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Author Topic: Marijuana and HIV  (Read 10307 times)

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Offline Wrist

  • Member
  • Posts: 19
Marijuana and HIV
« on: May 31, 2011, 06:14:10 pm »
After reading the article about the small study done with monkeys and THC.
I was wondering if there is anyone who smokes almost everyday, isn't on meds, maintaining good numbers and has a low viral load.
I am all of these things and just thought I had a strong immune system.
But the article got me thinking so I figured I would just ask.
I was planning on quitting because the smoke after so many years is doing a number on my lungs.
However I live in jersey and I'm considering asking my doctor if I could be signed up for medical marijuana.
That way I  would be able to get it in a food or some other forum.
...just thinking out loud...

Offline antibody

  • Member
  • Posts: 525
  • "every man thinks his burden is the heaviest"
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2011, 09:23:41 pm »
I smoke daily. Have for 20 years. Long before my diagnosis but I am on HAART. I think the study is interesting but pretty sure it's about the same as "green tea" effects on the virus. Minimal at best in average doses. But with this knowledge they can look into other cannabinoids and THC in other ways. I am a total advocate for Medical Marijuana and it's benefits.
Timbuk      <50/ 794  CD4 10/06 
                 <50/ 1096 CD4 3/07
                 <40/ 1854 CD4 4/09

Started Atripla  7/14/06
Switched to boosted Reyataz Truvada 3/28/07

*Ask me about Medical Marijuana and how it can help you!*

Offline skeebo1969

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2011, 10:14:18 pm »


   I've been a routine smoker for a little over 28 years.  I saw the study and find it interesting.  My Cd4's are normally in the 1,000+ range however, I am on meds.   I don't have (so far) any issues with lipid levels or high blood pressure generally associated with my family's health history.   Don't know if it's the weed or the fact that I  am the only one who, for the most part, stayed away from alcohol.
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline antibody

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  • "every man thinks his burden is the heaviest"
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2011, 10:44:14 pm »
my cd4 is 1800 to 2400 was the highest.
Timbuk      <50/ 794  CD4 10/06 
                 <50/ 1096 CD4 3/07
                 <40/ 1854 CD4 4/09

Started Atripla  7/14/06
Switched to boosted Reyataz Truvada 3/28/07

*Ask me about Medical Marijuana and how it can help you!*

Offline skeebo1969

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2011, 10:54:45 pm »
my cd4 is 1800 to 2400 was the highest.

I thought I read on here somewhere once that having a high Cd4 like yours means something terribly bad.
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline puuchai

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2011, 10:59:02 pm »
wow thats some hellish cd4, i'd swap it for mine  :)

Offline antibody

  • Member
  • Posts: 525
  • "every man thinks his burden is the heaviest"
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2011, 11:03:51 pm »
I dunno. It does fluctuate anywheres from 1194 up to 1800 something. The highest was 2400, my Doctor didn't seemed concerned.
Timbuk      <50/ 794  CD4 10/06 
                 <50/ 1096 CD4 3/07
                 <40/ 1854 CD4 4/09

Started Atripla  7/14/06
Switched to boosted Reyataz Truvada 3/28/07

*Ask me about Medical Marijuana and how it can help you!*

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2011, 11:04:28 pm »
uh *hello* the OP stated "not on meds" for respondents

ps: I don't smoke marijuana and have a cd4 count of 1825 so I guess none of this means anything, amirite
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Raf

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2011, 11:05:36 pm »
wow thats some hellish cd4, i'd swap it for mine  :)

I hear ya. If mine get past 500 sometime I might celebrate.
Dx: 05/14/2008
Latest HIV Meds combo I've been taking:

Kaletra + Combivir (since 05/16/2008 - 05/09/2019)
Acriptega (05/10/2019 - today)

Offline skeebo1969

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2011, 11:14:59 pm »
my cd4 is 1800 to 2400 was the highest.

I read one time, can't remember where, that people who finished chemotherapy can have very high readings.  I thought perhaps this was the case with you.    Don't mind me, if your doctor is not concerned then it's all good.  

uh *hello* the OP stated "not on meds" for respondents

ps: I don't smoke marijuana and have a cd4 count of 1825 so I guess none of this means anything, amirite

If you smoked weed you would know that the Force would beckon you to post...

