Cancer Treatment Options Forum - July 30th, 2010 - 3 Comments
Is it ok for a Stomach Cancer Patient smoke marijuana to relieve Chemo side affects???
He has had surgery already and had spleen, lymph nodes, and pancreas removed including his whole stomach. They now told us that he might need some light radiation. I’ve read a lot of articles on Chemo patients smoking, drinking(in tea) to relieve the side affects of treatment. Our concern is that since he is already eating so little from having his whole stomach removed that he won’t eat at all or too little once he starts undergoing chemo.
It will likely be a few weeks til he is ready for treatment since he is still recovering from surgery. My question is since he would be smoking it is it safe for him to do that. Would the smoke somehow be bad or dangerous for him??? I heard they offer it in pill form. Is this available everywhere and as effective as smoking it? These are not questions I would want to ask his doctor since it is illegal to purchase marijuana. Maybe it is. Who knows, but any and all of your help is appreciated.
The patient is my father and we live in Chicago.
The problem with illegal marijuana is that no one knows what is in it, where it has been, or whether is harbors somthing that could potentially cause harm by a severe reaction. An immune compromised cancer patient needs to be extremely careful of unknown bacteria or mold that could be lurking in something like weed. That’s why it is unsafe. If he insists on smoking marijuana he must tell his doctor so that if he does have a reaction they will know how to help him. Keep in mind tht There are some herbals that will render chemo treatment less effective so it is extremely important for everyone to be on the same page. Make sure that marijuana does not intefere with his type of chemotherapy. There is a form of medical marijuana in pill form called marinol that is available by perscription. His doctor can prescribe if he asks for it.
In Cali, you can apply to get a cannibus card, go to any medical marijuana dispensary and, how you say "shop" for all your medical needs.. theyve got weed brownies, weed tea, weed suckers, weed in general, weed in pills.. evrything needed for cancer patients and others with chronic illness.. hopefully you live in CALI.. 1-800-got-kush
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. At this point I think he should go for whatever is the most comfortable. I don’t think the pill form is available at this time. If you are worried about lung damage you may want to try a nasal mist or vapor.
Check out Vapor Brothers dot com. There are other herbs like chamomile that he can vaporise, might relax him enough to give him some relief. Do a search on herbal remedies that might help and be less difficult to purchase. I hate the fact that people with life threatening diseases are not allowed to choose which option works best for them.
Take care, I wish you and yur friend the best.
Peace