Hi everyone. I am getting a stem cell transplant (SCT) next week and wondered if anyone has smoked or vaporized marijuana while on melphalan?
My instruction booklet for the SCT that I received from my hematologist says not to smoke it in
case there is fungus etc. in the marijuana.
I have had a rough past 9 months, including a 9.5-hour endoscopic operation to remove a lot of a tumor in my head, a fusion of my 1st and 2nd vertebrae from the tumor breaking a bone in my head, followed by radiation and then 4 months of chemo. Through all of this, I have had tremendous relief from smoking marijuana. It has been incredibly helpful for nausea, pain, and just making me feel better all around.
I have had 6 doctors I've been dealing with, and they all get uncomfortable or don't believe that it would help me much, which I am a little baffled by because I know better, but nonetheless I don't want to purposely hurt myself. I also know that I can effectively manage my nausea, etc., with the marijuana, which I have been doing responsibly for quite some time, and am scared of not having that natural control over myself.
My big question is if anyone has vaporized marijuana after taking melphalan and was there any problems? I would only vaporize it and not smoke it.
I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has any experience with this. Thanks.
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Comoxguy - Name: Steve
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 10th 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
Comoxguy,
I read your post and have a question. Is the marijuana you take medical? Everything I've read speaks of the danger of infections that can be caused by fungus in marijuana. I know some take THC in a liquid form.
I would consult with your medical team to address your pain management. I experienced 11 compression fractures and have been able to manage pain through oxycodone.
Good luck with your upcoming transplant!
Kully
I read your post and have a question. Is the marijuana you take medical? Everything I've read speaks of the danger of infections that can be caused by fungus in marijuana. I know some take THC in a liquid form.
I would consult with your medical team to address your pain management. I experienced 11 compression fractures and have been able to manage pain through oxycodone.
Good luck with your upcoming transplant!
Kully
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kullybunnny1 - Name: Kully
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
Hi Steve,
Sorry that you have being going through such a rough time in the last few months! I would agree with Kullybunny and your doctors about being really cautious ingesting or inhaling anything that could have a fungus in it when you are really immunocompromised.
I took an anti-fungal medication after my transplant, as well as an antibiotic and an anti-viral medication. I didn't even water or repot my own houseplants at that time, I was so worried about getting any infections. It was winter here and that, in a way, was good, since the garden world was basically in hibernation, except for the conifers.
Good luck with your treatments. I don't use medical marijuana but at times have had to use prescription pain meds and sleeping meds. Maybe you could discuss alternatives with your medical doctors.
Sorry that you have being going through such a rough time in the last few months! I would agree with Kullybunny and your doctors about being really cautious ingesting or inhaling anything that could have a fungus in it when you are really immunocompromised.
I took an anti-fungal medication after my transplant, as well as an antibiotic and an anti-viral medication. I didn't even water or repot my own houseplants at that time, I was so worried about getting any infections. It was winter here and that, in a way, was good, since the garden world was basically in hibernation, except for the conifers.
Good luck with your treatments. I don't use medical marijuana but at times have had to use prescription pain meds and sleeping meds. Maybe you could discuss alternatives with your medical doctors.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
No, No! You should NOT be smoking anything during or after the transplant. Your lungs are at very high risk for infection such as pneumonia etc.
Get marijuana tincture (drops that go under your tongue) or some marijuana caramels you can chew and dissolve slowly (made with marijuana butter - THC / active ingredients of marijuana are fat soluble).
If you live in Colorado or states that have already legalized and are selling marijuana, it won't be a problem to get these products legally. Otherwise, you have to find them illegally and good luck with that. You won't know what you are ingesting - unless you make it yourself.
Hopefully, all the states will get on board soon and marijuana and marijuana products will soon be available for cancer patients like yourself who find marijuana alleviates nausea, pain, anxiety and suffering.
Get marijuana tincture (drops that go under your tongue) or some marijuana caramels you can chew and dissolve slowly (made with marijuana butter - THC / active ingredients of marijuana are fat soluble).
If you live in Colorado or states that have already legalized and are selling marijuana, it won't be a problem to get these products legally. Otherwise, you have to find them illegally and good luck with that. You won't know what you are ingesting - unless you make it yourself.
Hopefully, all the states will get on board soon and marijuana and marijuana products will soon be available for cancer patients like yourself who find marijuana alleviates nausea, pain, anxiety and suffering.
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Melpen - Name: Melissa
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 5, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
Thanks for your reply. No, I don't use medical marijuana, just stuff I buy through a friend as there are no doctors around that will prescribe it. I've also read about the dangers of fungus, but vaporizing is supposed to be a lot safer, but that's what I'm trying to confirm.
