marijuana

[hipps]

Hi,

I would like to hear your opinion about this. I don’t smoke cigarettes nor do I use alcohol nor do I use cannabis. Six month after tx I’m svr. If you would be so kind to explain what kind of consequences could occur if I smoked marijuana? Could this cannabis taking affect my next svr? I take care of my health every day. I try to live a healthy life. I’ll appreciate any advice you’ll kindly give to me. Thanks for your support.



I’ve found this link on the net so I would like to hear your opinion. If you would be so kind to give me some advice about it? Link: http://www.natap.org/2002/DDWLiver/day1.htm

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. [...]
Marijuana use appears to have a significant positive impact on treatment
outcome."


Thanks for your support.

[jmjm530]

Everything else aside, I'm just wondering why at this stage of your life you're considering smoking cannabis for the first time?

-- Jim

[LvdByGod]

DAILY CANNABIS SMOKING AS A RISK FACTOR FOR FIBROSIS PROGRESSION IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

Christophe Hezode, Françoise Roudot-Thoraval, Son Nguyen, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France; Pascale Grenard, Boris Julien, INSERM U581, Creteil, France; Elie-Serge Zafrani, Daniel Dhumeaux, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France; Sophie Lotersztajn, INSERM U581, Creteil, France; Ariane Mallat, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France.

Introduction/Aim:
Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana, exerts its effects via two types of receptors, CB1 and CB2. We recently demonstrated that CB1 receptors enhance liver fibrogenesis, since (a) CB1 receptors are markedly upregulated in hepatic myofibroblasts of human cirrhotic liver samples (Grenard et al. AASLD 2002), and (b) following chronic tetrachloride administration, mice invalidated for CB1 receptors show reduced fibrosis compared to wild type mice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cannabis smoking on fibrosis progression during chronic hepatitis C.

Methods:
211 consecutive naïve patients with known duration of disease and histologically proven chronic hepatitis C were included. Data collected included demographics, route of transmission, age at exposure, duration of HCV infection, intakes of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis over the course of disease, treatment with methadone or buprenorphine, body mass index, glucose fasting level, genotype, steatosis, activity and fibrosis (METAVIR) and fibrosis progression rate (median value: 0.08 U/year). Patients (150 men, 61 women, mean age: 42.0±10.0 years) were classified into 3 groups according to cannabis consumption: non smokers (51%), occasional smokers (less than one daily cannabis cigarette: 17%) and daily smokers (at least one daily cannabis cigarette: 32%).

Results:
By univariate analysis, a rapid fibrosis progression rate (>0.08 U per year) was significantly more frequent in patients with age at contamination >24 years (59 % versus 41%, p=0.01), alcohol intake =30 g/day (62% versus 42%, p=0.007), genotype 3 (65% versus 42%, p=0.005), hyperglycaemia (81% versus 46%, p=0.006), and finally daily cannabis smoking (65% versus 40% in occasional smokers versus 41% in non smokers, p=0.005). In multivariate analysis, rapid fibrosis progression rate was independently related to histological activity =A2 (OR=7.1 95% CI: (3.4-15.0)), age at exposure >24 years (OR=4.8 95% CI (2.1-10.9)), genotype 3 (OR=3.1 95% CI (1.3-7.0)), alcohol intake =30 g/day (OR=2.1 95% CI (1.0-4.6)), and daily cannabis smoking (OR=4.0; 95% CI: 1.6-9.8).

Conclusion:
This study discloses a strong link between daily cannabis consumption and fibrosis progression rate in patients with hepatitis C and supports our experimental data demonstrating the profibrogenic role of CB1 receptors. Daily cannabis smoking should be avoided in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

[cuteus]

wait for new sojourn's post, she has used cannabis regularly.
The French study's patients were drug abusers on methadone, I am not sure how they factor that one in.

[Califia]

My problem with the French study is twofold.  The participants were users of multiple substances, and not just marijuana, which certainly should muddy the waters.   And the analysis itself could possibly confuse  cause and effect.  Cannabinoids are present where there is injury and inflammation.  But did they _cause_ that  injury?  I have seen studies looking at  other medical syndromes where the increased presence of cannabinoids is interpreted in just the opposite way to the French study--as a positive pain-relieving response to injury, and not its cause, as this study proposes.   Quite confusing overall.   I CAN tell you that  I used cannabis during treatment to ease the sides and that it worked very well for me.   (This after not having touched MJ for decades.)

[new-sojourn]

Fast foods and transfats and corn sugar fruitiods will all do more damage.

Unless you're in a med marijuana state and have mastered the stupid dog tricks so that you are a legal user, the main drawback is the law.

Me?  I just tend my tomatoes, herb and flowers-pink, white and PUrple and stay w/in the law.  The ESLD damage still has me very nauseous and b/c of the esophageal varicies, I can't afford to 'get sick' for fear of further bleeds.  So it still suits me just fine.

