A CANNABIS ingredient forms the basis of a new business launched by a fibromyalgia sufferer to help others manage their health conditions.
Annette Hardey, 48, was diagnosed with the condition which causes extreme tiredness and pain in 2018 after suddenly developing symptoms.
There isn’t a cure for fibromyalgia, but there are some treatments that help manage it.
Annette says that the medication she was being prescribed wasn’t making much of a difference and began looking at CBD products – such as oils and gummies – to help with the pain.
CBD stands for cannabidiol and is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of marijuana.
Annette said: “There isn’t a lot of support or medication for conditions like mine, so you’re just left to it. It has completely changed my life, it started so quickly and out of nowhere. It was very difficult to process when I got my diagnosis.
“Fibromyalgia is usually caused by a traumatic event, but it came out of nowhere for me. I was fine at one point and then suddenly I started getting these electrical shooting pains at the bottom of my spine. If you’re fit and healthy and you’re leading an active life with a job, it’s difficult to accept what’s happening. It took me a long time to accept it.”
The Purton woman launched her business, CBD Wilts, in November last year after her work at a cinema dried up because of the pandemic. She says it has already helped many people cope with their pain and discomfort.
More than 160 people follow her page on Facebook.
“I initially used a bath bomb with CBD in it and that helped so much with the pain,” she said.
“My friend who has their own business in Lancashire gave me the idea to start mine to help others with the same condition as me.
“It also helps people with arthritis, stress, and anxiety.
“It gave me something to do during lockdown too because I work at a cinema and have done for 11 years, but it hasn’t been open for a long time because of Covid.”
Annette’s business can be found at www.facebook.com/cbdwilts