So, I suggest you klonipin out the thread with your no entry 1800 smackers.
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline antibody

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  • Posts: 525
  • "every man thinks his burden is the heaviest"
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2011, 11:20:51 pm »
Ha!
Timbuk      <50/ 794  CD4 10/06 
                 <50/ 1096 CD4 3/07
                 <40/ 1854 CD4 4/09

Started Atripla  7/14/06
Switched to boosted Reyataz Truvada 3/28/07

*Ask me about Medical Marijuana and how it can help you!*

Offline buginme2

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  • Posts: 3,426
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2011, 12:11:50 am »
To the OP.  Do you need a Dr's perscription for medical marijuana in jersey?  I Iive in Seattle and HIV is considered a covered illness for medical marijuana.  There are marijuana dispenseries here and once u become a member there are a variery of different options and forms to choose from.  Its pretty simple.

On a side note with all the liver issues that are associated with HIV marijuana as opposed to booze...ill take the weed. 

Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline GSOgymrat

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  • HIV+ since 1993. Relentlessly gay.
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2011, 12:25:15 am »
I'm curious why HIV in itself would be a covered illness? Side effects I get, but why HIV itself?

Offline buginme2

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2011, 01:06:01 am »
It is written into state law. I dont know how they came up with the list.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.51A.010

There are quite a few covered conditions here.
Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline GSOgymrat

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  • Posts: 5,122
  • HIV+ since 1993. Relentlessly gay.
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2011, 01:15:42 am »
It is written into state law. I dont know how they came up with the list.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.51A.010

There are quite a few covered conditions here.

Interesting. The lawmakers appear to consider HIV as "terminal or debilitating."

Offline Assurbanipal

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  • Taking a forums break, still see PM's
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2011, 09:08:04 am »
Chris Christie, who has turned out to be even less competent than predicted, was expected to drag his heels on implementing the NJ medical marijuana law.  In this category he has exceeded expectations!

At this point I think it is scheduled to start up in July.


The FAQ does indicate there will be coverage for people with HIV:

The following conditions qualify if severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting, cachexia, or wasting syndrome results from the condition or its treatment: positive status for AIDS, HIV or cancer.

But Christie is working to make the program as hard to use as possible -- he eliminated the home delivery option and there will only be 6 centers to buy the stuff.  And the law does not allow people to grow their own.

The incompetent jerk Christie Administration page is here: http://www.state.nj.us/health/med_marijuana.shtml

An advocacy group web page is here: http://cmmnj.org/latest-news/17-update-on-medicinal-marijuana-program.html
5/06 VL 1M+, CD4 22, 5% , pneumonia, thrush -- O2 support 2 months, 6/06 +Kaletra/Truvada
9/06 VL 3959 CD4 297 13.5% 12/06 VL <400 CD4 350 15.2% +Pravachol
2007 VL<400, 70, 50 CD4 408-729 16.0% -19.7%
2008 VL UD CD4 468 - 538 16.7% - 24.6% Osteoporosis 11/08 doubled Pravachol, +Calcium/D
02/09 VL 100 CD4 616 23.7% 03/09 VL 130 5/09 VL 100 CD4 540 28.4% +Actonel (osteoporosis) 7/09 VL 130
8/09  new regimen Isentress/Epzicom 9/09 VL UD CD4 621 32.7% 11/09 VL UD CD4 607 26.4% swap Isentress for Prezista/Norvir 12/09 (liver and muscle issues) VL 50
2010 VL UD CD4 573-680 26.1% - 30.9% 12/10 VL 20
2011 VL UD-20 CD4 568-673 24.7%-30.6%
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2014 VL UD - 48
2015 VL 130 Moved to Triumeq

Offline Wrist

  • Member
  • Posts: 19
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #16 on: June 01, 2011, 10:18:57 am »
To the OP.  Do you need a Dr's perscription for medical marijuana in jersey?  I Iive in Seattle and HIV is considered a covered illness for medical marijuana.  There are marijuana dispenseries here and once u become a member there are a variery of different options and forms to choose from.  Its pretty simple.

