This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I don't think this one has been submitted yet. From the March 2007 European Journal of Neurology.


Randomized controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis

* C. CollinaaDepartment of Neurorehabilitation, Royal Berkshire and Battle NHS Trust, Reading, UK,
* P. DaviesbbDepartment of Neurology, Northampton General Hospital, Northampton, UK,
* I. K. MutibokoccTrial-Link Ltd, Bexhill-on-Sea, UK,
* S. RatcliffeddBarts Pain Research Group, Barts and The London NHS Trust, London, UK
* for the Sativex Spasticity in MS Study Group*

*
aDepartment of Neurorehabilitation, Royal Berkshire and Battle NHS Trust, Reading, UK; bDepartment of Neurology, Northampton General Hospital, Northampton, UK; cTrial-Link Ltd, Bexhill-on-Sea, UK; and dBarts Pain Research Group, Barts and The London NHS Trust, London, UK

Abstract

Symptoms relating to spasticity are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and can be difficult to treat. We have investigated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a standardized oromucosal whole plant cannabis-based medicine (CBM) containing Δ-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), upon spasticity in MS. A total of 189 subjects with definite MS and spasticity were randomized to receive daily doses of active preparation (n = 124) or placebo (n = 65) in a double blind study over 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in a daily subject-recorded Numerical Rating Scale of spasticity. Secondary endpoints included a measure of spasticity (Ashworth Score) and a subjective measure of spasm. The primary efficacy analysis on the intention to treat (ITT) population (n = 184) showed the active preparation to be significantly superior (P = 0.048). Secondary efficacy measures were all in favour of active preparation but did not achieve statistical significance. The responder analysis favoured active preparation, 40% of subjects achieved >30% benefit (P = 0.014). Eight withdrawals were attributed to adverse events (AEs); six were on active preparation and two on placebo. We conclude that this CBM may represent a useful new agent for treatment of the symptomatic relief of spasticity in MS.

Bob,

It's been shown on several occasions that the main chemicals of MJ do indeed help MS patients with pain and spasms.

As I've mentioned before, they are doing an open label MJ trial here in London, Canada to study the side effects of MJ vs other pain/spasm drugs that are used on MS patients.

The docs involved here know it works.....they just want to know about the side-effects to see if its better using MJ rather than some of these other medications.

Harry

Doesn't this all seem a little rediculous? I could easily point them to some of my 50 something buddies who've been smoking it like fiends since they were teens.

Side effects? Let's see, marriage, kids, a house, two cars and looking forward to retirement....Gosh, that sounds like the rest of us.

Things are at the point that the people facing the pain and spasms really need to be able to decide for themselves if it's worth the risk!

On second thought, I'd rather not identify my buddies as the hardened criminals they are. I'd hate to see them spend the rest of their lives in jail to atone for their life of crime.

Bob

Bob,

You know, the docs who have followed the science of MJ use for pain and spasms aren't the problem. It's the politicians who are keeping this drug from far more controlled, general use. Like the neuro told me here in London.....we are treating MJ just like any other drug and testing it as such. We ignore the "stigma" that's associated with it and leave that to the others to get tied up with.

How very true!!

Harry

In the long run maybe that's better. If it really is considered a drug like any other by the medical establishment, once they get their safety testing out of the way and it gets the nod, the cost should be covered by insurance and gotten from a pharmacy.

In the meantime it would be nice to see a few court cases dropped because the person had been using MJ medicinally in order to separate that type of use from the run of the mill "druggie". A little sympathy from the courts for people with pain would be nice to see.

Bob

Bob,



Yes, that would be nice but I'm sure there are judges along with several politicians that simply can't stand the fact that perhaps MJ may very well have a place in the world of medication. Sometimes change and acceptance takes a very long time.

Harry

Hi Harry,
I had to quit because I'm a truck driver and random drug testing came into the picture but I never did understand the paranoia and I guess I never will. It's almost as if the movie "Reefer Madness" was still showing at the local theater.

Outlaw alcohol and make pot legal and there would be no more drunk driving deaths. Heck, I couldn't force myself to drive over 15mph when I was on that stuff.

Bob

Harry is right about the politicians being the real problem. I've done a fair amount of research and really got caught up in it. I didn't know that it was only made illegal in the 1930's! I also didn't know that the film "Reefer Madness" was produced and paid for by a man (his name escapes me) who did it for the paper/wood pulp lobby. They demonized "the weed" to make it illegal so that we wouldn't be allowed to grow hemp for the manufacture of paper.

The statistics on how much paper you can produce from an anually renewable crop would have apparently wiped out the wood pulp for paper industry. I read that one acre of hemp (which is a type that can't get you high and renews itself annually) could take the place of over a hundred acres of forest for paper.

Like all research I'm' sure some of these stats were exaggerated for their own use (I got them from NORML.org and they have an agenda too), but it made for some fascinating reading. Google it or go to NORML and you can read all about it. It truly is an amazing story about how you can legislate your competition out of existence if you play on people's uneducated paranoia.

Hi Lew, thanks for the info.

I'll check out the NORML site. To be honest, I'd forgotten that group even existed until you mentioned it just now. The thing about the paper companies makes a little more sense of the situation.

Bob

I'm sure the paper angle carries weight, but marijuana was outlawed because of $$$. Mexicans in the southwest were disrupting the economic hierarchy because of the profitablity of the wacky tabacky. Unemployed/impoverished whites did not like this, which led to the criminalization of marijuana.

The history channnel had a great special on illegal drugs and how they got there. It was a great thing to watch stoned!!!

C'mon now! Better than "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"?
Bob

Sorry, I was born in '78 so that movie is a bit ahead of my time. Truth be told, even gory horror movies crack me up when I'm stoned!

Oh Dear, we've got a cultural emergency here!!

If you're that young you might not even be aware of the situation surrounding that movie. Personally, I can't say it's the best movie in the world but it's a cult classic. Many, many people literally watched it thousands of times. We had a theater here which showed it 24/7 for 3 or 4 years straight. It was kind of an experience to go to because people would bring props to throw and spray so you'd get pelted with rice and water, etc... People would dress in character.

It's not in any way gory or scary...just weird. You'll have to rent it some time.

Bob

Ah The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Where else can you go and have a better time watching the people who are in line than you can watching the movie?

I KNEW someone else had to remember that one!
Bob