Thank you for this opportunity to ask questions. Are there any known or suspected uses for medical cannibis while living with Multiple Myeloma?
Thanks much.
Forums
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
The doctor who performed my stem cell transplant said to stay away from medical marijuana. With your immune system depleted, smoking anything can lead to pnuemonia.
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Matt - Name: Matt Linden
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
It's something called Phoenix Tears. You don't smoke it.
Sounds like a scam or a bunch of crazies. A family member is convinced it is the 'cure for cancer'.
I'm concerned that things are going to accelerate or get way out of control. I'm not the one with cancer, it's my stepfather, and he's not in great shape, but he's holding his own.
There's a large risk with the process, and it seems like a bad idea to me. I just wondered if anyone here had heard of a legitimate use for this product.
I could see if maybe someone needed it for nausea or to increase appetite, maybe for pain management, but all of this has been managed by a great doctor so far.
Any other information would be greatly appreciated.
Sounds like a scam or a bunch of crazies. A family member is convinced it is the 'cure for cancer'.
I'm concerned that things are going to accelerate or get way out of control. I'm not the one with cancer, it's my stepfather, and he's not in great shape, but he's holding his own.
There's a large risk with the process, and it seems like a bad idea to me. I just wondered if anyone here had heard of a legitimate use for this product.
I could see if maybe someone needed it for nausea or to increase appetite, maybe for pain management, but all of this has been managed by a great doctor so far.
Any other information would be greatly appreciated.
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Teresa
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
If the buzz from marijuana helps a person cope with having multiple myeloma or any other form of cancer, I don't have a problem with it. As John Lennon said, "Whatever gets you through the night." But I just wish people would be honest about it. I am not aware of any clinical trials that suggest that marijuana has anit-cancer effects. And that is what we go by.
Curcummin, resveratrol, etc are all being studied. Pre-clinical data suggests that these might be helpful for multiple myeloma. But I haven't heard anything about marijuana.
Curcummin, resveratrol, etc are all being studied. Pre-clinical data suggests that these might be helpful for multiple myeloma. But I haven't heard anything about marijuana.
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Matt - Name: Matt Linden
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
Thanks Matt,
That's pretty much what I have found though TONS of research. I have this one family member who has found this one group who has 'claims' but mainly through some random blogs that they have the new 'cure for all cancers' and they are trying to convince another family member to discontinue all other treatments and use this product.
It does not seem like a prudent idea, since he has had decent results for the past 6 years with his treatment. He is in declining health now, but he is older and has many other health problems other than the multiple myeloma, and it was pretty advanced when he was diagnosed in his mid 70s.
I still would appreciate any feedback if anyone has experience with this product, other than the general effects of the product that are well known for medical use (nausea, pain, comfort).
Thanks again.
That's pretty much what I have found though TONS of research. I have this one family member who has found this one group who has 'claims' but mainly through some random blogs that they have the new 'cure for all cancers' and they are trying to convince another family member to discontinue all other treatments and use this product.
It does not seem like a prudent idea, since he has had decent results for the past 6 years with his treatment. He is in declining health now, but he is older and has many other health problems other than the multiple myeloma, and it was pretty advanced when he was diagnosed in his mid 70s.
I still would appreciate any feedback if anyone has experience with this product, other than the general effects of the product that are well known for medical use (nausea, pain, comfort).
Thanks again.
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Teresa
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
My understanding of the uses of medical cannabis for multiple myeloma is that it may be helpful for pain and nausea. One of the most famous proponents of this is Melissa Etheridge. There are many articles you may find online about here statements and interviews in this regard.
The comment made by one of the posters is important, namely, that you must get medical grade marijuana because if you get the non-medical grade, it may have fungus in it, which could result in pneumonia.
You need to do your homework in this respect. I think if you consider this option for pain / nausea, you should consider whether a tea/cookie is appropriate, or whether you want to use a vaporizer. Like any other medication, you and your family need to be your own advocate.
Most important is that you can probably ask your oncologist or other supportive doctor about the use and safety of it. If yours isn't supportive, find another that is.
Good luck.
The comment made by one of the posters is important, namely, that you must get medical grade marijuana because if you get the non-medical grade, it may have fungus in it, which could result in pneumonia.
You need to do your homework in this respect. I think if you consider this option for pain / nausea, you should consider whether a tea/cookie is appropriate, or whether you want to use a vaporizer. Like any other medication, you and your family need to be your own advocate.
Most important is that you can probably ask your oncologist or other supportive doctor about the use and safety of it. If yours isn't supportive, find another that is.
Good luck.
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Hannao - Name: houston
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me, myself & I
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 28, 2008 (guided biopsy)
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
THC and cannabidiol are two of the active constituents of cannabis.
THC binds primarily to the CB1 receptor, which is predominantly found in the brain, and serves to modulate nerve activity. Our bodies make a similar substance, which performs a similar function.
Other cannabinoids bind to the CB2 receptor, which is found primarily in the immune system, notably b-lymphocytes, which are the progenitors of myeloma B-cells. These are the cells that make the m-spike monoclonal antibody paraproteins, along with plasmacytomas and lytic bone lesions.
Beta caryophyllene, which makes up about 5% of cannabis by dry weight, binds specifically and exclusively to CB2 receptors. It does not bind to CB1 receptors, and has no CNS activity. It is notable that beta caryophyllene is also found in high concentrations in many common spices, including clove oil, hops, black pepper, rosemary and other spices.
Neither THC nor beta caryophyllene or any other cannabinoid has been shown to have any effect on the proliferation or inhibition of myeloma cells.