On a side note with all the liver issues that are associated with HIV marijuana as opposed to booze...ill take the weed. 



I haven't studied up on it or talked to my doc yet, so I don't know how it works. I never considered it beneficial to my health besides using for anxiety.

Offline buginme2

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,426
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2011, 11:56:59 am »
Hopefully its a simple process there.  Here they have marijuana dispenseries and coops.  You basically pay a fee to be a member and if you have one of the listed conditions they have a dr on staff usually that authorizes your participation.  If you dont have a approved condition your own dr has to write a prescription. 

Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline Wrist

  • Member
  • Posts: 19
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2011, 12:41:45 pm »
Hopefully its a simple process there.  Here they have marijuana dispenseries and coops.  You basically pay a fee to be a member and if you have one of the listed conditions they have a dr on staff usually that authorizes your participation.  If you dont have a approved condition your own dr has to write a prescription. 



Haha that almost seems to easy. 

Offline mecch

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  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #19 on: June 01, 2011, 02:45:36 pm »
I was planning on quitting because the smoke after so many years is doing a number on my lungs.
However I live in jersey and I'm considering asking my doctor if I could be signed up for medical marijuana.
That way I  would be able to get it in a food or some other forum.
...just thinking out loud...

If you like your dope but don't like the smoke, why aren't you already eating it?  Why do you need to wait for medical marijuana to bake it up this way or that way?
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline Wrist

  • Member
  • Posts: 19
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #20 on: June 01, 2011, 03:39:58 pm »
If you like your dope but don't like the smoke, why aren't you already eating it?  Why do you need to wait for medical marijuana to bake it up this way or that way?

I never said I didn't like the smoke, if I could I would smoke it forever. I just know it's not doing my body any good. And in order to bake it you need a large amount and I would rather not deal in weight. I can buy a small amount that will last me a month or more. I would also much rather deal with this stuff in a legal way if I had the choice.

Offline smiteler

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #21 on: June 04, 2011, 11:56:28 am »
i'm a long time on and off smoker  ;D
who has lived in new jersey a long time...

it is obvious this was the last thing the gov
or law enforcement in jersey  wanted
it was shoved down their throat by the voters
since that happened,
they are going to make it harder for anyone to get it..
i'm on the fence of even bothering with the state med weed.
knowing this state very well
i would bet my last dollar every name on the medical weed list
would go right into a police data base and when you got pulled over you would be put thru
a higher scrutiny then you ever had before. ::)

ps when cooking with weed
you only need a few grams for a batch of browines or cookies
alot less then you think  8)




Offline StacheBC

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  • Posts: 266
  • Hello
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #22 on: June 04, 2011, 12:14:36 pm »
Pot has been a God send for me. For years I've battled insomnia. Years ago my doctor recommended Zopiclone (generic Ambien here in Canada), it was great it helped me a lot.... started with 1/2 a pill and I would have a wonderful sleep.... but this was years ago, and as the years yet by I had to increase my dosage.
From 1/2 it went to 1 pill (7.5mg)... a year or two later 1 and 1/2... later on 2 pills. Soon that wasn't working as well, so a Trazadone was added to the mix... There were nights I would /cheat/ and take more than I was supposed to.
My problem was always falling asleep... with everything I was taking... once I did fall asleep probably an earthquake could not wake me up. My boyfriend would sometimes say that he would literally roll me over... shake me... and I would be sound asleep. That was sort of a wake up call.

Eventually I got a prescription for Pot... have 2 tokes before going to sleep and it's great. I slowly reduced the Trazadone and cut back on the Zopiclone (Ambien).

Today the only medication I take for sleep is 2 tokes of pot... no sleeping pills at all !!! I fall asleep within a average amount of time... I do wake up during the night but can fall back to sleep (except on the rare occasion). Feel relaxed and alert in the morning.

I'm already on HIV combo... if I can avoid adding even more pills that my body needs to process is a good thing IMO.

Thank you Marijuana !!!

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #23 on: June 04, 2011, 12:34:39 pm »
Thank you Marijuana !!!

