Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
IF LEGALISED IRISH patients would be able to obtain a legally protected, secure supply of medicinal cannabis.
MS Ireland, the national organisation supporting people with multiple sclerosis, is welcoming the move. Ava Battles, CEO of MS Ireland says,
“Ongoing research into the benefits of medicinal cannabis and cannabis-based medication extract has shown the efficacy of such treatments to reduce spasticity, pain, sleep disturbances and other symptoms associated with MS. MS Ireland believes people should have access to all and any appropriate and licensed treatments.”
We speak to two people living with MS about the virtues of the cannabis-derived medicine: Sativex.
Anna O’Connor
MS causes spasticity in my legs when I go to bed. This makes falling asleep very difficult.
I understand that Sativex might help these muscles relax and alleviate the pain which would allow me to get a peaceful night’s sleep.
During the daytime, spasticity in my right hand makes using any tools eg knife and fork, scissors etc, almost impossible, particularly in a social situation. This can influence what I eat in the company of others thus inhibiting my social life.
I have been prescribed and taken Lyrica in the past but discontinued taking it as it didn’t work very well for me and also left my brain “fuzzy” the following day.
Spasticity in my leg and hand also prevents me from working because I worked as a restorative architectural artist which requires meticulous use of my limbs. Obviously, climbing ladders/scaffolding is no longer a possibility.
I believe Sativex sometimes helps with bladder problems in MS. This would be a huge benefit as a constant problem if I go anywhere is looking for the loo.
British patients have access
From what I have read and heard from users of Sativex in the UK, it helps considerably with sleep and relaxing muscles during the day. It is difficult to understand why it is not available in Ireland when patients in the UK and Northern Ireland can get it if it helps them.
Sativex was supposed to have been signed off on about two years ago, but that never happened.
I remember at the time that the media reported it in a poor and biased way by emphasising that cannabis was going to be available on prescription to MS sufferers in Ireland. It would not surprise me if those reports had a negative effect on it being signed off for use.
Fionnuala Thornton
My diagnosis of MS didn’t come swiftly. It took almost seven years from early onset and so I was forced to endure the unknowing, disbelieving and sometimes condescending attitudes of physicians born in a pre-MRI world, prior to my final diagnosis.
Needless to say, the impact on my life over the 30 years since has been shattering. It’s left me in a wheelchair and powerless to help myself.
Nothing was as devastating, however, as the onset of muscle spasm three years ago, upending a life already consumed by disability and pain. Spasm locked my body with cement-like stiffness.
My legs lost the strength to remain standing safely on any surface, affecting my ability to shower, dress, leave the house, or get into my car.
Consequently, antispasmodics and botox injections were prescribed in an attempt to lessen the severity of the spasm, but to no avail. The effect was to further weaken already weakened limbs.
Benefits of hemp oil supplement
Enter hemp oil, which before long loosened and relaxed my body, lessening the spasm, giving me an opportunity once again to regain a little control over my life.
It’s magic. I now swim three times a week and can take steps in the water: forward, sideways, backwards, hold my balance. I’m correcting my posture and gait. The spinoff effects are also dramatic. My mood and concentration have also benefitted from that innocuous, natural “Godly” oil.
Why are we limited to prescribed manmade chemicals when the elixir is at hand? Thousands of people could benefit from this wonderful method of controlling spasm. There is a cost factor, however. Hemp oil is quite expensive to buy on a regular basis, which is why we should now consider Sativex.
Sativex is a drug containing cannabinoids, the same properties that are found in hemp oil. It is available as a treatment for spasm in Britain and Europe, and it was expected that Ireland would follow suit. Unfortunately for us, the HSE and the makers of Sativex have been unable to agree a price for the product to date.
We need to set this wrong to right and do all in our power to make sure that Sativex is a given to all who need it.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
What is it with governments saying schools are safe but every other place with gatherings are not, crazy,
@Mick Hannigan: This ☝☝☝ 100% agreed.
@Mick Hannigan: apparently it doesn’t affect kids as much. That’s why
@thomas patrick: except it does affect them and they carry it.
@thomas patrick: Lots of children get picked up or minded by their grandparents. Also, while children might not get affected badly, there are lots of teaching staff who might.
@Mick Hannigan: Plain and simple, this is about childcare for frontline workers.
@thomas patrick: Tell me how can Tony Houlahan can say elderly and vulnerable people who stay at home and not leave house unless essential but in same breath tell me schools are safe? I am vulnerable and have limited contacts as much as possible but have children so I am terrified of them bringing it home from school, what do you genuinely do in these situations? I asked about remote learning and the school ignored me.
@Niamh Brady: To be honest there’s not much the schools could have done on remote learning when teachers were also teaching in the classroom. Schools are already stretched, there are staff shortages and it’s impossible to get subs at the moment. You need to forward these sort of inquiries and concerns to Norma Foley and her department, as does everybody else.
