Medicating AC chemo side effects with marijuana

a1percenter

Hi, first post!

I'm a 29 year old male diagnosed with Stage 1b ductal carcinoma. ER+/PR+ HER2-, 1.6cm, invaded intramammory lymph node, other lymph nodes were clean. I've had a mastectomy, and am currently undergoing AC 4x biweekly (3/4 completed) followed by 4x Taxol then Tamoxifen, doctors are still debating radiation treatment. I'm a 1%er, and feel very fortunate to have the prognosis given me.

Boy, Adriamycin and Cytoxan make for a nasty cocktail.

AC initially caused me extreme fatigue, a never ending nausea and queezy stomach, nasty distaste for so many smells and tastes. I was walking around with a hunch because my stomach was so bitter. The constipation wasn't fun either. Taking naps wouldn't help too much, and they just made it harder for me to get up to go to pee, and they wouldn't get rid of my periodic headaches. Did anyone else get the hiccups sometimes after eating and drinking something? How about the side effect where you suddenly feel crappy for 20 minutes because your body is digesting a well deserved meal. The only thing I didn't do was puke.

Then I started smoking marijuana, which was on day 11 after my first AC treatment. Since then, all of the previous mentioned side effects were put to shame. (My doctor did give me two "SOS" anti-nausea meds, I did not use them, instead asking my doctor for a prescription which took 7 days.)

I wasn't fatigued anymore. No taste or smell bothered me. I had no nausea either.

One smoke session, about 1/10 - 1/3 of a gram of smoked flowers, usually lasts between 3-6 hours against nausea and fatigue. Then they start coming back until then next puff.

The appetite and taste boosting effects seem to last at least over night, as I actually have not any recurring issues with taste, appetite, or smell since I started with the weed.

Typically, by day 8-9 I feel normal again and stop smoking, this is the chemo winding down until day 15 when the ride starts again.

I did a lot of research before asking my doctor for a prescription. Based on my research I was 100% certain that cannabis would have a positive effect on my chemo side effects, but I feel like I underestimated how powerful it would be (I also underestimated how powerful chemo is).

Despite the fact that marijuana is not an official recommendation by the NCCN, the NCCN does acknowledge that The active substance in marijuana - a chemical called THC - has been shown to relieve nausea and stimulate appetite in people receiving chemotherapy. So my doctor (in Israel) cannot recommend it as a first priority treatment, but when patients complain that the Emend and steroids don't work, they can request permission to smoke marijuana.

Using marijuana is not the same as another modern drug. Two main differences that stand out are uncertain dosage and frequency, and variations in the actual marijuana.

There are Indica and Sativa, weaker and stronger, more or less CBD, more or less THC, no CBD, no THC. Where I get mine, they have about 20 different strains. For the person not wanting to get high, you just want to avoid the strains with THC counts that are are 15-28%+. I bought a small electronic vaporizer, which helps reduce the amount of smoke inhaled.

By the time I figure out which strain of marijuana is best for me, I'll be almost done with my AC treatment. I probably won't need to smoke during Taxol. Clinical trials have shown that marijuana (smoked or ingested) can prevent and treat neuropathic pain for patients undergoing Taxol (Paclitaxel). I plan on stopping smoking and instead consuming marijuana oil during Taxol, just for safe measure.

I am surprised by how many people go through AC chemo with the protection of Emend (aprepitant) and dexamethasone, yet continue to feel bad.

For all of you feeling bad during your AC chemo, please consider calling your doctor to at least get their advice. If you are feeling ambitious, ask any teenager you know to find you a joint, and try it!

Moderators

1percenter-

Welcome to BCO! And thank you very much for sharing your experience. We realize that medical marijuana is not for everyone, but it's always interesting to hear different perspectives.

The Mods

moni731

Thank you for your very informative post. I am stage 4 with liver, lung,breast and lymph mets. Liver is over 75% tumor, causing much nausea and pain. I have had one dose of Kadcyla. I asked my MO about medical mj this time around (refused it last time) and she is all for it. I need pain control also so I have asked my supplier for a high CBD, low THC product and will give that a trial first. I do not want the 'high' as I am working full time and need to be clear. I have never had MJ in my life, so this should be interesting. I am trying the pill, film and oil to see what works the best. Cannot smoke because of asthma.

I am glad that it worked for you. I also did not have much success with the antiemetics. Good luck with your treatments and into the future.

a1percenter

I have tried some strains that were 98% CBD, and they did not have the same anti-fatigue or anti-nausea, but YMMV.

What did you try? Has it helped you?