Hepatitis C Patient Stories

Taken from letters written by Arkansas patients:

RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC-HEPATITIS C-- Patient Story Series: Recovering Alcoholic Says Marijuana Less Risky Than Pharmaceuticals. Big City, Arkansas: Paul is a 48 year old male with history of alcoholism, in recovery for the last nine years. When I quit drinking alcohol, I didn't have anything.We are well known for the quality of our work - the whole time I gained all this I've been smoking marijuana."Click here to read full story.  Interview January 2003

HEPATITIS C - "I have chronic Hep C and usually smoke for side effects reduction. Both of my doctors are in favor of use, to help me with joint pain and nausea."

HEPATITIS C - marijuana got her through medical treatments and keeps her eating

HEPATITIS C - Interferon treatment nearly killed her, but marijuana relieves her pain

HEPATITIS C - "I have had Hep-C for almost 30 years. Most people assume that I was an IV drug user, but in my case that isn't so. It really shouldn't make a difference but I am sure you know there is a stigma with blood borne viruses. The classic symptoms of Hep C are nausea, muscle pain, and a very poor appetite. I just completed a nine month treatment of interferon plus ribarin in an effort to stop the progress of the virus. Injections were given daily. The nausea was horrific, and my fibromyalgia was only numbed by very strong painkillers. When I could afford to buy pot I could definitely see the reduction in my pain meds and it cut the need for nausea meds. Had it not been for pot I would have wasted away much more.
 

HEPATITIS C -- I am Hep C positive. I took PEG Intron and Ribavarin to get it under control. The side effects of this medicine are very intense, nausea being one of the worst. At the time I did not smoke marijuana as I had to clean out my system in order for the doctor to treat my Hep C. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had continued to smoke. It would have helped in a lot of different ways. I could not eat much. Everything made me sick.

Another side effect from the PEG Intron is sensitive mouth and fatigue. I know that marijuana would have helped. I now smoke it for various reasons. For example, I have arthritis throughout my body. When I smoke I can move easier. I have even recently started riding a bike again. November 2003