Is Medical Marijuana Helpful for Side Effects?

[stevepo]

I'll be starting Incivek (Telaprevir), Ribavirin, and Interferon; does anyone know if medical marijuana has helped with the side effects? I'm in California where it's legal. I am not a marijuana user but I'm wondering if it might be useful in this case.

[Magnum]

to roostermom:

I am 1a and am currently under heavy anti-biotics daily infusions as a precaution to prevent a hip infection (long story), therefore cannot start treatment yet until this infusion is over. This will go on through the second week of Aug., at which time I will start Victrelis for an awful 48 weeks (including a month lead-in). I failed 4 treatments, early Cirrhosis, liver functions normal, MELD 6, clear headed although on Med MaryJane, great attitude and in my opinion, Med marijuana is much easier on your body than chemicals to eat, sleep, stay awake, attitude, pain, depression, etc... Remember Elvis and Michael Jackson? Maybe they should have tried pot instead of a long list of drugs.... Amen....

As for Paranoia under pot. If you are confident in yourself and in your life in general, what's to be paranoid about?

Magnum

[R Glass]

I didn’t smoke it during tx. The only reason was, I don’t care for it. I’m a firm believer in you do what you have to do in order to complete your journey. For the pot I didn’t smoke, I more than made up for in Xanax, Lortab, and Ambian.

[mykids247]

reading these posts about smoking marijuana during treatment, I can understand how it would be adventagious to the sick part and the eating part, but what about the paranoia that it can cause. Are the medical type different than the street type? I just remember when I did smoke in the way back when. It made me very paranoied and worried about everything. Certainly dont need that now. Lord knows all I do is worry. :(  I live in Fla. and it is not legal here.

[roostermom]

Magnum, I remember you posting in 2001 when I went through a years treatment that failed. Wow - you are hard core going through it 3 or 4 times now! Are you geno type 1? I am, and am starting my second round of treatment this tues using Telaprevir. My daughter, who I gave the virus to (don't know how) was in the phase II trial in NYC and cleared the virus. I got pretty sick the first time on just the peg/Ribo combo and had to also use neupogen on a weekly basis.

I hope things will work out for you - stay strong!

[kirk8]

I have a pot prescription in California.  I was also a marijuana care provider and grew legally here.  I haven't been smoking because I have been trying to get my weight down for treatment. When I start treatment I will b smoking. Marijuana is prescribed for almost everything. I think it may make some conditions it's prescribed for worse.  However, there is clear evidence that it helps people on interferon.  It will help you keep your appetite up and also get much needed sleep which will help your immune system. So I would recommend it to anyone going through treatment.

[fretboard]

You may have to give it a try to find out.  There's so many different types of weed for sale especially at the 420 head shops, I'm in California too.  I'm not a pot smoker either but they got all kinds of scooter pies and cookies and what not.  The pot may not help you but if you have trouble eating maybe it could help with the taste buds.lol  good luck!