Clinics Advice on Prescription Size

[BudGuy]

Hey everyone.

So, in a couple of days time I will be able to order my third script.

First script was 30 g (20 g day, 10 g night). It lasted me about 3 weeks instead of 4, which I have to say did surprise me. The entire time I'd been a BM user, the most I've ever gone through was probably about 14 g in around 4 weeks, probably longer on average. On that basis I suspected I might be able to keep my MC relatively cheap and get a 20 g script, but initial consultant suggested 30 g so we went with that... and it was not enough =|.

Second script was 40 g, which based on the mathematics of my first script should have had me covered - but yet again I'm finding myself short a few days before the next script will arrive.

On both occasions when I've run out, when it gets to the last couple of days before refill arrives, my symptoms are noticeably on the return. Irritable, anxious, unfocussed, struggling to get out of bed etc, so it's not a good situation. I'd prefer to have some left over after the month to tide me over any delivery issues, etc, or to build a small surplus for a rainy day.

So, I'm trying to work out why this is. I don't think it's because medical is somehow weaker than BM. I think it's just that in the past the BM probably didn't cover me fully - I did still spend time battling with symptoms, and because refilling with BM was itself anxiety inducing I'd put it off and put it off, and in some cases go weeks without before refilling, so it was this cycle of being unmedicated/medicated on and off which probably isn't good. So you could argue I'm just using more because I'm using it properly now, as a medicine, where required to treat symptoms, whereas in the past I wasn't fully convinced I was "self-medicating" so my use pattern probably landed somewhere between heavy recreational and lightly-self medicating. It could also be that I'm medicating more simply because now that I'm a legitimate MC patient, there are more circumstances where I can now take my medicine where in the past I'd just suffer on without it for a while, e.g. going out walks, or visiting friends, etc.

I've also been purposefully not been trying to ration out my medication, and instead just seeing how much I use when I medicate when feel the need to, because I assumed that was the point of the first few months was to find the appropriate dose for my needs rather than arbitrarily trying to stick to a particular number of g. Perhaps when I switch to consciously trying to make my script last the specific amount of time it's supposed to, it will be fine.

Medically, I don't necessary mind if my script needs to go up another 10 g. It's just the additional cost, especially as I'd planned for a 20 g script when I started all of this.

So yeah, I thought I'd get your advice. Did anyone else see their usage increase significantly on MC vs BM? Should I view this as a problem or just see it as me finding my equilibrium with an appropriate script size? Should I ask for 10 g more at my next consultation and perhaps start thinking about value strains to keep the cost manageable? Or should I request higher strength strains at my same prescription size to see if extra THC % helps it last appropriately?

 

[GrownHealth]

Evening, and you are right that the first few months is about finding the right amount/type of medication so I would not be hesitant about asking for another increase even though you have had one previously .I'd definitely consider one of the lower priced products to use where you see fit during the passage of the day to try and keep costs in check but you also allude to the extra THC % or more effective strains that the effects last longer and this is not always THC% dependant I'd suggest and can be achieved with better quality products sometimes similarly priced .

I will add my consumption has risen also since being on MC but my symptoms are controlled better like you also allude to about yourself so really it's all about balancing the books somehow to get cost effective medicine for the improvement in outcomes and even if you can add in a £5/g medicine that reduces the risk of running out and takes away a lot of the stress your experiencing around your current situation , I suppose that comfort of knowing you don't need to ration which the thought of can bring on symptoms in itself as it would with myself .

 

[JR52]

I use less now than I did before I started medical. I think this is because I use stronger stuff now than I did before and I can choose the right medication what works,
I also think I use less by having different strains to use

 

[GrownHealth]

I use less now than I did before I started medical. I think this is because I use stronger stuff now than I did before and I can choose the right medication what works,
I also think I use less by having different strains to use

Suppose you've got to bare in mind the starting point and in this instance they're starting from a low amount in terms of what I perceive as an average prescription and was not fully treating the symptoms so a rise is sort of expected to more comprehensively treat the symptoms but then expense kicks in but I get what your saying by getting the right strains .

 

[BudGuy]

Suppose you've got to bare in mind the starting point and in this instance they're starting from a low amount in terms of what I perceive as an average prescription and was not fully treating the symptoms so a rise is sort of expected to more comprehensively treat the symptoms but then expense kicks in but I get what your saying by getting the right strains .

Out of interest, what do you perceive as an average script?

 

[Moon]

Out of interest, what do you perceive as an average script?

40g I suspect

 

[GrownHealth]

Out of interest, what do you perceive as an average script?

Personally from my experience of being round the forum and talking with other patients I find in flower terms it seems to be 50 to 60 grams but also I have encountered many patients/members who need a fair bit more and this is more common than I first realised as many patients have complex needs that benefit immensely from Medical Cannabis ,I do realise there will be a lot of patients who have a lot less than 50 -60g but it doesn't seem as commonplace amongst us here .

 

[Moon]

Personally from my experience of being round the forum and talking with other patients I find in flower terms it seems to be 50 to 60 grams but also I have encountered many patients/members who need a fair bit more and this is more common than I first realised as many patients have complex needs that benefit immensely from Medical Cannabis ,I do realise there will be a lot of patients who have a lot less than 50 -60g but it doesn't seem as commonplace amongst us here .

I agree here we seam to have more! but reading reddit and discord groups I was surprised how many just get 30 to 40. I started on 40 it was not enough, moved clinics and got 60 + 30ml oil.

 

[Lank72]

30g is what I'm on and have been for quite a few months now, not felt a need to up it, but would highlight what @JR52 said in my own experience:

When I started I had just 2 strains, I used them up during the month, next month I got 3, and I managed to save a little of each. So many months on after doing that, I've got bits and pieces of about 10 strains spread over the Sativa / Hybrid / Indica categories.

This effectively means that I can have 3 strains today (a Sativa morning to early afternoon, a Hybrid until evening, and Indica up to bed) and have 3 different strains tomorrow, and 3 different the day after.

This means that I'm not getting a specific tolerance to a specific strain in the same way I would if I just had 3 strains in a month and used it all - so I end up using less.

I've been trying to build a bit of a stockpile for any potential turbulences in the future, and then at some point I'll probably go back to just getting the 2 strains again as that will fit my monthly need, and just keep stocking up the strains in the 3 categories as needed

 

[JR52]

I got told of a doctor that most people are on 30g a month

 

[node]

I got told of a doctor that most people are on 30g a month

Part-timers lol

 

[node]

As far as I've read and my own experience of clinics its 40g or equivalent in oil.

 

[williemed]

I can relate to your comments, you’re not alone. I also medicate more frequently now that I am viewing it as medicine rather than an illegal drug I shouldn’t be using (that happens to really help my symptoms). I’m much better for it. Another factor for me is availability of strains. Sometimes I would not use cannabis in the morning if for instance all I had was stardawg. I’d put up with some pain for a bit before comatosing myself lol. Now I can consistently start with a day time strain that gives me some pain relief but doesn’t knock me out before moving onto the heavy duty stuff it’s great. I feel you though I am spending a lot on cannabis, but when I think of the improvement in my symptoms and overall quality of life it’s well worth it. Hopefully though prices fall as the market continues to mature