Two questions - Fungus among us, and Marijuana and Treatment

Hi all.  1b genotype, fibrosis 2 out of 6, some scarring.  (I used to identify myself by lots of other more professional or fun things.)  I went through 38 weeks of Peg Intron (worked at first, then viral load went up again) and it didn't work, so I took 2 weeks off and last night started on Pegasys and Copegus.  Ahh that old feeling is back - I call it gorilla arms.  Where my arms and neck feel like they are hanging heavily and without much I can do to lift them.  I feel crappy.  Like I can't move, but I'm hyper at the same time and can't stay still.  However, I am muddling through, drinking a gallon of water and taking Advil.  My questions are:  Does anyone have any problems with fungus anywhere on their bodies?  Never in my life did I have this problem, and now I have it in one nail and on my skin in two spots.  Any recommendations?  Also, does anyone know if smoking marijuana very periodically (say once a week) has any bad effect on the success of treatment?  My husband said he'd be willing to try and find me some if it would help me with a bad appetite and also to relax, but not if it would hurt the treatment, and I thought I should ask because here rather than asking my doctor.  Anyway, thanks for this forum - it's a God-send.  I hope I'm off to a decent start on this new regimin of Pegasys/Copeg, and I still have hope.  Twelve weeks from now, who knows, maybe this will be my time!

[regmel]

A good thing for fungus is good old tinactin (the stuff for athlete's feet) I didn't get fungus from the tx but I've had it on my nails due to the acrylics. it work great on nails. And, if I smoked pot I would.  I think it would be great for the sides.

[giddyup]

This fungus is very stubburn. Some people reccomend Tea Tree Oil and or removing the whole nail and letting it regrow. I personally think that it often is caused by something going on
in the liver.My father, who had cirrhosis, had this on his nails.
I have a little, but it's gotten better since I stopped drinking.Smoke up
                   Giddy

[Steve']

I personaly think smoking pot is not good on Tx, some people have all this supposed good stuff to say about this subject but let me add say this, I was told by my medical team that smoking pot can & does make some people go into a mega depression ... Not Good Huh ... it enhances everything, so even a minor side could become a major one after you're stoned out of your mind ... We all know it would give you your appetite back that's for sure....  enough said .... give your body every chance to kick this dragons butt .... Good luck Helyn, I'm on week 5 pegasys, Riba combination too & doing as good as can be expected ....

[MichaelT]

It is "normal" to develop fungal infections. You may need to get some pill-form meds to address the infection before it gets outta' hand.

Weed? Some people swear by it for helping the sides of tx. The big problem is it is illegal... aside from that, short term use can't hurt (much).

[hopiangel]

I used weed for the sides and it helped.  I tested undetectable after 6 months on Peg-Intron and Ribavarin.  
I do know that I have macrocytosis (enlarged
red blood cells)now and they can't figure it out.  It appears as
though I've been drinking, but I haven't had alcohol since a year and a half ago.  Maybe it's the weed showing up as a blood disorder.  If it doesn't go away by Nov. I have to go to the Hematologist.  So, I just don't know if weed is bad or not, but it got me through the tx and helped me stay on tx when it got really bad.  **Hopiangel**   p.s.  My husband DID NOT smoke weed when he was on tx and has no blood disorder or anything else since he went off tx.

[new-sojourn]

If you are that 20-25% of people who get along just fine w/pot, by all means use it.  It took the edge off for me.  And contrary to popular beleif, pot cut the nausea b/I still had no urge to eat.  I called it a toker dream, no munchies, ever.

I also used no other meds during tx except otc-tylonal and benedryl.  I also avoided 'riba rage' and had the sense to know I was using somethings that could impair my judgement.  I personally think people on AD's, etc forget those are very powerful mind altering legal drugs.  I cn't take them, they just make me goofy and wosze and feeling like I have a hangover(which is what it is.)

It may be the state my liver is in.

As to fungus and warts and all witchy things, your immune system is depressed and this is a sign to jump-start your immune system thru nutritional and herbal and supplemental means. of your choice of course.

