Hep C Discussion Forum

brisscoss · Newbie

using cannabis

goggsmackay · Member

I have been using weed to get an appetite. For instance on the 2 days following interferon injection, I can eat zero solid food. Half a joint later and I can eat a full meal, with pudding!

I asked my doc if there was any prescription drugs designed to increase appetite and she answered there were not although some anti-depressants that increase appetite sometimes.

Anyway I did not hide the fact I was using weed and 3 docs, 3 nurses all gave me the 'whatever works' nod. Officially they could not encourage it's use but unofficially absolutely. My home city just happens to house the UK's expert in the medicinal effects of THC derivatives and he carries out the research for the government. They are actively trying to isolate chemiclals that can help with appetite and nausea and hopefully get those as prescription meds without people getting high. (i dont mind getting high but I understand many people might have a problem with that.)

For the countries that have private health care I would like to hear from any forum members who are struggling to pay for their meds?

-- Edited by goggsmackay on Monday 17th of September 2012 09:10:51 PM

Bills · Guru

The old timer veteran's use to say " Smoke-m if you got-em

I did have some in TX to try to sleep I may do it again to sleep if needed ( or relax ) I personally don't enjoy it as much as I used to so it's not a big deal for me I don't want to risk UND or SVR so I'll just say no most times Many Many reasons to allow people to have it Especially to relieve Chemo Symptoms for Cancer suffers Glaucoma etc and maybe us if it works for some why not So long as it's not a conflict with your treatment or doctors advice

Just decriminalizing it's use completely would be better than people loosing jobs for dirty urine and getting criminal records even jail AND another reason If it were legal it would put a hurting on the drug trade

Wonder how many people play 420 in the lotterys?

JIme · Guru

LOL..Mallani.......Sounds like we have the same type of personality....hahaha. I can get in trouble with a bag of Oreo's and a glass of milk. It works for me, I think. Keep moving forward y'all.

mallani · Guru

I agree with Dave- it's a personal choice. My only concern is the link with increased liver fibrosis. This rules it out for me. My addictive personality would also be a problem. If it works for you, go for it.

davesf · Senior Member

Sounds like a personal choice. It is a plant and anything organic has lots of chemistry in it just like other plants or our body. That's how "life" operates.

You're right about the states. Some of them are relaxed on marijuana and collecting some taxes. Those same states seem to place employee safety and environmental protections as a high priority so I'm not sure they don't care about public health.

In contrast there are some states that use very relaxed laws on employee protection and pollution to attract businesses (tax revenue) from other states while being tough on Marijuana. So greed at the expense of public health is a debatable point no matter what your politics.

I wish you the best in whatever you choose to do.

marktrux · Senior Member

I looked it up and there are 483 different chemicals in weed, including 13 ketones(used in cleaning products) and 12 lactones(from the alcohol group with a little carboxylic acid). Most of these chemicals haven't been studied in the hepatatic liver, so I think I can hold-off on my urge to get buzzed for the treatment duration. It still is a Federally banned substance in the U.S., just because a few greedy states have decided they are more concerned with the tax dollars it generates than the health of the public, dosen't make it harmless. There are plenty of approved, well studied solutions to most of the SX we may feel, plus no one ever said treatment was gonna be a walk in the park.

Mary Jane · Guru

Neil_Canuck wrote:
I think we need someone(s) good at research to dig a little deeper on this. I'm a regular smoker and have continued to smoke while on Tx but in the last couple of days of researching this issue it seems there's 2 different answers depending on whether you have Cirrhosis or not. Some reports say if you have cirrhosis it can actually accelerate the scarring. Has to do with cannabinoid receptors(I think that's what it is) but frequency is also a factor. Contradictory answers I don't want to see....lol. I would hate to have to give up my last vice if I didn't have to, 'cause you know how good a drink and a cigarette used to be. So, any of you people that wouldn't mind doing some digging in the research places that you've found on this journey, please do. Maybe we'll find inconclusive answers or that the acceleration of Cirrhosis isn't as rapid as the scaremongers might want you to believe(that's what I'm hoping). It's like with the coffee thing when I first started researching. Some sites said it was an absolute "no no" but after more digging find out that it is really good for liver health....go figure.

-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Tuesday 11th of September 2012 08:20:49 PM

Neil, I know some other folks can jump in and advise, the dude in Holland ( can't remember his user name ) said his Doc took him off the pills anti depress etc and gave him medical M .. One of my Doc's gave me a book and it said just as you stated above.. going to the NORMAL site and see if he has any links.. peace and love used to smoke MJ back in the day..

