i know that this is a condition which can benefit greatly from the use of medical marijuana as i am a caregiver for one such person and the following has been brought to my attention
While therapy for chronic Hepatitis C is most often based on interferon medication, its value is limited due to the uncomfortable side effects it can induce, such as flu-like symptoms, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle and joint pain, and depression. These symptoms often lead to interferon therapy’s poor adherence, which manifests either in a dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment—both of which hinder interferon’s potential effectiveness against HCV.

Published in the October 2006 European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, a Northern California study involving 71 participants demonstrated that moderate marijuana use may relieve interferon’s side effects, helping people with Hepatitis C stick with the full treatment regimen. -this is a good thing
Unfortunately for heavy users, this study did not examine a direct dose-response relationship between the amount of marijuana consumed and the likelihood of successful interferon therapy. In fact, participants who used the largest amounts of marijuana had less success with Hepatitis C interferon therapy. Because the researchers did not perform pre and post-treatment histological assessments using paired liver biopsies, and did not measure immune parameters, the claim of marijuana’s value in Hepatitis C therapy remains limited.

but i want all hep c patients to be aware of something!

Cons
Ever since the results of the 2006 California study were published, experts have been expressing concern about the health implications of Hepatitis C patients using marijuana. A French study of untreated individuals with Hepatitis C (those not taking interferon therapies) showed that, compared with occasional or non-users of the drug, people who used marijuana daily were:
· more likely to have severe liver fibrosis
· at a higher risk for rapid fibrosis progression.

At the 2007 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver in Barcelona, Spain, the same French research team reported on a study linking marijuana use and liver steatosis. These researchers noted that marijuana binds to two receptors, CB1 and CB2. Recent experimental data suggests that activation of CB1 receptors increases steatogenesis (liver fat accumulation). Stimulation of the CB1 receptor is assumed to be the reason daily marijuana smoking is associated with the development of significant hepatic fibrosis.
In addition to the discovery that smoking marijuana accelerates liver fibrosis, concerns remain about its impact on the immune system. Experts explain that the use of marijuana may suppress immune function. Cannabinoid receptors are confirmed to be present on the surface of immune cells, and when the cannabinoid molecules from marijuana bind to these receptors, the person’s resistance to disease is compromised. Therefore, various studies have concluded that using marijuana can enhance the disease process.


my point here is this: if you or someone you know is using marijuana to help allieveate symptoms due to interfureon drugs such as those used in the treatment of Hep-C; please please talk to you doctor first if you have a severly damaged liver its not a good thing to make it process more fat!!
just want you all to stay safe and healthy

maybe this post can help just one person out and that would be awsome

heres the article i copypasted from
https://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/...os_and_co.html

[festivus]

Thanks for the info MacGyver420. I've had chronic hep c for 30+ years, did the interferon treatment and it about killed me. There are some promising treatments currently being tested, but until they get the side effects worked out, I'll pass.

I've got a buddy whose hep c turned into liver cancer. He used cannabis for relief until he went on the Liver Donor List. He had to quit smoking in order to go on the list.

A couple of years ago, a hep c patient in Washington state was denied a transplant because he used cannabis. The rationale was that cannabis carries a specific mold spore that is known to make the body reject transplanted organs. This was a load of crap! I do air sampling for mold, and that particular strain is common and found nearly everywhere :(

Originally Posted by festivus

Thanks for the info MacGyver420. I've had chronic hep c for 30+ years, did the interferon treatment and it about killed me. There are some promising treatments currently being tested, but until they get the side effects worked out, I'll pass.

I've got a buddy whose hep c turned into liver cancer. He used cannabis for relief until he went on the Liver Donor List. He had to quit smoking in order to go on the list.

A couple of years ago, a hep c patient in Washington state was denied a transplant because he used cannabis. The rationale was that cannabis carries a specific mold spore that is known to make the body reject transplanted organs. This was a load of crap! I do air sampling for mold, and that particular strain is common and found nearly everywhere :(

yes this is very true festivus and an important point that i forgot to say thanks for adding this

you are very right about the interferon treatment its really horrible stuff

[Jalisco Kid]

I was in the last group when it was still in trials. There was no way I could have gotten through the first 2 months without it. In our group meeting of about 30-40 people the ones that the virus was undetectable were the people who smoked and did not work. I think stress is a major factor here. A lot of people did not get the cure. I have had 6 years or so now without any viral load. I hear Pegasus is much better for side effects then peg intron that I had to use. There have been numerous people cured after there second or third try. Suerte JK

[festivus]

[quote=Jalisco Kid;2760590]I was in the last group when it was still in trials. There was no way I could have gotten through the first 2 months without it. In our group meeting of about 30-40 people the ones that the virus was undetectable were the people who smoked and did not work. I think stress is a major factor here.

Wow, that's interesting, you may be right about the stress factor. In your trial group, did they distinguish between cannabis and non-cannabis users?? Was your observation about stress documented? That observation could be one of the best things to come out of that trial.

I went to our local Liver Center and the Dr. wanted me to be in a trial group. He knew about my cannabis use, but wanted me to volunteer anyway. I passed on it, but Congrats Jalisco Kid for having the balls to do it. What were the side effects? Does this one make you want to off yourself like the interferon?

[festivus]

I had a liver biopsy done about 3 years ago. Had stopped alcohol a year before, but replaced it with herb. The biopsy didn't show any fatty cells or fibrosis. I currently have a high, and slowly increasing viral load, but my liver profile enzyme levels are all normal. This is going on 9 years after my combination interferon/retin A treatment. I'm a big fan of hemp oil. It's done wonders with my colestorol levels, and I wouldn't doubt it, and the occasional puff, are keeping my liver happy.

[danut]

A friend of mine was told twelve years ago that his liver was to shot to use the interferon medication.

In addition they told him that he had about ninety days left to live.

He died a couple of weeks ago .. after they took away his mmj.

[Jalisco Kid]

When I went in my liver panel was all in the normal range,my viral load was off scale, my biopsy though showed cirrhosis was in the 3/4 stage. They told me to go home and be with my family. I talked them into taking me, I figured they needed the research on what if any good it did for a damaged liver. There was one point where I felt there was no O getting into my body for about 3 weeks. I am glad I did not report it as I was told later they would have dropped me right then and there. But my GOD I guess has other things for me. JK

jalisco thanks for your information its much apprecitiated although im having trouble understanding exactly what your saying as i myself and not a patient someone close to me is and im just trying to find out how i might be able to help them in some way

when you say theres no way to get through first 2 months without it you mean first 2 months (of treatment) without it (cannibus?)

and when you say the virus was undetectable in 30-40 who smoked and didnt work do you mean smoke cannibus?

just getting some clarification so i can pass along any info i can find!

[oldpink]

I have a friend who uses interferon and smokes
he's did some research on it and was told by his hospital indirectly that smoking
could help with the side effects

I'll get him to post up some stuff when I see him next