember off the top of my head the exact clinics you'll need to do a bit of digging...

PS: I wouldn't be saying anything about it to your GP as I haven't had much positivity from GP's about medical cannabis, only time you really need to speak to your GP/Reception is to request your medical records for the clinic.

 

[joint_account]

Hello lovely friends. I would really appreciate some advice on my eligibility and how to get started on this journey.

I'm 56 and I have anxiety, agoraphobia and insomnia. One of my major anxieties is a phobia of anything medical (not to mention social anxiety), and so I hardly ever go to the doctor! I'm very reluctant to use conventional medicines and have had some awful reactions to them in the past, so I prefer to use holistic options instead. Consequently there's almost nothing in my medical records ... I haven't seen my GP for around 15 years.

I have been self-medicating with cannabis for over two decades and it's amazing. It keeps my anxiety under control to the point where I no longer have panic attacks. It has calmed my agoraphobia to the point where I can actually go out of the house every day. I just vape a bit every evening and it seems to keep me on an even keel. With 20-odd years of experience I know how much cannabis truly helps me, so I really ought to be eligible. But the requirement for two previous treatments is a sticking point.

There's only one relevant thing in my medical records. Around 2005 I had a very serious panic attack which caused me to have a seizure while driving. My GP wanted to prescribe me Seroxat (an SSRI antidepressant). I wouldn't touch the stuff with a bargepole due to the side effects, so I didn't take up the offer of a prescription. He told me I wouldn't get better without it, but I did – because I used cannabis instead, and it has kept me free of major symptoms ever since. (Though I never went back to tell him so.)

I now find myself in a position where I need a legal cannabis prescription. To cut a long story short, the police took away my meds but recognised that I was a genuine (if informal) medical user and advised me to get legal stuff from a clinic. I'm now suffering a lot more anxiety in the aftermath of dealing with the police, so I really feel I need to get this sorted out.

What do you suggest I should do as a first step? Do I go to my GP and tell him I've been self-medicating successfully for years but that my symptoms have flared up following the police incident? I don't really want to have to take the doc's meds just for the sake of it, but it seems that this is a requirement.

Or should I try contacting one of the clinics, tell them my circumstances and just see what they say?

I've been leaning towards Alternaleaf but am also looking at Cannabis Clinic Cardiff because they seem to be such great people. Any suggestions welcome.

Hi @Spongecake,

Welcome to the community, I hope you're able to get a script sorted, it is a real pain in the ass sometimes.

Allthe clinics you've mentioned and the suggestions you've had are all good choices imo.

Spoiler: Naughty Idea

I do want to suggest something that I typically would stay away from but given your circumstances it may be a helpful route.

If I were you I would get started on creating a paper trail with this. Although you may well have success with Medicann I think it's something worth considering anyway.

So the first thing I would do is check out the BACP therapist database. The 2 treatments many push for can also be therapies.

So, check our that database and reach out to someone who looks good to you, book a consultation session with them. Many offers free consults.

Then go to your GP and explain your conditions, explain that you've recently started looking into therapist help but you need a bit more support medically.

Do not mention cannabis in any form, they'll blame what you're experiencing on that.

They'll probably offer you Promethazine, Propranolol, etc. accept the script and go get it from a pharmacy.

Then you can do 1 of 2 things.

Wait 30 days, go back to your GP and say the meds didn't agree with you. Or go back earlier and say you're experiencing side effects and want to try something else. This would then give you 2 recorded treatment options.

Option 2, would be to book in a couple of therapy sessions if financially doable. And then reach out to a clinic as you'll have two current treatments.

The reason I suggest a therapist is because some medications like SSRIs require 6 weeks to bed in before you see them work, so to change to a 2nd treatment can be timely. Whereas you can run a therapist concurrent to treatment.

This is usually something I would be very vocal against doing because it's gaming the system and there's a chance a traditional med works and saves you shit tons of money but given your experience and how sure you are I think this may be a good way to get on the ladder so to speak.

 

[Spongecake]

Thank you very much for the welcome and the suggestions. I'm sill thinking through the options, but one positive thing I've remembered is that I did some talking therapy for anxiety back in the 1980s – provided by the NHS and referred by my GP, so it should be in my medical records even if it was a long time ago (it was bloody awful and didn't help at all, but that's kinda the point isn't it?) I'm hoping that this will help my case. I should probably request my Summary of Care thing and see exactly what's in there, but haven't been able to do much over the bank holiday weekend.

Thanks again for all your help. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Dooby Doo]

Welcome @Spongecake

 

[Spongecake]

Just a little update to say that I spoke to someone at Cannabis Clinic Cardiff today and they couldn't have been more kind and helpful.

