Marijuana and Depression

[BayAreaWomen]

Has anyone tried marijuana to help with feelings of depression? Can it be harmful to one while on treatment. I haven't smoked in 10 years, but the way I've been feeling lately, I've been thinking about it. It use to make me laugh alot. I just finish shot 7 and I actually don't feel bad at this time, but there's tomorrow. Has anyone's face gotten smaller during treatment. Thanks All. baw

[mauilady]

I've heard it works to alleviate some of the symptoms, but personally, I never liked the stuff too well.  If I had, I probably wouldn't be HCV positive... :-0

Nice quake today... scared the s~~~ out of me!

[Lady E]

Yes, I use mj a little bit just to help my mood feel lighter.
A couple of tokes a day..nothing huge. But I find that it doesn't really do alot for me unless I'm doing it with somebody else (which is rare as my hubby doesn't smoke it)
Also, yes, my face has gotten smaller..and so has the rest of me for that matter. I've lost about 20 lbs since mid july while on tx. I also got my hair cut at end end of July. My customers at work tell me I look 10 years younger and ask me if I started working out. I tell them I've changed my eating habits. (If they only knew) *rolling my eyes* I've noticed this past week that my hair is starting to fall out too. Hairs on the pillow, in the sink, etc. I think this side effect is going to bother me the most.*heavy sigh*
Best of luck & wishes to you.
E

[Lady E]

One more thing. I think smoking mj magnifies the brain fog thing too. I certainly doesn't help with forgetfulness, clumsiness etc..tho it does take the edge off of stress a little bit. I'm thinking of giving up using it on a daily basis.

Maui-Glad to hear you are fine after Hawaii's earthquake!!
It must have been a very scarey event for you!

Have a good week.
E

[painterlady13]

OMG I'll bet it did.  Just watching Good Morning America and seeing the pics from the shaker you all had.  Looks like if you were posting you are ok in your area.  Thank goodness.  Take care and watch for those aftershocks, they can be almost as bad. IMHO being a california native.

[painterlady13]

I have considered doing the same as far as trying pot to alleviate some of the depression sides in conjunction with the wellbutrin I am already taking as it doesn't work for the crying bouts. Pot used to help there.

On another note you might want to google it as there have been some conflicting studies that are both for and against it. And then make your decision after you read both opinions. I don't have those links but I know there are others here that will.  Good Luck.

[hippygem]

Medical marijuana users are more likely to finish hepatitis C treatment and so are more likely to be cured, according to a newly published study conducted in San Francisco and Oakland.
Other studies have shown marijuana relieves symptoms, but medical marijuana advocates said this could be the first to show improved cure rates for a life-threatening illness.

The study is by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and the Oakland-based Organization to Achieve Solutions in Substance Abuse (OASIS). It was published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. It found marijuana users being treated for HCV three times more likely to have a "sustained virological response," meaning the virus can't be detected six months after treatment ends.

HCV treatment with ribavirin and interferon causes severe side effects, so many patients quit the long regimen too early.

Of 71 HCV patients studied, 21 finished with a sustained virological response: 12 of the 22 cannabis users and nine of the 49 nonusers.

"Modest" cannabis use may offer symptomatic and virological benefit to some patients... by helping them maintain adherence to the challenging medication regimen," the study concluded.

Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., issued a news release touting this as "a landmark study, showing that medical marijuana can literally save lives. Every day that our government continues punishing the sick for you.

This is just some information I came across, dont think of leaping into smoking pot, do your own research and find out more on this subject, remember pot is illegal, but maybe there is a way to have it for medicinal purposes, check with your GP.

[NYgirl]

Wow that waS some biggie! Did you have any damage?  Being from NY that would have FLIPPED me out - in fact it's the ONLY reason I've NEVER been to California I'm too scared of them!

I was camping once sleeping on the ground when we had a little tiny 3.2 and that scared the beejezus out of me so bad...I can't even IMAGINE a 6.6? Isn't that what it was?

