Does CBD OIL cause FATIGUE?

[katiewalsh]

Dear Folks, I’ve been trying to find a cause for my fatigue other than this cancer. It’s having a large effect on my quality of life. The absolute last thing which I thought might be the cause (other than my MPM), is the CBD oil I’m taking. It doesn’t have THC in it. Could you please tell me if you have experience with CBD Oil (without THC) & whether or not it did or didn’t cause fatigue? Mine is good quality-tested by independent lab-so I know it’s not from bad ingredients. Thank you for whatever help you can provide. I really appreciate it. Katie

[ksos]

Hi Katie: I've tried CBD oil (no THC) to help with ET symptoms and then stopped because it didn't help. It seemed to have no impact at all: fatigue didn't decrease when I used it, didn't increase when I stopped. But this kind of thing is all so specifically individual, so if possible, I'd suggest talking to a sympathetic and knowledgeable medical professional about it.

FWIW, I've just finished a wide range of tests (cardiac, pulmonary, thyroid, etc) in order to rule out out other possible causes of fatigue. The results -- all normal and actually quite healthy (yay!) -- along with the piles of research I gave him finally got my quite skeptical hematologist to accept that the fatigue is caused by MPNs. So, now I'm beginning to explore treating the related inflammation through acupuncture and diet. Here's hoping it helps.

Good luck to you.

Best,

Kim

[katiewalsh in reply to ksos]

Dear KIM, thanks so much for replying. I started using CBD under my neurologist’s supervision for pain in my hands. It completely eliminated it. And as I increased my dose toward the full recommended amount, I noticed I had more mental clarity & also less anxiety. I think your point about us all being different is the problem. A solution for one might now work for another. I also had every possible test done to look for other causes, heart, lungs, blood levels, etc. My MPN doc found I did have very low ferritin levels so I tried iron infusions. Unfortunately they didn’t seem to increase my energy. I read back over one of your earlier posts in which you said B12 supplements & dietary changes had helped you. Do you know if your B12 levels were low before taking the supplements?

And can you please tell me what dietary changes helped? I know all my blood levels, except ferritin, are in normal range but maybe extra B12 would help. Thanks, Katie

[huisiebydiesee in reply to katiewalsh]

Hi Katie

I had an interesting experience. A blood test result showed normal levels of iron and vit B12. However, my functional medical doctor said the levels considered normal are not correct. (I checked - our South African norms are the same as the UK.) So she started me on iron and vit B12 and it made a decided difference. My energy levels are really high.

Incidentally, with an anti-inflammatory diet and supplements, my PMF is backing up. Inflammatory levels have dropped to near normal, red blood cell numbers have increased about 20% as well as haemocrit numbers. No medications at all. No symptoms - in fact, I feel great!

Seems the world of integrative medicine has something going for it. Mine is a very good lady doctor - with a very good network of colleagues so even though she knew nothing about MF at the beginning, it didn’t stop her from helping me 🤗

Shirley

[katiewalsh in reply to huisiebydiesee]

Hi. Thank you for answering. Do you know what your B12 level is now? Also, where did you find information on a non-inflammatory diet?

Katie

[grgracey in reply to huisiebydiesee]

Wow! Good for you...congratulations!!!...my other doctor other than hema he gave me vitamin B12 and gives me a lot of energy.

[huisiebydiesee in reply to grgracey]

Glad to hear the Vit B12 has helped. It does help to get other opinions from the medical world! Go well

Shirley

[Raphael_UK in reply to ksos]

I tried it, exactly the same result.

[Mostew]

I’ve been taking 10ml twice a day . Not made me tired but we all react differently . So hard to know what causes what . I’ve stopped Ginko as I think maybe my head was going funny’ again when I started taking it .... heads ok now .

Suppose try stopping ? And restarting after a week .

Are you taking any other natural remadies ?

[katiewalsh in reply to Mostew]

Hi somehow my earlier answer didn’t get sent. I’m only on vitamins & supplements. Thanks for answering

[Mostew]

Ps. I have lots of fermented food anti inflammatory diet ..

kefir organic chicken fish ...

[huisiebydiesee]

Hi Katie

In October 2019, B12 levels were 251 pmol/L. The ‘adequate’ level given is >221 pmol/L. I started on a supplement and in January 2020 the result was 493 pmol/L.

I take it in a spray under the tongue of Methylcobalamine.

The diet I got from various books. Basically, I avoid gluten (Functional doctors believe that gluten is inflammatory for everyone), eat very little red meat but do eat fish or chicken about three times a week. Actually, my diet is more vegan - with protein in the form of various beans,. Whole grain rice sometimes. Lots of vegetables but very little corn. Fruit every day. I use spices in many dishes too - like ginger, curry etc.

And I supplement with Liposomal Vit C (huge amounts!), selenium, curcumin, omega 3 and magnesium.

Next blood test in April and I’m going for gold. My inflammation levels dropped from somewhere over 7 to 5.66 in October to 3.30 in January. At this level, I am at ‘low risk’ for inflammation based complications. Best of all my haemoglobin rose from8.0g/dL to 9.2 g/dL. (Normal is at 10 and over). So all signs are good.

Two haematologists I consulted after diagnosis early in 2019 told me to ‘watch and wait’ or to start Interferon to ‘slow progression’. I was also told to expect symptoms to appear in six months time.

Then I followed my own nose, found the Functional doctor and began the diet and supplements. The six months have come and gone and I actually feel quite fabulous. Of course I lost weight too and am back to my youthful weight of 50 kg. (I’m not a big person!).

So at 73, life is great. I do know that we are all different but the very positive attitude of my Functional doctor helped to overcome the doom that settled on my family with this diagnosis and lack of help and support from the aforementioned haematologists.

Hope my story helps a little!

Shirley

[katiewalsh in reply to huisiebydiesee]

Dear Shirley, thank you so much for taking the time to give me such helpful & detailed information. And congratulations to you; what incredible success you’ve had! And I’m really glad that your gloom has been replaced with happiness. Can I ask what Mpn you have? I’m going to save your information & talk to some docs. I don’t know what my level of inflammation is but will find out. Thanks again. Katie

[huisiebydiesee]

Hi Katie

I was diagnosed with Primary Myelofibrosis after a BMB. This began with a routine blood test. They said I was in ‘intermediate’ stage as a result of age and the low haemoglobin levels.

Please do share my story. I would love to hear of others having the same experience. My Functional Doctor is excited but she cautions that we’ll wait for more such positive blood results and then “we’ll start boasting”.

Best

Shirley

[katiewalsh in reply to huisiebydiesee]

Thanks for the explanation.