Neil_Canuck · Senior Member

I think we need someone(s) good at research to dig a little deeper on this. I'm a regular smoker and have continued to smoke while on Tx but in the last couple of days of researching this issue it seems there's 2 different answers depending on whether you have Cirrhosis or not. Some reports say if you have cirrhosis it can actually accelerate the scarring. Has to do with cannabinoid receptors(I think that's what it is) but frequency is also a factor. Contradictory answers I don't want to see....lol. I would hate to have to give up my last vice if I didn't have to, 'cause you know how good a drink and a cigarette used to be. So, any of you people that wouldn't mind doing some digging in the research places that you've found on this journey, please do. Maybe we'll find inconclusive answers or that the acceleration of Cirrhosis isn't as rapid as the scaremongers might want you to believe(that's what I'm hoping). It's like with the coffee thing when I first started researching. Some sites said it was an absolute "no no" but after more digging find out that it is really good for liver health....go figure.

-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Tuesday 11th of September 2012 08:20:49 PM

kiwi · Senior Member

here in new zealand, weed is illegal, but my clinic knows i use it occasionally. they ask about 'recreational drugs' ive been honest with them.

jeez its even known that it alleviates nausea during chemo, in fact i had a friend on chemo for cancer, and his doctor actually asked if he could get hold of any as it may help. (off the record of course)

i beleive if it helps with the nasty stuff we gotta handle, well so be it.

Mary Jane · Guru

Rockyfeller wrote:
I am very up front with people about my marijuana use, and because of that, the VA will not treat me for Hep C, even though i have a service related disability for it. I have also been turned down for 2 clinical trials because of it. When I heard about this trial that I am on now, I asked them if my smoking was a problem for them, and they said no, they did not test for it. Now that I am in the trial (7 weeks done) I have talked more to them about it. They said, that for this trial they needed clinically naive (previously untreated) participants, and to find them, they had to take the rejects (now that is a nice classification for us) from the trials that would not allow marijuana use.
The reason the VA gave me was not that the marijuana had any effect on the treatment, but "If I was willing to break the law to smoke, then how could they trust me not to drink alcohol during the treatment" How much BS is that?

That is just so stupid ... what's wrong with these folks?

LC · Senior Member

Mary Jane wrote:
Ok...I'm moving to Holland that's where my ancestors are from...

Me too! smile I also have English, German, and American Indian ancestors.

It looks like my state, Illinois, is working towards medical marijuana legislation. I think it's strange that all states have there own laws for this, if it's legal in one state - it should be legal for all. We are all living in the same country.

Pot always seemed to make me hyper-sensitive for some reason confuse , so I very seldom smoke it, but I've never understood why it wasn't legal. My ex just loved it. I can't see where it's any more harmful than booze. Anything that eases the suffering of sick people, should be available to them IMO.

Mary Jane · Guru

LC wrote:
Mary Jane wrote:
Ok...I'm moving to Holland that's where my ancestors are from...
Me too! I also have English, German, and American Indian ancestors.
It looks like my state, Illinois, is working towards medical marijuana legislation. I think it's strange that all states have there own laws for this, if it's legal in one state - it should be legal for all. We are all living in the same country.
Pot always seemed to make me hyper-sensitive for some reason , so I very seldom smoke it, but I've never understood why it wasn't legal. My ex just loved it. I can't see where it's any more harmful than booze. Anything that eases the suffering of sick people, should be available to them IMO.

I so agree, if it helps people cope with their disease whatever that may be, and YES they can control it.. It's way more benfical and less damaging than alcohol, & pills that's for sure.. Yeah don't get me started on the states vs government...

-- Edited by Mary Jane on Wednesday 29th of August 2012 06:16:19 PM

Mary Jane · Guru

Ok...I'm moving to Holland that's where my ancestors are from...

I wish the US would get a grip... I think it is a better medicinal way to treat alot of aliments than to shove pills down your throat... But as you all know someone has to make a profit..

The one hepatologist I saw said NO POT smoking or drinking I said geez I haven't in years can't afford it..

Best of luck and thanks for shairing,

Stephanie

bauhaus76 · Senior Member

well guys i live in holland and surprise surprise..my DOC stopted al my anti depressive pills and sleeping pills and change that for medical weed..hier in holland we get a priscription and pick the weed on a regular pharmacy...its controled by de goverment and it does not have any growth qimicals and that kind of impurities(laboratory controled).im glad i have this now dont have to take no more pills and feel much better..and its a plant not al that poison i was taking al this time!!!

Rockyfeller · Member

I am very up front with people about my marijuana use, and because of that, the VA will not treat me for Hep C, even though i have a service related disability for it. I have also been turned down for 2 clinical trials because of it. When I heard about this trial that I am on now, I asked them if my smoking was a problem for them, and they said no, they did not test for it. Now that I am in the trial (7 weeks done) I have talked more to them about it. They said, that for this trial they needed clinically naive (previously untreated) participants, and to find them, they had to take the rejects (now that is a nice classification for us) from the trials that would not allow marijuana use.

