Hi all. A friend offered me some free pot as a "pain reliever" for me.
I said ok, and accepted the offer.
I haven't smoked it in like 6 years, but from what I have been reading, patients with chronic illnesses like MS and Arthritis are using marijuana as an effective stress reliever/brain fog reducer. Even some doctors are prescribing this.
Are there any known interactions with marijuana and antibiotics?
Im getting alot better, but I am so sore and my mind gets foggy when I herx. I was wondering if this would help or aggravate the situation.
I have it sitting right here, not sure if I should or not. Any feedback would help.
Thanks!
Posted by rosespetal (Member # 571) on :
LOLOL pot and worrying about a 'foggy mind' don't belong in the same sentence! I have no idea about the abx and the pot, but I am assuming ASSUMING there would'nt be a difference, antibiotic wise, if you can smoke cigarettes and be on abx, why not pot? (needless to say in my younger years I never knew when enough is enough, so can only say pot+me is a big dazing idiot who laughs and walks funny), OTHER THAN THAT I really don't know, but from all the people I DO know, who live to smoke it, I don't see them worrying about MUCH at all when it comes to pot + anything. My friend has HORRID migranes takes perkosets(cant spell) among other MUCH stronger meds, and when all else fails, she sparks one up! SOOO (I have been pondering trying it out as well when I just can't take the pains/stresses/drs etc, but I haven't yet). HEY ya prob got off work tomorrow, sooo I say nothing BUT I have never heard of a conflict, THEN AGAIN I have not resourced this, I am just looking at my past, my friends etc..Dooobie DOBIE DOOOO dah dah dah dah dahhh, DOOBIE doobie DOOO... LOLOL I really have not heard of NO's on it+anything, then again, I have not been on much abx/pain/other meds,I cannot guarantee!!!
Posted by Mike H on :
One reason I am questioning this is because when I first started IV's, I still occasionaly smoked cigarettes. Smoking the cigarettes while herxing would Immediately cause the atrial fibrulations. I think it was the nicotine causing the heart to race.
Posted by rosespetal (Member # 571) on :
That could very well be, I was never on any IV, only oral meds. The 2nd thing I was JUST thinking about was, the symptom of exaggerated symptoms from alcohol, which I do notice myself getting now. I am wondering if that would/could worsen it like alcohol does, (I don't understand the physical/clinical? reason why it does thou). I guess just let it sit there until someone else answers! Since I have been pondering it here and there, and now you too, SOMEONE here must have caved and tried it!!! If not, you can be our guinnea pig LOLOL Kidding. I am so tired tonight.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Michelle, are you sure you don't have a little pot in your blood right now??LOL The only thing worse than having Lyme would be having Lyme AND an addiction! This will probably start a good argument! If it works, you'll want it everyday, right!?
Posted by rosespetal (Member # 571) on :
HAHA I am laughing. If it worked I'd be in Illinois right now! BAH HAA I stopped 'smoking' cuz I got WHAT A SUPRISE rashes, down my neck and was a BIG paranoid idiot after awhile, the rashes got worse, (with my luck I am allergic to pot too!) what a fun trip to the er that would be, UHH I am having anaphlaxis too HAH BAHH HAA weed, HAHAHAHA Ohh my throat is closing up.. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH that would be a trip now wouldn't it?? (I have allergies to 5 abx so far bad ones!)
Posted by Sarah (Member # 5) on :
Okay, I have to say, I took Drug & Alcohol Classes (really*)! to become a Drug & Alcohol Counselor- so I'll just say this and shut up- joints are worse on your lungs than cigarettes x100! If you have to smoke, smoke tobacco! (Which is a drug, too, I know).