[latrobe]

do a search on google--seems like i remember seeing it is treatment related.
though i smoke a billion cigarettes a day--smoking pot was hard for me--though using ice packs--provided by pegasys-- wrapped around the stem of the pipe helped.  sometimes i would just make some pot butter and use it in chocolate chips cookies were great.
took longer to feel it, but more mellow...
good luck.
-m.

[odessit]

There is Lamisil for fungus, but I heard one can't take it if liver is affected by some disease ( like Hep C ). Is it true?

[doll face]

When my dad was on tx he smoked pot all the time to ease the sides,he is now"viris free"with no ill side effects to show for it so wheen I had to start treatment for the first time he got me some to try. I never smoked pot growing up but was willing to try anything to ease up the sides.I didn't smoke often but only when I had REALLY bad days and it did seem to calm me down and mellow me out. So far I haven't had to resort to it this time (10 weeks now) so if you need something then go ahead but try not to do it too much. Good Luck and we are all here for you.

[chicagogirl]

You mentioned taking Advil.  I think you are supposed to take Tylenol instead of Advil while on treatment.

[MajNeni]

There is another med for toe-nail fungus called Penlac.  It's like a nail polish; you put it on daily and remove it once a week.  It takes months, and the med costs about $100.  However, it does not involve taking a medicine internally as with Lamisil.

[Galen]

My doc told me I could take either one.  Tyelenol does absolutely nothing for me, so I take a couple of ibuprofen (Advil) almost every day.  I am permitted up to 6 a day, but it eats my stomach up if I do.  Different docs reccommend different things, I think, depending on you and how much damage you have.

[moonbaby]

I am so glad someone asked about pot! I haven't smoked since Farm Aid VII but would be willing to try ANYTHING to ease some of these sides! But, I am already overweight so don't really need the appetite stimulant. Rx Valium leaves me goofy as a shithouse rat and Provigil makes me run around like a speed freak. Oh, and Norco nauseates me. I know...whine....whine....
A toke(or maybe 2) sounds pretty good right now. I might just hit my sisters boyfriend up tomorrow for something.

[oldhippiechick67]

Yup, I wouldnt ask your doc about smokin pot, but he could prescribe some other meds to help with nausea, pain, rash, etc.  The regular old Benadryl helps me with itching. I have not lost my appetite yet (dammit) and Im also 1b on Pegasys, week 10.  Better luck with this go-round Helyn!
Odessit - yes Lamisil is very hard on the liver!!
Latrobe - a BILLION cigs a day?? hahaha.  And you cracked me up with the ice bag helped with your pipe.

[new-sojourn]

Smoking pot is not a 'life style' anymore.  Lotsa people, incl docs, think it is.  I live on the W coast near the Canadian border in a med-marijuana state.  On purpose.

Legalities make it a hassel and misunderstood.  If you have legal access, or its 'accepted' in your surroundings, no evidence has surfaced that it could be detremental, so medcinal use should not be feared or overlooked.

Some people receive benefits, and prefer it to things prescripted by MD's, etc. So, I feel its important to remind people , pot, too, can help you in your fight against the dragon.  Altho, if you tell people your smokin' pot to fight a dragon, they may react surprisigly.  So keep it on a need to know basis.

[susan400]

Many, many years ago (another life, another me), I smoked pot.  Now, I would not even consider it because I've told left that whole way of life.  But, if I was in that mindset, I'd definitely be wanting to toke.  Because my weight loss is getting to be ridiculous, I practically can't eat and I'm nauseated and or puking alot.  Susan400

[tigerpants]

HEy everyone..
I used Gold bond anti-bacterial ointment on the fungus amoungous.

I told my Primary Dr. that I  smoked pot now and then to ease the sides and he just smiled.. He has knows that I have toked for more than 30 years. I have backed way off on the amount over the last few years (maturity and just can't party till sunrise anymore).  It didn't increase my appetite but really made the bad days alot easier to tolerate.

i hope to get back on Tx in a few weeks. Been off since 8/25 and go to my new GI on 9/18.
Today my hubby is going to groom and saddle up my "Cowboy" and his horse "Elvis"  and I am going to try and go for a ride. It's been several months but sometimes the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man, or woman.