You Hawaians are braver than us New Yorkers I tell you that! All we have to worry about are terrorists, dirty bombs, nuclear explosions and Indian POint Nuc. power plant blowing up.

Seems there is a better chance to STOP those things rather than an earthquake! (I'm being serious!)

[SoCal Lady]

Re:  your face "getting smaller".  

Could it be that you had bloating prior to treatment, and that the bloating is being reduced?  

Here's my new symptom. (13/24 injection last night)  I experienced a sharp pain about 6 times, during my sleep time, in the front of my ankle----as if a sharp nail was trying to emerge from my bone.  It almost made me want to cry out in pain, except that it was over, almost as soon as I felt it...

These SXs are so unpredictable.

Have a good day everyone!

[mycoldfeet]

San Fransisco, and Oakland published those studies? Sounds like Berkley.

[wanpow]

Hey, Yes I found smoking MJ very beneficial during my brief stint on meds as well as now while i'm not treating. The benefit I experience more than any other it that it slows down my thinking process,  forces me to live in the moment thus helps me to listen to my body and respond to it. ...via  deep breathing, stretching, relaxing.  The laughter helps release tension too. lmao

[orphanedhawk]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006

Medical Marijuana Boosts Hepatitis C Treatment in New Study
UC San Francisco Researchers Find Marijuana Users Three Times More Likely to Successfully Eliminate Virus

CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications, 202-215-4205 or 415-668-6403

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA -- A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, just published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, suggests that medical marijuana boosts the success of treatment for the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Untreated HCV can lead to liver failure and death, but in the new study, marijuana users being treated for HCV were three times more likely to have a "sustained virological response" -- i.e. HCV could not be detected six months after they completed treatment.

While extensive research has shown that marijuana can provide symptom relief, this is believed to be the first published study linking marijuana to improved cure rates for a life-threatening illness.

HCV treatment utilizing the drugs ribavirin and interferon is notorious for its severe side effects, including nausea, vomiting, weight loss, sleeplessness, and depression, which cause many patients to discontinue the long, demanding regimen prematurely. In this study -- which focused on a difficult patient population: seventy-one recovering drug users receiving methadone maintenance while simultaneously being treated for HCV -- those using marijuana were significantly more likely to complete their treatment regimens. The researchers, with UCSF and OASIS in Oakland, California, theorized that marijuana relieved the patients' medication side effects sufficiently to allow them to complete treatment, and concluded, "our results suggest that moderate cannabis use during HCV treatment may offer significant benefit to certain patients."

Overall, 54 percent of marijuana users had a sustained virological response, compared to only 18 percent of non-users. The study was published alongside a commentary by a separate team of Canadian researchers describing the evidence that marijuana relieves debilitating side effects of treatment for HCV, cancer and AIDS, and calling for patients to be "legally permitted" to use it.

San Francisco patient Brian Klein, 48, (not a participant in the study) credits medical marijuana for enabling him to be successfully cured of HCV in his second attempt at treatment, in 2003-4. "One of the main reasons treatment succeeded was that I was able to stay on my medications, " he said. "The first time I tried treating my HCV, in 2001, the nausea was so bad I couldn't even keep water down, and I had to stop after two months. Medical marijuana allowed me to successfully treat my hepatitis C and clear the virus."

"This is a landmark study, showing that medical marijuana can literally save lives," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "Every day that our government continues punishing the sick for using this medicine is literally a crime against humanity."

With more than 20,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://www.mpp. org.

REFERENCES:
Sylvestre DL, Clements BJ and Malibu Y. Cannabis use improves retention and virological outcomes in patients treated for hepatitis C. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2006, 18:1057-1063.
Fischer B et al. Treatment for hepatitis C virus and cannabis use in illicit drug user patients: implications and questions. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2006, 18:1039-1042.

