Questions: Medical Marijuana & (ITP) Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

MikeinLondon

420 Member
Hi there,

My name is Michael and I live in London, Ontario... I have been searching for info on a blood disorder my sister has, called (ITP) or Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

She had a rare type of thyroid cancer a couple years ago, which was zapped with that radiation - now she has this blood disorder which is not really getting any better....this is info on her ITP condition from Wikipedia:

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), also known as immune thrombocytopenia, primary immune thrombocytopenia, primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura or autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, is defined as isolated low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) with normal bone marrow and the absence of other causes of thrombocytopenia. It causes a characteristic purpuric rash and an increased tendency to bleed. Two distinct clinical syndromes manifest as an acute condition in children and a chronic condition in adults. The acute form often follows an infection and has a spontaneous resolution within 2 months.

Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura persists longer than 6 months with a specific cause being unknown.
ITP is an autoimmune condition with antibodies detectable against several platelet surface antigens.
ITP is diagnosed by a low platelet count in a complete blood count (a common blood test). However, since the diagnosis depends on the exclusion of other causes of a low platelet count, additional investigations (such as a bone marrow biopsy) may be necessary in some cases.

In mild cases, only careful observation may be required but very low counts or significant bleeding may prompt treatment with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, anti-D immunoglobulin, or immunosuppressive drugs. Refractory ITP (not responsive to conventional treatment) may require splenectomy, the surgical removal of the spleen. Platelet transfusions may be used in severe bleeding together with a very low count. Sometimes the body may compensate by making abnormally large platelets.
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I myself have serious health problems and have researched the benefits of MM for my own health problems. I was talking to my sister last week about the benefits of the MM strain Charlotte's Web, which I first learned about from a the CNN Special Report with Dr. Sanjay Gupta ... I do not really understand all the benefits or properties from the different strains of MM, but from what I do know - certain strains have drastically improved the quality and other strains saved peoples lives

When Margaret's learned of the ITP - I remember her doctors put her on this medication Prednisone, which helped increase the numbers of the platelets. Before Christmas, she visited me in London and I was surprised with the swelling of her face, even though she warned me before she came out. This week, her platelets were down again, and this time her doctors told her they want her to go on this intravenous drug called Rituxan.

Margaret is such a great sister, always there for me when I need her. Over the years, with many doctors treating my own serious health problems - I have learned first hand the serious difficulties facing Canada's Health care....I explained to Margaret many Canadian doctors would allow you do suffer, or even die when they understood the benefits of Medical Marijuana on certain illnesses - When you read the many beneficial stories of MM, it is like I live in some third world country.

Margaret explained the side effects of Rituxan to me this week.... it sounds like a last resort type of medication, considering a small percentage of patients have died taking their first dose. She asked her two doctors about Medical Marijuana and Cannabis oil for her ITP condition, and I was surprised to hear the were OK with her trying it, then again I have never heard of anyone getting sick from smoking weed.

Anyway, it is a difficult time for Margaret, as this has gone from bad to worse in such a short time - I honestly think Medical Marijuana will help my sister, but I myself am overwhelmed with the amount of information. I watched the Rick Simpson testimonial of people using his name to sell their garbage oil and potions - jail would be too good for these parasites!

Any assistance with the names of the different strains which would benefit Margaret's condition would be appreciated. I know Charlotte's Web has little THC, but is very high cannabidiol, so maybe this or something similar would also get Margaret's immune system working....

Any help would be great....and thanks so much you for your time!

Take care,




Michael
 
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Beateo
 
My wife had Guillain–Barré syndrome and after the doctors did hemoglobin and plasma pheresis she was fine but mmj has help with some lasting effects she got.
 
Hey there, I just signed up to respond to this post! I've been lurking on here for a while so it's time I contribute i suppose.

My girl friend just got diagnosed with ITP. After a few weeks of heavy spontaneous bruises she finally went to urgent care when red spots started appearing in her mouth. Her count was and still is at 3,000. It doesn't seem to stay up with the steroid treatment so they're switching her treatment tomorrow to see if it helps. Obviously we want to avoid spleen removal at all costs so hopefully this helps.

I found this 2-Arachidonoylglycerol enhances platelet formation from human megakaryoblasts. - PubMed - NCBI which suggests Cannabinoids can help increase platelet count.