Posted by rosespetal (Member # 571) on :
That's prob why ya cough so much when you take a hit... LOLOL GOD I am tired, I will shut up now HAHA sorry it popped in my head! (I can't stop laughing at all these posts)
Posted by rosespetal (Member # 571) on :
SO is that a 'thumbs up" LOL pot+antibiotics are not 'conflicting" WE HAVE A PROFESSIONAL HERE!!! end our brain storming! (hurry n roll it
DRUM ROLL... THE FINAL ANSWER IS.......................?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Rosespetal: I'd better not have to tell you this again tonight........GO TO BED!!!!![TO SLEEP!LOL]
Posted by rosespetal (Member # 571) on :
Hee Hee ok, I am still laughing every time I see this post now... ayee yie yieee. alright goodnight, and there'd better be an anwer for this in the AM, (if it were me (I have NO patience), well you know what I would do, then again, I have had anaphlaxis 3 times.. and reg lesser allergies 2x's. can't be any worse than that!
Posted by SassO (Member # 468) on :
You know, I'm as addictions as anyone I know, and since I've had so much chest pain and shortness of breath over the years with my LD I wouldn't dream of sucking any smoke down my throat.
But after hearing anecdotes about how helpful pot can be to chronically sick people I have considered trying it myself.
I'm wondering if anyone's tried the tablets -- tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) -- that are often made available to patients undergoing chemotherapy?
Those I'd be willing to try, and they wouldn't exacerbate the cardiopulminary symptoms.
Thanks.
Posted by SassO (Member # 468) on :
Ooops, I meant to say, above, that I'm as AGAINST addictions as anyone I know.
Posted by rosespetal (Member # 571) on :
I am addicted to cigarettes, and will dabble with anything to calm my pains and nerves! not really, (I am a shicken), but it was a fun post, I got a good laugh. There's still no answer thou!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
In my search to relieve pain from Lyme/nerve damage, etc....I had a friend one time who might have been connected to the medical profession. I asked this question one day, seriously, to see what they though of the idea of smoking pot for the pain, nausea, and herxing. Many people can't take the current pain medications without severe side effects.
This person thought smoking pot was not a good idea because of the lungs. This person thought baking it in brownies might be an ocassional option. (Of course, I never have... and I don't say it is the right thing to do because you need to obey the laws of your state and all that) And that is all I have to say. Good day.
Posted by charlie (Member # 25) on :
....all it ever did for me was make me sleepy and cause the refrigerator to empty out rather fast. Charlie
Posted by BRENDA2 (Member # 864) on :
I just thought this would get lots of responses! Charlie, LOL on the refrigerator.
Posted by rosespetal (Member # 571) on :
Munchies ehh? IS that where the weight gain part comes in with the LD symptoms???? HEE HEE
Posted by RoadRunner (Member # 380) on :
If it makes you better go for it!! I will take anything to get better and I think everyone else will too!! faster is better sometimes!! just too fast!!
------------------ "Beep Beep"
Posted by Meg (Member # 22) on :
I could never get any kind of high on pot, so with that kind of luck, it would'nt help me with the pain either. hehe How about an old Cheech and Chong album, incense (for the smoke filled room) turn down the lights and a good pain pill??
Posted by AJVas1 (Member # 635) on :
I am a 24 yr old college student. I was an occasional pot smoker. Then I got lyme disease which made me so out of it mentally and sick physically, I had to stop smokin it. Pot has lots of over 300 chemicals in it. With so much bad **** going on in your body already why possibly complicate or inhibit the body's natural healing process. (I realize the body's already not doing a good job on its own but I think you catch my drift)
Posted by justanothername on :
Though I tend to agree with RoadRunner (if it makes you feel better, go for it), you should probably be aware of the fact that pot suppresses the immune system up to 40% after smoking which really isn't what you want to do when your body is trying to fight the creeping crud, you know?? Needless to say though, it's your body & your choice..
[This message has been edited by justanothername (edited 15 April 2001).]