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[mauilady]

Think I'd rather have an earthquake than a terrorist...

[new-sojourn]

Yes, marijuana can help.  If you are kinda leary of putting more chemical toxins-ADs, sleeping meds, anti-nausea-mj is a valid and legal options in your state.

The most enjoyable is growing your own-in a nice legal garden in your own backyard.

Hep c is considered an 'incurable' disease, so you can legally grow and use and buy marijuana in CA for the rest of your life.

A little tip for home gardeners-'M.G. once a wk tomatoe plant food' is the bomb.  A $5-10 box will last all season.  Altho I found that half strenght twice a wk using a watering can works even better-very low tech.  I now grow seed to weed and get more satisfacion growing than smoking it-almost!

anyway, I'm all legal and all clear.

There is another study that shows that marijana helps prevent of slow down Alzhamier's disease.  And it seems to prevent lung cancer.

If you are anti-marijana, none of this means a thing.  If you are indifferent or pro-marijana, than this is all good news.

Marijana in the 1930's was demonized and made illegal on racist and immagration grounds-not medical.  The History channel has a good series on the history of different drugs.  "Hooked on:  Maijana" should be a must watch for anyone who is really interested in the warped racist thinking that made it illegal.

[BayAreaWomen]

Thank you for the information and thank all who posted to this thread. Thanks Rev, i read the previous thread on marijuana only after I started this one. I should have looked first, didn't mean to reinvent the wheel-so-to-speak.

[new-sojourn]

gosh, our whole world  is full of toxins.  I say choose your poisons wisely.

My partner and I chose an entirely different life style after my dx of hep c.  He was a working, recording artist in LA b/he willingly retreated to the mts to heal me.  We chose good water, clean air and a stripped down lifestyle over the glitz and the glam and the pollution.

I would take my chances on my homegrown-altho not strictly organic-and my voluntary simplicity over the poisons of the city and established medical mind thought any day.

I think I choose my poisons wisely.  Afterall, I'm still alive and have the virus 'under control'-svr.  Altho I'm afraid it-the virus-still lurks in the brain-like AIDS does.

Time will tell.

B/marijuana is still illegal b/c of racist policies in the 30's-not b/c its 'bad.'  Supporting the laws against marijuana is supporting racist policies of the 30's.

[cuteus]

it takes a foreigner to teach us a new variation of USA's favorite word!  I have used it once, at least.  BS does not have the same impact.

[beamishboy]

puff,puff...ahhh-chase dem blues away...

[scootertime]

I also use med mj I know for myself if I use alot or shall we say over medicate I get lethargic and fat. If I use my head and use mj reasonably and responsibly It's helps to calm me and relieve muscle and joint tension. If I over medicate It also increases joint pain.

Besides the mj topic, I am interested in alternative medicine for the treatment of Hepatitis C. I have done some research, then today I had a tele conference with a doctor from UCDavis for an experimental program they are doing. Disqualified. I spoke with him about alternative med. Being from Europe he was somewhat positive but said ther is no qualified research on the subject so would not recomend other than milk thistle. Does anyone have facts on this subject.

[Magnum]

I smoked during my Kent State U. era in the 60's, along with the college professors, then stopped for many years. I started up again two years ago because of my persistent Insomnia. I have a Medical Marijuana Card and have literally two hits before going to sleep. It helps.

Now... just a few days ago, the Hepatologist said three tests have shown marijuana to accelerate Hepatitis C. Well now, two years later, I still have the same ALT and AST readings and as far as the hepatologist is concerned, I have not progressed in my disease.

This raging opinion from both sides will never die. As for "curing" depression. I feel it's an individual thing. when I was going to college and smoking, I was very paranoid and at times depressed. Now, very little paranoia and depression. Otherwise, it's up to you... Happy dreams...

