Medical Cannabis

[unie]

Is medical cannabis ok to use for pain unrelated to the cirrhosis.

[nash2 Partner]

There is so much that we don't know about cannabis. It isn't an approved treatment so there isn't a lot we can say. It is being used by quite a few people who report benefit but damage really isn't being tracked so it is a risk with unknown consequences long term. Whether the benefits outweigh the risks is probably a very individual thing. It is a tragedy that our drug laws have prevented much of the research that is needed on this subject.

[unie in reply to nash2]

Thank you for the response. I have no pain from Nash/nafld, just slight discomfort. But I have numerous health issues where I would like to have something for pain and my doctors only say one Tylenol a day. Are there any pain meds that would be ok?

[nash2 Partner in reply to unie]

The only one the hepatologists recommend, and only in small doses, is Tylenol. It does depend on your liver's level of damage. They all are processed by the liver and the judgement is that Tylenol is easier for the organ than the other over the counter meds. I don't know if they have actually proven that but it is the recommendation. It is a very difficult challenge that many face and in my view medicine doesn't really help much with chronic pain so people often try to find their own path but best to find a doc who will talk about the details with you.

[unie in reply to nash2]

Yes that is what my drs say also. One Tylenol a day isn’t going to always cut it. Thank you

[MW923 in reply to nash2]

Hi Wayne, this is so confusing for me cause doctor tell no Tyylenil only motion or Advil . So what to do?

[nash2 Partner in reply to MW923]

It is a balancing act. No over the counter drug is completely safe for the liver. Most liver related drug injury is actually from Tylenol because people overdose with it but it is well understood. With any of them dose is the key element and all of them can harm you. Could be your doc sees something in your situation that causes him to caution you against Tylenol. Can't speculate about that. It is a problem we all face when our liver is struggling as everything we take in presents a challenge for it. The opiates are metabolized in the kidney but they carry the addiction problems with them so there is no good answer. Some people find CBD oil helps but we know very little about how that affects us so again it is a risk. All we can do is try to find a minimum balance that works for us as we are all different but maybe you could find a pain doc to talk to.

[Veronica44 in reply to nash2]

I must say ....Nash2 has the “best” advice!!! Incredible...

[Rosebud1027]

What about turmeric or acupuncture? I’ve been drinking small quantities of turmeric tea and it has help my arthritis pain and am considering acupuncture. Although I don’t know how either effects the liver. I want to stay away from Tylenol.

[unie in reply to Rosebud1027]

I have tried acupuncture over the years, most times it hadn’t helped. I have heard and read a lot about turmeric and again have been hesitant to try. But in a tea I am not as concerned. I think I will give that a try. Thank you

[nash2 Partner in reply to Rosebud1027]

acupuncture should not be a problem. Docs are mixed on tumeric. There have been some reports of liver damage but also reports of benefit so we can't tell you much. One thing, it is virtually inactive if not taken with a small amount of pepper. The body can't absorb it without the pepper. A lot of people take it but many probably don't know about the absorption issue so it is hard to know what it does.

[Veronica44 in reply to nash2]

Nash2 is correct regarding Turmeric... I currently take Turmeric (95% Curcuminoids) with black pepper. You can purchase this at any Costco. Made by “Youtheory.”

[MW923 in reply to Rosebud1027]

That's what I was told no Tyylenil by my doctor

[Margolia]

Interesting question. I have been suggested to use cannabis for my arthritis pain. I was scared off at first but now I see more studies saying that it decreases pain, inflammation, and anxiety for arthritis patients. I will ask my pharmacist about the liver since I have a severe fibrosis as well.

[unie]

Bottom line is I am 75years old, stage 4 cirrhosis, too old for a transplant, chronic pancreatitis, fibromyalgia, two hip replacements, knee surgery, two back surgeries, a few healed broken bones, and I know if I gave this any thought I could think of more to add. Why should I not be given opiates? At this stage I don’t think it matters if I got addicted. I also have been told one Tylenol a day. Luckily at this time I only have discomfort, but I am terrified to think of what is coming in the future. Can anyone medical, or other, think this is logical or Christian.

[Carla823]

Visit a 'Pain Clinic" and speak to the doctors there about your situation. I am sure they can help you with the medications you need. I agree with you. You should not have to suffer.

[unie in reply to Carla823]

Thank you Carla. I have done that a few times with not much success. On my own I have gotten approved for medical cannabis and will see where that will take me

[Ceajae]

I’ve been working on an idea based on no formal medical training. Tylenol is a P450 enzyme blocker is my understanding. P450 enzymes degrade endogenous cannabinoids. When PTSD people use cannabis and run out, it can create more problems for the first week after cessation until the ECS restarts it’s “normal” ?”cannabinoid production. If you block the P450 enzyme with Tylenol, it should help natural cannabinoids to stay in your system longer especially while you are cannabis free. When I was unable to medicate with cannabis I had to walk an excessive amount to improve the production of cannabinoids as well. “Runners High” commonly gives credit to endorphins but I believe it is also cannabinoids or solely credited to cannabinoids which provides this “high” people get when they run a certain distance. For me the runners high kicks in at 6 miles 10m/mile. Fibromyalgia is suppose to be an indicator of CECD or chronic endocannabinoid deficiency (Russo, 2008). Meaning the body isn’t making enough cannabinoids. So my answer is if you do the cannabis make sure you walk a lot and take the one Tylenol a day for pain management. Opioids do not help long term and should only be used briefly and it’s better to not cheat your natural pain response processes. I have found that the amount of cannabis it takes to find relief actually creates more problems with the liver especially if it is only inhaled because it’s excessive-anything in excess doesn’t work. Eating cannabis apparently processes through the liver and creates hydroxy-11. I’m not sure if this is taxing on the liver or helpful. These are my thoughts but like I said it would take someone much more educated than me to truly explore through testing/trial experiments. They should have answers these concerns decades ago when they discovered anandamide. I believe the reason why they haven’t, is that it would replace thousands of synthetic medications in production and cut profits. Once again-just an assumption. I had to have an fMRI to identify lesions that created my central nervous system sensitization which contributes to my pain experience. Opioids won’t take that away at all and just make you a junkie. Stick to cannabis but walk your ass off. Hope this provides you something to consider but I’m sorry I’ve not found that taking opioids helps anything especially not the liver or complex pain conditions.