Marijuana and Crohn's

[Shadooosh]

I have heard a lot about marijuana usage and crohn's and know a few people who swear it helps. I was thinking about trying it (I have smoked before, just not since diagnosed with crohn's) but was wondering about the effects of the smoke. My doctors always said smoking (cigarettes - they never mentioned marijuana) was a very bad idea and would cause a flare up. Would smoking weed occasionally (once a week or less) cause any harm? I want to start smoking again, but am very concerned about the effects; any advice is welcome.

 

[Guest]

hi Shadooosh and welcome to the forum

i'm sure there'll be many different opinions on the board on this subject.

personally, i wouldn't start smoking marijuana at this point in my life, to help my Crohns. i don't know if one joint a week, as you suggest, would do any good if indeed it is beneficial to Crohns at all. a relative of mine uses it for MS, and it helps, but he uses it everyday.

certainly, the relaxing and natural painkilling properties of weed could help our symptoms, but you have to weigh up the pros & cons of taking something that like, as opposed to prescribed meds. marijuana use has been proven to not be the innocent "social drug" it used to be considered.. longterm side effects have recently been documented.

i guess its up to everyone individually - but i would say make sure you research it enough to make an informed decision before considering using it long term.

regarding the actual smoke - i have been a smoker all my adult life. started after my Crohns symptoms appeared. i've had 20 years Crohns free following surgery and continued to smoke. now i have a recurrence. i dont know if the smoking has had any effect on this at all. but i do know the doctors disapprove of Crohns patients smoking, particularly.

 

[Jeff D.]

The problem with marijuana is that it like other drugs IS addictive. It can lead to long term lung problems and that is far worse than Crohn's. There are so many things for people to take nowadays that I just can't see marijuana being any better. Once a week is not that terrible but remember that it IS addictive and because of that your once a week can turn into twice a week which can just go on and on.

Also, welcome to the forum.

 

[AbstractDonut]

A doctor told me that there are pills or something they can give which are THC, or whatever that is in Mj that you could take. I would see if a doctor would prescribe it to you.

 

[Rosemarie]

I smoked MJ for a few years ...its not something I'm ashamed of talking about. Let's just say I come from a long line of women who have smoked one or the other at some point, so it just came naturally once I got old enough for them to do it around me. I would say I was a 'light' smoker... once in a while type thing. When I had my first flare up (that almost killed me before the docs got my diagnosis right) I continued to smoke because I wasn't getting any medication or answers from the hospital. I was suffering severely and loosing weight because I couldnt eat anything. The MJ was a godsend at that time because it was all I had to give me an appetite, ease my pain, & calm my bowels and my STRUNG OUT nerves. It litterally kept me alive for 6 months. (That and tuna helper- the only food I could keep down.)
After I was finally diagnosed, got on medication and eventually got back on my feet again I continued to smoke about one MJ ciggerete a day... half in morning, half in evening. It had the same effect but I found that it wasnt nearly as helpful as it used to be. U know- tolereance buildup and all that. I was honest with my docs when they asked me if I had been smoking. They had run a drug screening on me without my knowledge (because I was being prescribed percoset at the time and this was routine procedure I guess). I said yes, and told them why. I was told that I would be given one more chance to pass a screening and if I couldn't pass within a month, they would stop ALL pain medication and flag my medical report as "drug abuser". Which I think is RIDICULOUS. They tried to substitute a mild nerve pill for the MJ and told me it should have the same effect. It DIDNT have the same effect... just made me sleepy the first few times I took it. I had to quit smoking after that because I couldn't risk losing medical treatment over it... even if it was 10 times better at easing belly cramps then any pill they have offered me to date. ALSO- I was told Crohns patients arent elligable for THC pills unless they are SERIOUSLY ill and nothing else has helped. So that option isnt something I would count on. Maybe if you are lucky enough to have an open minded doctor... but most of them will say 'not unless you have cancer'.

