Natalie enjoys taking care of others. Her husband, her dogs, or the track workers when she was still working as a health expert for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).
But her own health is causing the 55-year-old considerable distress: her back hurts, her joints are stiff, her hearing loss is steadily worsening, and Natalie is repeatedly surprised by episodes of paralysis in her legs. The list of symptoms goes on. So much so that it costs her her job.
What is the cause of Natalie's suffering? The medical investigations drag on, turning into a ten-year odyssey through doctors' offices, operating rooms, MRI machines, and specialized departments. Every inch of her body is examined. First, she is diagnosed with fibromyalgia, then endometriosis. And finally, in November 2021, she receives what is probably the most accurate diagnosis: systemic lupus erythematosus.
This disease is like a walking ghost, wreaking havoc throughout the body. More precisely, the immune system attacks the body's own cells, triggering inflammatory responses.
A multifaceted disease, numerous medications, one solution
Natalie's autoimmune disease manifests itself in so many different ways, and so too do the medications she's prescribed: Tramadol, Dafalgan, Novalgin, and so on. While these medications do reduce her pain, they also dull her perception and reaction time. Natalie feels like she's wrapped in cotton wool. The cocktail of medications is causing her stomach ulcers. And her growing dependence on these drugs is a worry. If she doesn't take the Tramadol for a few days, she experiences withdrawal symptoms such as trembling hands.
In search of a better solution, Natalie experiments with different cannabis strains. She finds a dealer who sells her high-quality Indica cannabis.
Natalie remembers her first experience with this exquisite plant very clearly: "I was sitting on the couch with my husband watching a film when I realized 'I'm not hurting at all!' The relief was so great that I burst into tears."
It all comes down to dosage
Natalie feels best when she drinks a small cup of cannabis tea in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. It feels similar to having a beer after work on an empty stomach.
It takes up to four hours for the effects to kick in. "Suppositories would work faster," Natalie knows. But for those, she would need a doctor's prescription. Her solution for cannabis therapy isn't perfect, but it's good enough for her to live with the pain.
Indica helps Natalie achieve proper relaxation, contentment, and greater mobility in her limbs. As a result, she is able to discontinue all her synthetic medications and gets rid of her stomach ulcers. The passionate puzzle solver regains her sharp mind and focus. "Finally, I had a chance again at Trudy Müller-Bosshard's puzzles!"
When one is dependent on the black market
For about three years, everything went well for Natalie. Then, in January 2021, her carefully planned therapy system suddenly came to a standstill. Due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, her supplier could no longer deliver the cannabis. Natalie had to resort to synthetic medications once again. And with that, the stiffness crept back into her limbs and the constant drowsiness returned to her mind.
Because Natalie can't rely on her legs' strength without cannabis, she now uses a walker. Walks with her dogs are almost impossible. She can no longer manage the stairs to her husband's bedroom. So she sleeps on the couch in the living room. Overnight, the pain causes Natalie to tense up so badly that in the morning she has to consciously relax every single part of her body to get up. Her toes, her wrists, her hips...
Subject to arbitrary power
Trying alternative cannabis from other suppliers would be too risky for Natalie. The hemp could be adulterated with unknown substances that her body cannot tolerate or that could even harm her.
Although Natalie asks her doctor, she refuses to prescribe cannabis. She claims further tests are needed and that not enough is known about the medicinal plant. Thus, Natalie's chance for legal cannabis therapy has been delayed for years.
"It infuriates me that obstacles are being deliberately placed in my way to improvement."
Finding another doctor is difficult, as hardly anyone publicly admits to prescribing cannabis therapy. Natalie doesn't dare to contact doctors' offices directly. "I'm afraid they'll label me a drug addict and turn me away."
Despair is etched on Natalie's gentle face. "I wish the obstacles to effective cannabis therapy would finally be removed. Legal access to the right strain of cannabis would change my life."