And i also came across some info that would suggest the same on a rick simpson comment section, apparently platelet counts can increase by the 10's of thousands depending on the strain/preparation. I'd add a link but of course i can't find it now.

I'm curious if the OP has any updates on how his sister is making out or if she followed up with MMJ treatment, and if there are any noticeable effects.
 
@FrankBob.....thank you for your reply - I will send this LINK to my sister Marney....she is doing much better today, as they have inserted a permanent intravenous line into her upper arm for weekly transfusions. In Toronto, they have a MM compassion club where she spoke with another member who had some knowledge about MM oil, and the effects on others with nasty blood disorders - anyway, she bought some of the oil and a couple cookies....That night, Marney had a full cookie before she went to sleep, then when she awoke later - she was so relaxed it terrified her.

I think she even called a friend, who came over @4AM to ensure she was going to be OK - anyway, maybe next time she will only eat half a cookie. I understand these disorders can go into remission, so at the moment - this is what we are hoping for!

Taking one day at a time - thanks again,



Michael
 
Both my sister and I are doing so much better - thanks....

Fall Update:

I became a member of the London Compassion Society this summer - after many doctor visits, my GP decided it would be easier to sign the papers for MM, than it was to listen to my thoughts....I purchased a Magic Box Vap to heat instead of smoke the meds - works well as soon as you understand it is not a pipe, but a small oven.

The cost of the magic box will be paid for in no time, just from the savings in the smoke you use...many good deals online offering free shipping and lower prices than your local shop....also - good videos online, with many comparisons to other top portable vaps!

Last October, I noticed the palms of my hands, and the soles of my feet were getting reddish....within a couple weeks, I was really concerned. In February - I found a name for this very strange rash... Dyshidrosis, also known as dyshidrotic eczema.

The rash started when I was adding soil to a number of plants (NOT Marijuana) in my apartment, so I decided to use latex gloves to keep my hands clear - stupid mistake....I went to see a allergists here in London and he agreed with what I thought it was, dyshidrotic eczema.

In July, another skin specialist did a biopsy on the rash on my foot, wow did that hurt - she said it was the same skin disorder, dyshidrotic eczema.... these creams and gels are very expensive and most have not worked, so in July I bought a 2 OZ jar of THC Topical - it has 1 gram of THC and it works great, on my feet that is.....

So all in all, I have been doing much better, and the same for my sister....last weekend - she drove out here to London to purchase a new car - her 5 speed MAZDA3 is in great shape, but she need an auto transmission because of her health problems.... was she ever happy to see her new car, and so was I....Anyone looking for a good deal on a 2010 MAZDA3!

I was talking to her last night, she had just got home from a walk with her friends - she mentioned a big hill along their walk.... she was able to walk the hill without stopping, something she has not been able to do for a very long time, so yes, she is doing great!

You do not really appreciate your own situation, that is - until your get sick....I myself have been looking at the benefits of the Rick Simpson Oil for my own Type 2 Diabetes. This oil is part of the online inventory at the London Compassion Society...I am going to find out more info, but from what I understand today - a full 3 month treatment hopefully will get my pancreas fired up.... something for me to look forward to doing in the New Year.

Sure, everyone has their bad days, but if you are home watching a comedy DVD, maybe a movie - and you are laughing your heart out, is that really so bad - a good friend used to call this an attitude adjustment....I agree!


Thanks people @420,



Michael
 
Hi Mike

Nicholas here from South Africa.

I was doing research on the treatment of ITP with cannabis oil on behalf of my dad.
he has been through quite alot from surviving colon cancer to living with diabetes and recently discovered ITp aswell.

He has been treated with prednisone which helps however it has terrible affects on him,the doctors are pushing to remove hes spleen of which we as a family are against.

Could you provide me with more info on you sisters journey with ITP and the results thus far.

I have researched (2-Arachidonoylglycerol) has she tried this?

Please note he would be open to trying the oil without the affect of getting hi per say.

Thanks in advance

Nicholas SA
 
Hi Nicholas,

To be honest with you, my sister was very fortunate to have the team of doctors and other healthcare professionals at the time, simply because from what I remember, her numbers were so low they were surprised she was still alive....it was a very difficult time for her, she was off work for about 6 months, while on that prednisone - her face was all bloated....from the time she was first diagnosed until she was feeling better was close to 18 months.

Today, her ITP is in remission, and hopefully it never comes back - not kidding!