April

[AK - Hepper]

They told me when I started tx that I wasn't "allowed" to smoke any pot or they would stop treatment. Must be serious about it too  cause the nurse asks me about it every time I see her. Guess they're worried about my history. I probably wouldn't mind taking a toke here and there if it didn't make my dadgum liver hurt so much now. This **** cured all my bad habits. She asked me last time if I was snorting any cocaine, I just laughed and said Hell no, I can't even drink a soda pop any more
without hurting. Guess my poor old liver's getting some payback for all my youthful indiscretions, haha

[oldhippiechick67]

You got that right gf!  I am so glad it is cooling down a tad here in AZ (100 instead of 110 - big whoop) hopefully soon we will be able to ride.  I cant tolerate the heat since I turned 50.  Hope your ride on Cowboy goes splendid!   OHC67

[nsu]

as far as fungus, it is usually because with tx immune system is compromised.  these fungus exist on everyone but don't effect people with normal immune systems.  tea tree and crushed garlic mixed with olive oil can help.  for fungus on the feet like athlete's foot use the over the counters.  as far as the itching and rash, my dermotologist has prescribed diproline, a steroidal ointment and it works wonders, the best results I have had.  don't let it fester because twoo years ago on tx I left it untreated and it developed into a case of herpes zoster which was a nightmare and caused me to go off tx.  good luck as always

[Bodie]

I have wondered about the pot thing. When my aunt was on chemo for a colon cancer, we tried to get her to take a toke. But she was too far gone to do her any good.

Another thing, OHC67, my son is coming out to the Phoenix area to go to college. He works at a casino here in OK and was wondering if there were any out there. We looked on the internet and didn't find much. Could you give me an email at ***@**** and let me know what are some of the casinos out there? And has the gas price gone down yet?

Hated to cut in, but just got news that he would be leaving in three weeks.

Appreciate your help. On week 6 Pegasys and wbc is holding at 3.1, which is a lot better than 1.9 on Peg-Intron.

[ked13]

I've found smoking pot intensifies depression and apathy, but i don't mind about the apathy. To me, it's worth it to have moments of not caring about the side effects.

[Helyn]

Thank you so much for all of your responses.  I got a couple of great laughs, which I can always use.  Lowering my white blood count is not something I want to do as I am hoping to avoid having to start Neupogen and also becuase I'm already injecting Aranesp for the red blood count.  For someone who ran out of the doctor's office and hid under a chair naked when I was a little kid, to avoid getting a shot, I sometimes can't believe I'm stabbing myself so regularly.  I used to smoke cigarettes so smoking this shouldn't be a problem, if it will help with sides and not affect treatment.  Anyway, I hope if anyone else out there has any information on whether marijuana actually affects the liver, or adversley affects the success of treatment, that you'll share it with us. I don't know why I was a lurker for so long.  It is wonderful to be able to communicate with all of you.  Thank you so very much!

[whybabe]

My doc said NO to pot.  It can lower your  white count that is already under attack.  HOwever, since my white count did remain in the normal range I did smoke a little my last mounth of treatment.  My white count never dropped and it sure made the last month of tx more fun.  I'm not saying not to and I'm not saying you should...it's a personal choice. The bible say's to use the plants and the seeds, and to obey the laws of the land.  Pot is illeagal where I live.  I't all about free choice, however, if I ever had to repeat the TX I would stock up on some weed. God Bless!
Deb

[Magnum]

As for pot, that's a question that will still be in debate long after we're gone, unfortunately. When I was suffering under the torturous treaments, I was prescribed Marinol. This is a synthetic marijuana. It was prescribed by my gastro. At first I was very high on one pill, then the next time, not as high and so on. This is a triplicate narcotic prescription. The government (Big Brother)gets one, the pharmacist gets one and I don't know where the other one goes.