I suppose its a personal choice. Pain/Anxiety relief... or... being labled as a drug user if your doc finds out. I'm not saying that pot is totally harmless. Of course, because you smoke it, its going to have negative effects on your lungs. (BUT PILL side effects can be just as harmful as smoke! So either way you could see negative effects down the road...) AND for SOME PEOPLE it can be 'addictive'. In my case I wouldn't say that it was- because I stopped doing it numerous times 'cold turkey' ( b/c I was feeling good or didnt have the money to buy any... blah blah blah...) and it never bothered me to do so. NO problem. For others its different. It really depends on your personality. If you have an addictive personality and a mindset that will fall into the "I need that drug to feel better or I dont WANT to function" then you shouldn't start doing it because it could become an addiction. EVERYONE is different. If you decide not to- be proud of yourself for resisting the temptating to take ANY more drugs- legal or not! If you decide to try it, DONT be ashamed for wanting relief. Plenty of GOOD, upstanding, intelligent people smoke MJ for the same reasons.
It's truly a shame that something so helpful for so many people has such a stigma. I hope that changes one day.

 

[Colt]

Marijuana is not addictive. There is no chemical process with which to make you addictive. It's addictive properties are about the same as jewelry or shoes.

Smoking MJ is harmful to your lungs. Not quite as bad as tobacco but considering people usually use filters with tobacco but not with MJ it's the same. Ingestion is by far the healthiest method. It's soluble in oils but not water so if baked into something or whatever it would need to be cooked with the butter and added.

The recent study showing minor affects on the brain was done using people who smoked a minimum of 5 joints per day for a minimum of 20 years. That's 36,500 joints at the minimum to be considered for that study.

As for Marinol I'll just refer you to wiki because there is a lot to be said: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marinol

As for the medicinal benefits of MJ it trounces anything currently produced by pharmaceutical companies.

BTW, I'm not biased. I don't use marijuana. I have nothing to gain from it's use.

 

[Jeff D.]

Hey Colt read this

http://www.nida.nih.gov/Published_Articles/Essence.html
-I didn't like my other link, this one is better

I never thought it was addictive either but my health teacher at college taught me otherwise.

I don't want to get into the whole mary jane is addictive thing, but I just thought I should put a warning as there have been concerns about it being an addictive drug.

 

[AbstractDonut]

That site sounds like propaganda to me.

 

[elp888]

I've been an MJ smoker for a large part of life, started smoking years before my Crohns diagnosis. I have continued to smoke throughout the times that wasn't feeling well, because it always helps to relieve the symptoms and calms me down.
It may not be the healthiest of solutions, but all the pills they made me take throughout the years aren't too great either. So, if it works for you, why not...

I agree with Rosemarie, it can be addictive depending on your personality, but i believe it can help you too.

 

[GregD]

When my Crohns was at its worst, MJ was very effective at managing my symptoms. I have tried nearly every prescription drug possible and none of them worked half as well as MJ. It was the only thing that relieved pain, nausea, gave me an appetite, helped me sleep, and eased stress during a horrible flare. After losing 50 lbs in a few months, I'm not sure if I would be here today without it. When I consulted my GI about using MJ medicinally, he said that if we were in California he would prescribe it for me.

In terms of its negative/addictive effects, it is impossible to be physically addicted to MJ. You can become mentally addicted to the lifestyle, just as you can with gambling or shopping. However, for people who were suffering like me, the only thing I might have become addicted to was feeling better when I used it.

I used MJ everyday for 4 years while I was in college. At the same time, I always had a job/internship, was the president of several large student organizations, and graduated Cum Laude from a top university. It has no effect on my motivation or mental capacity. I have failed to experience any of its "destructive" qualities.

Health wise, smoking anything is generally not good for you. However, ingesting it or using a vaporizor has almost no negative effects on your health.