Magnum

[pigeonca]

I've been smoking on and off since college in the 60's, especially when insomnia hits.  The arguments pro and con are infinite.  What bugs me is that all the negative findings seem to be based on people who smoke 2 or 3 joints daily!  (Back in the day I had a boyfriend who did that - his favorite movie was Easy Rider, and he was semi-functional.)  What about people who smoke 2 or 3 puffs a day?  Nobody has studied that, but I figure it's probably healthier for your lungs not to smoke, and healthier for your psyche to take a toke.  Who knows?  I'm an old hippy, so if it feels good, do it.  Anything that gets you through treatment in one piece.

[orleans]

There are anxiety and fibroitic issues to consider. jm

[Magnum]

That may be. Remember when everyone was saying how caffeine was so bad for you? Now, 1 cup per day can help prevent Cirrhosis. Check the internet for this finding: 4 cups per day of coffee will lessen an alcoholic's chance of getting Cirrhosis by 85%. Go figure. What's bad one day, is good the next. You can cite many things, but the bottom line is that everything affects everyone differently. As I said, the debate rages...

Magnum

[triggertime]

I remember an old adage, "if it feels good do it" I also remember "garbage in, garbage out" If you do it and it helps GREAT. If it doesnt, Your just a pot head.  HHHHHM, Something to think about if the fog dont mess up your thinking.

triggertime
keepdafaith&don4get2giggle

[orphanedhawk]

I haven't done AD's during my 8 months of tx but I did use medipot.   I don't think it works for depression if the underlying causes are severe and haven't been dealt with. It sure did help me with tx.    And where I live it is legal to grow your own medicinal.
     Shhhhhh!!!!!! The government is trying to quietly let the tobacco companies come in and take control. Make it corporate and it will magically become legal

[john1951]

I have hepatis c and chirrosis and have esphogeal varicies, encephalogaphy, extreme weight and muscle loss and need a liver transplant. I asked my gastroenteroligist about medical marijuana to help with my appetite, depression and anxiety. he said that it was illegal here in texas and that if i did use it, it would automatically disqualify me from a chance to get on the liver transplant list. take care and good luck.
John

[anonymice]

I don't know if anyone here has been following the story on Tim Garon out in Seattle where docs can prescribe medical marijuana.   If not, and since this post is about smoking it to relief discomfort  (or whether or not it can be "harmful")  you might be interested in seeing this.  

http://tinyurl.com/4l4op2

And this

http://tinyurl.com/4qw4om

I'm not posting this to push a cause, but I do think that everyone with Hep C should know about what happened to Tim Garon.  So in that respect, I guess I am pushing a cause.  

[merryBe]

pot has been shown to cause liver fibrosis at 7 times greater the normal rate in clinical studies where all other  factors are rules out.

the question of being happier during treatment needs to be weighed against destroying ones liver 7 times quicker therefore.

[mikesimon]

What is your source for that information - 7 fold fibrosis progression?
I would really be interested in the study or article or whatever on which you base that statement.
Mike

[mar148]

I too wonder where you get this fact.  I have read differing information on this, but never 7 times.

[lolitriqui]

i smoked a few joints down at the beach between w22 and w24 of 48; was great, helped a lot, really; lot less sideeffects; got back to NYC, stopped smoking, my thyroid function went into the ditch and had severe anxiety attacks; so now i am on two pills a day more, of all things;whether i should keep smoking or should have never smoked at all who knows....smoking pot is linked to steatosis or whatever it is called, fatty liver, i guess, so it is a counterindication duringtx; anyway.....
ciao

[Trish77]

merryBe, it's really important that you cite your sources when you make statements like this, please.

Here is a link to a recent study that cites the impact of marijuana use and it DOES cite the 7-fold figure, however, that is for DAILY cannabis use, not just any old marijuana use.  The study recommends that persons with HCV do not use cannabis DAILY but stopped short of saying it should not be used at all.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080128140840.htm

I think if you take a few puffs here and there and it helps you combat debilitating depression or side effects enough to stay on treatment and cure your HCV, that can be a good thing if that is the only thing that works for you or the most effective thing that works for you and it becomes the difference between getting through treatment or not.