I have taken an extreme amount of different addictive drugs this year, including oxy and a lot of morphine, and am totally off everything now and really don't want to go back on any of it unless I really need to. That's why I like smoking pot, as it can really take the edge off and keep me from taking any pharmaceuticals.
I have taken an extreme amount of different addictive drugs this year, including oxy and a lot of morphine, and am totally off everything now and really don't want to go back on any of it unless I really need to. That's why I like smoking pot, as it can really take the edge off and keep me from taking any pharmaceuticals.
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Comoxguy - Name: Steve
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 10th 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
Admittedly, this shows my own bias. But I'd be very concerned about vaping anything.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/business/international/chinas-e-cigarette-boom-lacks-oversight-for-safety-.html
Mike
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/business/international/chinas-e-cigarette-boom-lacks-oversight-for-safety-.html
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
Hi Comoxguy. I used medical marijuana prior to my SCT to help with sleep issues caused by dexamethasone.. When I went in for my transplant, the insurance company required that I sign a statement that I would not use any alcohol or marijuana while undergoing the procedure, which was enough to keep me from having anything to do with the stuff. (The last thing I wanted was for my insurance company to renege on paying for the $300K treatment!) While I was in the hospital, I had a few issues with nausea and such, but they have a very impressive armamentarium of drugs for treating this and it was kept well under control. I would assume that you'll have access to all of that, so I would hope that they can keep you comfortable.
I am not sure about how vaping compares to smoking in terms of getting fungus and such into your lungs. The primary benefit of vaping is that you're not combusting anything, so you're not inhaling combustion products, which (from what I understand) are the most toxic aspects of the process. You're still inhaling, though, so it seems to me that you might still inhale fungal spores. I've never vaped, though, so maybe that's not correct.
In any case, the anti-nausea and anti-pain meds that your doctors can give you will certainly be safer than inhaling anything. A little nausea or pain is nothing compared to a life-threatening lung infection.
I am not sure about how vaping compares to smoking in terms of getting fungus and such into your lungs. The primary benefit of vaping is that you're not combusting anything, so you're not inhaling combustion products, which (from what I understand) are the most toxic aspects of the process. You're still inhaling, though, so it seems to me that you might still inhale fungal spores. I've never vaped, though, so maybe that's not correct.
In any case, the anti-nausea and anti-pain meds that your doctors can give you will certainly be safer than inhaling anything. A little nausea or pain is nothing compared to a life-threatening lung infection.
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
The responses you have are correct.
Vaping is STILL inhaling into the lungs. Not something you want to do going into SCT. Like smoking it is NOT good for the lungs. Don't risk it.
There would be better ways to get marijuana into your system - marijuana tincture (sublingual drops) or marijuana caramel (you can stir a spoonful into tea / coffee or put on ice cream). If you can't get these products where you live, then you just have to trust that your medical team will take care of your pain and nausea with their legal pharmaceuticals. Let them know your concerns and fears.
Also, your medical team should know everything you are taking because SCT is intense treatment with powerful drugs that knock down your bone marrow and blood counts. You don't want any interactions with medications or to do anything that compromises your health.
Also, if you have medical insurance like MikeF that will deny coverage due to use of illegal drugs, that would be reason enough to avoid marijuana if it is not legal in your state.
Good luck.
Vaping is STILL inhaling into the lungs. Not something you want to do going into SCT. Like smoking it is NOT good for the lungs. Don't risk it.
There would be better ways to get marijuana into your system - marijuana tincture (sublingual drops) or marijuana caramel (you can stir a spoonful into tea / coffee or put on ice cream). If you can't get these products where you live, then you just have to trust that your medical team will take care of your pain and nausea with their legal pharmaceuticals. Let them know your concerns and fears.
Also, your medical team should know everything you are taking because SCT is intense treatment with powerful drugs that knock down your bone marrow and blood counts. You don't want any interactions with medications or to do anything that compromises your health.
Also, if you have medical insurance like MikeF that will deny coverage due to use of illegal drugs, that would be reason enough to avoid marijuana if it is not legal in your state.
Good luck.
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Melpen - Name: Melissa
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 5, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
Well, not having taken melphalan, I can't say how the two would interact. But I have taken most of the chemo drugs for multiple myeloma & also vaporized at the same time with no ill effects. While vaporizing is healthier than just smoking, it is taking irritants into your lungs, so maybe this is what the doctors are trying to avoid. If it is a big concern, then try eating baked goods (cookies, brownies etc.). This is what I am currently doing after recovery from pneumonia. Also, check out a local Compassion Club that actually tests their product for molds, fungi, etc.
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GaryH - Name: GaryH
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov./97
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Vaporizing marijuana while receiving melphalan?
Thanks for the input everybody. I think I will take this advice and just not do any until I am given the go ahead.
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Comoxguy - Name: Steve
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 10th 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 44
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