The moral?  If the damage is sever b/c of delayed tx, you're gonna live w/that damage even after the virus is gone.

So why wait until it is sever?  More and more people w/the 'wait and see' attitude find out that they radiply progress 2 or more stages in a very short time.

The damage done, oh the damage that can't be undone.

[Tallblonde]

You write: "Fast foods and transfats and corn sugar fruitiods will all do more damage."

I'm just curious...is that your your opinion, or is your comment based on actual scientific research?  I'm not familar with any comparative studies that looked at trans-fatty acids, corn sugar, and cannibis side-by-side.

Susan

[honey11]

I doubt very seriously if smoking MJ would have any effect at this point on your situation since you are SVR.  As far as certain foods that some avoid such as red meat etc.  My dr says its myth only.  Probably on eating fried and foods that generally are bad for you,,,,you just have to worry about getting fat and bad for choelestrol.  I'm also curious Hipps,,,why you would start up something at this point that you haven't done?  Miss it?

[Drugs Sucks]

Hi All
I smoke Medical Marijuana (M/M) everyday and it the only illegal stuff i will do,I been Clean off the HARD STUFF for 14 years and sober for 4 years.. I have been smoking M/M for a very long time aand it helps me to relaxe my muscle when i get up and sleep at night..
Since i start this hep.c treatment it has Help not to get sick after i eat, nausea, or any time through the day, i don't get the real strong headaches from the meds but i do get the Stink of the meds..
Some states have legalized it for the hep c patiants!!!
Go to www.norml.org there u can find which state..
I have showed my wife and friends and family what will happen when i don't smoke when i get up and before meals,SICK SICK  and they under stand why i smoke it now and they don't want me to be sick either so smoke away.........
But remember that this will work for me but not work for you that the rules of thumb of meds...
Kenny

I have picked Drug Sux is because that what caused my Hep C and i am not ashame to let people know that DRUGS SUX..

[hep62pj]

He

[hep62pj]

Hey ds I know what you mean yea drugs suc, but it is not the drug that gave you (and me too) hep c, it is the way we injested the drugs - IV drug use SUCKS!!  As for weed, I still smoke on and off and when I was on tx it helped alot with stomach/ digestive problems I was having and really really helped with the terrible headaches I got...used to smoke a joint right after my shot, relaxed me, helped me sleep, and helped with the alcohol cravings...

I dont think smoking weed in moderation will effect svr at all...the first g.i. dr I went to, I told him about my drinking habits which at the time were pretty heavy and he said you are way better off smoking weed.

As for fast & processed foods - I stay as far away from that as I can, all the preservatives & fat etc obviously are difficult for your liver to process, dont know about any studies done but to me it is just common sense.  Eating lots of fresh fruits & veggies, go easy on red meats & fried foods, and stay away from fast foods & processed foods, is better for everyone, whether they have hep c or not.  I personally believe that diet is the main factor in everyone's health, I think not eating the right foods can make you more susceptible to cancer and every other disease out there...

[hipps]

I tried to use some of antidepressant medicaments but I found it useless. Now, my friend says that the best solution is to try using some cannabis temporarily. But I’m not sure of it so I would like kindly to hear your opinion about it. The fact is I worry about the consequences that can occur at my svr if I start to use cannabis. According to my friend I should try to smoke once or twice cannabis  rather than taking antidepressants. What should I do? Is there somebody
who tried allready to use some of marijuana   at tx and achived svr ?
Thanks.

[new-sojourn]

Well, the state of New York is trying to ban all transfats.  And have you heard of 'super size me'?  Also, are you aware that sugar-large amts-like in a soft drink or pint of ice cream has the same chemical effect on the liver as liquor?

Also, 'fatty liver' from obesity is the next 'big thing' in health care?  And a damaged liver from fatty foods is a damaged liver,  And its harder to trreat b/c people need to eat.  The experts think 'fatty liver' w/orw/o hep c has the potential to wreck the national health system.


These modified corn syrups and transfats didn't really take off until the 70's and thatis also the birth of the nations obesity problem.

I get physically ill sometimes when I see what people eat.  b/most foods make me ill now.  unless I prepare it from food I chose.  Cheap date-don't drink and won't eat.

[Forseegood]

hmmm. Doctors. The younger ones seem more "open" to discussions of lifestyle factors (i.e., diet, supplementation, exercise, etc.) on human health, generally speaking. The older ones had what, 2 hours of classes on nutrition in med school? Not sure, but it was scarce.

Thankfully, that's changed in recent years, but of course,not enough for my money. They are adding more and more, they are even talking about adding classes on alternatives: supplementation, meditation, etc. in some of the major med schools now. A few med schools already have them.

So it's the rare doctor I talk to about diet, etc. Better a nutritionist. They are just finding out more info on this subject anyway, see all the recent studies proclaiming this new super food to be the best, then another...