I don't recall it making me hungry, although I really enjoyed watching movies. Hehehehe... That alone took my mind off the suffering. Check it out and see what the doc says. Good luck and good trip.

Magnum

[Helyn]

Well, I hadn't made my mind up about marijuana, but I'll say this - I agree that this treatment kicks our butts and I am not at all sure that I want to start up something new and foreign to my body, and I'm definitely certain I don't want to take the chance, on my second go-round with treatment, of doing something to interfere with it.  If treatment works, it works.  If it fails, it won't be because I added something my doctor didn't approve.  I guess I did make my mind up.  Thanks!

[LvdByGod]

JUST A WAKE UP CALL TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE ON POT AFFECTING SVR RATES. THEY ONLY USED 15 PEOPLE!!! THIS IS HARDLY A CONCLUSIVE STUDY!!!

[DownThisRoad]

I zeroed in on the low number of patients they used for this study also, but I believe the question from helyn was "does anyone know if smoking marijuana very periodically (say once a week) has any bad effect on the success of treatment? My husband said he'd be willing to try and find me some if it would help me with a bad appetite and also to relax, but not if it would hurt the treatment".

What the study shows, only with 15 participants, is that using marijuana along with HCV medication does not harm the outcome of treatment.

Millions of cancer patients as well as HIV patients, and MS patients use marijuana in order to increase the appetite.  Also this drug is used as a relaxer. That is a fact and not under study.

I can't think of who it is but there are a few people on this forum who use marijuana for their side effects and use it as just an overall drug to combat their uncomfortable feeling on treatment.  They also cleared, and remain clear of the virus.

Just useful information, nothing set in stone.

[Indiana]

I pretty much agree with Lvdbygod in that 15 people doesn't make a reasonable study. With that said, I don't see any real evidence one way or the other as to wether it is good or bad for us on tx. I thought about it during my tx and decided that I'd rather err on the side of caution. Tx kicked my a$$ so badly that I decided I wasn't gonna do ANYTHING that even could remotely harm my success at tx. We all take enough drugs already and adding another one to the "mix" did not seem like a good idea to me. If anyone wants to take a chance just to try to feel a little better....it's your life and your success or failure. My only advise would be to talk to as many credible folks as possible about it and don't just rely on your "common sense" about adding more drugs to your tx. We have no common sense while on tx.
As to the skin problems.....skin problems were my personal hell on tx. I didn't have fungus but I sure had everything else. My entire face would fall off every 5 weeks or so,along with the cycling rashes and sores. I used all the different topical stuff and changed my soaps and stuff. I settled in with Aveeno bath products and creams. I also gave up the washcloth completely. I read the bottle of the Aveeno "Skin Relief Body Wash" that I used instead of soap. It said it was an "exfoliant". Now I never thought that "foliage" was a problem on my skin but than I thought back to my mom. As a kid she always told me that I could grow Potatoes behind my ears! I guess she saw things I didn't. Now...using my tx logic....I figured that if foliage was the problem I could deal with that. I tried the body wash and it helped. AH-HA! I had stumbled on the secret! Body wash is an "exfoliant"==Foliage is the enemy===KILL ALL FOLIAGE!! I told my wife(the nurse) about this newfound discovery and all about how I had some Triox liquid vegatation killer in the barn that I used on the yard. This HAD to be the answer to my prayers! She tried to protest but I was convinced. I even showed her where I had put 1 drop on top of each leg. It killed ALL the hair...guess hair is foliage too. She took my bottle away and threatened to shoot me if I bought anymore while on tx. I was sad but knew better than to argue. She's tough.
Anyways....look real close on your body for signs of "foliage". If you suspect any may be lurking....kill it. But use and "Exfoliant". Unless you want to look like the Taco Bell dog.

[minneapolis]

that 15 person study has been used by just about everyone trying to justify smoking pot on this forum. you've already decided to do it, so light up. drug use is like religion and politics. everyone is right and everyone is wrong. lynn

[DownThisRoad]

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: ***@****
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 4:57 PM
Subject: Marijuana/Interferon Treatment


Do you have any information or static's regarding Mr. Lucas research regarding: cannabis might increase the success of Interferon treatment for hepatitis C patients.

