Kidney Problems
The alleviation of sickness and nausea is one of cannabis’ main selling points. A simple lungful of smoke can stop a vomiting attack dead. Below you can read how a kidney failure sufferer alleviates her nausea by using cannabis.
Patient’s Testimonies
I love your site. Not only as a marijuana user but also as a former-dialysis patient (the new kidney is doing fine, thank you) who strongly believes that marijuana alleviates the symptoms associated with renal failure and dialysis. The testimonials, especially from patients undergoing checmotherapy are so positive, so sad and so infuriating all at once. The side effects of dialysis treatment do not in any way come close to those suffered by chemo- patients, but I feel that my side of the story must be told. It surprises me greatly that there seems to be no articles whatsoever on the ‘net supporting my point of view. My own experience and a rational look at some commonly known facts, however, surely do back me up. Consider this : *One common side effect of kidney failure is a lack of appetite and a feeling of nausea, caused in part by the high levels of food-related toxins that remain in the body between dialysis sessions. *One of the most common effects of marijuana is increased appetite. On a more subjective level long-term dialysis tends to cause hopelessness and trepidation (a state that can in layman’s terms be described as depression) as one approaches another session on the machine – most patients, especially those elderly folk who are deemed unfit to be transplant candidates, seem depressed and very slow-moving when they arrive at the centre. The development of a high from marijuana intake would tend to set my mind at ease and I would approach each dialysis experience with a more optimistic and jovial mood (normally with a packed breakfast from home tucked under my arm). Provisos : *Often high blood pressure is associated with renal failure (as in my case). After marijuana use I would tend to feel a little light-headed and lethargic for a few minutes – I attribute this to the interaction of marijuana and the medication which lowers my blood pressure. I would avoid using heavy machinery during this period of dizziness, hot flashes and lethargy. *I used marijuana for a long time before and after the onset of renal failure. So my experience is hardly a statistically accurate measure of the effects of introducing marijuana to patients suffering from renal failure. But an accurate study is exactly what I am trying to agitate for by writing this testimonial. It has been 3 weeks since my kidney transplant now and I have neither smoked nor felt inclined to smoke marijuana. The sheer feeling of well-being from having a well-functioning kidney, regular visits to the loo to urinate, and no longer having to face-up to dialysis causes a natural high that no weed could ever reproduce. Thank you for letting me have my say, and best wishes to all who bravely face dialysis from day to day. My heart goes out to you and what I say here is intended mainly for you – strength and God bless.