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
Hey,I have heard that bullcrap before.Pot should only be used by someone who is so cronicly ill that they don't have a chance of recovery,like in cancer that is terminal.It only makes a person (stop caring)and is bad very bad for someone who needs to be strong and FIGHT LYME.It has a place like morphine as a last (pain reliver)not generally used.MADDOG
Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :
On the contrary, if you're gonna smoke, by all means smoke pot. It might be a little worse for your lungs, if smoked in the same amounts, but man, if you smoked half a pack of joints a day, well, drop me an e-mail and tell me how the weather is on Neptune...! (And whatever you smoke, please do it outside, far away from the door!) Back to the question at hand, it may well be helpful for the pain, but it is kind of expensive, and, as someone mentioned, isn't at all good for brain fog (except that you won't care about it any more!!)--- seriously though, I'd avoid even pot (as well as alcohol and especially, tobacco) while on all these abx- heck, I've even almost totally cut out caffeine, even (except for occasional green tea, which is reputed to have anti-toxin effects). DaveS
Posted by BRENDA2 (Member # 864) on :
After trying so hard to feel normal, I would never TRY to feel stoned. I felt stoned 24/7. When my doc asked me to explain this feeling, I told him that people pay GOOD money to feel the way I feel all the time! LOL
I probably would try it for pain if nothing else worked.
B
Posted by sizzled (Member # 1357) on :
I only would endorse smoking this for dx such as terminal cancer and other non-treatable end-stage diseases. Frankly, I don't trust what kind of other chemicals could be added in (paraquat? DDT?) Bad enough you deal with Lyme fog.....
Pain can be excruciating with Lyme.....16 Advil(within a 12-hr span) can barely touch mine......I will try homeopathics now...only because Lyme has a tendency to give me a wake-up call....."Take better care of your body or it will just revolt!"Exploring the legal stuff is less stressful.
Hope you find a better way!
Posted by lishkasmom on :
If your really curious about this, maybe you should ask an alternative type dr who deals with pain, (therefore deals with "medical marijuana). Its my understanding that those on medical marijuana take it in a pill form, as the smoke causes other side effects. The pill form is specially formulated so the amount of desirable chemicals for pain relief are given in consistent dosages.
As far as smokin the stuff, dang...you have all those little chetes in there, stirring up trouble with your brain cells and you really wish to kill more brain cells?....and make those chetes high? Not for me....unless there was a way to regulate what is going on....(ie smokin street dope laced with who knows what kinda s*** isnt worth experimenting withb in my book)
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Changes in latitudes,
Changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same...
With all of our running and all of our cunning..
If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane.
Posted by livinlyme (Member # 3773) on :
Since the injestion of pot smoking depletes the fat cells which hold dilantin, I would think that smoking pot might have some medical disadvantages,,, I know that you get the "munchies" because pot causes the body to expell fat cells along with loss of vitamin C, giving you cravings...since your body is in a hurry to replace what it has lost. I have seizures when I smoke pot or did when I was younger, since then i don't mess with it! JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT!
------------------ Can't do better, unless you know better!
Posted by DiffyQue (Member # 3317) on :
In and of itself, cigarette smoke kills macrophages. A macrophage is one of many kinds of immune system cells, whose count,and functions I leave you to research. Would the smoke of pot kill macros.? Rhetoric Ques. Your internet saviness will render a prompt answer. Much is in the lyme lit. on macro. function in lyme.
Posted by Neil M Martin (Member # 2357) on :
Dr. B says booze and tobacco are no-no's if you're fighting Lyme. Even someone stoned could guess what he'd think about weed.
nm
Posted by livinlyme (Member # 3773) on :
LOL I read his mind!
------------------ Can't do better, unless you know better!
Posted by Marieelena on :
Not enough said about baking it in brownies ROTFLMAO
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Marieelena...did you HAVE to bring this up? ....It reminds me of another useless debate that crops up here continually! Ah, well, when you're bored, you're bored. Posted by Corinne E (Member # 4670) on :
Well let's see. When the pain was bad, I tried smoking it, I rarely try marijuana, but in the spring, I wanted to die. Marijuana didn't do anything, I think it actually made it worse. But, I am told by the Compassion Club in Vancouver, BC that there are different kinds of marijuana that would help.
In August, again the worst pain of my life, I had been scratched by my cat and was ill for a month. I tried all kinds of pain killers and the only thing that gave me enough relief to sleep for a couple of hours was a small marijuana cookie, about the size of a silver dollar. That really helped.
I am not against smoking marijuana and I well know the problems associated with it. A drug effects everyone different, even the prescribed ones.
I just believe it is not a good idea for it to become a habit.