I stopped using MJ about a year ago, because my job drug tests. I quit cold-turkey with no difficulty. The only time I ever crave it, is when my symptoms are acting up and I know that it is the only thing that could make me feel better. It has been infinitely easier than quitting cigarettes has been. It was also much easier than quitting the percocets that I was prescribed after my surgery, which I only used for a few weeks.

The point I'm trying to make is that you shouldn't be afraid to try something that has the potential to dramatically ease your suffering and improve your quality of life, just because of its negative stigma, based on a plethora of inaccurate and misleading information.

 

[saidinstouch]

It isn't physically addicting but it is rather psychologically addicting. If you have an addictive personality(as already stated) then it is pretty easy to get hooked on the stuff. However, there is no real withdrawl or compulsion to take the drug from any of its physical properties. That said, I would NEVER smoke it if you are planning to use it as a treatment as the relationship of any smoke and cancer has been proven time and again. Obviously the once in a while smoke isn't too bad, but why subject our bodies to more damage and repair when it is often the repair process (aka releasing nasty radicals to kill inflammed or infected cells) that leads to cancer in the first place. The body can repair the damage cause from the occasional smoke and if you don't have a lot of the additives the smoke isn't as harmful, but better to just ingest it or use a vaporizer to reduce the damaging effects.

As a final note, there are long-term damaging effects on the brain in heavy users, but as was previously stated you have to be taking quite a bit for a long time. It does actually turn your brain from pink to brown in these cases which is a pretty good indicator of damage, but if you are using it minimally to control flares with nothing else working, then by all means I would suggest trying it in one of the safer forms.

 

[Colt]

Just taking a regular dose of Prednisone will do the following damage to you:

* weight gain
* facial swelling
* depression, mania, or other psychiatric symptoms
* unusual fatigue or weakness
* mental confusion / indecisiveness
* blurred vision
* abdominal pain
* peptic ulcer
* infections
* painful hips or shoulders
* osteoporosis
* insomnia
* severe joint pain
* cataracts
* osteonecrosis
* anxiety
* stretch marks
* nervousness
* acne
* rash
* increased appetite
* hyperactivity
* frequent urination
* diarrhea
* removes intestinal flora

Consider this against 1 joint/bowl per day of MJ which would take 100 years to meet the minimum requirements for the study showing minor damage to the brain.

As for Marinol's side-effects (THC without the impurities):

* dizziness
* feelings of exaggerated happiness
* paranoid reaction
* drowsiness
* thinking abnormally

Which one do you think is more dangerous and will do the most damage? Which side-effects would you rather have?

 

[Colt]

Oh, I don't want to forget Remicade:

* Abdominal pain
* cough
* dizziness
* fainting
* headache
* muscle pain
* nasal congestion
* nausea
* runny nose
* shortness of breath
* sneezing
* sore throat
* tightness in chest
* unusual tiredness or weakness
* vomiting
* wheezing
* back pain
* bloody or cloudy urine
* cracks in skin at the corners of mouth
* diarrhea difficult or painful urination
* frequent urge to urinate
* high blood pressure
* low blood pressure
* pain
* pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
* skin rash
* soreness or irritation of mouth or tongue
* soreness or redness around fingernails or toenails
* vaginal burning or itching and discharge
* white patches in mouth and/or on tongue

 

[BWS1982]

Hey Colt, in regards to my Remicade I'd like to see my GI's face if I told him I've been experiencing both high and low blood pressure at the same time, and off and on vaginal itching.

Damn sides. I'd be interested in any herb that could relax me, but my one friend is as close to weed as I get.

 

[Jeff D.]

That would make a great opening liner to the beginning of a GI visit. I can see it now...

