Prior to being a patient of Dr Andrew Agius I was ready to give up on life 

I cannot even say I was living a life as I spent every day in pain.

 

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2016 after having an emergency Sub Total Colectomy. From 2018 I began to experience terrible pain in both my hips, like knife stabbing through me- a constant pain which made me faint on several occasions causing myself other injuries including a concussion. 

 

I visited Mosta clinic for this and was also under the care of a Doctor at Mater Dei Hospital who did not seem to understand the effect this was having on me, I told this Doctor I could take it anymore- I could not hold down a job due to being constantly in pain and having to take sick leave. I struggled to even walk to the bathroom in my apartment, I could not sleep, I could not cook or eat well, my weight was 49kg at this point- I’m 5 ft 5 inch tall I was extremely underweight. It was utterly debilitating.

 

I was taking 12-14 30mg Codeine pills a day which gave no relief at all. I obviously could not take ibuprofen or similar due to having Crohn’s.  

 

I was eventually sent for an MRI but received no results, no other suggestions of pain relief other than Aqua physio which for someone with a Stoma Bag that will come off in water after a time this is not an option.  No one was able to help me.

 

The pain went on and on with no response regarding my MRI tests and after losing yet another job, I was contemplating suicide because I could not be in pain any longer. 

 

I decided to visit Andrew Aguis’s Pain Clinic in December 2019.

 

On my first visit I explained what was happening to me. Dr Aguis asked me everything about my life, my medical history, diet, sleep patterns. He was the one who was able to tell me its inflammation most likely from the Crohn’s. Just from talking to me and listening. 

 

He suggested I try CBD and THC to calm the inflammation and put through the paperwork for the first 30 day approval. He explained everything in full detail- how to use the medicine and when. 

 

Once I received the permit in January 2020 within 2 weeks of first use of medical cannabis I was finally, shockingly, completely pain free.

 

I have been using medical cannabis since then and have not been in pain since – 33 months pain free from this medicine is something all Doctors need to open their eyes to.

 

Incidentally, I did receive my test results from a Doctor by phone in July 2020- Sacroiliitis for which I was informed the only treatment possible that may or may not help the pain was an immunosuppressant treatment……I said thank you for the results however I was now pain free under the care of Dr Aguis without the need for an aggressive treatment which comes awful side effects.

 

From using medical cannabis, there are no bad side effects at all, only benefits.

I have held down my current job since January 2020 and have actually been promoted. I work in an office dealing with accounts and admin- rest assured my mind or thought process is not affected in any way from the medicine. 

 

I have not had any flare ups on my Crohn’s either which has been an added benefit. Something I did not expect but should be taken well into consideration. 

 

I also began to exercise as soon as I was pain free on Dr Aguis’s advice to help build the muscle lost in my lower body and I am now fit and strong at 54kg, I can run, jump, lift weights- I am a different person from the girl who could not even manage to get up off a chair without crying or passing out from the pain. 

 

I am now happy and living life. 

 

So before you judge Dr Aguis or whatever your opinion is on medical cannabis and its use- I hope you will take my story to heart and consider that this medicine should not have the bad reputation and stigma that it does amongst the medical profession. It can change lives for the better. 

 

I can honestly say I would not be here today had I not visited Dr Andrew Aguis, he is a credit to his profession.