The reason the VA gave me was not that the marijuana had any effect on the treatment, but "If I was willing to break the law to smoke, then how could they trust me not to drink alcohol during the treatment" How much BS is that?

abbottmorris · Newbie

Spam deleted, adverts not allowed here, thanks!

-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Tuesday 28th of August 2012 12:38:16 PM

mikey · Member

My doctor flat out told me that use of *any* illegal drug or alcohol while he was treating me would be cause for immediate termination of his services. And yes, they do check.

I'm so damned tired all the time anyway, I sure don't need anything else to 'mellow out' with. :) This coming from a guy who smoked pot almost daily since 1973 up until I started treatment 6 months ago.

Mikey

greenqueen · Guru

Moved to General Discussion

Love Steff xx

Scout · Senior Member

I used pot to get through my first tx about 7 years ago. The problem was that street/ unregulated drugs are always suspect due to fertilizers, chemicals used by the grower. I'd be more comfortable with medical mj which is most likely grown in a controlled environment and free of harmful chemicals. Unfortunately that grade pot isn't available where I live and I'm an addictive personality type. Pot leads to other things from my experience. I'm 6 years sober and don't want to spin the chamber on something that might be my downfall. Of course this is just my opinion/ experience and I can't speak for anyone but myself.

James10500 · Guru

Make jokes, call it the devils weed, be dismissive. Now read this. Report Marijuana Helps with Hep C Therapy by Magnum , 19 hours ago Started my 5th therapy three weeks ago and feel 90% normal. Swim 12 lapse in the pool daily, great appetite, sleep eight hours and not angry. Could this be the answer? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR2006091201444.html The Washington Post - Wednesday, September 13, 2006; Page A02 Marijuana can improve the effectiveness of drug therapy for hepatitis C, a potentially deadly viral infection that affects more than 3 million Americans, a study has found. The work adds to a growing literature supporting the notion that in some circumstances pot can offer medical benefits. Treatment for hepatitis C involves months of therapy with two powerful drugs, interferon and ribavirin, that have severe side effects, including extreme fatigue, nausea, muscle aches, loss of appetite and depression. Because of those side effects, many patients do not finish treatment and the virus ends up destroying their livers. Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco and at an Oakland substance abuse center tracked the progress of 71 hepatitis C patients taking the difficult therapy. Tests and interviews indicated that 22 smoked marijuana every day or two during the treatment period while 49 rarely or never did. At the end of the six-month treatment, 19 (86 percent) of those who used marijuana had successfully completed the therapy -- meaning they took at least 80 percent of their doses over at least 80 percent of the period. Only 29 (59 percent) of the nonsmokers achieved that goal. Similarly, 54 percent of the marijuana users achieved a "sustained virological response," the gold standard goal of therapy, meaning they had no sign of the virus in their bodies six months after the treatment was over. That compared with only 18 percent of those who did not smoke pot. While it is possible that the marijuana had a specific, positive biomedical effect, it is more likely that it helped patients by reducing depression, improving appetite and offering psychological benefits that helped the patients tolerate the treatment's side effects, the team reports in the current issue of the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

-- Edited by James10500 on Thursday 25th of August 2011 05:45:20 PM

koan4u · Member

I tried it because i was losing appetite but stangely enough a floater appeared the next day and I started experiencing streaks of light coming from above.. Where it was related or not I don't know.. but I am going to forgo it for now..

cobalt191 · Member

thanks for the reply glad your all clean of hep now i posted my details on the thread you sent me if you would like to read it.

all the best and keeping strong greg

greenqueen · Guru

Hi,

Unfortunately, the problems that arose when this subject was brought up recently, were down to an ex member using the topic to goad another member who had very strong personal views on any drug use.

Open discussion on this subject is not a problem as long as people respect others opinions. There is in fact a thread from a while back on which I posted some links on the use of marijuana to help adherence to HCV therapy.

http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t38304516/medical-marihuana/

A few years ago, my boyfriend was suffering from terminal cancer and his doctor at the hospice was very interested in his use of the weed to alleviate his suffering. He actually took a lot of notes!

Love Steff xx

Aaron · Senior Member

Last time this topic got brought up some people on here got very upset. I suggest that you talk to your doc about it. Mine said it was fine and I live in Michigan and got my medical marijuana card. It helped me so much I slept better, ate more, and had no need for the anti anxiety pills that they wanted to put me on. I think that it did wonders for me and I'm a huge advocate for medical marijuana. But there are some people that are offended by this topic so if you want more info pm me and I will send it to you. Have a great one!

cobalt191 · Member

i was wondering whether you can use cannabis whilst on pegasys treatment

thanks in advance cobalt191

Hep C Discussion Forum

Legal Disclaimer: