Liver Fibrosis and Marijuana

[T_Shelby]

Hi, my diagnosis a year ago by Fibroscan was mild fatty liver with stiffness measurement of 6.39 kPa correlating to METAVIR fibrosis score of F2-F3.

Im 41 years old. Binge drinker and pot smoker since my early 20s. Going for a year without out drinking. Pot on occasions.

Symptoms: lower right abdomen discomfort, blotting, sensation of fluids moving from one side of the abdomen to the other, mainly on the left side, constipation, lots of noice in the stomach area. Yellow stool with mucus on occasions.

I have been very anxious since the diagnosis mainly because I have changed my lifestyle, to all healthy diet. Have lost 25 lbs. I’m 5’8 and weigh now about 156 lbs. No alcohol for almost a year. but I still have the same uncomfortable symptoms I mention. Some days I feel better some feel worst. One thing that I have noticed is that one of the triggers is the pot smoking, not sure. From a month a go I have started smoking about a joint a week and I’m feeling all the discomfort. Last night I was sleeping on my right side and the pain/tenderness woke me up, also my left side of the neck was in pain. Do you think smoking could possibly be affecting, making my liver worst? I’m not even so sure now that all my problems are derived from the liver ? I will be having another fibroscan in the next few months, I’m hoping that the fibrosis is gone and I can relax a little. Thank you all

[pushthrough]

I would avoid it entirely. You have a chance most of us didn’t. Thc is a slippery slope just like alcohol. It’s also processed by the liver. Consider yourself extremely fortunate. I would see a doc about your symptoms, doesn’t sound right. Take care.

G.

[T_Shelby in reply to pushthrough]

Thanks for the advice. I agree totally with you. I just needed to convince myself that the smoking is also harming my liver. I have given up alcohol and now I will stop the cannabis. Sad. think it will be harder for me to let it go than the alcohol.

[Fibro2021]

There is an opinion that marijuana aggravates liver fibrosis and leads to excessive formation of connective tissue in it. However, a number of independent scientific studies have shown that the cannabinoid cannabidiol can positively affect the state of the liver. In particular, it can eliminate the harm caused to this organ as a result of alcohol consumption. It is also impossible to exclude an individual genetically determined sensitivity to cannabis. Given such conflicting data, it may be wiser to give up marijuana in such a situation. At least I have not been able to read anywhere about the use of marijuana for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

[mtk0925]

I’m not encouraging it but I read thc has de inflammatory properties and can aid in the recovery of the liver. But I am not a dr don’t take medical advice from a forum

[Daystrom]

Your symptoms sound more like IBS/IBD than hepatic in origin. Liver pain is chiefly RUQ.

Also, if you are having pain that wakes you from sleep, you need to see a doctor asap. It's probably just IBD (colitis), but you want to make sure. Go see your doc and have a barium enema done. And ask for a liver panel (with GGT/ALP as well as the usual transferases).Good luck!

Ray

[KC108]

May I ask what test you had for the liver stiffness? Was it something other then a fibroscan, such as an ultrasound elastography or an MRE? I ask because I have had three fibroscans with scores of 6.7, 6.4 and 6.5 and was told each time that I had no significant scarring and that I was F0-F1. My doctor said anything under 7 was normal. I see yours was 6.3 and they are saying you are F2-F3?

[ErnestWW]

I agree that it would be better for you to visit a doctor because in some cases, it can actually help since it reduces inflammation, but you have to see a specialist before making a decision. Personally, I have no idea what I'd do if I had to give up smoking weed because it's the best way for me to cope with stress, and I discovered getgreen.shop/ just a few weeks ago, so I think I wouldn't be able to find an alternative.