Any information emailed back to me would be appreciated.

Thank you.


Here's some research done by Dr. Diana Sylvestre which led to our hep-C survey protocol.

I hope that this helps,
Philippe Lucas
The VICS
  
Conference Reports for NATAP
DDW Liver Conference

San Francisco, May 19-22, 2002
Back

HCV Therapy in Methadone Maintenance

Reported by Jules Levin

"The Impact of Intervening Substance Abuse on Hepatitis C Treatment Outcomes in Recovering Injection Drug Users: an interim analysis"

brief summary: ...a 28% viral response rate was seen in this study and regular drug use during HCV therapy had a severe negative impact..32% response rate was seen in patients who abstained from illicit drug use.

Diana Sylvestre from Oakland, CA presented an oral talk at the DDW conference that was considered interesting and peaked the interest of the audience, which included doctors from the NIH. She offered some background. There are 1 million heroin users in the US. 65-96% of them have HCV. 60% of the new and existing cases of HCV are IVDUs, although I think this figure has increased in recent years. 60-90% of IVDUs experience recidivism (go back to drug use) without intervention such as with methadone maintenance. For IV drug users, there are many barriers to treatment: distrust, psychiatric conditions, psychosocial instability, reinfection.

The subject of reinfection was brought up at this talk as a key issue and concern. Although this study has not reported on HCV reinfection following HCV therapy, interest was expressed in studying the potential for reinfection.

Sylvestre briefly described OASIS, an HCV Program for IVDUs, which provides "one-stop shopping": education, peer support, and medical monitoring. At previous conferences she has described the OASIS Program and how it helps support treatment for HCV-infected IVDUs.

She raised these questions that her study addresses:

--Can IVDUs be safely treated for HCV
--Does methadone affect HCV treatment
--How does length of drug sobriety impact upon HCV treatment outcomes in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT)
--Does intervening alcohol use by MMT affect treatment outcomes
--Does illicit drug use by MMT during HCV treatment affect virologic outcomes

OASIS HCV patients:

--The majority are IVDUs in all stages of recovery, more than 50% are on MMT
--About 75% have active substance abuse issues
--OASIS has screened about 1000 patients to date: all with LFTs, most with PCR and/or genotype
--Over 120 have been treated
--51% are male
--average 47 years of age
--57% caucasian, 27% African-American, 15% Latino
--average duration of infection approximated at 29 years using the first year of needle use as a proxy (she said 65% of IVDUS get HCV-infection in the first year of drug use
--61% have a psychiatric diagnosis, the vast majority with depression

The ongoing study of HCV treatment in MMT is being conducted at OASIS, Gourevitch/Litwin, Bronx, NY; A Williams, Philadelphia, PA. Patients receive IFN 3 MU 3x/week plus ribavirin 1000/1200 mg per day. Patients receive standard monitoring and group participation is encouraged.

TREATMENT RESULTS

22% treatment dropout rate, which is similar to 20% rate seen in studies. The end-of-treatment response rate was 54%, which is also similar to the 51% response rate seen in studies. However, the sustained virologic response rate was only 28% which is less than the 40% seen in studies. Sylvestre said about 64% of her patients have completed past the 6 month treatment period.

IMPACT OF ALCOHOL USE

She said most of her patients did not have alcohol use problem. Alcohol use did not affect the SVR outcome very much as 25% was the SVR for alcohol users compared to 29% (n=14) who did not use alcohol.

LENGTH OF PRETREATMENT DRUG SOBRIETY

Sylvestre found that any length of drug sobriety was protective of virologic outcome. In other words, whether patients had 0-6 months sobriety or >1 year the response to HCV therapy was similar. The only exception in this study was that patients with no sobriety before HCV therapy had a lower response rate (18%; n=11).

