I'm 23yrs old & 2 months ago I had acute liver failure one evening and woke up a week later with a new liver. Prior to the surgery I was a pack a day smoker & moderate pot smoker. Luckily I went through my nicotine withdraw while I was in the coma so I'm no longer a smoker (but do have the occasional piece of Nicorette gum) but pot was a different story. My doctors were aware of it and I even talked with them about the possibility. After rolling his eyes, one of the younger doctors advised me this - smoke higher quality bud and make sure you know where it came from. NEVER smoke anything laced with additional substances. He also mentioned that using a water bong w/ ice filter or vaporizer MIGHT avoid some of the dangers of fungal lung infections.
Following his advice, I have smoked pot a few times since and to various degrees of oblivion. *Should mention, I am on the Prograf/Prednisone Anti-Rejection cocktail with various vitamin supplements, antacids & the Mepron chaser* While it once made my heart rate go a little batty - for the most part I've actually found that it helps. One of the side effects of antirejection meds is tremors - especially in the first few months when they are trying to get the levels right - and pot does help calm them down. Additionally, my blood pressure is consistently down & my LFTs are phenomenal. My doctor says I am healthier than most people my age even with the liver transplant. But this is a decision that is up to each individual. My best advice is to speak to your doctor about it. They are impartial and will give you honest counsel.
Following his advice, I have smoked pot a few times since and to various degrees of oblivion. *Should mention, I am on the Prograf/Prednisone Anti-Rejection cocktail with various vitamin supplements, antacids & the Mepron chaser* While it once made my heart rate go a little batty - for the most part I've actually found that it helps. One of the side effects of antirejection meds is tremors - especially in the first few months when they are trying to get the levels right - and pot does help calm them down. Additionally, my blood pressure is consistently down & my LFTs are phenomenal. My doctor says I am healthier than most people my age even with the liver transplant. But this is a decision that is up to each individual. My best advice is to speak to your doctor about it. They are impartial and will give you honest counsel.
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My husband had a kidney/ pancreas transplant 9 years ago. Prior to his transplant he was a heavy marijuana smoker and was told if he didn't stop he would not qualify to be on the transplant list. The team at UCLA informed him marijuana has mold spores on it and can cause his body to reject his organs. He stopped smoking and after two years on dialysis he received a dual transplant.
I agree with what the team at UCLA and his nephrologist say- Why would you risk the gift of life you've been given? Someone else could have received your transplant who really wants to take life serious and live. You're on a regimen of anti rejection drugs to keep you healthy and living as normal a life as possible. The transplant, the follow up appointments and the anti rejection drugs are all big money. Not to mention someone's family GAVE YOU that gift, the second chance. No more dialysis, no more insulin shots, no more special diet of low protein, no salt and low sugar. I think that family would like to know you are using the gift to live a long, healthy life. Maybe have a family of your own.
I was the wife who saw her husband get high. I was there caring for him when he rushed to emergency for hyperglycemia or hypoglycemic reactions. I was there during dialysis and saw his health go downhill. He wasn't tolerating dialysis well and wouldn't last long. My children were witness to all this too are were deeply affected by his health issues, hospitalizations and failing health. They were scared.
So, after reading this I ask you, perhaps as a selfish wife who loves her husband more than life- why would you take that risk?
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I smoked weed years ago in college, but not recently.
I had a kidney transplant 3 years ago. I'm also a RN for the past 22 years, and have seen my fair share of "opportunistic" infections. Most recently, a patient with kidney and liver transplant who has a herpes infection of her brain (herpes encephalitis). Years ago, I took care of an oncology patient with a fungal ball in her lung and bladder-she died. I also know of a guy who had a transplant, and ripped paneling out of his basement without a mask, and had a fungal lung infection.
Personally, I just got out of the hospital 2 months ago after a superficial fungal infection of my foot. They treated it with Fluconazole, which interacted with my Prograf (Tacrolimus), causing a toxic level (22 for those of you who take it), resulting in acute renal failure (fortunately, it was temporary).
If weed contains Aspergillus, or any other organism), with compromised immune systems, ANYTHING is possible.
Is it worth risking your life to smoke some weed? For me no, but it's up to the individual if they want to chance it. Hope this helps.
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It would seem to me that you can avoid all lung and fungal risks by making BHO from the pot and then making a tincture with a small amount of grain alcohol as the carrier. You can carry this in a very small dropper bottle and enjoy pure THC with all the gastrointestinal health benifits. I see no reason for folks who care about improving their health to smoke pot when you can have a tincture that gives only health improvement.
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If he is still on anitrejection meds. then the THC contradicts them medications....causing the transplant kidney to fail.
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I'm on my 2nd kidney transplant. First one lasted 9 years with no pot usage at all. I'm 20 months into my 2nd transplant with no problems so far but I use pot as a pain killer and mood elevator. Only the medical grade works well. I have a friend that is a pot user and is trying to get on the transplant list, but the doctors told him that marijuana interferes with the anti-rejection medication. I have searched online and can find no studies of this type. I'm thinking he was told this because some pot users generally do not take care of themselves and are considered 'lazy'. A positive attitude and strict medication regiment are necessary for a good transplant outcome long term. It's my opinion that there is not sufficient medical evidence as to whether pot has any effect on anti-rejection medication.
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hit the pipe... I had a kidney transplant 10 years ago and the medication ended up giving me cancer. After treating the cancer with chemotherapy (something that I later found can be cured with cannabis oil) I am 100% medication free. Smoke the weed without fear, it's a plant of the highest divine love... infuse it in to your body and free yourself from the pills as much as you can!
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Hello..its been three years but i just read ur post.. i am happy u wrote this and its direct and intelligent. I have a friend who is blessed with a kidney and smokes daily all day every waking moment and i am furious!
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you have been given a second chance at life,don't throw it away,i am almost 10 yrs out & i quit before my transplant,be smart & stop smoking anything,it isn't good for you!!
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Iv been smoking weed since last 3 months. This May ill be living 2 years from kidney transplant. And up till now, my latest medical reports are far better than past reports after smoking weed. Weed does help in putting your body functions proper but only if you take it like a normal person instead of abusing it.
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I had a kidney transplant over 10 years ago now and ive been smoking marijuana regularly for about 7. I have had NO negative reaction to it. If anything, it helps to counteract the negative side effects of my meds like headaches amd upset stomach. The safest way to use weed is in a vaporizer or edibles.
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Another transplant patient at my clinic smoked a bowl at a party about 2 years post transplant. He died of a lung infection three days later. He was only 21. Not worth the risk to me. I haven't smoked since transplant because of his story.
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I got kidney transplant on dec 18 and I started to smoke up on march now it's July I'm okay
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I had a lung transplant. I would never smoke my pot again. I am considering eating it. I want to know if cooking the pot in oil will kill ALL of the fungus? Please provide links to articles if you have them. Thank you.
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