Cannabis and HCV

This topic has 54 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 8 years ago by Greedfighter.

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29 April 2016 at 9:31 am #16335
Dr James
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- Guardian Angel
@fixhepc
If you read this article:

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0012841

Your eyes will probably glaze over, but what it says in brief:
1. HCV induces the production of more cannabinoid receptors in the liver
2. The more cannabinoid receptors you have the more rapid and worse the fibrosis
3. Clinical studies first demonstrated the likely importance of this system in patients with CHC, showing daily cannabis smoking to be independently associated with the progression and severity of fibrosis
So HCV and weed are not a great combination…..

YMMV
29 April 2016 at 10:24 am #16336
Hazel
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@hazel
How about after HCV, does that risk subside? And, I get the message that there is an associated risk, but I can’t quantify it:
On a scale of slightly worse than not doing it, to really going to slay the liver and an absolute no-no, where does it sit? Because there is the same balancing of quality of life etc as there is over the occasional alcoholic drink or unhealthy food or any choice we make.

Genotype 3 30 years, 2x treatment interferon/ribavirin non responder. Cirrhosis 17 years. Fibroscan, decompensating, 40 down to 22 by 29/3/16- now down to 6.5, normal, no cirrhosis. Started Buyers Club Sof/Dac 14 Nov 15. SVR 12 29/0716
29 April 2016 at 10:55 am #16338
flyingfox66
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@flyingfox66
I probably had HCV for 30 years, out of which there might be a total of one or two years out of that (not concurrently) in which I didn’t hoover down the marijuana…and I mean hoover!
Still only F1. And quite a low viral load before I started tx. Maybe I am a statistical anomaly, but if you ask me the major culprit is more likely to be pharmaceuticals, which I avoided assiduously.
There’s also the method of consumption to consider…I felt considerably better when I stopped smoking it. Whatever you do, don’t smoke!

F49HepC25ysGT1a
mild”
29 April 2016 at 10:59 am #16339
Gaj
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@gaj
”James-Freeman-facebook” wrote:

Your eyes will probably glaze over….

Yup, that’s what gives me away every time!

Interesting reading the bit about

ECBs acting through CB1 have a strong anabolic effect and play an important role in appetite stimulation and normal energy homeostasis

which could be summarised as “dope gives you the munchies and makes you lazy”.

Jokes aside, that’s a good question Hazel particularly for those with Gt3 and higher fibrosis levels already. I suspect my fine wine intake for the foreseeable future is going to be limited to an occasional glass at special dinners and will be symbolic/for the flavour. So it would be nice to have an alternative social lubricant and stress reliever that I can use from time to time. From what I can read in the report DAA use is seen to reduce the risks of steatosis and associated fibrosis due to food and alcohol so I assume there would be at least some risk reduction seen post SVR with cannabinoids too. I suspect it will come down to quality of life versus risk as you say and the quantities consumed. Sigh!

G3a since ’78 – Dx ’12 – F4 (2xHCC)
24wk Tx – PEG/Riba/Dac 2013 relapsed
24wk Tx – Generic Sof/Dac/Riba 2015/16 relapsed
16wk Tx – 12/01/17 -> 03/05/17 NS3/NS5a + Generic Sof
SVR7 – 22/06/17 UND
SRV12 – 27/07/17 UND
SVR24 – 26/10/17 UND
29 April 2016 at 11:11 am #16340
Hazel
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@hazel
Wisdom with humour as ever Gaj.

Genotype 3 30 years, 2x treatment interferon/ribavirin non responder. Cirrhosis 17 years. Fibroscan, decompensating, 40 down to 22 by 29/3/16- now down to 6.5, normal, no cirrhosis. Started Buyers Club Sof/Dac 14 Nov 15. SVR 12 29/0716
29 April 2016 at 1:34 pm #16350
beaches
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@beaches
”James-Freeman-facebook” wrote:

HCV induces the production of more cannabinoid receptors in the liver

…..
I’ve been a very occasional user of the herb for the past 25 or so years, ever since I had a cup of funny tea and then breast fed my baby son who went into such a deep sleep I thought he’d died – sounds funny now but it was definitely not funny then. In case you’re wondering he is fine.
Nowadays it’s every couple of years or so. I have noticed that I’ve become VERY sensitive to it. Is it because my liver has (had?) more cannabinoid receptors?