@Bríd: I have contacted her and Stephen Donnelly. Anyway what I mean about remote learning is that the classes in the school go on an normal but online also so students can still be there but without having to attend in person.
@Niamh Brady: At a guess, I think they are trying to do a double approach – self-isolation of our vulnerable and herb immunization for our young. If this is the case, then I wish they would just come out and tell us the truth.
@Niamh Brady: all concerns should be addressed to the school management. The department of education won’t reply or if they do they will tell you to redirect concerns to the management of the school
@Niamh Brady: not addressing the issues why schools need to go back.
@thomas patrick: that’s great and all but there are adults in school also.
@thomas patrick: it doesn’t affect kids when there are 200 cases a day nationally. Are you as confident when there is 5k cases a day?
@Niamh Brady: The schools have been told NOT to provide online tuition, to children such as yours, who may not being sent to school because of living with a vulnerable pool person. A friend is in same position having had treatment since Feb last year (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and operation). Her daughter has to go to school as online will not be provided by order of Dept of Education. Online tuition is allowed for vulnerable children only. There are teachers and students out with covid and if my friend gets covid it is very highly likely she will die. I was thinking she shouldnt send her daughter back this term.
This man is dangerous and playing with public health. I work in a school and I’m terrified of returning given the way the numbers are going.
How can it be that all our communities are in grave danger except in a classroom with 30 children? How can the virus stop at the school door and provide a safe haven for all?
I can put my hand on my heart and tell you that the number of cases in schools is NOT being reported accurately.
@2thFairy: read this and educate yourself
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/facts/questions-answers-school-transmission
@larry duff: It’s not just about the children though Larry is it. What about the adults dropping and picking the children up from school? What about the teachers and all other adults in schools? What about their parents? There is a much bigger, wider picture than just the children are safe!
@larry duff: I’ve read numerous reports such as this and all of them say that children are low risk for contracting the virus but high risk spreaders. What makes children more dangerous is that they are asymptomatic.
I know from my own family experience and from working in a school how contagious and how devastating this virus is.
I’m educated enough to know that opening schools will be a public health catastrophe for many communities.
@Steve: Same concerns could be raised by shop workers, nurses, doctors etc. Finding a balance is key and this is what they are trying to do.
@2thFairy: how do you know that cases are not been reported accurately? What are you implying?
@larry duff: Telling a person who works in a school to educate themselves Larry? Starting a sentence with no capital! ALSO your name, dear lord the irony.
It’s as contagious in kids as adults, symptoms are not as bad in kids that’s all.
I would like to know how are they safe 20/30 children in one room for hours….
@Derek Moean: Here you go… https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/facts/questions-answers-school-transmission
Nowhere is 100% safe, it’s about balancing the risks/impact to both sides and it appears there’s far less consequences to sending kids to school that not
They don’t appear to contribute much to community transmission, majority are asymptomatic and in cases where they have been symptoms, when they followed up with teachers and arents , most of the time they hadn’t spread it.
All of the above less so for 16- 18 yr olds.
@RogerRamjet: can I ask a genuine question…. If the majority are asymptomatic how does anyone know the actual numbers in schoolchildren and what affect that has on the community transmission?
@RogerRamjet: Anecdotal but mate of mine in UK decided to test his daughter recently as some staff had tested positive. His daughter ( no symptoms) tested positive and they isolated for two weeks. He takes immunosuppressive drugs. No-one else in the household tested positive or got symptoms over the few weeks.
@Sarah Cullen: Maybe have a read of the ECDC site which might answer your question or at least explain where the reasoning is coming from
Latest technical report (Dec 23rd) from ECDC https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/children-and-school-settings-covid-19-transmission
@Sarah Cullen: ah yeah.. The Journal comment section.. A great place to come looking for scientific facts. .
@RogerRamjet: here lads, the schools are alright. RodgerRamJet on the journal.ie comment section said his mate in England was fine after his daughter tested positive. Fire away!
@Sarah Cullen: Exactly.
@Bob Rock: Interesting how you ignore the actual latest reports I linked to and cherry picked one comment which I even said was anecdotal…
@RogerRamjet: you claim that kids don’t contribute much to community transmission and then present a link to support. In the article you link it states in the summary “Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur within school settings and clusters have been reported in preschools, primary and secondary schools”. Schools may not be more dangerous than any other gathering but can still promote transmission. Saying that kids don’t get sick from this is a non sequitur. The fact that they can pass it on is the key point and your article confirms that.
@Bob Rock: Cherrypicking again I see. The overriding point is the report says that closing schools should be last resort and there are considerable proven detrimental effects to keeping them closed.
The only thing that changes they summary recommendation is that the new strain effects haven’t been studied enough yet.