I heard Bill Maher say this and I mostly agree with him...one of the deadliest substances introduced to our society has been high fructose corn syrup, it's in too many foods and you only have to look around at a shopping center to know it's affect on us...fatty liver is a health concern.

As far as pot, I probably used to spill more than most people here have ever smoked, ha ha! Just got to a point where it started making me paranoid oh so long ago...I figure if a person needs it to cope with nausea, hunger issues, etc. so be it, whatever helps. I would be more concerned about expanding my lungs with an inflammable substance and the possile erosion of the cilia which line the bronchia, etc. But as with diet and all the rest, as long as you know what you are doing and you are fine with it...

[Tallblonde]

Oh, I agree...transfats and sugars certainly aren't good for the body.  I'm just not convinced that ingesting them is worse for your health than smoking pot. Don't get me wrong...I'm not a staunch anti-pot person.  In fact, I think medical MJ is probably a godsend for many people and I wouldn't hesitate to use it myself if I thought it would help.  But it has its problems, too, and I'm not ready to accept that transfats and sugars are more dangerous than pot until I see a valid study that supports that theory.

Susan

[Tallblonde]

You wrote above:  "I heard Bill Maher say this and I mostly agree with him..."


Oh, please -- say it isn't so!  Personally, my skins crawls everytime I see him on TV. What a creepy dude.

Susan

[Forseegood]

Hello! Hope youre well today. Anyway, don't want to get into political discussions here, this aint' the blog for it. Personally, I love Bill's politics, but I share your "creepiness" about the guy when he talks about domestic issues like personal relationships. He comes on like a real "lady's man" when he's just plain "creepy"... to me at least. The guy must of had a bad childhood.

As far as his views on the medical profession, big pharma, the American diet, supplements and herbs, etc. from all I've read in your posts, you'd be on the same page with him at least on those issues.

I think it's a question of skewed priorities, and ole Bill would agree with me...we go on about terrorists attacks killing us, when far, far more people die and will die from eating at McDonalds all the time and masses of sugar. Not to mention drunk driving. But those issues aren't as compelling to the national psyche. I guess it's just a question of the american people wanting to kill themselves by thier own hand than have anyone else kill them (a reasonable stance to be sure)  but in the end, youre just as dead.

[Tallblonde]

As an unabashedly proud Republican, I'm definitely not enamoured with Mahr's politics.  But the "creepiness" factor I referred to has more to do with his personality.  For example, I think he views women as being good for only one thing and he likes having drop-dead gorgeous models on his arm to prove to the world that he's getting lots of that one thing. Yuck.  I'll bet that behavior is just compensation for a major "shortcoming," if you know what I mean ;)

Susan

[Forseegood]

Couldn't agree with you more Tally, speaking as an unabashed democrat, ha ha! As creepy as he is, he is spot on about diet, supplementing and juicing, etc. We gotta give em that! But if I see one more pic of him w/ some poor stripper! Someone tell him that not one of those girls would be caught dead with him if it wasn't for his money cause he doesn't have a clue!

[Tallblonde]

Thanks for asking.  I'm hanging in there...still feeling emotionally raw...so trying to keep my mind and body busy to avoid sinking into despair.  We've decided against trying again...at least that's how we're feeling about it right now.  Who knows how we'll feel later, though.  So all in all, just trying to get through each day and hoping my funk will lift soon.

Hope you're doing better than me!  Have a great weekend...

Susan

[Tallblonde]

Oh, by the way, it was on September 16, 2003 (exactly two years ago today), that I went to my mailbox and found the letter from the life insurance company telling me I had tested positive for HCV.

Wow, two years.  It's taken me almost every day of it to finally not allow HCV to dominate my life and my thoughts.  I actually have days now when I completely forget that I even have it (although I continue to be vigilent about my "regimen," of course).

I hope that two years from now, I'll be one of the lucky ones benefitting from the kinder and gentler drugs.  We'll see.

Susan    

[Tallblonde]

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond -- I just now saw your post.  Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. It's hard to believe that we've both been hanging out here for two years, isn't it?  I've been grateful to have this place to retreat to.  My hubby is terrific, but he doesn't know what it's like to have this disease.  

I'm glad you can say you "had" this disease, instead of "have."  I suppose I could be saying the same thing if I had made other choices two years ago, but I'm pretty content (as much as anyone can be under the circumstances) with my decision to wait.  

I think its great that you and others who have achieved SVR continue to come here to support newbies and watchful waiters. If I were SVR, I think I'd be tempted to just move on with my life and never look back.  But then again, it would be hard to disconnect from a group of people who I've spent so much time with.  

Well, however long you decide to stay, I'm glad you're here Chevy.

Take care,
Susan

[Beat1a]

Califia,  If you don't mind me asking, you used MJ during treatement.  Was the outcome of your treatement successful (SVR)?