My Cesamet update :)
 

I've been taking Cesamet for 4 weeks now. I begin week 5 tomorrow, which is my top level dose that I had to work up to.

I'm surprised with this medication for a number of reasons. One is that the body adjusts to it quickly, unlike my experience with other 'narcotics' (which left me feeling stupid no matter what). After the initial 2 weeks, I wasn't getting the euphoric feeling increasing the dose. After 2 days at the next level of medication, it evens out and besides feeling a bit dopey/drowsy, otherwise very tolerable side effects.

Oh that's the thing. Other than the bit dopey feeling, no side effects. Nadda, ziltch. And I can take it with other medications with apparently very little interaction (there are some, but I also take Clonazepam and I'm actually taking less Clonazepam since I started taking Cesamet).

What's important? It broke through the ball of pain,burning etc within 2 weeks. I noticed this week I haven't taken more than 2 Aleve (for my jaw pain) in the past 2 weeks.

Yup, it kicked the snot out of the neuralgia pain I was having. I occasionally get a bit of a headache, but they're minor and short lived, compared to the agony I had been in, this is heaven.

The only downside I'm finding is the cost. $350 for 93 pills (31 days worth). I'm glad I have insurance. It's worth the cost for me because I am living *almost* pain free and it's been a long time since.

Definitely 2 thumbs up for me in regards to this medication :)

Great news,Laura! I'm so glad to hear ( read) it. :hug:

Glad to hear you finally found something to ease the pain! :)

So is this readily available for anyone who requests a rx, or is it still considered experimental?

Do you know what all is in it?

Glad you are feeling better, Laura!

Cherie

Search for Cesamet/Nabilone. It's been around for quite a while, but only being produced I believe in the US since 2006 (?). I didn't read too too much about it.

I know my GP didn't recommend, rx or suggest it. It was the second thing after Sativex that my pain doctor recommended.

If it's readily available, doubtful. It does sound a LOT like any other narcotic as far as doctors rx'ing it. Maybe it's just discouraged from being rx'ed outside of the listed uses (nausea from chemo for example).

It's basically synthetic THC.

Laura - thanks for letting us know about this med. Wonder if it is good for headaches? I hate taking percocet or vicodin.

Cherie - I just checked my blue shield benefits - and Cesamet is a covered drug. Since it is only brand - it is at the highest copay level, but it is covered.

~Keri

I actually began taking it for my 'headaches', which were ultimately neuralgia. Tylenol/Advil/Aleve didn't cut through the ball of pain I had in 1 location daily for months. This stuff did.

A side effect can be headache from this med, but I've had an overall reduction in headache.

PS Thanks for the info about the insurance :)

Yay!!! That is GREAT news Laura, i'm SO glad to hear that your pain has decreased so much!!:hug:

I hope the med continues working for you for a very long time!!

Thanks Ali, I hope so as well!

Hi Laura,
I'm glad that you found a pain medication that works for you.:) How long can you be on it? Is it for short term use or will they rx it for you indefinitely?

It must feel good to finally get rid of that head and neuralgia pain. I hope it keeps working for you. Do they increase the dosage for you, or do they let you take it however you want?

Are you allowed to drive on this medication? Sorry for all the questions. I know it's for chemo patients, I just wanted to know how it effects people who use it off-label. Curious people want to know (me). :)

Hey Lady!

From what I understand I can take this indefinitely. They worked me up gradually to my current dose (which I'm finding a bit tougher to adjust to).

My #1 complaint about the drug is it makes me so drowsy. Other than that, I don't experience side effects that I can really notice. So if you have problems with fatigue, I'd imagine the adjustment period would be tougher.

In my case, I take it daily. I'm not sure if he uses different doses for other people.

It's still taking care of the pain, so that's what matters most right now! I hope it keeps working too!