Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
This is interesting to me still, although smoking marijuana or anything else is not optimal for people with MG. We have heard from Norcal Dad around here that he has ingested before. I mentioned it to my Neuro. She didn't want to talk about it only stating about the smoke and lungs issues, because she knows about its action. I wonder if it helped, even though it would be temporary like Mestinon.
I know how it makes me feel when I have tried it in moderation, and my symptoms change. Everything feels good, unless I have to move around, then it becomes a challenge. Not weaker, but cloudy headed? and just heavier feeling, although not weighing me down if I realize and focus on my movements etc.
I think it has properties of acetycholine inhibition and acetycholineterase inhibition, which wouldn't make it any sort of treatment for MG. I know that MG is a peripheral nervous system condition and THC goes to the central, so that would support perhaps Alzheimers for treatment. Huperzine A also crosses the blood brain barrier, which has been said to be effective for MG.
I tried Huperzine A one night, and have never tried it again. I have heard from a few people over time that mentioned it.
Back to THC:
"Several studies have suggested that THC also has an anticholinesterase action which may implicate it as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's and Myasthenia Gravis."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol
THC, along with Caffeine and Pyridostigimine listed as Acetylcholineterase inhibitors:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcholinesterase_inhibitor
A study on this:
"Steady-state kinetic analysis of THC inhibition revealed that THC competitively inhibits AChE...This level of inhibition is relatively modest"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2562334/
I think my conclusion is that trying marijuana is not going to hurt you in moderation, and moderation is the keyword. Used with caution. Many things in moderation can be fine.
"The researchers said it's more difficult to determine if long-term, heavy marijuana use is worse for lungs - because that pattern of smoking was "relatively rare" among the study participants - but they said there was a need for caution and moderation when marijuana use is considered."
"With up to 7 joint-years of life-time exposure, we found no evidence that increasing exposure to marijuana adversely affects pulmonary function," the researchers wrote in study, published in the Jan. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In fact, the researchers found a slight increase in occasional marijuana smokers' lung function. That increase may be indicative of marijuana smokers taking deep breaths and holding the smoke in, the researchers said....
At more than 10 joint-years of marijuana exposure, the researchers saw a slight decline in lung function, but the researchers said that finding was not statistically significant, so could be due to chance. Cigarette smokers, who smoked a median of eight to nine cigarettes per day, saw a significant drop in lung function over the twenty year study. "
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57356379-10391704/is-smoking-marijuana-bad-for-your-lungs/
Anyone have experience or have something to add about/on this?
TJ
I know how it makes me feel when I have tried it in moderation, and my symptoms change. Everything feels good, unless I have to move around, then it becomes a challenge. Not weaker, but cloudy headed? and just heavier feeling, although not weighing me down if I realize and focus on my movements etc.
I think it has properties of acetycholine inhibition and acetycholineterase inhibition, which wouldn't make it any sort of treatment for MG. I know that MG is a peripheral nervous system condition and THC goes to the central, so that would support perhaps Alzheimers for treatment. Huperzine A also crosses the blood brain barrier, which has been said to be effective for MG.
I tried Huperzine A one night, and have never tried it again. I have heard from a few people over time that mentioned it.
Back to THC:
"Several studies have suggested that THC also has an anticholinesterase action which may implicate it as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's and Myasthenia Gravis."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol
THC, along with Caffeine and Pyridostigimine listed as Acetylcholineterase inhibitors:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcholinesterase_inhibitor
A study on this:
"Steady-state kinetic analysis of THC inhibition revealed that THC competitively inhibits AChE...This level of inhibition is relatively modest"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2562334/
I think my conclusion is that trying marijuana is not going to hurt you in moderation, and moderation is the keyword. Used with caution. Many things in moderation can be fine.
"The researchers said it's more difficult to determine if long-term, heavy marijuana use is worse for lungs - because that pattern of smoking was "relatively rare" among the study participants - but they said there was a need for caution and moderation when marijuana use is considered."