 

[Rosemarie]

Cooking it into your food would probably be the best alternative if you cant get a prescription to marinol and dont want to risk hurting your lungs.... of course it will still show up on blood tests.
There are plenty of recpies out there for almost anything you can think of. The only drawback I see to it is, how will you eat it if your nauseas/have no appetite? Hmmm.... *scratches head*

I've also heard (from much more experienced smokers) that eating it actually gives you a GREATER high feeling then smoking it does, although it takes longer for it to metabolize into your blood stream. So you must be careful to start out with a very low dose and measure how long it takes to have a noticable effect- and how it feels afterwards. You dont want to be sick, eat a big cookie or whatever, and then be hit with a seriously strong buzz that your not expecting. THAT would make your symptoms worse rather then better. I was always hesitant to try cooking it because I was afraid it would be a waste (and I didnt have the cash to throw away my medicine with 'experiments' in the kitchen).
I think thats why docs prescribe the joints and not the food version... you can judge how much you need and feel the effects AS you smoke it so you know when you've had enough. Its more of a guessing game when you cook it.

 

[Colt]

Tea is a common way of taking it despite nausea. You cook it with some margarine and add that to some tea. Soup or broth is an option as well.

 

[Isla]

I am allergic to weed and hops (they are cousins.) Though back when I first started having symptoms back in the good old days of being 19, one or two hits allowed me to eat a little and made my stomach feel a bit more normal. I could not smoke a whole joint or a bowl less I get the allergic reactions. I know that it helped me back then, but knowing now that I am actually allergic to it I would rather take something my body won't freak out over. But in all honesty, I would actually make the suggestion that this be an option for someone to consider.

 

[joerex]

Your health teacher at college is obviously propagandized. The prohibition of marijuana in the United States began in the late 1930s, coincidentally the year before Dupont introduced nylon (hemp was the most common fabrication for woven materials until synthetics were introduced and hemp was prohibited).

Marijuana is the most benign therapeutically active substance known to man. These words were stated by a judge appointed by the DEA to hear the case for rescheduling MJ from Schedule 1 (no accepted medical use, like cocaine, heroin, etc). While the DEA judge found that MJ should be removed from Schedule 1, an appeals hearing later ruled that the DEA could take as long as they want to do anything about it. We are still waiting.

Fortunately, I live in California - a state in which anyone can possess/cultivate marijuana if he/she suffers from a "serious illness" marijuana can help. I have affordable and safe access to the most potent marijuana available from 11am-7pm every day. It gives me appetite, relieves nausea and pain, and because of the potency, I am able to medicate with a tiny amount of cannabis (=tiny amount of smoking). There are also devices called "vaporizers" which heat the plant material to the point at which its active ingredients are released into vapor but the plant material does not combust.

The problem with ingestion of marijuana is that it takes a long time for it to kick in (1-2 hours) and it makes you INCREDIBLY STONED. Taking a few hits from a pipe allows you to practice "auto-titration" since the effects come on almost immediately - you are able to take just what alleviates your symptoms and not so much that you are "high". REMEMBER, THE "STONE" IS A SIDE EFFECT.

A recent study (University of California) has shown that chronic marijuana use does not lead to increased risk of cancer.

This is a good article dispelling ridiculous marijuana myths.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2007/aug/01/new_study_marijuana_does_not_cau

EVERYONE SHOULD ALSO WATCH THIS VIDEO ABOUT THE FACTS AND POLITICS OF THE FEDERAL MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM

Hey Colt read this

http://www.nida.nih.gov/Published_Articles/Essence.html
-I didn't like my other link, this one is better

I never thought it was addictive either but my health teacher at college taught me otherwise.

I don't want to get into the whole mary jane is addictive thing, but I just thought I should put a warning as there have been concerns about it being an addictive drug.

 

[Babe123]

you dont have to smoke weed..drink it in tea or in cakes if you can? it shouldnt do any harm then.. itl be better than smoking it and it gets into ur system faster ive got a friend who has smoked it, eaten it and drunk it and much prefers to eat or drink it

i used to smoke weed.. i never became addicted though.. i never became addicted to smoking either

x

 

[Aenea01]

I'll make you some butter no problemo, you can put it in any kind of food you like. Or tea /shrug

I moved across the country to be in a place where I can have my legal Med 420 card. It gives me appetite and helps with the naseau. It helps, more than a lot of the pills they gave me for years.

