smoking marijuana after pancreatitis

Hey marcus,
Your story sounds all too familiar to me.

I had a bout of pancreatitis. I never drink but blaze for about the same time as you. Also rare on cigs x-cept when rawling; I know that before I had my pancreatitis, i was smoking a lot of hash and eating a lot of edibles at the time. I think that hash is worst for you then you think; since sometimes there are chemicals that are used as binders to hold it together.

But also at the same time, I got some sort of strep virus; and then a flu bug, before the pancreatitis. I think this may have contributed to it; since your body was already weak from the virus and flu, plus you don't stop smoking even when sick (i know it happens) , all increased to the pancreatitis. Also eating poor foods, like fast food, will overload your pancrease; which I was doing at the time too.

Lately Ive felt better, been exercising more, eating better, rarely eat edibles now (maybe one a month), and vaporizing about 80 % of the time and smoking 20 %. I quit the hash too; but i recently went and got blood work which indicated that I have high pancrease numbers still. Not really sure why still; but I think it could be hereditary too since my dad had got sick with the same form of it.

I honestly, dont think that smoking or vaporizing marijuana is what gave you your pancreatitis. I think its a factor of multiple things perhaps; but according to the medical marijuana doctors that marijuana is used to help with the pain that you get from pancreatitis and a appetite supplement. So it isn't that since it helps.

I also have read a new study, saying that if you drink 2 or more soft drinks a week that you are 80% higher chances of getting pancrease cancer. Although I know pancreatitis isn't pancrease cancer; I know for a fact that when I was growing up in high school, I would drink at least 1 pepsi with my lunch everyday. Thats 5 sodas a day not counting the weekend for years I was doing that. I dont drink any regular soda anymore, just water but sometime coke zero or a diet drink; but I am not sure if even thats a good idea anymore since it sounds so bad for the pancrease. Anyone know if diet sodas are ok to drink or not?

Anyways, marijuana supposedly helps with pancreatitis so I doubt you got it from that. But I also had gotten real sick before the pancreatitis like you did; so maybe that has something to do with it.

Hope you and I get better!

I am a 59 year old baby boomer who has thoroughly enjoyed every form of tobacco and marijuana since I was 14 years old. I discovered Vaproizers about a year ago and thought I was in heaven because I have asthma and a family history of emphysema and interstitial lung disease, so smoking was about as stupid as rock climbing wothout a safety rope ( which I used to do also ).

I was vaporizing a very samll amount twice a day and more on the weekends and life was Good until I started experiencing a burning sensation in my chest and mild nausea, so I went to the emergency room to have it checked out. They did EKG's, chest x-rays, ultrasound, blood and urine workups plus a cat scan with contrast dye and said my lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys all looked fine but they thought I had Pancreatitis becasue my Lipase levels were elevated. I followed up with my PCP the next day and they drew blood again and the Lipase was normal.

I quit Vaporizing for a dew days and tried some edibles. The symptoms didn't go away completely but they were barely noticable until I tried to vaporize again when the symptoms came back immediately and made me think there was a direct relationship but it's hard to tell if the Vaporizing is causing the Pancreatitis or just bringing the discomfort to the forefront. In my exerience, using MJ usually enhances whatever you are feeling at the time and I wonder if that is what's happening.

When I use the edibles now and don't Vaporize, the symptoms are back to being barely noticable and helps with the discomfort but my syptoms have always been very mild compared to what I have read about Pancreatitis so it makes me wonder if it is something else and start worrying about my lungs or heart.

I don't admit to my doctors that I use MJ because I don't want them to immediately jump on that and make it the cause of all my woes like the media and right-wingers like to do because it takes their attention away from the other possibilities. I also don't want any problems from my health or life insurance companies since they like to find any reason they can to deny claims and the way MJ has been unjustly vilified in this country they would probably jump at the opportunity even if it had nothing at all to do with the problem.

I'm hooking up with an Endocronologist in a few weeks and hope to find out more but I have realized that these people, no matter how educated and well meaning, are usually guessing which is why going to 5 of them with the same symptoms can get you 5 different explanations and "opinions". Medical Science just isn't as omnipotent and all knowing as we have come to believe.

Hi I'm new to the CP club and was recently diagnosed in February 2009. I have been hopitalized at 50+ times and doctors still don't know what it's from. They narrowed it down to a few alcoholic abuse mind you I only drink socially, then they say maybe itcould be hereditary not that I'm aware of in the family, and last but not least smoking.. I mean come on your already telling me that I have to stop drinking and now give up some good BUD I don't think so. it seems as if ever since I've been diagnosed with this CP my daily life routine have to just cease. Not even going to happen. I actually had one doctor say it probably would help cope with the pain and bring on a little appetite. Which is so true.... They expect us to be taking all these narcotics ( morphine dilaudid oxy's , etc) what do they think the narcs are doing to our bodies? I mean what's the harm done by smoking a lil Bud!! Nothing at all so I say keep up whatever you are doing especially if it's helping your condition. Marijuana is a safe drug that you can get from your doc if need be! XD

The resin from cigs/weed left over in your lungs and stomach is what the pan has to get through and that is what makes you feel bad. I know from having acute pan is that weed doesn't affect me harshly in anyway until i hit up the munchies or bad food/drinks after i smoke thats what gets me. And cigs now make me throw up, any kind of garbage that i can't process and my little friend lets me know by making me throw it up. Nothin like having proof like that, throwing up after smoking and seeing tar from cigs. Never after smoking weed for me tho, until a bad day i have to take a resin hit... we need it legalized! I kinda smoke a lot and even after all I smoke, I'm not in any pain from it. It's a miracle drug and so much easier than taking other meds that are more dangerous for me and others to take. I have to do intravenously(needle in arm) take pain meds or take pills which isn't fun at all with a. pan, it has to process that stuff to. I find that smoking this god given herb is faster, healthier, and organic way to keep my pain in check!!! Why is it illegal. So much more safer to be around or taking then other pain meds. When I was in the hospital, the dr's prescribed a drug that made my ass constipated. Gas built up and collapsed my lung! Mari would not have done this.

I have just been diagnosed with pancreatitis. My case is extremely mild, with no real pain only pressure and mild discomfort. I am wondering if I give it time after my pancreas heals if I will be able to consume alcoholic beverages again. I am only 22 years old, and am not a chronic heavy alcohol user by any means. I am just wondering if I change my diet, and my pancreas heals if I will for sure have another flare up or if this is something that I might never have to deal with again.

thanks, nicole

Ok, pancreatitis has been in my family for years, you can get it from a number of things like eating to much red meats, drinking, smoking, and alot more, the thing everyone is missing here is the fact that marijuana actually can help with things such as pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is not just something you can get, and get over, its something that once you get your stuck with for the rest of your life, a differently named cancer if you may.
Medicinally, marijuana has been around for thousands of years, its been used for depression, cancer patients, a pain killer; in fact, research given from the university of Salerno, Italy, say that in their research they've found that cannabis does "in fact possess anti-tumor forming properties, also, according to the investigators at the University of Salerno, cannabinoids (one of the compounds found in medical marijuana) limit cancer cell proliferation and induce tumor-selective cell death."
"The authors of the scientific review concluded that cannabinoids inhibit “tumor growth and migration angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels to cancerous tumors), [and] metastasis (the transfer of malignant cells from one site to another).” They are also quoted as stating that, “Emerging evidence suggests that agonists of cannabinoid receptors … may offer a novel strategy to treat cancer.” also quoted as stating that, “Emerging evidence suggests that agonists of cannabinoid receptors … may offer a novel strategy to treat cancer.” A 2008 review in the journal Cancer Research reported that the administration of cannabinoids halts the spread of a wide range of cancers, including brain cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lymphoma."
I know without a doubt, that I may have pancreatitis, but marijuana has helped me, where I'm the only member of my family with my disease to try it yet, and it will help many, many more people, I smoke both cigarettes, and marijuana myself, the cigarettes are the thing that mainly started it for me, but I am a firm believer that smoking marijuana does not harm you, but helps almost every symptom, even my insomnia and a recently broken leg, my studies on the subject will soon lead me to california where I will become a therapist, psychologist, and also to own a shop/clinic for people with pancreatitis, cancer, and any other symptoms of any sort.
Believe it, or not it's your call, but the proof is there, I will leave a few sites to help you're own curiosity along this path as it helped mine. Thanks for reading.