  I feel that with so much THC resin accumulated in my lungs through the years that I can take the liberty to speak for Marijuana....    You're Welcome!
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline J220

  • Member
  • Posts: 587
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #24 on: June 04, 2011, 03:09:54 pm »
Kind of a non-sequitur, but did anyone see "Super High Me", the Doug Benson mini documentary? It's been around for a few years but finally caught it last night, absolutley hilarious!

Wrtist, have you ever considered a vaporizer? Never tried it (didn't even know they existed back in the pot-smoking days of my youth) but they seem to work well, and kinder to your lungs.
« Last Edit: June 04, 2011, 03:12:14 pm by J220 »
"Hope is my philosophy
Just needs days in which to be
Love of Life means hope for me
Born on a New Day" - John David

Offline BJS2011

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  • Posts: 62
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #25 on: June 08, 2011, 08:14:20 am »
After reading the article about the small study done with monkeys and THC.
I was wondering if there is anyone who smokes almost everyday, isn't on meds, maintaining good numbers and has a low viral load.
I am all of these things and just thought I had a strong immune system.
But the article got me thinking so I figured I would just ask.
I was planning on quitting because the smoke after so many years is doing a number on my lungs.
However I live in jersey and I'm considering asking my doctor if I could be signed up for medical marijuana.
That way I  would be able to get it in a food or some other forum.
...just thinking out loud...
I live in Toronto Canada. I have my card to be legal. We have many cannabis clubs here. I have recently tried the new vapourizers and what a good clean way to go. Pure THC. No smoke. I personally don't like eating it but at my clinic they have pot butter, lollipops everything you can imagine. Good luck with your doctor. I could not live without my marijuana. No way. Best thing for the nausea the HIV meds cause and it makes me eat like crazy or I wouldn't never eat.

Offline David_CA

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  • Joined: March 2006
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #26 on: June 08, 2011, 09:27:19 am »
Not totally related, but it really seems to help with pain from shingles when other things like Percocet don't (and MS too, from what I've read).  It doesn't surprise me that it would help with HIV related issues.
Black Friday 03-03-2006
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  Atripla started 12-01-2006
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Offline Almost2late

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #27 on: April 18, 2014, 09:08:02 pm »
I hope the medical marijuana law passes here in Florida.. I don't like buying the junk in the street cause you never know whats in it, plus I'd rather get the vapor and stay away from carbon dioxide .. Saw this article in the body and thought maybe this will help me  :D


http://www.thebody.com/content/74346/marijuana-may-have-potential-as-an-hiv-treatment.html

Offline zach

  • Member
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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #28 on: April 18, 2014, 09:14:02 pm »
shout out to the OP, i once smoked out with a monkey in BKK. damn monkey wouldn't pass the spliff, tripped out on me... true story

a2l.... man, you're under the bible belt, it ain't gonna happen down here. huge kudos and nugs from draggin up a zombie thread, i like that  ;D

Offline harleymc

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Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #29 on: April 18, 2014, 11:29:17 pm »
GSOgymrat
 I have news for you HIV is terminal and debilitating for about 99% of those infected if you don't take antiretrovirals. 
But you were diagnosed after there were a slew of ARTs available so you don't have to worry about your community's history or the reality of people with multiple drug resistance.
Try taking abit of empathy with your medications.

Offline Miss Philicia

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  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Marijuana and HIV
« Reply #30 on: April 19, 2014, 04:19:47 pm »
GSOgymrat
 I have news for you HIV is terminal and debilitating for about 99% of those infected if you don't take antiretrovirals. 
But you were diagnosed after there were a slew of ARTs available so you don't have to worry about your community's history or the reality of people with multiple drug resistance.
Try taking abit of empathy with your medications.

Actually he was diagnosed in 1993, the same year that I was (and began medication). There was only AZT and ddI available at that time. What exactly are you talking about? Your post makes no sense.

the reality of people with multiple drug resistance

Would you like to see my last geno/phenotype test or know that I was on my last possible med regimen just 7 years ago when I was on Fuzeon? Again, what are you talking about?
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

 


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