I know smoking is bad, I smoke about 2 a day reading the newspaper. I have done that for almost 38 years. I know I need to quit. Why is it specifically bad with lymes and in treatment?
Corinne
Posted by SunRa (Member # 3559) on :
Corinne, whats the Compassion Club? When I went to Vancouver I went to the Cannabis Club...what?!? smoking in public?!?! ahhhh, my healthy days....
my advice for those who want to smoke it medicinally - my naturopath at one time, who was open to everything, told me definitely NOT to smoke it as it is difficult to find it pure out there - its loaded with chemicals and other nasty stuff we dont want in our bodies.
so, I sent him on his way...(sniff sniff)
although I don't doubt its healing capabilities - every plant has a healing spirit willing to help us...
[This message has been edited by SunRa (edited 26 October 2003).]
Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :
If your going to try pot for pain relief, I would start with small amounts-- I mean, like 3 tokes. I can see that an amount like that could help make the chronic pain much easier to take. But there is, as someone mentioned, the side effects-- when you're healthy and under stresses of various sorts, a little brain fog can be welcome. However, with lyme, brain fog is the norm, so it's not so pleasant. Kind of like, a 50 degree room is welcome when you're overheated, but feels freezing if you're already cold. Also,I think there are many toxins in any smoke, even if you use a pipe. (a waterpipe is probably best for this). Thus you might get relief immediately after smoking, you might pay later, when the initial effect wears off. All in all I advise Saunas and nutrajoint, and ibuprofen when necessary. ...BUT.., If you find yourself swallowing too much ibuprofen, then you might seriously consider the pot, especially if you have any kind of GI problems from the ibuprofen. Pot's gotta be way better than 'celebrex', any day of the week, considering my experience with the latter! Hope you're feeling better soon. DaveS
Posted by Marieelena on :
I am not borred, just curious. I wouldn't smoke it but the cookie sounds like a good idea. When even Oxycontin doesn't help what else for pain? Those things do more damage than home grown pot would.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Corinne E: In August, again the worst pain of my life, I had been scratched by my cat and was ill for a month.
Corinne, have you been tested and treated for bartonella? It can be transmitted by tick bites or through the scratch of a cat.
Posted by Corinne E (Member # 4670) on :
No. I haven't been tested for anything yet. Dr. M. in Hope, BC diagnosed me by my clinical signs, plus I found the little bugger which had been living off of me for the past 1 1/2 to 2 years, plus had the EM rash just about the same time ago, this rash comes back every summer to the same place, still have the little itchy spot where tic was embedded.
I am starting on amoxicillin and flagyl tomorrow and will see what happens. In a couple of weeks, I will have some money so will ask to be tested for cat scrach fever.
Corinne
Posted by Curley911 (Member # 2205) on :
A funny thread for sure! 16 years ago my boyfriend was a consumate pot smoker. He was hyper w/o it, unmotivated w/o it and it was really weird how it balanced him out. I still see him out and about and I dare say he is still the same. He's done exceptionally well in life while I was the one with the brain fog!
I always wondered what the chemical interaction in pot was for him that worked so well. My boyfriend before him was the same way . . . and me, I hate pot, gives me panic attacks.
Anyway, there is something to it but I don't know what. It was really obvious w/both of these guys that they were motivated by pot. Both are outdoorsmen and have had tick bites, could it be lyme?
Musing out loud here, I don't really have a point except I always wondered about why this was so effective for them. Oh, brownies are too much sugar. Try a muffin. Whole wheat if you can and keep the carbs down. Maybe a drop of Samento baked in? LOL Lets be healthy!
I do sense a desire to SMOKE the pot. Subbing for cig's? I couldn't risk smoking, too harsh on the throat and lungs.
Posted by ConnieMc (Member # 191) on :
All I can say is that it helped the horrible nausea due to Babesia alot. That nausea where you walk around feeling as if you will throw up at any minute is miserable. Mine was so bad, even if I did throw up, the nausea didn't improve at all. This was the only thing that helped it. Improved my mood as well.
Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :
I wasn't going to say anything, for so many poster's here who have never tried it seem to have such a bad opinion of this subject, even though they know absolutely first hand how this drug effects pain.
Come on guys, as you can see by all the states and countries now making this legal for medicinal purposes, doesn't that even a little bit change your view of this natural occurring drug?
I am 52, and I have never been a regular pot smoker, even early on, I just didn't like the way it made me feel...I could get to sleep quite naturally without it and I had a very good appetite...for that is all I could see that it did..for me anyway.
I know attorneys, doctors, even judges who smoke pot...for I have been with them when they were smoking it.
It wasn't until I started having so much pain that I thought I would give it a try...I say it prescribed for some of the bone marrow transplant patients when I was a Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator for a very large transplant center.
It was prescribed for my late husband when he was in so much pain going through his transplant...
the doctor's thought nothing of prescribing this drug.
So, now, I truly believe that I would be addicted to a prescription pain med if I didn't have this each and everyday in my life.
The one problem I have is getting it regularly...as I am usually out of it for a couple of days while waiting for it.
And the other problem I have is getting it in good quality...that sucks and I have to smoke more.
The brownies are a good idea if you can't smoke...I only use a pipe and it is rather easy...the only problem in making brownies, is that you have to use so much...
But, it works, it really works.
I never in the past understood why some who smoke it have more energy and it seems to just wake them up...in the past that was not my problem...
but, now, it doesn't make me sleepy and I don't get the munchies...it just seriously helps me with my pain and for that,
IT IS WORTH THE RISK TO ME.
By the way, if I get busted for using it, I hope the headlines say something like, "Grandmother Suffering from Chronic Pain due to Chronic Lyme Disease Busted for Using Pot".
Rosemary
Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :
I also know folks prescribed this drug, with great benefit, and far less potential damage than other "pharmacuticals" prescribed for the condition they are in.
BUT..it is so hard to get, tied up in so much political stuff, and the street stuff is too risky (the content) without a safe source.
In my many all night searches on the internet on something to help my son that would not hold the high potential risk that so many of the heavier psych/anti-siezure meds do..
and if I could have gotten a prescription, a safe source..I'd have used it in a heartbeat. That with ALL my research, which was alot, and into every possible "legal" drug. In comparison to the other options, this seemed MUCH safer. I couldn't get it, though.
Rosey..to think..we could have been sittin in the slammer together
Mo
[This message has been edited by Mo (edited 27 October 2003).]
Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :
Well, I can say that anyone with any doubts of the effectivness of this drug should read that story...what a great outcome!!
Thanks for that link!!!
Rosemary
Posted by lymiecanuck on :
Hello There,
I thought I would bring this thread up as I have been exploring the possiblity of trying this. Was of course concerned with street level pot and chemicals etc.
I found out I qualify for medicinal marijuana and will get some probably within the month as it will take time.
I have big problems with over the counter and prescription medications. They are pretty hard on the liver and stomach and we are already on a lot of stuff which is necessary. I have been taking advil for pain and all my natural anti-inflammatories. Vioxx put me in the hospital with spasms in my esphogus and everything else has some serious risks and side effects.
A few months ago on tv I seen a young man who has severe jerking from ms and couldn't sit still. He had a couple of hits and immediately his whole system calmed down, it was amazing to watch. They did this to show people what pot can do to help people. Also on Montel last week, he says he uses it and it is much less toxic then anyting else they have prescribed him.
When my nervous system gets bad, it is hell. Thanks god it doesn't happen continuous like it was, but when it acts up I need something for relief of the feelings as well as pain, and don't want to take a drug that will mess with my nervous system like anti-seizure medications and the like.
I will get this and try it. Of course, my system is pretty sensitive so if it doesn't work at least I will know.
Take Care. Anyone recently try this that didn't mention before. Would love to hear your experience.
Lymiecanuck
Posted by Lymelighter (Member # 5310) on :
Smoke pot on doc's orders? Feds may order you to jail
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- Federal authorities may prosecute sick people who smoke pot on doctors' orders, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, concluding that state medical marijuana laws don't protect users from a federal ban on the drug. The decision is a stinging defeat for marijuana advocates who had successfully pushed 10 states to allow the drug's use to treat various illnesses.
