My Mom lives in Texas. She’s 84 and has Alzheimer’s and high blood pressure and a few other health issues. Over the last year she has developed a terrible nervous habit of scratching herself. Her arms and thighs are literally covered in horrible open sores and bruises and scars. She often gets infections. We know for sure it’s not a rash or skin condition. She’s been on many meds and lotions including for OCD. None worked and all made her like a zombie. Mom’s Doctor is very open to giving her CBD oil. He feels it has great potential and has no side effects. I searched and studied and found one that is very reputable. My husband and I both have been taking it and have had amazing results with relief from aches and pains, anxiety and sleep issues. So, I feel very comfortable giving it to my Mother, however the Med nurses where she lives aren’t allowed to dispense it. The CBD oil has no THC in it and is legal in Texas but the corporate office refuses to consider it. We have to have their help. It needs to be taken a couple of times a day consistently to work. Alzheimer’s is just heart breaking anyway but it really pains me to see my Mom literally tearing herself apart. You can buy CBD oil in the mall and shops are popping up everywhere. Last year her Doctors prescribed B12 vitamins and she also has a standing order for Tylenol if needed. Both are purchased at local stores and are dispensed by the Med nurses. What legal rights do we have?
As you approach this with the facility officials, try not to get mired down in your opinions (same as mine) and stick strictly to absolute fact.
”This is a new prescription for Mom, provided by her personal physician”.
Are YOU allowed to purchase the PRESCRIPTION meds that Mom takes on a regular basis? (we are not, in my state). If so, buy the product WITH her prescription at a pharmacy (not OTC) , and bring it in a bag stapled shut at the pharmacy with the paper script stapled to the bag.
A huge PITN for you, I know, but the choice is having it or NOT having it, so well worth the extra aggravation if you chose to take it on.
May not be covered as a pharmaceutical treatment BUT, once you are able to demonstrate its VALUE TO HER, you may be able to skirt the rules a bit.
Remember, keep any discourse with the facility factual, cut-and-dried, and MATTER OF FACT.
Please post again with your results using this approach.
Updating. Shaner after reading all of the posts I realize the wall you are up against. I think I might STILL try as I’ve described above, having the seller staple the bag shut with the physician’s recommendation.
Hoping you are are able to provide your mother with something that will ease her suffering SOON.
I think your best bet will be to persist with the corporate office for an exception if one is possible. Or, as others have suggested, enroll your Mom in hospice. That is often different staff.
I know someone who was selling online and in bottles to sell directly. The bottle had absolutely no mfg name on it, no ingredients label, and simply said CBD - use 1/2 dropper for anxiety. These instructions were not even a typed or professional looking label. Just someone's handwriting. That has the hint of prescribing medicine without a license in my own opinion and there's no way I would take it or give it to someone or a pet.
You probably need to talk to her doctor about CBD or some sort of antianxiety med that will help with the scratching. That, or take her home and medicate however you choose.
I presented the request to her medical team: the doctor, the head of social work, and the head of nursing of the facility.
I was told that by policy, at this time, they cannot give her the CBD - even the widely accepted, legal version. I was told that if I want Mom to be given CBD, I would have to administer it daily myself. (Since I cannot go there each day, twice a day, that set-up does not work for me.)
This ignorant policy will continue until the federal laws are changed, and until there is a greater understanding of the difference between the legal CBD based on hemp, and the more effective CBD version which medical marijuana offers.
Eventually, this will change. For now, dosing rests as our responsibility once the doctor is informed.
Hope this helps.
CBD oil is fairly new to the medical community as far as ordering for patients; the issue is that not all CBD oil is the same so it would be impossible to write a policy to cover all of these unknowns.
If the corporate office is not willing to sort all that out, they can refuse, & rightfully so as the use of CBD is fairly new & they may just want to wait to see how state & federal regs pan out and cite patient safety as a concern. A valid concern as well, because there is just not enough scientific data and studies available about the use of the drug and I would bet minimal studies on CBD oil & effects on the elderly.
Have you discussed using benadryl or vistaril for relief from itching? Oatmeal baths? Is her renal function normal or does she have CKD (kidney disease)? If CKD have the docs check her phosphorus level as if elevated can cause severe itching, as well as itchy skin from kidney disease. Or have her evaluated by a dermatologist if you haven’t already.
Due to liability issues I would not bank on the facility allowing CBD anytime soon.
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/warning-letters-and-test-results-cannabidiol-related-products
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-questions-and-answers