IMPACT IF DRUG USE DURING HCV TREATMENT

These were patients on methadone maintenance, so the extreme use of heroin was not such a problem. And the use of drugs, which was mostly heroin, did not appear to affect the overall outcome very much as the response rate was 25% (n=20) compared to 29% for patients who did not use drugs during HCV therapy.

IMPACT OF THE QUANTITY OF DRUG USE

They divided drug use by category: rare (1-3 times drug use during HCV treatment period); intermittent use (which was 1 time per week or less); regular use which was every day or every other day).

28% was the overall SVR in this study (n=61)
32% (n=42) of patients with no drug use had an SVR
29% (n=7) with rare drug use had an SVR
20% (n=6) with intermittent use had an SVR
0% with regular use (n=7) had a SVR

IMPACT OF MARIJUANA USE ON HCV TREATMENT

15 patients smoked marijuana in any quantity during treatment, and they had a 71% end-of-treatment response rate and a 60% SVR. This compared to a 47% ETR and 14% SVR (n=43) who did not smoke marijuana.

AUTHOR CONCLUSIONS

Sylvestre concluded that HCV treatment in MMT is safe, tolerable, and reasonably effective. Drug sobriety of any length appears to be protective. Alcohol and illicit drug use may have a modest negative impact on treatment outcomes in MMT. Regular drug use has a substantial and negative effect on HCV treatment outcomes. Although Sylvestre commented that she feels the use of pegylated interferon may improve outcomes. Marijuana use appears to have a significant positive impact on treatment outcome. Since the impact of alcohol and non-regular drug use in these patients is modest, early and aggressive intervention if drug relapse occurs may help preserve virologic outcomes and may eliminate the need to discontinue HCV therapy.

[pearse]

Pot, ummmmm. what?

[fullofhope]

Wow.  The thought of using pot or any other recreational drug in conjunction with TX wouldn't have even entered my mind.  #1 illegal... #2 the one time I tried pot I was a freaking blob on a chair with eyeballs...as they were the only thing I could move.  Not to mention it felt like an army of ants were weaving themselves through my veins...and all I could hear in my head were thousands of tiny footsteps marching in unison.  I remember thinking - what the hell do people like about this ****?  To me it was like being a paralyzed and I hated it.

That feeling on top of the way some of you guys were explaining your sides...forget it!  I realize some people don't react the way I did to Pot - but who knows how different you are going to react this time combining it with the TX drugs.

When I thought I was going to have to start TX I made immediate steps to clean myself out (no smoking (smoked every once in awhile), no drinking, no dipping (kidding) etc.).

If I were you - I wouldn't do it.  But - thats me and like my little-old-lady-neighbor Violet says,

"Whadda-gonna-do?"

[minneapolis]

pot - chia pet. hope this helps. lynn

[pearse]

How are you feeling now that your off tx? I forget when you stopped but hope your doing ok!

[minneapolis]

full of hope, try as i might i am not visualizing a "freaking blob on a chair".  please help me out.
pearse, 12 days off treatment. i was real tired until yesterday. today i feel pretty darn good. thanks for inquiring. and may i ask the same of you? lynn

[Jim55]

Along time ago when I first started Tx this same subject came up. Someone posted a link to the same site that the study Downthisroad posted. I was very interested in the part that said that the SVR rate of those who smoked was 71%. Sure the study was not on pot but the results from it were better than just 32% to 50% from Tx without it.

"IMPACT OF MARIJUANA USE ON HCV TREATMENT

15 patients smoked marijuana in any quantity during treatment, and they had a 71% end-of-treatment response rate and a 60% SVR. This compared to a 47% ETR and 14% SVR (n=43) who did not smoke marijuana."



Soooo, I got me some, a bumch! ;) And I smoked it like a fiend all throughout my Tx days. I never had low WBC, in fact they stayed very good. It did help with the sides and I had no deppresion from it. I also heard on this site once that it builds up your immunity. I cleared the virus and as far as I know it is still gone(last two post Tx PCR's w/TMA).