Cannabis can be a great help in dealing with bone and muscle pain and the negative psychological effects of knowing you have this terrible disease.
However, inhaling irritating substances when you have myeloma is a bad idea because it can cause inflammation and reduce your resistance to infection.
As one of the previous posters noted, whatever gets you through the night is a good thing.
FrankH
THC binds primarily to the CB1 receptor, which is predominantly found in the brain, and serves to modulate nerve activity. Our bodies make a similar substance, which performs a similar function.
Other cannabinoids bind to the CB2 receptor, which is found primarily in the immune system, notably b-lymphocytes, which are the progenitors of myeloma B-cells. These are the cells that make the m-spike monoclonal antibody paraproteins, along with plasmacytomas and lytic bone lesions.
Beta caryophyllene, which makes up about 5% of cannabis by dry weight, binds specifically and exclusively to CB2 receptors. It does not bind to CB1 receptors, and has no CNS activity. It is notable that beta caryophyllene is also found in high concentrations in many common spices, including clove oil, hops, black pepper, rosemary and other spices.
Neither THC nor beta caryophyllene or any other cannabinoid has been shown to have any effect on the proliferation or inhibition of myeloma cells.
Cannabis can be a great help in dealing with bone and muscle pain and the negative psychological effects of knowing you have this terrible disease.
However, inhaling irritating substances when you have myeloma is a bad idea because it can cause inflammation and reduce your resistance to infection.
As one of the previous posters noted, whatever gets you through the night is a good thing.
FrankH
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
I was told several months ago about 'phoenix tears' as well, I am a 49 yr old multiple myeloma patient, relapsed in January 2010 after 21 months auto stem cell. I was told about phoenix tears from friends who knew someone who had taken it with quite surprising results, although he did not have multiple myeloma.
I tried to research it and found only personal testimony, no chemical research, no studies. It disturbed me because, if it might work, it would be nice to see a credible overview rather than some pothead-looking websites that don't do much for it's credibility.
I was also concerned as to the caution within their own material on the varying strengths, and that the best way to ensure consistency is to make it yourself from distilling pot. This sounds like something I could get arrested for, certainly possession of that much leaf to make it.
So I hit a crossroads and left it alone, but am still not convinced it may, in some ways, help.
I tried to research it and found only personal testimony, no chemical research, no studies. It disturbed me because, if it might work, it would be nice to see a credible overview rather than some pothead-looking websites that don't do much for it's credibility.
I was also concerned as to the caution within their own material on the varying strengths, and that the best way to ensure consistency is to make it yourself from distilling pot. This sounds like something I could get arrested for, certainly possession of that much leaf to make it.
So I hit a crossroads and left it alone, but am still not convinced it may, in some ways, help.
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Kathy
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
Any oncologist will tell you not to take cannabis oil because it has not been subject to clinical trials. They have no information on the subject, why? Because their training does not include anything that is not produced by the 'big pharma.' Therefore they cannot advise you. Complementary therapies will never be accepted by them, no matter how effective they appear to be.
Governments, the FDA in the US, and NICE in the UK, conveniently sidestep known cures, such is the power of the pharmaceuticals. Searching for a cure, billions spent, and not much new in 40 years in cancer treatments, it is all bollocks.
Cannabis oil or hemp oil with THC is taken by mouth or with melanoma, is applied directly to the skin. It has few known side effects, you cannot get a 'high' on it according to those who have taken it. There is nothing but good written about it, so, I suggest you get informed, if you have cancer.
This stuff is mainly illegal, but when your life is at stake, what do you do.
There has to be an alternative to CUT, POISON, AND BURN, and this could be it.
Governments, the FDA in the US, and NICE in the UK, conveniently sidestep known cures, such is the power of the pharmaceuticals. Searching for a cure, billions spent, and not much new in 40 years in cancer treatments, it is all bollocks.
Cannabis oil or hemp oil with THC is taken by mouth or with melanoma, is applied directly to the skin. It has few known side effects, you cannot get a 'high' on it according to those who have taken it. There is nothing but good written about it, so, I suggest you get informed, if you have cancer.
This stuff is mainly illegal, but when your life is at stake, what do you do.
There has to be an alternative to CUT, POISON, AND BURN, and this could be it.
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The Geordie Healer
Re: Medical Cannabis Treatments?
During my second SCT I started getting sick. For the next 5 days, I couldn't keep anything down. I had a motion sickness patch behind my ear, around the clock Zofran and occasional Ativan. Nothing worked and I was losing a lot of weight. I couldn't even keep down water. I asked for and received Marinol.
Within 1 hour of taking Marinol, I was eating fine and had no more issues with nausea.
I took 1/2 dose of what they offered and it was fine. I enjoyed the buzz for the first two days. On day three, I was tired of being stoned, so I stopped using it. My nausea did not come back after that.
I thought that Marinol was a form of marijuana where they took out "the fun", but no, I felt like I was in high school again.
My doctor did emphasis that I should not smoke marijuana as there was a chance of inhaling fungi deep into my lungs.
Within 1 hour of taking Marinol, I was eating fine and had no more issues with nausea.
I took 1/2 dose of what they offered and it was fine. I enjoyed the buzz for the first two days. On day three, I was tired of being stoned, so I stopped using it. My nausea did not come back after that.
I thought that Marinol was a form of marijuana where they took out "the fun", but no, I felt like I was in high school again.
My doctor did emphasis that I should not smoke marijuana as there was a chance of inhaling fungi deep into my lungs.
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Stann - Name: Stann
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/11/09
- Age at diagnosis: 46
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