1. < Transplants

Can anyone tell me if medical marijuana is permitted pre-transplant?

Posted by feruj @feruj, Dec 15, 2022

Hi, I am new to the forum and glad to have found support since I really haven't shared with any friends or family.
I have liver disease (horrible nausea, headaches & sleepless), and am in the process of meeting with a transplant team. Can anyone tell me if medical marijuana is permitted pre-transplant?

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katebw | @katebw | Jan 6 2:44pm
In reply to @jmp1234 "Told I had to cease use of thc oil and rso extract prior to acceptance for..." + (show)
@jmp1234

Told I had to cease use of thc oil and rso extract prior to acceptance for liver transplant list. I did so, but now resting and sleeping are a big issue for me. I also make my own skin lotion with thc thc oil from local dispensary and coconut oil. It's an incredible skin and wound healing solution for me, which I no longer have. I refuse to take narcotics or opioid based meds. Trazidone was rx and helps the sleeping some, though not as well as thc based edibles for cancer patients (RSO) . Any one else come up on this speed bump?

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@jmp1234 two years post liver transplant for an autoimmune condition I use medical cannabis regularly for back pain and for sleep. I use a tincture nightly that relaxes me from my back aches that tend to loom large by days end and it helps me sleep. It was recommended post surgery by my liver team for my back problems which began after a fall early in my diagnosed illness when I had an episode of hepatic encephalopathy.

Prior to my transplant I used no cannabis and actually no alcohol though I had to prove that to my team pre listing as I had a small car accident pre diagnosis and the police who showed up accused me of being drunk. That myth dogged me for a bit and if I had learned of marijuana benefits I wouldn’t have dared asked for fear they’d misunderstand and I’d be kicked off the list.

I live in MA where legal cannabis abounds but there is still stigma, especially for a liver team which has to consider substance abuse a lot. I get it. Depending of your own background related to substances I think it’s fair to ask and negotiate if possible but if you can’t, perhaps incorporate “sleep hygiene” techniques into your life- I still do even though I use cannabis. Pre transplant I listened to, at bedtime, tapes of Yoga Nidra a friend sent to me. I am not a yoga person at all- however for several months I used that alternatively with trazodone 50 mg and I found it very effective and I still play it occasionally at times. Get creative and in the process you’ll learn a lot about yourself. Take good care.

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jmp1234 | @jmp1234 | Jan 6 2:55pm
In reply to @gratefulbob "Marijuana use is discouraged since weed is contaminated frequently with fungi which can be a danger..." + (show)
@gratefulbob

Marijuana use is discouraged since weed is contaminated frequently with fungi which can be a danger to immunocompromised patients. It may disqualify you for a transplant if it is detected in a blood test. I know I was tested for drug and alcohol use prior to transplant but I don't know if it included testing for weed.

If you continue to use weed I woud recommend switching to edibles since they are cooked and cooking should kill any pathogens.

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In my case for liver transplant same reaction. My medical cannabis doctor here in Florida was very surprised and is a leader in the field. The same could be said for shell fish, mushrooms in sauces, etc. . I used to make my own edibles from oil extracts like RSO . We currently have a bill pending in senate Tallahassee Florida to try and look at this from a broader perspective. Especially for veterans and the VA . Been a very long battle that pits advocates against legislators whose political careers are directly tied to big pharma. Follow the money all the way to the state house in every state.

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jmp1234 | @jmp1234 | Jan 6 2:58pm
In reply to @katebw "@jmp1234 two years post liver transplant for an autoimmune condition I use medical cannabis regularly for..." + (show)
@katebw

@jmp1234 two years post liver transplant for an autoimmune condition I use medical cannabis regularly for back pain and for sleep. I use a tincture nightly that relaxes me from my back aches that tend to loom large by days end and it helps me sleep. It was recommended post surgery by my liver team for my back problems which began after a fall early in my diagnosed illness when I had an episode of hepatic encephalopathy.

Prior to my transplant I used no cannabis and actually no alcohol though I had to prove that to my team pre listing as I had a small car accident pre diagnosis and the police who showed up accused me of being drunk. That myth dogged me for a bit and if I had learned of marijuana benefits I wouldn’t have dared asked for fear they’d misunderstand and I’d be kicked off the list.

I live in MA where legal cannabis abounds but there is still stigma, especially for a liver team which has to consider substance abuse a lot. I get it. Depending of your own background related to substances I think it’s fair to ask and negotiate if possible but if you can’t, perhaps incorporate “sleep hygiene” techniques into your life- I still do even though I use cannabis. Pre transplant I listened to, at bedtime, tapes of Yoga Nidra a friend sent to me. I am not a yoga person at all- however for several months I used that alternatively with trazodone 50 mg and I found it very effective and I still play it occasionally at times. Get creative and in the process you’ll learn a lot about yourself. Take good care.

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Ty !!!

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ssapp1 | @ssapp1 | Jan 6 3:07pm

Marijuana is not allowed pre transplant. They test for it and other drugs pre transplant. I was tested once a month while I waited for a liver. The doctors especially don’t want you smoking it. Post transplant my transplant doctors said I could do gummies that were 50/50 cbd and thc. I was severely under weight and needed something to help me eat. I took 1/2 a gummie at night. It did help. I did that for a month and my appetite came back. Always ask your doctors before you do anything. Certain types of drugs can get you kicked off the transplant list. Marajuana May vary depending on the state and doctors, but I didn’t want to risk anything, so I left it alone, no booze whatsoever, no marajuana, etc.