I need to get my Summary Care Record from my GP and see exactly what's in there and what isn't. Depending on what is there, the path to MC for me may be straightforward or it may take a little longer, but CCC were very supportive, clarified a few things for me and made me feel hopeful that it will work out.

For those of us with anxiety disorders, feeling supported really is half the battle.

So thank you all once again for your kind and friendly replies and good advice.

 

[GrownHealth]

Just a little update to say that I spoke to someone at Cannabis Clinic Cardiff today and they couldn't have been more kind and helpful.

I need to get my Summary Care Record from my GP and see exactly what's in there and what isn't. Depending on what is there, the path to MC for me may be straightforward or it may take a little longer, but CCC were very supportive, clarified a few things for me and made me feel hopeful that it will work out.

For those of us with anxiety disorders, feeling supported really is half the battle.

So thank you all once again for your kind and friendly replies and good advice.

It's amazing when you get the feelgood factor and I'm so heartened to hear this as you can hopefully find the right path forward and to hear they have clarified a few things that have made you feel more hopeful is really excellent news .
They are an excellent team there IME and I really hope it turns out to be straight forward once you have your SCR but if not they're a good bunch to have on your side to get it sorted

 

[Joshyy]

Just a little update to say that I spoke to someone at Cannabis Clinic Cardiff today and they couldn't have been more kind and helpful.

I need to get my Summary Care Record from my GP and see exactly what's in there and what isn't. Depending on what is there, the path to MC for me may be straightforward or it may take a little longer, but CCC were very supportive, clarified a few things for me and made me feel hopeful that it will work out.

For those of us with anxiety disorders, feeling supported really is half the battle.

So thank you all once again for your kind and friendly replies and good advice.

Im so glad CCC has clarified stuff for you

Its always great when clinics are actually caring about patients looking to explore MC. I hope this journey for you is super straight forward. And as simple as handing over your SCR.

But if not, there’s always other avenues you can look at. Even if this means temporarily trying something new from your GP in the mean time.

 

[Spongecake]

Another little update – not that it's very interesting but it might be useful for somebody else who's in my position.

I put in a request for my Summary Care Record via the NHS app, because I was too scared to phone or go to my GP surgery in person. Waited a few days but got no reply.

Plucked up the courage to go there in person. I was worried they were going to ask awkward questions, but they didn't. They were polite and helpful, no questions asked at all. Printed out my SCR there and then and handed it over.

Sadly my SCR contains barely any info at all, and nothing relevant to my medical cannabis eligibility, but this wasn't really a surprise because my treatments for mental health were quite some while ago. But because I was able to read through it straight away outside the door of the doctor's surgery, I was then able to go straight back in and say it doesn't have the details I need, so can I do a Subject Access Request for a deeper delve into the records. They gave me a form to fill in, which I did.

I now have to wait up to 30 days for them to dig out whatever they have. But at least I've got the ball rolling. And going to the surgery in person was much quicker and easier than trying to do it online.

My main worry now is that one of the reception staff said they only hold my records as far back as 1998. If that's true then I'm stuffed, because my previous referral for talking therapy was in the late 80s. In which case I will have to make an appointment with the GP and see if they can give me something else. God knows my anxiety has been through the roof since my recent encounter with plod (being busted damaged my health far more than cannabis ever did) so at least I can present them with some genuine symptoms. Then again, maybe the Subject Access Request will turn up the information I need, as surely it must be there somewhere ... I live in hope.

 

[NuggetofGreen]

Another little update – not that it's very interesting but it might be useful for somebody else who's in my position.

I put in a request for my Summary Care Record via the NHS app, because I was too scared to phone or go to my GP surgery in person. Waited a few days but got no reply.

Plucked up the courage to go there in person. I was worried they were going to ask awkward questions, but they didn't. They were polite and helpful, no questions asked at all. Printed out my SCR there and then and handed it over.

Sadly my SCR contains barely any info at all, and nothing relevant to my medical cannabis eligibility, but this wasn't really a surprise because my treatments for mental health were quite some while ago. But because I was able to read through it straight away outside the door of the doctor's surgery, I was then able to go straight back in and say it doesn't have the details I need, so can I do a Subject Access Request for a deeper delve into the records. They gave me a form to fill in, which I did.

I now have to wait up to 30 days for them to dig out whatever they have. But at least I've got the ball rolling. And going to the surgery in person was much quicker and easier than trying to do it online.