"With up to 7 joint-years of life-time exposure, we found no evidence that increasing exposure to marijuana adversely affects pulmonary function," the researchers wrote in study, published in the Jan. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In fact, the researchers found a slight increase in occasional marijuana smokers' lung function. That increase may be indicative of marijuana smokers taking deep breaths and holding the smoke in, the researchers said....
At more than 10 joint-years of marijuana exposure, the researchers saw a slight decline in lung function, but the researchers said that finding was not statistically significant, so could be due to chance. Cigarette smokers, who smoked a median of eight to nine cigarettes per day, saw a significant drop in lung function over the twenty year study. "
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57356379-10391704/is-smoking-marijuana-bad-for-your-lungs/
Anyone have experience or have something to add about/on this?
TJ
I wouldn't consider smoking anything. Taking it in other forms? Not regulated or studied enough for me. My body is heavy feeling and uncoordinated enough without this. Same with brain fog- dont need help there either.
Back in the 70's.I enjoyed a joint here and there but recreationally not for medical purposes.
Not seei g it as a helpful mg treatment. Sorry.
I'm with you, totally intolerant to smoke (so I never even had a joint), and it would seem that anything that affected your lungs, movement, and impaired your judgement is not something for someone with MG to have on board,
I certainly wouldn't want it for a treatment when there are other options known to work better. I have enough trouble just remembering to take my pills, trying to swallow them, and keeping from falling into walls while doing the MG shuffle. b.
f
There may be a place for "medicinal doses" of both, but one has to be concerned about their safety and efficacy, as with any other drug, and the potential for abuse--all drugs, not just MJ and alcohol. Family history is helpful if other members of the close family have taken the drug and had difficulties.
Most drugs natural or manufactured have dangers and we should keep our eyes open (propped if necessary) to what they are. b.
Is marijuana more dangerous to ones health than Prednisone, Imuran, etc etc? NO
I would say it overall is no more dangerous than Mestinon is. Of course, mestinon is always the same and marijuana is not. There are different strains and they can have different effects, good and bad per person. Could even have chemicals or pesticides on it. For MG, I think it might be possible that happened to me. I may have smoked some with pesticide or chemical laced or something. Who knows for sure?
I quit smoking anything for well over a year until recently started smoking a little pot again. I am so happy I quit smoking cigarettes. That is something I wasn't sure I could do. Pot doesn't seem so addictive. All mind of matter it seems though.
As far as addiction goes(chemical dependency), I believe that can happen, but I don't consider marijuana as addictive as other drugs including alcohol.
I would venture to say it is safer for an Ocular only MG'er. Then they need not worry much about the things mentioned.
Legality is a the other thing, Not really legal to buy it or sell it or even possess it in many states for that matter. It is a felony in Nevada I know.
I like the idea of using it for sleep to. Perhaps instead of a timespan?
Last night, I took 60mg of mestinon @6PM, and went to bed @12:30AM, and I smoked a little before bed, and woke up after 8AM, and I took my cellcept with breakfast @9:00AM. I was feeling weak after 11AM, and smoke a little. By 11:30, I was feeling better, but not strong enough. I took 60mg Mestinon after that. I feel good right now, and I am going out to lunch.
I enjoy reading what you all are saying. I appreciate it.
Everyone have a good day.
TJ
I don't know if its available to try in the US. The dose is carefully adjusted to avoid the chronic anxiety/pychosis inducing effects of THC so its not unsafe although the FDA might take a different view. (They tried almost decriminalising pot here a couple of years ago but the psych wards filled up with hyperanxious patients so they did a bit of a U-turn).
"nobody had heard of any benefit in MG."
The links I posted show why it would. I think that if we could get the dosages higher and given to us as you suggest, there would definitely be a benefit to us.
The data suggests THC is an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase but much less potent than pyridostigmine. There is no data on how it is distributed periferally to junctions so I could not estimte if it was likely to have an effect of not. The data is sufficiently interesting that if it had been obtained on another molecule it would probably have been followed up but it is just too difficult to work with prohibited substances.
