Medical Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis in Canada

Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) presents unique challenges that affect nearly every aspect of daily life. As a disabling disease affecting and damaging the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, MS can cause a wide range of symptoms that significantly impact mobility, comfort, and overall quality of life.

Multiple Sclerosis is characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the protective covering of nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This damage can lead to numerous physical and cognitive symptoms that vary widely from person to person.

Many Canadians with MS find that traditional treatments don’t always provide complete relief or come with unwanted side effects. Medicinal cannabis can help by reducing body pain, as well as aid with sleep and other symptoms. For many patients, cannabis represents an opportunity to start living with less pain and improved symptom management.

Modern science is still working on discovering the exact cause of MS, but research indicates a combination of environmental and genetic risks being at play. MS can occur at any age, being more prevalent in women and affecting them three times as often as men.

It is estimated that 100,000 Canadians are living with MS and that 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, with the disease affecting approximately 1 in 400 Canadians.

It must be noted, however, that the process of getting diagnosed with MS can be slow as doctors wait for evidence to build in the patient. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluations, MRI imaging, spinal fluid analysis, and sometimes evoked potential tests that measure electrical activity in response to stimulation.

Multiple Sclerosis can cause a wide range of symptoms that vary significantly between individuals and may change or fluctuate over time:

Physical Symptoms

• Fatigue (affecting up to 80% of people with MS)
• Difficulty walking
• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Numbness or tingling in limbs
• Balance problems and dizziness
• Vision problems (blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss)
• Pain (both neuropathic and musculoskeletal)
• Tremors
• Speech difficulties
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction

Cognitive and Emotional Symptoms

• Memory problems
• Attention and concentration difficulties
• Information processing speed challenges
• Depression and anxiety
• Mood swings
• Sleep disturbances

MS typically follows one of several patterns or “courses”:

– Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): Clearly defined attacks followed by periods of recovery

– Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS): Initially relapsing-remitting, followed by a steady progression

– Primary-progressive MS (PPMS): Steady worsening of symptoms from onset, without relapses

– Progressive-relapsing MS (PRMS): Progressive from the beginning with acute relapses

Living with these symptoms can significantly impact employment, relationships, independence, and overall quality of life.

Research into cannabis for MS has shown promising results. Controlled studies have shown medical marijuana to improve muscle stiffness, body pain, quality of sleep, and especially spasticity. Its analgesic effects can also help MS patients with instances of abdominal pain or nausea.

The effectiveness of cannabis for MS may be linked to how it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system:

1. Anti-inflammatory effects: Cannabinoids may help reduce the inflammation associated with MS
2. Neuroprotective properties: Some research suggests cannabinoids may protect neurons from damage
3. Muscle relaxation: Cannabis compounds can help reduce muscle spasticity and related pain
4. Pain modulation: Cannabinoids interact with receptors involved in pain perception and transmission
5. Sleep improvement: Cannabis can help improve sleep quality, which is often disrupted in MS

Several clinical trials have evaluated cannabis-based medicines for MS, including a pharmaceutical preparation called Sativex (nabiximols), which is approved in Canada specifically for MS-related spasticity. The CAMS (Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis) study and others have found benefits for pain, spasticity, sleep, and quality of life measures.

For Canadians struggling with Multiple Sclerosis, medical cannabis may offer several potential benefits:

Primary Symptom Management

Many patients report improvements in core MS symptoms, including:

• Reduced spasticity and muscle stiffness
• Decreased pain (both neuropathic and musculoskeletal)
• Improved sleep quality and duration
• Better bladder control
• Reduced tremors
• Less fatigue
• Improved mood and reduced anxiety

Complementary Therapy

Others find cannabis helpful as a complementary treatment to address the limitations or side effects of conventional MS treatments:

• Alternative for those who cannot tolerate muscle relaxants
• Reduced reliance on opioid pain medications
• Management of side effects from disease-modifying therapies
• Support during periods of symptom flare-up

Medical cannabis comes in various forms, each with different onset times, durations, and potential benefits for MS symptom management. Finding the right option depends on your specific symptoms and lifestyle needs.

