Marijuana

[spicysashimi]

It was bound to come up, wasn't it? Any of y'all use it? If so, for what symptoms? One of my major problems is insomnia. My mind can't stop racing. I've found it useful for that, but I've also recently considered as an appetite enhancer.

Have any of you experienced a decreased interest/pleasure in food because of chemo? It kind of zaps your taste buds or something. I hate it because I'm a food (and wine) snob and its one of my favorite things in life. I hope that the taste buds and appetite regain after treatment ends.

best,

aaron

[Welthy]

Aaron,

Um, you are a lawyer and you really don't expect that anyone will answer the initial question, do you?

Try Ambien or Lunesta. Lunesta has been working quite well for my hubby for over a year now.

And yes, taste buds go way south during chemo. Tony tells me it is like eating cardboard sometimes. He just pushes through it to try and get as many calories in as he can. Milk shakes have been a big help in keeping his weight on.

Warmest regards,

Welthy

[bware21]

Hey Aaron,

This isn't going to be much use to you but I did get a giggle out of your post. A friend was kind enough to bring me some over. Watching me role a joint would have had you in fits of laughter. It was pathetic. The last time I smoked a joint I was a teenager. I didn't care for it then and it did nothing for me this time, so personally I don't bother with it. Why some are hesitant to talk about it, I have no idea -- seems to me whatever works for you is all that counts, but I'm not an expert. Maybe it affects the chemotherapy in a negative way? Then again, maybe not?

Hope you can find an answer to the appetite problem. And a milk shake is always good

Bill

[Maryanne]

Yo Aaron,

I could understand the marijuana for appitite, but should a person who has LC put anything into their lungs? Especially pot as it is a very heavy smoke. I know people use medical MJ for appitite but I really don't think that would be for LC.

I remember years ago when I smoked. Yes I am an old hippie was even at Woodstock... when I went to clean the pipe the pipe was full of black crud... I don't think you want that going into your lungs.

Try the sleeping aids see if that helps. And a definate yes your tast buds will come back when you finish chemo.

But you may want to bake the MJ into brownies that may work... But then you have to have the appitite to eat a brownie. Oh well... of course you know I am kidding

Hang in there you will be fine.

Maryanne

[spicysashimi]

I forgot to add that I would never smoke it, just ingest it in baked varietals (brownies, space cake, etc.)

[Calintay]

Yes my mom had agreed that if she lost to much weight that we could put it in her food. She weighed 106 when Dx and luckily did not drop below 100. best of luck to you.

[Snowflake]

I believe the oral form is "marinol" and doctors CAN prescribe it to increase the appetite. If I remember correctly, there have been members here that have used it.

Gee, Bill, maybe people are a bit shy to discuss partaking in the herb because it is illegal? I would hope members would avoid discussing topics that break the law such as passing on controlled substances/prescribed medications and smoking pot when posting on a board such as this.

[Sheri]

Nah Snowflake, we're not shy.

Probably 15 years ago, I smoked a joint with my Dad. We're best friends like that and he wanted to know how it felt. Well to make a long story short, he ended up crawling to his bed, paranoid, convinced he was going to die. He never smoked it again.

I would never introduce this therapy to him now, but he was prescribed Marinol which does nothing for him. So, to answer your question Spicyguy, I'm not sure where it fits in the whole cancer schematic. How helpful was that? Sorry. Do what you need to do to get through this. I'm pulling for you!

[mary colleen]

Aaron,

You need to be able to flip the "off switch" to your brain at night and get some sleep. Your docs would probably be more than happy to prescribe something to help, and the newer prescription sleep aids are far better than the older ones - no "hangover" effect. Speaking of hangovers...since you mention that you enjoy wine, don't mix any sleep aids with wine or other alcohol! (Sorry, I know that's obvious, but I'm an empty-nest mom and sometimes feel compelled to burst forth with cautionary instructions!)

[KerryToo]

My FIL was perscribed the pills that contain the substance found in marijuana. They really did seem to help his appetite. Have to say, it was kinda cute one evening when he called us and had the "munchies". He was telling us all the wonderful foods that he would love to endulge in. We were glad that he had his appetite back and that it seemed to give him peace and calm to boot.

[eppie]

La la la lla la la la lllllaaaallala

Tis the season to edit out Eppie~!

fa la fllalla all fa fal

[Ry]

Aaron~

I have found that taking Xanax at night helps stop my mind from racing so I can sleep. It also works for waking up in the middle of the night and there is no tiredness in the morning from it like there is from a sleeping pill.

[ztweb]

Aaron,

Ironic that this was an issue in our great state of South Dakota this November. The commercials advocating it were hysterical! Anyway, I don't have anything to add on that front, but I can say that my dad most certainly has appetite change since chemo. He was a big man, a huge eater, and loved EVERYTHING. Now things might sound good until he takes a bite, and then he tosses it down. He has lost 40 pounds.

My dad takes an antidepressant that helps him sleep as well. I can't remember the name but when he went off of it, we could certainly notice a difference, and now he is back on!

Blessings,

Jen

[ernrol]

Aaron,

I have not tried Marijuana. Legal or not I would still want to know from my oncologist if it might interfere with the chemo. I was very fortunate in that I did not loose my apatite or taste. I take Melatonin 20mg at night it is suppose to help you sleep, but I take it as a supplement to help with cancer fighting and reduce side effects from chemo. Another supplement I take that is supposed to help with side effects is AHCC. I can’t say that they help, but something worked for me.