Good point in that wikipedia is making the help MG suggestion based on the study with mice as it may pertain to Alzheimers. That is why I mentioned Huperzine A, as it seems to be a treatment for Alzheimers but very little effect on MG. Although there have been people(never to be heard from again) that say Hup A helps them along with their MG. I tried it, and hated it, but it was when I was struggling.
Bottom line is that we have more effective treatments for MG, and marijuana, like Mestinon isn't really a treatment per se for MG anyway. Both would be acting like an aspirin, with mestinon being stronger acting.
Something else that I must consider is my concern of anxiety due to the intake of marijuana. If too much caffeine would be an precursor to anxiety, then marijuana would be as well.
Low dose or no dose would be the solution.
Some people: that I have known since childhood?
Became - significant local pot growers, in the '70s & '80s.
These guys - DRENCHED - their cannabis plots -
- with all kinds of ag-chemicals, to get rid of pests & plant disease.
And even back then? If you were to read - the fine print?
On the warning label - of most of these ag-chemical containers?
You would see the following warning.
''It has been determined that this product contains Known Neurotoxins. Prolonged exposure to vapors, or skin contamination with this product: has been shown to cause Neurological Poisoning. If you suspect contamination with this product, seek immediate medical help.''
Of course, this cannabis was harvested - Neurotoxins and all.
And - dried, of course. Concentrating the Neurotoxins, even more.
So unfortunately? Customers got a Nice Dose of Neurotoxins -
- right along with their THC.
On the other hand? I know people who grow their own, for personal use only, totally organic.
They've been doing that - for 35 years.
To them? An evening toke - is no different?
Than an after-work beer, or an evening glass of wine.
An after-dinner toke - really seems to agree with these people.
Then: there's the people, who become addicted to pot. Eventually developing extreme anxiety, after years of obsessive use.
I have had several friends - reach this terrible place.
The calm, laid-back hippies of yesterday - are gone.
Replaced by prematurely-old, anxiety-ridden people, suffering from emphysema.
And because they are no longer capable - of good social relations?
They have alienated all their family & friends.
I don't smoke anything, myself.
(I bet I have lousy brain-receptors, for nicotine and cannabis.)
I love my friends - who seem unharmed, by their after-dinner toke.
And I miss my old friends, who have been dropping dead from their addiction - for at least 20-years now.
- Ross
"And because they are no longer capable - of good social relations?
They have alienated all their family & friends."
I have friends like that, one in particular that I am thinking of now, and I don't want to be like that. I don't know how I developed the anxiety I do have, but I don't like the anxiety at all. Factors and possibility for MG exist through the other neurotoxins etc you mention as well.
Knowing that my anxiety has improved and my intake of all smoking was nonexistent, I can't help but wonder if marijuana played a part in all of this. I can't tell what is on the stuff I am smoking or ingesting. What did I do? Start with marijuana again! I think my experiment will die out quickly here and I will not be trying any marijuana for awhile, if at all.
I really appreciate all the input around here. You all are awesome.
For my few times a year ,l don't let it worry me to much on any front ,just glad of the well being l derive from very limited use,and that my other half sees when l can benefit from such.
On a side note,l have never been a cigarette smoker,and have the occasional drink at weddings etc, and am quite happy to be a medication free mger,so l suppose people could find my stance a little odd .
Having said that. I have enjoyed one drink of brandy in the evening for years I ask my dr and she said that was ok.
I am sure that it has no medical value but I can't give up everything.
Will
I have aunt who is prescribed brandy by her doctor as a cardiac tonic. The UK NHS is wonderful, you can get your booze free. However, this provided problems for my aunt since her chapel does not allow its members alcohol. Her minister, in a moment of rare common sense, told her it did not count since she was having it for medical reasons and didn't like it anyway.
Gwyn
LOL