It's clear it's not exactly harmless but it's entirely related to usage levels and it's obvious it has some benefits or I think the results of the study would have called for no marijuana use at all and it didn't. Just my own take on that information.

Trish

[bennett_st]

I use to smoke a lot when I was younger and had a good time with it.  I know I am pretty much freaked in the head about having HepC but I actually stopped smoking after finding out I had HepC as I started to have REALLY bad paranoid feelings and anxiety about dying when I smoked and I couldn't make it stop and worried something in my brain was gonna snap.  This had never happened before.  So it pretty much wasn't much fun anymore so I just stopped.  I feel to stay sane and in control with everything substance abuse is not a help.  But that's just me.

[mikesimon]

Thanks. Mike

[GSDgirl]

I had pot here in case I needed it but only smoked a few hits out of a dug-out / one hitter.  My bro grows this stuff that I could never imagine smoking 2 whole joints of.  2 puffs is all a 20 plus year nonsmoker can handle.  I learmed a few things from him about growing the stuff, one thing is you gotta watch for the males (they have balls, no kidding) and pull them or you get tons of seeds.  He also swears by M G but also digs into the aged horse poo pile.  I personally don't really like stuff anymore but I say if it helps, why not?  

P.S. I love the smell of the stuff when he hangs it, I could sit there all day

Denise

[susan400]

I'll trade ya, one earthquake, for one hurricane, or one tornado??  Seriously though, I think every state has it's pluses and minuses.  There's no perfect state as far as that stuff goes.  Lot's of people say, "oh, I want to move to FL" and then, once they get down here and have to go through a busy hurricane season, a lot of people get the heebee geebees.  I've grown up here, so I've never known anything different.  I'm of the way where I just batten down the hatches, have my hurricane supplies in hand and hide out in the bathroom during the worst of it.  But, then, again, I don't live directly on the beachside, I'm about a 15-20 minute ride inland.

Susan

[Cindy10]

Just an FYI I asked one of the top hepatologist in the country if not the world and he said he would rather see me smoke pot than use AD's. Also that study was 9 joints a day could cause the 7 times fibrosis. If you are smoking that much you have bigger issues. Any I smoke a little at the end of tx, no other helpers and I'm still clear. Good luck!

[Magnum]

Man oh man, this is one long thread as usual when it comes to Marijuana questions here. Funny about this post. Just yesterday, I had my Gastro fill in the paperwork for my yearly renewal of my Medical Marijuana Card. Here's what he said...

"Some studies are showing that Marijuana can accelerate liver scarring, but it is not completely proven".

He signed to document. What this tells me, is that if he was "positive" this was harmful, he would not have signed it.

Here's something else... I smoke it with a Vaporizer. This GREATLY reduces the toxins down to about 24 as compared to hundreds if you smoke it in paper or even a pipe. If you're truly interested, look on the Internet and get a vaporizer. My doctor recommends it strongly. I have two good hits before going to bed and it helps me get a great night's sleep. I will admit, it sometimes does make me somewhat paranoid, but the feeling is temporary at best...

Magnum

[jjhvc]

Where do i find a Vaporizer? I've only been on the peg ala 2 + ribavirin for 5 days . I'm having the depression side effects already. Hope it dose not get worse. Doc suggest lexapro , read the side effects not for me ! My friend who went thru chemo said the MJ was a good anti depress for her . Just do not want to add any other smoke like paper in the body . What is a vaporizer and where do i get one . Thanks jjhcv

[Magnum]

This is where I bought mine... This person is used to dealing with people on Medical Marijuana and he is very dependable and helpful... I believe the one I bought is called Vapir 1

877-892-8405   (Vaporizers - Seller is Aje (pronounced age)

Good luck,

Magnum