It is funny, my sister works for a bank here in Canada, so when I first learned of her ITP, I researched MM and the blood disorder and learned more about the MM OIL....at that time, she was visiting Toronto where there is a compassion society or club downtown, so a doctor on her team said she had nothing to lose with trying the OIL, so they filled out the forms....anyway, working for a bank and not having any experience with smoking or using the herb or MM at all, she explained to me - she such a mess, she had to call a friend at 3AM to come to her home... she believed she was going to die!

They did warn her about the effects of the MM OIL, and from what I recall they also explained the tiny dosage, she was to use a tiny rice sized dosage on her tongue - Before going to bed on a Saturday night, she did exactly what they told her and she woke up, terrified... she had a bad experience, and after a couple months, she gave me the remaining OIL.... I did not believe her at first, but I have experienced the body effects of what she told me... I can see why some people are turned off, but honestly - you have to take your time, make sure you are not doing anything that will get you into trouble before hand - plan your time out, four or five hours...not such a good idea going to work, driving a car, that type of activity could get someone using the THC OIL for their first time, in some serious trouble....

Another way I look at using the THC OIL is the physical and mental effects on the sick person - From my experience, when they are using the OIL, it is most definitely an attitude adjustment, gives them a different perspective or POV about their illness, even a blessing for some
- especially if they end up passing away, at least they were more relaxed, and for many this is a blessing....
- so do your homework, explain to your dad these side effects, but your time with the right dosage....

Today, I am 54 years old, I have had my Dystonia for 26 years, Heart failure (CHF) for 13 years, and Type 2 Diabetes for 6 years, so I understand what it is like dealing with doctors and healthcare professionals - find your dad a good doctor who understands MM.... there are allot of books out there - I purchased a book for my doctor a few years ago, Stoned: A Doctor's Case for Medical Marijuana by Dr. David Casarett

GOOD Luck Nicholas, and I hope your dad gets better....



Michael
 
Hi Nicholas,

To be honest with you, my sister was very fortunate to have the team of doctors and other healthcare professionals at the time, simply because from what I remember, her numbers were so low they were surprised she was still alive....it was a very difficult time for her, she was off work for about 6 months, while on that prednisone - her face was all bloated....from the time she was first diagnosed until she was feeling better was close to 18 months.

Today, her ITP is in remission, and hopefully it never comes back - not kidding!

It is funny, my sister works for a bank here in Canada, so when I first learned of her ITP, I researched MM and the blood disorder and learned more about the MM OIL....at that time, she was visiting Toronto where there is a compassion society or club downtown, so a doctor on her team said she had nothing to lose with trying the OIL, so they filled out the forms....anyway, working for a bank and not having any experience with smoking or using the herb or MM at all, she explained to me - she such a mess, she had to call a friend at 3AM to come to her home... she believed she was going to die!

They did warn her about the effects of the MM OIL, and from what I recall they also explained the tiny dosage, she was to use a tiny rice sized dosage on her tongue - Before going to bed on a Saturday night, she did exactly what they told her and she woke up, terrified... she had a bad experience, and after a couple months, she gave me the remaining OIL.... I did not believe her at first, but I have experienced the body effects of what she told me... I can see why some people are turned off, but honestly - you have to take your time, make sure you are not doing anything that will get you into trouble before hand - plan your time out, four or five hours...not such a good idea going to work, driving a car, that type of activity could get someone using the THC OIL for their first time, in some serious trouble....

Another way I look at using the THC OIL is the physical and mental effects on the sick person - From my experience, when they are using the OIL, it is most definitely an attitude adjustment, gives them a different perspective or POV about their illness, even a blessing for some
- especially if they end up passing away, at least they were more relaxed, and for many this is a blessing....
- so do your homework, explain to your dad these side effects, but your time with the right dosage....

Today, I am 54 years old, I have had my Dystonia for 26 years, Heart failure (CHF) for 13 years, and Type 2 Diabetes for 6 years, so I understand what it is like dealing with doctors and healthcare professionals - find your dad a good doctor who understands MM.... there are allot of books out there - I purchased a book for my doctor a few years ago, Stoned: A Doctor's Case for Medical Marijuana by Dr. David Casarett

GOOD Luck Nicholas, and I hope your dad gets better....



Michael

Thanks for the advice Michael.
much appreciated
 
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