@RogerRamjet: @RogerRamjet: There’s a big difference between saying “closing schools should be a last resort” which is what the report says and “kids don’t appear to contribute much to community transmission” which is what you said in your first post above. The first statement I agree with, the second is nonsense. You didn’t even cherry pick that second point, just good old disinformation (unfortunately not a rare sight on these comment sections)
I would have said schools were safe until Boris said so . Schools are definitely unsafe now
@john s: always one who makes it personal
@larry duff: and there’s always one with his head stuck in the sand
@larry duff: look at his track record with covid and then tell me I am wrong
@larry duff: Are you seriously suggesting that Boris is telling the truth now or in the past? He deserves to get called out on everything.
Pure lies. What they and other countries discovered during the first lockdown was the closure of schools was the single biggest disruption to the workforce and keeping them open to keep their parents working is the priority. It’s an economic decision and nothing to do with health.
Children are absolutely not safe as recent studies on the new variant will show and teachers continue to be at massive risk without even close contact protection should someone in their class test positive.
@Rochelle: If they just admitted that, a little but of honesty, then maybe there would be some understanding. But nobody believes they are safe so there is just anger.
It’s not just about the kids getting it in the school- it’s about them passing it on at home to family and others. It’s about them ripping the masks off the second they are outside and hugging and running around town together. It’s about the yummy mummy’s congregating outside the school gates with no masks. It’s about the people around the school that are exposed to it by the kids. *That’s* why people are angry about schools staying open.
Ah ye kids packed into classrooms and buses is fine, but golf courses are riddled
Pubs…unsafe.
Churches…unsafe.
Homes…unsafe.
Gyms…unsafe.
Retail…unsafe.
Schools…magical places of safety with unicorns and rainbows.
@Adam Conroy: the rationale for keeping schools open by the government is not that schools are safe, it’s that out of all the things you listed, the schools are the highest priority. So if only one thing can stay open it has to be the schools, not the pubs and not the churches.
@Bob Rock: actually they’ve been saying all along that they’re safe and even that “students are safer in school”. I don’t necessarily think they should close I just think the government should stop lying about it.
@Adam Conroy: indeed I agree on that point. Giving incorrect information is not a good policy when managing a pandemic. If that’s the message the government was giving then that is an error.
England is hurtling towards an absolute catastrophe with this so called PM in charge.
Does the virus get to the school doors and says “nope not going in there??” Ridiculous!!
That advice makes no sense.
Either there is a surge – and all need to isolate, or
there isn’t – other than seasonal flu.
Make up.your minds.
And this is why they are having devastating numbers and deaths. Can no one talk sense into this man
Children have to sit in classes with their coats on because doors and windows have to be left open for ventilation. Not ideal for children or staff.
Guess that means they’ll be closed for months then. Incompetent Buffon.
@David Welsh: I won’t have that. He was a wonderful goalkeeper for years.
@David Welsh: bit harsh, he’s been a top level goal keeper for years :)
Keep schools closed For Gods Sake have the Government learned anything!!
Schools are safe insists clown! This pandemic will hopefully engage electorates worldwide to consider the type of people they want as leaders and the systems that allow patently unfit individuals such as Johnson in positions of power.
@Nick: I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one. Populations can be easily manipulated. This has been observed time and time again. More education and greater income equality are the only antidotes for avoiding the bojo’s of this world.
It won’t let me post the link , but there’s a good article in national geographic, available through google, about a big study Iceland did on this .
Worth looking up.
@John Pog: any chance of a one line synopsis?
@John Pog: very interesting, thanks for sharing John. Reassuring for my kids age group.
@David Clements: It says kids do not transmit the virus the same way adults do. Secondly adults are a far bigger threat to passing on the virus to children than vice versa.
@Sos: in the article you link literally in the first paragraph relating to the effect of keeping schools open “cases will seep in and contribute to the disease’s spread whenever a country loses control of containing the pandemic.”
The article claims that children are about half as likely as adults to transmit. The tone of the article is a little hyperbolic but even if this claim is true, schools remaining open can still contribute to the spread. So the article does not support the claim that keeping schools open will not add to the spread of covid.
Hey heres a great idea why don’t we put the elderly and vunerable in schools!! They are safe. Magic covid bubbles!
First time I’ve ever agreed with boris!
Lol , just type Iceland study kids covid , in to google
He’s lying. According to an article schools are one of the highest places to get it according to Public Health England. Look at the stats in this article (not the first graph) during level 3 lockdown in Manchester (admittedly from November, but not much has changed there). https://www-manchestereveningnews-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/places-you-most-likely-contract-19310501.amp?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16096765311719&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manchestereveningnews.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuk-news%2Fplaces-you-most-likely-contract-19310501
He’s just trying to save face …won’t be long then he’s Gone
have your say