My main worry now is that one of the reception staff said they only hold my records as far back as 1998. If that's true then I'm stuffed, because my previous referral for talking therapy was in the late 80s. In which case I will have to make an appointment with the GP and see if they can give me something else. God knows my anxiety has been through the roof since my recent encounter with plod (being busted damaged my health far more than cannabis ever did) so at least I can present them with some genuine symptoms. Then again, maybe the Subject Access Request will turn up the information I need, as surely it must be there somewhere ... I live in hope.

Hi and I hope you get it sorted soon. I have recently started my MC journey. I would suggest that you go to see your GP regarding anxiety and depression and complete the questionaires the GP will give you to assess your anxiety and depression. Accept the prescription for their nasty crap (so it's on your records, I didn't take the pills because I knew that I have an adverse reaction), self refer for talking therapy. At that point there should be enough info on your SCR to apply for MC. Talking therapy doesn't need to be on your records, you can self declare one treatment.

 

[Spongecake]

Still waiting for my GP to find my medical records.

But meanwhile I nearly fell over when I saw this, snapped at some traffic lights on my daily commute. It all feels very ... normalising.

 

[cornucopia]

hello and welcome

My SCR is also really sparse as i hate going to the GP.

 

[Spongecake]

I thought I'd do another update as I'm having a frustrating time trying to make any progress.

Dealing with my GP is like banging my head against a brick wall. They finally found a record of the major panic attack episode I had, but they're claiming that they haven't got any records for me prior to 1998 – which is pretty worrying as they are essentially saying that 29 years worth of my medical history is missing. That missing history should contain at least one if not several references to mental health issues I've had in the past. I'm now at the stage of making a written complaint, but really I could do without all the stress.

The one record they did find looked very promising, as it included a diagnosis of agoraphobia with panic attacks, and mentioned two treatments (one psychotherapy and one medication) which were looked into. However, my GP's notes are so vague, it doesn't give any details other than saying they were discussed.

After initially being very helpful, Cannabis Clinic Cardiff turned me down on the basis that there was not enough info.

I then applied to Alternaleaf and have just had my initial consultation, but they too are saying that the vagueness of my GP's notes might be a sticking point. They haven't said no yet though, so I'm trying to stay positive.

I have recently been to see an osteopath about my chronic back pain so I'm trying to get something in writing from the osteo in hopes that it will bolster my eligibility, though it's really my mental health that I need cannabis meds for the most.

I totally understand why clinics have to be careful about prescribing to people who lack sufficient evidence, but it's hard lines when you have a genuine need for meds and you're thwarted by your GP losing your records and being rubbish at taking notes!

 

[Dooby Doo]

I thought I'd do another update as I'm having a frustrating time trying to make any progress.

Dealing with my GP is like banging my head against a brick wall. They finally found a record of the major panic attack episode I had, but they're claiming that they haven't got any records for me prior to 1998 – which is pretty worrying as they are essentially saying that 29 years worth of my medical history is missing. That missing history should contain at least one if not several references to mental health issues I've had in the past. I'm now at the stage of making a written complaint, but really I could do without all the stress.

The one record they did find looked very promising, as it included a diagnosis of agoraphobia with panic attacks, and mentioned two treatments (one psychotherapy and one medication) which were looked into. However, my GP's notes are so vague, it doesn't give any details other than saying they were discussed.

After initially being very helpful, Cannabis Clinic Cardiff turned me down on the basis that there was not enough info.

I then applied to Alternaleaf and have just had my initial consultation, but they too are saying that the vagueness of my GP's notes might be a sticking point. They haven't said no yet though, so I'm trying to stay positive.

I have recently been to see an osteopath about my chronic back pain so I'm trying to get something in writing from the osteo in hopes that it will bolster my eligibility, though it's really my mental health that I need cannabis meds for the most.

I totally understand why clinics have to be careful about prescribing to people who lack sufficient evidence, but it's hard lines when you have a genuine need for meds and you're thwarted by your GP losing your records and being rubbish at taking notes!

Hi there @Spongecake, it must be very frustrating for you with regards to your health records. When I moved from Wale and to the uk again, my records were not all there for quite sometime with my current GP and I'm wondering if you have recently moved or changed GP practice as this can hold up records being transferred over?
I have the NHS App now and can retrieve whatever health information i need when needed, even letters from specialists to my GP. There is a body who can chase this up for you but cant remember off the top of my head who to contact with regards to your health records, there will be a base to retrieve it from. It might be worth a Google and I would recommend downloading the NHS APP, wish I could help more

 

[cornucopia]

Have you tried the Medicann clinic? I didn’t eventually go with them but they were really helpful and fast to reply to me.