 

[joerex]

you dont have to smoke weed..drink it in tea or in cakes if you can? it shouldnt do any harm then.. itl be better than smoking it and it gets into ur system faster ive got a friend who has smoked it, eaten it and drunk it and much prefers to eat or drink it

i used to smoke weed.. i never became addicted though.. i never became addicted to smoking either

x

smoking/vaporizing is the fastest way to feel the therapeutic effects of marijuana, you feel it within seconds. it takes at least 45 minutes or so to feel it when you eat it in food. maybe in hot liquid it's different. possibly.

additionally, when you eat marijuana it is delta-11-THC which is apparently different from the delta-9-THC you get when you smoke it...

 

[Babe123]

smoking/vaporizing is the fastest way to feel the therapeutic effects of marijuana, you feel it within seconds. it takes at least 45 minutes or so to feel it when you eat it in food. maybe in hot liquid it's different. possibly.

additionally, when you eat marijuana it is delta-11-THC which is apparently different from the delta-9-THC you get when you smoke it...

im confused about the last bit :S

its healthier to eat it

 

[skinzdogg]

Weed kills my stomach. Sucks cuz it was my first love

 

[Babe123]

what do you mean by vaporizing it? how do you put it in tea?

if my mum and dad wernt so against the idea i would be seriously considering marijuana as an option for me to get my appitite up again
x

 

[skinzdogg]

vapor

what do you mean by vaporizing it? how do you put it in tea?
x

A vaporizor allows you to basically smoke without any smoke! It bakes the weed and you inhale pure THC without any smoke inhalation. Its pretty sick but a good one is pricey. I'm not positive but I believe the majority of them are electric. Once again i'm not 100% I never really got into them.

For putting it in tea there is a few different ways to do it. You really could do so many unbelievable things with Mary. Check out these links:

http://www.marijuana-tea.com/


http://www.marijuanavaporizer.org/

 

[Isla]

I used pot the first time I flared. I either couldn't eat at all or only mashed potatoes from KFC. But 2 short tokes at night and I could eat a regular meal without the "high" effect. It was just enough to make me hungry really.

And with how I have been feeling lately with the nausea I have been considering taking it up again - but then I remember that not eating is an effective way of losing weight

 

[JTKrol]

I'm glad to see that there is some honest discussion regarding medical marijuana. I have used marijuana in the past for recreation and once medically when I had a moderate case of food poisoning. It definitely worked wonders on my appetite for the food poisoning.

I have never had the chance to try it medically for Crohn's. Currently, a combo of Humira, Imuran, Pentasa and Entocort is doing the trick. If I don't flare for another 3.5 months, I get to stop the Pentasa and Entocort. I love remission! In the future, I am 100% open to using marijuana to medicate my Crohn's. Maybe it will be legal/decriminalized wherever I get a full time job. Here's to wishing.

 

[daniel_b]

I was on heavy meds for about 7 years. They seemed to help some but there was lots of other symptoms that came with the meds, and I still felt really crappy way too often. I started smoking marijuana almost daily, and gave up on my meds. I felt better than I ever had before! Smoking helps with the pain, helps give an appetite when you can't eat, and for me it helped with depression. I have read and have been told smoking cigarettes is one of the worst things you can do if you have Crohn's, but I don't know about smoking marijuana specifically. I have read a lot online about smoking weed and Crohn's online and have found a lot of people who benefit from it. I know I sure did.

 

[skinzdogg]

Just watched Super High Me and i'm movin to Cali and gettin my self a license. All meds have failed me.

 

[mikeyarmo]

sorry to close this discussion, but there is a thread about this in the lounge, which is the private forum for people 18+. To join just pm a super mod or me for the password.