The beauty of medicinal cannabis has always been in the testimonies of patients who have benefited from medicinal cannabis over conventional drugs. This is the story of a man that was initially paralyzed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and was once highly dependent on drugs for maintenance. After being paralyzed for a period, he became a medical cannabis sensation as he replaced 75 pills with cannabis and is now actively back on his feet. Read on as we examine the science behind this beautiful story and what it means for the cannabis industry at large.

Multiple Sclerosis 

Struggling with an acute disease has always been an uphill task for anyone battling it, but it is nothing compared to chronic conditions. This is the reality behind multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable disease affecting the central nervous system. MS interrupts the regular chain of information within the brain and concurrently affects how information is distributed from the brain to the body. Data from the National MS Society shows that over 2.3 million people worldwide struggle with MS presently. Continuous progression of the condition is known to cause deterioration and permanent damage to the nerves and their functions

Presently there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, so conventional pharmaceutical products are targeted toward maintenance other than outright cure. However, the cannabis plant has risen among the ranks as a valuable and effective product that can benefit people living with the disease. Though there has been limited research and studies on the efficacy of the plant in dealing with multiple sclerosis, a recent story might just change that. A man from Kinross, Scotland, is thankful for getting his life back, as cannabis has helped him deal more with multiple sclerosis than conventional drugs have.

The struggles of a man living with MS

Tony Patterson explained that his troubling journey with MS started after he was admitted to the hospital for an eye quint operation. He was then diagnosed with MS after he had undergone an MRI scan in January 2011. Patterson explained that this reality turned his world on its head and affected all that concerned him. It came just around the time that he landed his dream as a Chef at the Gleneagle hotel. Patterson explained that he didn’t know much about the condition before being diagnosed. The only understanding he had to go with was that he couldn’t see properly, was inherently weak, and his mind was disoriented.

Not long after the diagnosis, Patterson realized that the condition was worsening, and he was soon forced to walk with a cane. Soon, his unaided movement was completely halted, and he was moving around with the aid of a wheelchair. Patterson shared this with Nottingham Post, where he explained that he soon had to move back into his parent’s home so they could take care of him. Memory issues, mobility problems, and incontinence with the bowels and bladder characterized his condition.

The proposed move by the medics and pharmacists for Patterson was to use pills to abate the symptoms that he was facing. This meant that Patterson would have to use pills that amounted to about 75 pills in a day. This was spaced into 20 tablets three or four times daily as some pills were also being used to counteract other pills. Many medications and therapies were initiated to help Patterson, but none proved effective in showing the considerable change needed in his condition. As the day passed, it seemed like Patterson would not find a suitable solution to help change his situation. Soon he deteriorated into having mental health problems like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar issues.

Medical cannabis to the rescue

In 2014, Patterson was fortunate to stumble on an NHS research project seeking to determine the efficacy of marijuana for the condition. He enrolled and soon had to let go of the multiple pills he was chucking down daily for cannabis. It took only 10 months of medical marijuana therapy for him to be off the wheelchair and actively back on his feet. Patterson, who was always a regular cyclist, was also able to get back on the bike thanks to the effects of cannabis on the control of his limbs.

His regimen for cannabis is set at 3 grams or less of medical marijuana from MMJ clinics. This rate sums up to about 300 pounds ($365.83) monthly from MMJ clinics. Patterson explained that this completely changed his life drastically, thanks to the multifaceted effects of cannabis. The natural product dealt with a number of the associated symptoms that came with MS. Soon, he realized a reduction in his bipolar and PTSD effects, which helped him get through his day. Cannabis also acted as a saving grace for pain relief, even though it doesn't completely take the entire pain away.

The good thing about Patterson’s diagnosis is that he has relapsing-remitting MS. This means the worst is over. He lives and takes care of his daughter Zevanna, born in 2014, as a single dad. Cannabis has helped him become a better father to his daughter, and he feels like he has gotten a second chance at life. He has become somewhat of a medical cannabis advocate ever since, advising all other patients in pain to give medical cannabis a try.

Bottom line

The story of Patterson is a revelation that will  change the medical cannabis industry. It is sure to have a rebound effect of an increase in research and studies on the efficacy of cannabis for MS and other conditions where new therapy forms are desired. For now, we are all grateful for the wonderful impact that medical cannabis has had in the livelihood of Patterson as it has been his saving grace from MS.

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