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Doctors Opinion
Hello everybody, i'm new to the forum but have been reading the post's for quite some time. It seems that just about every question I have ever had can be answered by going through recent post's or the archives. I have Hep C 2b, and start Int./ Rib tx this Friday. I recently went to see the nurse for a teaching session (injections) and told her that I have been using Marijuana to help with my insomnia and anxiety toward treatment, I also told her that it seemed like a good idea to use it to combat side effects from tx such as nausea,loss of appetite.... I was told to stop smoking imm. and to start taking Ambien or Trazadone. I have taken both of those meds before and did not like the side effects. Can the Doc refuse to treat me if I don't comply with him? They have threatened me with UA's. I have talked to several people and they told me smoking weed was the only thing that got them through tx. Any advice?
That's a drag but yes they can withold tx for using a substance and unfortunately there's nothing that can be done about it. They said that they would start taking UA's so you may want to keep the MJ to yourself and don't defend it's use anymore. Most ppl in the health profession are not liberal at all when it comes to weed. It looks like you have two choices here:
You could find a new doctor and this time don't say anything about the herb or number two. You can say nothing more in support of smoking dope, (except you quit) and go along with the program. good luck
You could find a new doctor and this time don't say anything about the herb or number two. You can say nothing more in support of smoking dope, (except you quit) and go along with the program. good luck
As far as the weed, I think you should go along with the doctor's recommendation. It is like Bill says.
I can certainly understand your reluctance to use other sleep aids. I did not find Ambien particlularly effective, and Trazadone has a particularly interesting side effect (priapism) on male patients. In many states they will not prescribe it for men.
Good luck!
I can certainly understand your reluctance to use other sleep aids. I did not find Ambien particlularly effective, and Trazadone has a particularly interesting side effect (priapism) on male patients. In many states they will not prescribe it for men.
Good luck!
You've already told your medical staff you smoke pot so you can't unring that bell. If you continue to smoke and they p-i-s-s test you they may discontinue your treatment.
It ceases to amaze me how the medical professionals will prescribe pain medications, AD's and other drugs that are known to cause fibrosis progression yet frown on pot because it isn't legal and in my opinion causes less fibrosis progression than the prescribed drugs.
If you seriously think you can't give up smoking I don't know of any way you could get around it other than to switch doctors and not tell them this time. To me, that would be a huge hassle at this point in the game. Like Bill said, you may want to consider your situation and go without smoking until treatment ends.
Trinity
It ceases to amaze me how the medical professionals will prescribe pain medications, AD's and other drugs that are known to cause fibrosis progression yet frown on pot because it isn't legal and in my opinion causes less fibrosis progression than the prescribed drugs.
If you seriously think you can't give up smoking I don't know of any way you could get around it other than to switch doctors and not tell them this time. To me, that would be a huge hassle at this point in the game. Like Bill said, you may want to consider your situation and go without smoking until treatment ends.
Trinity
I think smoking weed is your choice. Just don't tell the doctor or nurse. I have heard of others doing it and don't recall if it caused any problems. I do know there were studies that it can affect the liver and cause fibrosis.
Doctors have been known to deny tx for drinking alcohol or using street drugs. Ask for a Rx for Phenergan or Marinol.
Have you gotten as far as to ask why they object so strenuously to the marijuana? They might have good reason for it; one being that some studies have suggested marijuana accelerates liver fibrosis.
We pay our doctors to practice evidence based medicine; ask him why he opposes it, and perhaps it’ll make sense.
And yes, I imagine if a doctor feels his patient is not being compliant with doctor’s orders, he could probably deny treatment drugs.
Even in states that allow medical marijuana use, other issues arise. In Washington State not to long ago, a transplant patient was denied an organ and subsequently died for marijuana use; this in a state that permits medical use of the herb. The TP center had it’s own protocol, regardless of state law. Fair? Who knows; at that point, does it matter much?
http://www.komonews.com/news/18475224.html
Good luck— personally, I’d take my chances and treat without the grass, myself— seems like a small price to pay for keeping a liver. The vast majority of us somehow manage without it; if you think about it, so can you…
Bill
We pay our doctors to practice evidence based medicine; ask him why he opposes it, and perhaps it’ll make sense.
And yes, I imagine if a doctor feels his patient is not being compliant with doctor’s orders, he could probably deny treatment drugs.
Even in states that allow medical marijuana use, other issues arise. In Washington State not to long ago, a transplant patient was denied an organ and subsequently died for marijuana use; this in a state that permits medical use of the herb. The TP center had it’s own protocol, regardless of state law. Fair? Who knows; at that point, does it matter much?
http://www.komonews.com/news/18475224.html
Good luck— personally, I’d take my chances and treat without the grass, myself— seems like a small price to pay for keeping a liver. The vast majority of us somehow manage without it; if you think about it, so can you…
Bill
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