Liver cirrhosis and marijuana

[hawkeye1]

I have liver cirrhosis and when I became ill, my doctor prescribed Marinol for weight gain.  I had lost 85 lbs and gained 30 pounds with this treatment.  My doctor discontinued the Marinol and my weight decreased.  I am 6'2" tall and am considering smoking marijuana to achieve the weight gain I am comfortable with.  Will this method injure my liver further or have no real effects to it?   I have never tried the smoking method but would be willing to if it would help me gain weight and not affect my liver.   Please help!

[mikesimon]

Not all centers consider marijuana an automatic disqualification - about 70% do.
How the other 30% factor pot use into liver transplant eligibility probably varies somewhat from center to center.
When I was transplanted in June 2000 I asked about pot smoking and the transplant surgeon told me that they had never denied a liver because of pot. Perhaps my center has changed its policy but I wouldn't be surprised if it hasn't. Regardless I am not suggesting or encouraging marijuana use - I'm just trying to present accurate information.
Mike

[KjFlicka]

One little thing.... if you are at all in the process of getting on a transplant list, marijuana is not allowed.

[mikesimon]

There are reports that smoking pot daily may increase the rate of fibrosis.
I am not convinced of this but that information is out there.
I would probably abstain if I were you.

See: Daily Cannabis Smoking as a Risk Factor for Fibrosis Progression in Chronic Hepatitis C
@  http://www.natap.org/2005/HCV/062705_01.htm

And this: Daily cannabis use: a novel risk factor of steatosis severity in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
@   http://tinyurl.com/9vhbza

And this: Benefits of Medical Marijuana During HCV Treatment
@    http://tinyurl.com/a4z45n

Read these articles and think it over.

Good luck,
Mike