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jmp1234 | @jmp1234 | Jan 6 3:18pm
In reply to @ssapp1 "Marijuana is not allowed pre transplant. They test for it and other drugs pre transplant. I..." + (show)
@ssapp1

Marijuana is not allowed pre transplant. They test for it and other drugs pre transplant. I was tested once a month while I waited for a liver. The doctors especially don’t want you smoking it. Post transplant my transplant doctors said I could do gummies that were 50/50 cbd and thc. I was severely under weight and needed something to help me eat. I took 1/2 a gummie at night. It did help. I did that for a month and my appetite came back. Always ask your doctors before you do anything. Certain types of drugs can get you kicked off the transplant list. Marajuana May vary depending on the state and doctors, but I didn’t want to risk anything, so I left it alone, no booze whatsoever, no marajuana, etc.

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Outstanding info! ty

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beracha | @beracha | Feb 4 5:01am
In reply to @katebw "@feruj I’m so glad you found this group while you’re in the process of evaluation for..." + (show)
@katebw

@feruj I’m so glad you found this group while you’re in the process of evaluation for a liver transplant- wish I had! I was formerly evaluated by my liver team Aug 3, 2021 and had my transplant surgery Oct 29, 2021. By the time I met with the team I was VERY sick. I didn’t think to ask about medical marijuana for some reason- I was very symptomatic- fatigue, nausea, episodes of hepatic encephalopathy etc. I suspect they would have said yes with some restrictions. Post transplant I’ve sometimes had GI issues and the big one is back aches as I had a fall in May, 2021 during a severe episode of hepatic encephalopathy (this phenomenon doesn’t happen to the majority of patients). I currently use cannabis tinctures at night for my back pain at the end of the day, and it has helped nausea a lot. My team brought this up as a possible aid (I live in MA where it’s legal) and I’ve been doing this- a few drops in my tea at night- since summer. It helps a LOT. I was told it had to be pure THC with no CBD or melatonin. I’m not supposed to smoke it- which is fine as I’m not into combustibles! - because the worry post transplant is the spores could cause a fungal infection. This is a long way of saying it’s a fair question and I would follow the advice of your new team. I follow ALL of their advice except I eat more sugar than I should.

How are you feeling physically and emotionally? I know it can be lonely. You will find good support and some ideas here. I can never tire of hearing about others’ experiences as each story if different and yet we have a common thread linking us together. Are there people in your life you want to share with but you are reluctant? I remember sharing my general feelings etc with friends and family but I did experience a loneliness that I never had before- kind of an existential feeling.

I hope you will share a bit about yourself on this forum. All care to you.

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Hi, I am 33 yrs post transplant. My nausea has always been biggest problem. My GI and transplant team said NO smoking bc of fungal spores on flower, but edibles really help. I use Zofran sparingly and gummies. Talk to ur team. Pls don't jeopardize your health. Thanks for your honesty and sharing.

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jmp1234 | @jmp1234 | Feb 4 8:25am

In a word.. no. The reasons I was given were varied and quite frankly the usual ignorant of the subject type of reasons. I chose to do as my team suggested and cease use since they hold the yes or no power on my life and liver transplant. I was at the front lines for many years in Florida to get medical passed. I chose to pick my battles and mayo for me, isn't the place to advocate and educate on the subject of cannabis. When fed deschedules this will be revisited. Until then I will advocate for my liver at mayo clinic, and abstain. I get UA'd once a month to verify abstinence like a criminal would, but this is the world we live in. Follow the money. I was deferred due to this, and once again up for commitee review next week. Not going to upset the apple cart, and I hope this helps.

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jmp1234 | @jmp1234 | Feb 4 1:23pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@feruj, I'd like to add my welcome. Medicinal use of marijuana has been shown to help..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@feruj, I'd like to add my welcome. Medicinal use of marijuana has been shown to help some people with the symptoms of nausea, headache and sleeplessness. I can understand you wish to see if it would provide some relief for you. However, you are equally wise to research whether the use of medical marijuana might jeopardize your chance of being listed or receiving a liver transplant.

The answer is not clear. You may wish to read the medical and ethical complexities in this paper:
- Denying renal transplantation to an adolescent medical cannabis user: An ethical case study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6671627/

My recommendation would be to talk with your transplant social worker before using marijuana at the hospital where you are listed. They may have criteria specific to the hospital's transplant listing. Be honest and they will work with you, either to use marijuana safely or to find alternatives for your symptoms. I truly hope you find relief.

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And in jacksonville we came to a reasonable conclusion compromise. I ceased my medical cannabis and started on trazidone and extra strength otc at bedtime. This achieved about a 50 % effective rate and it beats being denied. Hth

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jmp1234 | @jmp1234 | Feb 4 1:29pm
In reply to @ssapp1 "@feruj - Definitely ask your transplant team. I think it depends on the State and the..." + (show)
@ssapp1

@feruj - Definitely ask your transplant team. I think it depends on the State and the hospital. I wish I would have asked. If you ask and the answer is yes, I would get it in writing. I remember pre transplant they tested for everything from alcohol, marijuana, barbiturates, etc. I did ask Post Transplant to use a cbd/thc gummie and the answer was yes.
More and more I think the medical industry is coming around to the benefits of thc.

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It's been a long road, but we shall overcome:) ty

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