Will not advise to or not to. Just thought I would state my personal experience with it. Oh yeah, and I did not get addicted to it either.

Good Luck

[pearse]

fullofhope, can you get us some of that!
lynn, I am doing ok, i do shot 50 tomorrow than 2 more.I just want to be off of this ****, you know get my life back.I see some are doing there 1st or 2nd shots, i can't remember that far back.Hang in there and feel good.

[fullofhope]

My body felt like I was a 500 pounds - like I couldn't move anything - my limbs were too heavy - I was cemented to the chair I was in.  Not that I would have wanted to move if I could.  If you need something to help paint the picture...think Jabba The Hut...with only eyeballs moving.

[Jim55]

Gimme A Break!

[fullofhope]

Hello Jim....

[minneapolis]

wasn't that the name of an old tv show? lynn

[fullofhope]

I am guessing my reaction was a-typical?

Maybe it was laced with something else...maybe it wasn't only pot...scary...
  
Well...whatever it was - it was enough for me to not want it again - so I am really glad about that.  Thank God for not giving me weaknesses in that department.  Drugs are nothin but trouble...

[DownThisRoad]

Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a peice of dat Kit-Kat bar.

Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a peice of dat Kit-Kat bar.

[oldhippiechick67]

I can relate to that reaction, it may have been laced with PCP, which I had the misfortune of trying once. I felt like a blob, numb all over, just AWFUL. I used to have fun on it, was just great stuff, but slowly it started making me ache in my bones/joints, stomach hurt, and itchy all over. So I decided I had to switch to booze/beer.  That was brilliant...hahahaha kidding.  Anyways here's to a healthier life style, raise your glass of mountain fresh water!  OHC 67

[new-sojourn]

I had a friend over trying to de-bug my computer-it got the 'virus' after the kids 'visited' and spent the whole time in chat rms-and was telling him the 'story' and he asked if I knew of any other people who smk'd during tx, I told him I would run off a few of the disc on pot & tx, this tread was 14 pages long and still going almost a week later.  He's doing a paper for grad school.  It came up while discussing Amsterdam.

[Magnum]

As far as depression on pot, this is a variable between individuals. When I was in college it did not so much bring on depression, but instead made me see things very clearly. Maybe that's where the depression comes in. If you have confidence in yourself, you shouldn't get the depression syndrome.

As for anxiety, I think it's just the opposite, I mean I never wanted to grab an axe and go out and chop up people while on pot. I did however, wish that I could find my feet so I could go to the bathroom. I think it does help you relax and soothe you of your useless and pointless knowledge of possible repercussions. It helps bring on the hunger and satisfy the curious.

As for the legality thing, well now... I bet no policeman, senator, congressman, ex-president or clergy smoke pot. What do you say?

Magnum

[fullofhope]

Glad someone can relate...thought maybe I was really sensitive or something...

[philly462]

The first day i had begun treatment with interferon, i had smoked pot that night like any other day of my life. And wow, did i feel it. The effect of both drugs in my system seemed to have more effect- i could really feel how powerful interferon is, and it does not seem good for my body when i combine it with weed- can someone explain why i feel such dramatic side effects when im high?

[diamondbob]

The combination of a biotin supplement and the application of naftin cream once a day has worked for me.  The fungus that i had in my toe nails for years is all but gone.  I am wearing sandals again.  It has taken approximately one year of commitment.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Old post, but two cents worth.  Treated in 1997 at Mayo on clinical trial. Five million unit interferon injections every other day........ribavarin caps X 4 per day also. Some unpleasant side effects. Started smoking pot for treatment. Was able to handle sides and they also diminished some. Have to say the pot was a welcome addittion to my treatment. .............. eagle

[alagirl]

My questions are:  Does anyone have any problems with fungus anywhere on their bodies?
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I think I was growing a pretty serious colony of stuff in my hair there for a while but I think it just had to do with me being too weak and sick to wash my hair.  I also experienced that jumpy but exhausted feeling a LOT when I was treating.  I thought it was the meds I was on, but it turned out it was just the lovely tx meds doing their thing.