Oils and Tinctures

• Precise dosing capabilities
• Longer-lasting effects (4-8 hours)
• Discreet and easy to incorporate into daily routines
• Good for maintaining consistent symptom management

Capsules

• Pre-measured doses for consistency
• Extended-release options available
• Similar to taking traditional medication
• Convenient for people with established routines

Vaporized Cannabis

• Rapid onset of effects (within minutes)
• Shorter duration (2-4 hours)
• Useful for breakthrough symptoms or acute spasticity
• May help with sudden symptom flare-ups

Sprays

• Oromucosal sprays like Sativex are specifically approved for MS spasticity
• Moderate onset time
• Consistent dosing
• Medical-grade formulation

Many MS patients find that a combination approach works best—perhaps using a longer-acting oil for day-long symptom management with a faster-acting option for breakthrough symptoms.

Your healthcare provider can help determine which forms might work best based on your specific MS symptoms, disease course, and previous experience with cannabis.

If you’re considering medical cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis in Canada, here’s how to begin the process:

1. Consider if medical cannabis may be right for you

To determine if medical cannabis may be appropriate for your situation:

•  You have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
•  You may have symptoms that aren’t adequately controlled with conventional treatments
•  You must reside in Canada
•  Provincial age requirements typically align with the legal cannabis purchase age (19 in most provinces, 18 in some)

2. Book an online consultation

Our streamlined process makes it easy:

•  Schedule a video consultation with a healthcare provider
•  Complete a brief triage questionnaire after booking
•  Discuss your MS symptoms, treatment history, and goals

3. Receive your online prescription

If approved, you’ll receive:

•  A personalized treatment plan
•  A legal medical cannabis prescription
•  Guidance on product selection and dosing
•  Registration assistance with licensed producers

4. Ongoing support

Our care doesn’t end with your prescription:

•  Follow-up consultations to monitor progress
•  7 day a week support by phone and email
•  Dosage adjustments as needed
•  Access to healthcare professionals for questions
•  Educational resources about cannabis and MS

Starting medical cannabis treatment for MS is a significant decision. Our team of healthcare professionals specializes in cannabis medicine and can help you navigate this process safely and effectively through online prescription services across Canada.

An important consideration for anyone with MS is how medical cannabis might interact with disease-modifying therapies and symptom management medications.

These interactions could affect how your medications work or potentially cause unwanted effects.

For your safety, always:

• Disclose all medications to your healthcare provider during your consultation
• Start with low doses of cannabis when using with other medications
• Monitor for any unusual effects and report them promptly
• Never adjust MS medications without medical supervision

A comprehensive consultation with a healthcare provider at Apollo Cannabis is essential to ensure your treatment plan considers all aspects of your health, providing the best opportunity for successful symptom management with your online prescription.

Finding the right cannabis dosage for MS symptom management is a personalized process requiring individualized guidance. While we recommend consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice, here are some general principles:

Starting Your Cannabis Treatment:

• Begin with minimal doses
• Start with 2.5mg THC or less (if using THC)
• Consider starting with 5-20mg CBD, which has anti-inflammatory properties
• Observe effects for at least 2-3 days before adjusting
• Consider timing doses around when symptoms are typically most bothersome

Gradual adjustments:

• Increase by small increments
• Allow time between adjustments to assess the effects
• Focus on finding the minimal effective dose
• Consider different CBD:THC ratios to find what works best for your symptoms

Tracking response:

• Document dosage, timing, and effects
• Note improvements in specific MS symptoms
• Track functional improvements (mobility, daily activities)
• Record any unwanted effects

These general guidelines are based on standards from The College of Family Physicians of Canada but must be tailored to your specific needs by a healthcare provider during your online consultation.

Remember that cannabis affects everyone differently, and finding your optimal dosage may take time and patience. Working with a healthcare provider experienced in cannabis for MS can significantly improve your results when getting an online prescription in Canada.