One-third of fibromyalgia patients used medical cannabis despite limited evidence-based guidance

Among 63 fibromyalgia patients, medical cannabis was used by 34.9% and pharmaceutical cannabinoids by 17.5%. Despite guidelines recommending against opioids for fibromyalgia, 33% used them. NSAIDs, also not recommended due to lack of efficacy, were used by 54%. Recommended medications were underused: anticonvulsants (36.5%), SNRIs (55.6%), and tricyclic antidepressants (22.2%). Medication subclasses perceived as highest risk were the least used.

Directive telephone interviews with 63 individuals self-reporting fibromyalgia in Quebec, Canada. Assessed all pain medications including prescribed, over-the-counter, and cannabis products. Compared use patterns to Canadian Fibromyalgia Clinical Practice Guidelines.

The gap between what guidelines recommend and what fibromyalgia patients actually use reveals a disconnect between clinical evidence and patient experience that drives people toward cannabis and other non-recommended options.

When patients with a difficult-to-treat condition like fibromyalgia turn to cannabis and opioids despite guideline recommendations against them, it suggests that recommended treatments may not be providing adequate relief.

Small sample of 63 self-reported fibromyalgia patients. Telephone interviews may introduce social desirability bias. Quebec-specific healthcare context may not generalize. No clinical verification of fibromyalgia diagnosis.