Stay positive,

Ernie

[carolhg]

I guess I am the only one that chemo made fat. I was told later that there was some type of steroid in my chemo drip that kept me from being sick of the stomach. I know after my very first chemo all I could think about was getting that iv out of my arm and getting to the nearest hamburger joint for a big juicy hamburger. I had recently stopped being a vegetarian after ten years and eat very little meat so that kind of surprised me. I have always been the skinny girl who never gained weight no matter how much I ate. But oh you should see this big butt that is stuck on the back of me now. As far as marijuana goes-I am not going to intentionally inhale anything but air (hopefully unpolluted).

[missyk]

All I can say is that I was wondering if it would ever come up and that I offered to find some for Mom if she wanted..but that she declined.

It IS a subject I expected to find well before now...but not surprised that I didn't since it's illegal except for a state or two even for medical purposes.

I, as all, have my opinion. By the way...I giggled A LOT at eppie's comment! *Grins*

[spicysashimi]

Hi guys,

Thought I would post since this is a good example of my insomnia. Its 6am, Sunday, I am up eating oatmeal and on lchelp and Julia, my girlfriend, is fast asleep (and will be for hours). We live in new york so our space isn't that big or private(its a railroad apartment) and the tv is in the bedroom.

Anyway, wide awake. I decided to make oatmeal because I always feel like it helps me sleep when i eat something, even though, i am not enjoying this at all.

As for the prescribed drugs, I've tried everything: xanax, ativan, ambien and even restoril (for hardcore insomniacs). I am afraid I take the ativan too often so I've developed a tolerance. I guess I'll try Ambien again. Deep down, I know the real problem: I don't exercise, I just lay around watching movies. My body isn't tired. Maybe today, Jules and I will go on a walk.

I chose not to eat brownies last night, not because I didn't want the drug benefits, but because I didn't want to eat anything.

Incidentally, have y'all experienced something like a phlegm ball (gross, i know) in the back of your throat that just kind of sits there? That seems to be part of my appetite problem. ahh ... who am I kidding? I'm on chemotherapy, some of the most toxic substances known to man. I really like the idea of milestones and rewards for when i finish chemo. New motorcycle? Vacation? Massage?

Keep up the good fight.

aaron

[RandyW]

Ya got me curious now! Have you thought about going holistic maybe? It is just a thought for treatment solutions. My late wife never had the sleep problems, but everyone is different. He ranti nausea Meds would knock her out within minutes and last for hours. So I can not offer pwersonal advice but a couple of links for suggestions.

This link is non advertisement but informational. Click to be redirected

http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/ ... _herbs.htm

Hope some thing works

[Judy-OK]

Hi Aaron. My chemo cocktail included the steroid decadron which gave me the burst of energy and also kept me from sleeping on several occasions. Ambien would let me sleep for a few hours. Nothing worked as well as finishing the 35 radiation treatments and the chemo treatments. I still take a Tylenol PM every now and then but as the stuff left my body it was more a shutting down the mind problem than it was a sleep problem.

[eppie]

Massage is a great idea. Be sure you communicate with the threapist and aviod deep tissue massage.

Much love,

Eppie

[Welthy]

Aaron,

Have you checked with your lung specialist to see if Mucinex might help break up your "phlegm ball"? (Phlegm balls, fur balls, & dust bunnies -- they are all a part of my household.)

Also, Lunesta 3mg has helped my husband. I also hear the newer Ambien CR is better than the first Ambien.

How about Reiki? My sister-in-law is a CMT that does Reiki and Tony feels very relaxed afterward.

Welthy

[mayos]

During some tough times last year my doc prescribed a couple different strengths of Marinol. Those pills did exactly what he said they would.....I was finally hungry again...another step towards normal.

[cindi o'h]

Aaron,

Have you tried your oatmeal with a tablespoon or two of frozen apple juice and a dash of cinnamon? That suits me. I was an oatmeal eater during chemo/rad too... how 'bout that? Nice with a little bran sprinkled on for firm bm's..

I had much trouble with sleep too. I was up to 3 ativans at a time and they began to phase me not. oh-oh. I had tizanadine added to my playlist too. Good sleep doesn't come easy for many who are going through it. Keep reaching in your pockets for something different. And then cycle through those things that you find work for you. Be sure to discuss your sleeplessness with your doc. I think that we need our sleep to rest and rebuild, don't you?

And I think Aaron should be rewarded with at least all 3 on his list! What month of the year will it be when you are finished with your treatments? How about a vacation someplace sunshiney; a hotel with a great masseuse and a motorcylce rental shop named Dan's Bigass Motorcycles For Rent right next to your beach hotel?

Cindi o'h

[Nick C]

Incidentally, have y'all experienced something like a phlegm ball (gross, i know) in the back of your throat that just kind of sits there?

Mom experioenced this alledgedly from the decadron, the doctor said it was actually yeast...whether this is you or not I don't know...but that's what the doc said.

Just as an aside, the "phlegm ball" the bloating from the steroids pressuring her diaphram and the fatigue from radiation masked the fact that she actually had pneumonia...so just something for any here to be concious of.

[ursol]

Aaron,

I'm not shy at all about pot. Smoked it a ton as a teenager and loved it but stopped in 1988, the year I met my husband. (he wasn't the type to put up with that). I wouldn't smoke it now because it was so hard for me to quit the cigarettes that smoking anything would bring the habit back. I also don't sleep well anymore. Xanax has not helped either, my mind does not stop all night long. I also will be trying sleep aids soon, now that I am going back to work.

Lilly

p.s. (I hope my 13 year old daughter never reads this...Ha ha.)