CLL and Cannabis

[Estate1]

I'm starting chemo January 16/19 and will be using Cannabis oil and vaping herb to combat side effects of treatment. Has anyone else tried?

[GMa27]

What kind of chemo are you having? I did FCR. Was uneventful and successful after 3 cycles. I go to acupuncture which had my oncologists blessings, but my experts and local oncologist said not to use herbs or homeopathy. Can possibly interfere with chemo like probiotics do. Have you had that conversation with your doctor?

Maybe others can share their experience since I never took CBD oil. Good luck!

[Newchallnge in reply to GMa27]

Please Check with your CLL specialist!!!!!

[TimHB]

On the recommendation of my doctors, I used CBD oil (pure, no THC) to combat bone & joint pain and to help sleep after starting treatment with ibrutinib and Gazyva. It was very effective when nothing else worked. A few drops under the tongue at bedtime really eased the pain and helped me sleep. Seven months later, that kind of pain has largely subsided and I rarely need the CBD anymore.

[Purple_lady9999 in reply to TimHB]

How many milligrams of cannabinoids is in the amount you were using? Before I started ibrutinib I was having a lot of pain and it really helped me. I was using Bluebird botanicals and it was 25 mg cannabinoids.

[TimHB in reply to Purple_lady9999]

225 mg. Wow. Sounds like a lot but that's what it says on the bottle. 3-5 drops under the tongue is all it takes for me.

[Purple_lady9999 in reply to TimHB]

The 225 is probably for the entire bottle. I get the 6x concentrated that has 1500 mg per ounce. 15 drops or 0.5 ml is 25 mg.

[Lola69]

My doctor is against this cannabis oil unless one is in pain. ..

[TimHB in reply to Lola69]

Guess every doctor's different. My GP, my hem-onc, and 3 top CLL specialists I saw at Ohio State, Mass General and UCSD all recommended it to me upon diagnosis for all the discomfort I was having. I was reluctant and dismissed it until I had pain from the treatment, then I gave in and it worked wonders.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

I did a lot of reading about CBD oil when two of my vets recommended it for my old, arthritic dog. The recommendations I have found are to look for full spectrum, CO2 extracted oils. For pets, you don't want to use anything not formulated for them, and definitely not marijuana, which is toxic for them. I do think that it has made a difference for the dog.

I asked my hematologist about trying it for back pain, as I have negative reactions to just about any pain killer, and muscle relaxants don't help. He saw no problem with me trying it, so it's back to reading. There are several sites that rate different products and tell how the oil is extracted and whether the product is analyzed by an outside company. If you are considering trying CBD oil, I would start by asking your doctor, then spending some time on google to become familiar with the different options and strengths. If you can find a local dispensary with a knowledgeable staff, I would then go there to discuss strength and dosing. That's my next step.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Jury still out on Pot and Pain: mdedge.com/familypracticene...

Very little on cancer related pain experiences however. It's also going to be difficult to gain accurate information, given 'that there’s no federal oversight of medical marijuana, and “production, purity, potency, and state oversight vary widely.”'

[csellies]

I have, 2 rounds of chemo, many complications yet I know now how beneficial cannabis was, especially when it came to eating and sleeping. Make sure that there is a high level of THC otherwise it is not as effective. CBD during the day, THC before going to bed.

[Raine777]

Yes I used CBD/THC oil and vaped. It really took the edge off of feeling awful from the chemo.

[Big_Dee]

I started using CBC oil shortly after I was diagnosed with CLL a little over a year ago. Tried it for my night sweats and weight loss. after two months stopped using CBD oil because it was not doing anything. I think CBD oil only masks symptoms to a very small degree. basically you are self-medicating with out any dosage requirements. I think it might have a psychological effect.

[Heidiypi1]

So much information is still to be learned about the positive affects of CBDs, I take them every day (non psychoactive) I have noticed a marked improvement on my normal full blood counts for a few years now, the cancer itself didn't change but the other counts normalised. I feel it does me good as part of my health routine I take a few droppers full every day! The jury is still way out on this one!

[Estate1]

Thanks to all for your input...appreciated! I will check with my Hematologist/Oncologist about using Cannabis. I will do as she recommends as I trust her knowledge. My treatments will be monthly for 6 months. Bendamustine

Rituximab

I am looking forward to feeling myself again. Extreme fatigue anymore along with enlarged lymphs, night sweats, shortness of breath etc. Thanks to all for your support.

[Zappymom12]

My husband is currently trying cbd oil and has not yet found the right dosage. He sees a pain doctor and he suggested it. He would not of tried cbd without consulting a doctor. In fact, it was the doctor that suggested cbd oil. He will increase the dosage as the lowest did little to alleviate or ease his symptoms. Best wishes.