Genotype 1a
Diagnosed in 2004, had HCV for all my adult life. Until 2016!!!!
Harvoni treatment, started 19 March 2016
4 week results Bilirubin 12 down from 14 pre treatment,
Gamma 25 down from 52, ALT 19 down from 63, AST 19 down from 47,
VL <15 down from a lazy 6 million or so

EOT Results
Bilirubin 10, GGT 18, ALT 19, AST 21, VL UND

12 Weeks post EOT
Bilirubin 11, GGT 16, ALT 22, AST 20, VL UND
Cured baby
29 April 2016 at 4:06 pm #16355
Dr James
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@fixhepc
Is it because my liver has (had?) more cannabinoid receptors?

All our cells share the same genetics.

Different types of cells “show” different bits of that genetics.

But if you get more cannabinoid receptors in the liver, you would have to ask “Why not more in the brain?”

YMMV
30 April 2016 at 12:58 am #16362
flyingfox66
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@flyingfox66
More cannabinoid receptors…..a possible upside to HepC?

F49HepC25ysGT1a
mild”
30 April 2016 at 3:25 am #16369
Greedfighter
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@greedfighter
I also will admit that I was quite the pothead for many years. And I actually attribute it to HCV. It actually helped with my brain fog in retrospect. I gave it up about 2 years ago. But I only drank about 2 or 3 times a month. I think that alcohol is worse for someone who has HCV as far as liver fibrosis is concerned. I’m F0 after over 30 years with HCV. I chose pot as a vice over alcohol because I knew I was sick since age 26, and feel I made the right choice. I need something to relax!! I always felt bad after drinking, but pot had no after effects. The problem with pot is the long term damage it does to your gum tissue. That is the reason I gave it up. I want to keep my teeth!

I am drinking more now that I am undetected illy:' />
30 April 2016 at 3:33 am #16370
Tommy
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@tommy
I read about this quit a few years ago and see it mentioned alot. I’d stay away from weed just for that reason not to mention taking in smoke and other carcinogens into the body.

Genotype 1A
ALT 473
AST 226
Virus Load 3,119,030
Results as of May-2016
5 week viral load/undetected as of 12/02/2016
Liver Biopsy Results from Feb 2013
Portal/Periportal chronic inflammation and mild interface hepatitis (Grade 2)
Focal Lobular chronic inflammation (Grade 1)
Portal/Periportal fibrosis (stage 1-2 trichrome and reticulin stains utilized)
Negative Iron stains.
30 April 2016 at 3:48 am #16372
flyingfox66
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- Guardian Angel
@flyingfox66
It’s a funny thing…since I cleared I feel like I don’t really need it any more. Didn’t really enjoy the combination of it with tx, and now, well, I’m sure I’ll still have the odd smoke, but it doesn’t seem important anymore. It certainly helped me chill out with all the unpleasant effects of the HCV over the years. And of course avoid the drinking as well.
Well, vape, not smoke, because smoking is so last century.

F49HepC25ysGT1a
mild”
30 April 2016 at 3:51 am #16373
Tommy
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- Guardian Angel
@tommy
That “vaping” seems like the in thing to do now. They have shops all over the New York area.

Genotype 1A
ALT 473
AST 226
Virus Load 3,119,030
Results as of May-2016
5 week viral load/undetected as of 12/02/2016
Liver Biopsy Results from Feb 2013
Portal/Periportal chronic inflammation and mild interface hepatitis (Grade 2)
Focal Lobular chronic inflammation (Grade 1)
Portal/Periportal fibrosis (stage 1-2 trichrome and reticulin stains utilized)
Negative Iron stains.
30 April 2016 at 3:53 am #16374
flyingfox66
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- Guardian Angel
@flyingfox66
It makes a huge difference.
I wish they had invented it 30 years ago…so many health issues I would have avoided!

F49HepC25ysGT1a
mild”
30 April 2016 at 3:57 am #16375
mgalbrai
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- Guardian Angel
@mgalbrai
I liked wacky backy…
It just made me lose the slim “edge” it takes to cope with my clients. Nice to know it possibly helped me in some way.

Teenagers…
A hard lot…
m

Curehcvnow@gmail.com
http://forums.delphiforums.com/generichcvtx

G 1a F-1
Started tx 10/23/15 (Meso sof & led) ALT 48 AST 28 v/l 1.6 mil
11/17/15 4 wk lab ALT 17 AST 16 <15
11/18/15 Started Harvoni
12/16/15 8 wk lab ALT: 15 AST: 13 V/l UND
1/14/16 Fin. Tx
7/07/16 UND SVR 24
30 April 2016 at 4:00 am #16376
flyingfox66
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- Guardian Angel
@flyingfox66
yeah…wouldn’t go well with brat herding

F49HepC25ysGT1a
mild”
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