Josh Weeks

***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed

If anyone has any comments I did make a profile under jaws 2577 from my comment above

Hello everyone, I found out about six months ago that I have pancreatits. :'( I would enjoy making friends with anyone else that has it who understands how hard it is!

I have had several flare ups in the short time I have had it, I guess I just did not know how serious it can really be. I got on this site to get infromation on what else I could do to help myself without hospitalzation. I found it nice to hear some of your stories, I guess it's just good to know there are others out there who understand it.

I used to be a heavy drinker so... I am guessing thats the cause of mine. I find it difficlut to not at least drink soacialy on ocasssion, but I am hanging in there. Hearing your stories makes it a little easier. I would love to get some feed back or any other advice you have to offer! If we all have to deal, maybe we can be a kind of support group for one another. XD


P.s I would like to also know how Marcus is doing??

hey. I have chronic pancreatits and have been to the hospital at least 12 to 15 times this year. What can i substitute for alocohol b/c i cannot sleep at all at night even with the strong meds i have been presecribed.

For those who maybe searching this topic I would like to share my experience. I've gotten pancreatitis twice about a year apart both times there was drinking involved but I'm not a crazy heavy drinker just some beers for football games and such. I strongly believe that it came on from marijuana. I smoked habitually for over 5 years and I'm talking straight kush, the doc said it's not the weed it's the chemicals used to grow it that have been known to cause pancreatitis. I've since stopped and it sucks but I have a little piece of mind bc its pretty serious medical issue and I want to live a long life. So for those who are wondering like myself at one point if weed can cause this the answer is yes.

Hello everybody! (look out, it's a long one)
I am a 52 year old diagnosed chronic pancreatic and alcoholic soul. I have also done a lot of hospital time. 41 visits to the ER department and 10 day minimum (at least) stays over the past 15 years. First and foremost, ALCOHOL is the killer. Let's give this some thought ...Hash is processed using alcohol to pull out or rather extract the THC. Insecticides used on protecting/growing MJ and tobacco, also contains alcohol. Breads contain a type of fermentation to develop it into it's final state and is also a derivative of alcohol. Many prescription drugs use alcohol to process them, one process in particular is to keep the drug in a sterile state and I believe, in the preservative. Household cleaners and bug sprays, whether aerosol, liquid or gel, contain alcohol. Even hair sprays! Although in different chemical compositions, it's still alcohol. And the list goes on and on :!: :!: :!: . The body can only handle so much foreign matter :? .
Due to my alcoholism, I've had those several pancreatic episodes and I finally :( developed TYPE 2 DIABETES 1.3 years ago, which was the most life altering event in my lifetime, in all aspects. Now I shoot insulin everyday. Can't eat what I want, can't smoke what I want, can't drink what I want :gonk: :crying: . Remember that saying..."too much of anything can't be a good thing ". Life really sucks, but you just have to think beyond the...er...um...whatever it was...was it "box"? Things ain't so bad. Could be worse Oh yeah, and remember those simple doctor visits when you were a kid when you developed a sore throat and or fever? Well, you wouldn't be reading this message if you hadn't gone back then :? . So if you feel out of sorts with your health, be bop down to your doctors' office. As an adult, I felt that I wasn't using my common sense during a LARGE period of my life. You have something in your eye you can't fix, we go to see our optometrist, we get into a car accident, we go to see our insurance agent, you have a fire in your home, we call 911...right???...!!!...???. That's right, it all boils down to a little common sense and no one or nothing is to blame unless you take action!
Incidentally and ironically, I just had a pancreatic episode myself tonite after I PIGGED OUT on Chinese food. I thought, geez lots of veggies and the meat is lean...BUT...what's it fried in, or rather...this is FRIED, veggies and all, why's the skin still on (unfortunately that's the best part) and isn't that mustard sauce a bit too spicy or a bit too sweet!
Well, just thought I'd put in my 2 cents. GOOD THINKING TO EVERYONE OUT THERE, including myself! FACT: Someone or some people here on the Big Island of Hawaii took the time and posted, it seems a 100,000 little colored 2 foot long by 5 inch high signs (ask anyone whose been here) on selected trees approximately every 5 miles or so AROUND the entire island stating :cool: SMILE, LIFE IS GOOD :D :D. For Real!!!! Gee, what a revelation... :idea:
Thank you for your time reading this dumb but true message... :) :) :)