Justice John Paul Stevens, writing the 6-3 decision, said that Congress could change the law to allow medical use of marijuana. The closely watched case was an appeal by the Bush administration in a case that it lost in late 2003.
At issue was whether the prosecution of medical marijuana users under the federal Controlled Substances Act was constitutional. Under the Constitution, Congress may pass laws regulating a state's economic activity so long as it involves ``interstate commerce'' that crosses state borders.
The California marijuana in question was homegrown, distributed to patients without charge and without crossing state lines.
Stevens said there are other legal options for patients, ``but perhaps even more important than these legal avenues is the democratic process, in which the voices of voters allied with these respondents may one day be heard in the halls of Congress.''
California's medical marijuana law, passed by voters in 1996, allows people to grow, smoke or obtain marijuana for medical needs with a doctor's recommendation. Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state have laws similar to California.
In those states, doctors generally can give written or oral recommendations on marijuana to patients with cancer, HIV and other serious illnesses.
In a dissent, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said that states should be allowed to set their own rules. ``The states' core police powers have always included authority to define criminal law and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens,'' said O'Connor, who was joined by other states' rights advocates.
The legal question presented a dilemma for the court's conservatives, who have pushed to broaden states' rights in recent years, invalidating federal laws dealing with gun possession near schools and violence against women on the grounds the activity was too local to justify federal intrusion.
O'Connor said she would have opposed California's medical marijuana law if she was a voter or a legislator. But she said the court was overreaching to endorse ``making it a federal crime to grow small amounts of marijuana in one's own home for one's own medicinal use.''
The case concerned two seriously ill California women, Angel Raich and Diane Monson. The two had sued then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, asking for a court order letting them smoke, grow or obtain marijuana without fear of arrest, home raids or other intrusion by federal authorities.
Raich, an Oakland woman suffering from ailments including scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea, fatigue and pain, smokes marijuana every few hours. She said she was partly paralyzed until she started smoking pot. Monson, an accountant who lives near Oroville, Calif., has degenerative spine disease and grows her own marijuana plants in her backyard.
Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :
The assumption is that canabas if used for medical reasons must be smoked...it doesnt have to be. Medical maj. can be put into pill form.
There is research that is not being pursued because the public really doesnt want to know whether it helps or not.
my opinion: Sitting in the grass is MUCH more dangerous than smoking it. or eating it.
trails
Posted by wrotek (Member # 5354) on :
I think it can help for physical pain but not psychical. Marijuana turns off brain filter which is responsible for filtering more or less important informations received by senses. So if feel pain in Your leg ,it will bo stopped. But if You are scared ,this will be increased but non working filter which decreases this fear. Thats why people say that You have to feel positive to smoke ,or smoke in good company or smoke when You are happy. Marijuana just enhance this what You are feeling.
Posted by Lymeindunkirk (Member # 7118) on :
I'm sure my brother has Lyme. I would bet we both got it as children. He however is a daily pot smoker and a total loser. He is paranoid and just plain nuts. some of that could be the lyme but I really can't imagine how the pot could help him be any better. I'm sure it just makes him worse.
Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :
I have an old boyfriend who was treated for cancer. He took it and it stopped his weight loss. He no longer has cancer and no longer takes cannabis.
There are people who have addictive personalities. They get addicted to everything from cold meds to coffee.
However, there is unfort. a trend to ban painkillers because people "might" become addicted. When I was a burn patient, I had as much morphein as I wanted. That was 12 years ago. I am not a morphein addict.
Posted by brainless (Member # 6771) on :
Some symptoms of Lyme, such as vomiting 15 times a day or pain that makes life unbearable, may be helped with pot. To avoid lung issues, I'd put it in brownies.
b
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
---Trailsgrl--- that was Really Funny I laffed a long time on that one. And you are also very right-- Jay--
Posted by CharV (Member # 5849) on :
My husband used to enjoy the occasional smoke (pot), but ever since Lyme it makes his heart race too much...so he's given it up. Alas!!!
