After 3 months of cannabis treatment, fibromyalgia patient who relied on morphine sees pain disappear

CAROLINE VAZ (text) and CHARLES VILELA (editing)

For 7 years, Lorena Barreto, 54, has been battling the severe pains resulting from fibromyalgia. The disease is a syndrome of unknown causes that can cause strong pains throughout the body for a long time or sensitivity in the joints, muscles, and tendons. Since 2010, when she first experienced symptoms, she sought a diagnosis of the disease. However, because it was an unknown illness at the time and confused with common skin diseases, the diagnosis only occurred three years later, in 2013. 

Due to the pain and the immense discomfort she felt on her skin and throughout her body, her life was transformed. For example, she no longer performed well at work due to sleepless nights; her hand, foot, and knee joints were compromised, making it difficult for her to move. In addition, the stress caused by the disease began to affect her family and social relationships. "I was becoming an intolerant person, always complaining," she says. "I didn't even want to be with myself."

>>> Sechat offers free service for patients and medical prescribers of Medical Cannabis

Because fibromyalgia has no palliative or specific treatment, Lorena used morphine to alleviate the pain. However, this ended up compromising her quality of life even more. She felt "groggy" for at least 3 days after taking the medication. So, it was a difficult dilemma: to be pain-free, but extremely debilitated, or to feel that deep pain that resulted in bad mood and high stress.

First contact with Medical Cannabis was when she lived abroad

It was in 2013, when she lived in Boston, United States, that she discovered Medical Cannabis. Even at that time, the American state had stores where the product was sold in bulk, in jars where the store seller collected the plant for the patient based on what their doctor had prescribed. But being Brazilian, Lorena could not access the medication due to legal issues. 

At that moment, above all, she saw her disease worsen with the doses of morphine becoming increasingly higher and more frequent. That was when she decided to search for companies, associations, or startups that could help her access Medical Cannabis. Through internet research, Lorena found the CEC (Center of Cannabinoid Excellence) and scheduled a consultation with Dr. Pedro Pierro, a neurosurgeon at CEC and scientific director and partner of Sechat.

>>> Brazilian study reveals that cannabis oil is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia

Anvisa authorization for the purchase of Cannabis medication was quick

"Of all the companies I found, CEC was the one that made me feel the most secure and welcomed," Lorena commented about the center. Regarding Anvisa's authorization for the import of cannabidiol oil, the patient says it was simpler and faster than she imagined. "I submitted the request at the end of May and was authorized very quickly. It is a simple procedure where you request some documents on Anvisa's website and after 10 to 12 days they contact you authorizing, or not, your request."

The first medication requested had no effect on Lorena's fibromyalgia. So, in a second consultation with Dr. Pedro, it was decided to change the medication, which is now of Brazilian origin and provided by ABRACAM (Brazilian Association of Medical Cannabis).

>>> Fibromyalgia patient finds relief in Cannabis for her debilitating pains

Three months after starting the medication, Lorena no longer felt any pain, her joints now function normally, and she regained the movements that were previously debilitated. "The treatment was a turning point in my life: I don't feel anything anymore. Today I can't imagine myself without the oil. The pain disappeared, I don't feel anything anymore. My quality of life was very poor, and I was very afraid of the future. If at 54 I was in that condition, imagine at 60? I was afraid of ending up in a wheelchair with someone feeding me," she said.

Regarding the purchase of the medication, Lorena says she bears the expenses herself, but her next step will be to request that the cost be covered through the SUS (Unified Health System), since the price of the oil is very high and she will need to use it for the rest of her life. "CEC is giving me a lot of support, they are guiding me and showing me the way because, normally, we have nowhere to get information and ask for help, so the clinic's assistance is very necessary, and they are great at it," she comments gratefully about the center.

For her, it is conventional medications, easily accessed, that debilitate and addict; not Medical Cannabis

For Lorena, the legalization of use is the best regulation of Medical Cannabis and it is essential that this happens. However, it is necessary to break the paradigm that exists in society on the subject, since many people can have a better quality of life with something as simple as the plant, but access is very difficult. "What people don't know is how dangerous the drugs sold in pharmacies are, which leave you debilitated and addicted. This country needs to look at the needs of patients and not just at the financial interests of the pharmaceutical industry, which does not want to allow a treatment with cannabidiol to be spread," she contextualizes.