wasup world!! i reacently had pancreatitis due to gallstone blocking my enzym nnd my pancreas got inflame i though i was goin to die Lol idk if was that or cuz i drink to much..eather way i stop but i was womderimg can i still chief once a awhille??

Obviously half of the people here have no idea what they are talking about. To answer the actual question with an actual answer: Marijuana is not at all bad when used properly. First of all, you cannot smoke all day everyday and expect to be healthy. Most people in this post did some HEAVY drugs, and marijuana is not a drug. It's a plant, and it happens to grow like that as much as it triggers the ECS in your body and In 1990, the discovery of cannabinoid receptors located throughout the brain and body, along with endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitters like anandamide (a lipid material derived ligand from arachidonic acid), suggested that the use of cannabis affects the brain in the same manner as a naturally occurring brain chemical.


I am a pancreas patient and although most clowns get it from drinking, I didn't at all. I was a medical mystery and got pancreatitis when I was 21. For years I have struggled with pain while eating food and an inflaming pancreas. About two years ago I started medical marijuana. I cook with the canna-butter in most all my food and am able to finally eat normal and focus on other things in my life than getting sick.


I obviously support the movement as their are people around the globe that deal with some heavy chronic pain and know nothing about marijuana. ALCOHOL KILLS! Cannabis does not kill. No one in the history of humanity has ever died of a marijuana OD, however people have died of prescription meds, alcohol and Drug OD.


When you have pancreatitis and you eat greasy food your body won't break it down the way a healthy body does. If you get hungry and turn the switch around to eat healthy you will achieve that. I don't touch foods that are not good for me, I don't want to be sick. So to all of you with pancreatitis, with horrible eating habits, that do XTC, COKE, and all other heart-failure drugs, You are about as dumb as they come. EVERYONE KNOWS YOU CAN DIE FROM THOSE DRUGS! AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR DEATH! If you think it's Marijuana, step away from your computer for a sec and go to the library and read a few studies on the plant. If you're doctor tells you it's dangerous as wrong, they haven't studied it and are probably speaking from a religious point of view.


P.S. Sorry for the harshness. I just can't imagine someone using 7 different type of drugs and think a compound that your brain makes and is found back in nature actually harms you. You do understand that is the dumbest thing ever, right?

  Im an ex-commercial fisherman and a current medical marijuana advocate and MMP collective CEO. I have suffered from pancreatitis since 1995 and am %100 sure of the effects of smoking marijuana while experiencing a bout of pancreatitis. The pain will increase and prolong the attack!!! Personal experience as well as DR. conformation has led me to this hypothisis. Marijuana has great medical benifits for all sorts of ailments when used correctly in moderation, but in excess its harmfull to many internal organs. I suggest you wait at least a week after an attack to regain hydration and rid yourself of any infection. Then use a minimal amount to alieve your ailment. I suggest a vaporizor to limit the amount of smoke inhaled from the vegetive material. Good luck and God Bless

Can't tell if that is really Marcus's Mother or just trolling...

Anyways I have pancreatitis as well and I have not noticed any problems with smoking. As said numerous times however the hunger surge is the problem so it's best you just prepare ahead of time before you smoke.

It also seems like for some people it bothers them and others don't, so it could be a case by case basis based on how severe your pancreatitis is. For me I have had it almost 4 years with 3 flare ups, 2 major 1 minor. The last flare up I felt the pain coming and stopped eating for the rest of the day, went into the hospital next day and didn't even stay longer than 2 hours. As long as you don't do stupid stuff if you feel the pain then it's perfectly fine.