Help with sympthoms probably related to MJ

iamreguser · 06-21-2009, 01:53 PM

Hello and sorry for posting here before introducing myself properly, but i am worried about this thing going on...

I've been an MJ user for almost 7 years now, and an almost daily smoker for about 2-3 years. Around 7 months ago, i began to feel slight throat pain when smoking (i only smoke MJ, zero tobacco), which started to get more serious as time went on, until I began to felt pains where the neck joins the head and where it joins the body, also i felt a hardening on the left side of the neck, and would often feel a lump/hardened tissue around the middle of the left side of my neck, it also made that side of the neck feel very sensible, as in weak and feeble, and also joint pains, specially in the wrists and knees; this only happened AFTER smoking, I.e. it would recede when not smoking, and would start slowly developing again if i smoked. A month ago I went to the doctor and they found out i had a nasty streptococcus (beta hemolyticcus), whose symptoms are, unsurprisingly, joint paints (more precisely rheumatic pains) and coronary disease (shortening of an artery, as i understood), and gave me a treatment for 7000mg of penicilin (7shots) and 4800 of penicilin with something else (4 shots). I didn't tell the doctor about me smoking weed (not sure about confidentiality in my country, not US, that's why im posting here). After the first week (5shots) without smoking, all was peachy, until i saw this stoner movie, and my weakness got the better of me, so i just HAD to have a joint. The pains got back, and though it was only 1 joint, it lasted until about half a week, so i said no more weed until this thing is cured. Then i started with the rest of the treatment, 1 shot of 1200mg of penicilin + something else (will check and post later) every 2 weeks, and the pains had already receded again, but then this friend i hadn't seen in a long time shows for the weekend, and again, i smoked, but this time it was like 5-6 joints. It is now a week after this, and about 4 days after i last smoked:at first the pains got back, and also the lump. Now i can't feel the lump, but the pain at the neck-body junction is still there, and also my throat keeps.. developing? mucus (not as much as when you get the flu or cough). I finally got all my stash into cooking oil (not strong enough to get rid of it), so i will not be able to touch it for at least a month.

So here is my question: Could this lump be cancer? Im aware that the only reasonable option is to go the doctor and tell him all that i've posted here, but as i stated earlier, im not sure about the patient-doctor confidentiality in my country, so im very paranoid about it. Also, it may be related: most of the time i smoke, i use a hitter (if the tourists i've met are correct, it is not very known outside mexico), a little metal gizmo which is sort of a very compact pipe, it has two parts that screw togheter, one is a bowl and the other the mouthpiece/filter. I've noticed that smoking with the hitter makes the pain come quicker that if smoking a joint.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but i'm desperate for help.

Mikey · 06-21-2009, 02:39 PM

I don't think it's cancer, if it was cancer or looked like cancer the doctor would of most likely sent you for more tests.

What country are you in that you're getting penicillin injected and you're not taking it orally (tablets) ? Regardless of where you're from in almost everywhere in the world what you tell the doctor is confidential so really you'd be better off if you tell him about smoking pot it's not that big of a deal.

And for the meanwhile I highly highly recommend getting a vaporizer, it'll be easier on your throat since your not smoking but inhaling vapor.

Best of luck and keep us updated.

iamreguser · 06-21-2009, 06:18 PM

Thanks for the response. You are the second person asking me why shots and not tablets... which is making me a little more worried. Though, the doctor actually told me the treatment was for "eradication" (quote) of the streptococcus, so i'm guessing it's stronger than tablets? He even told me, in a grave tone, of the consequences of this bacteria, so i guess he wanted to be safe about the treatment? IDK...

I'm in Mexico, BTW, and although the prez has passed new drug laws (laxing them a little), the ongoing War on Drug here is a very bloody mess.. plus, my state is one of the most oppressed ones ATM.. almost 75% of the police forces aren't even from the state, they had to bring in more muscle to keep things quiet.

Anyways, i'll try to find some friendly doctor and tell him about my problem, am also thinking of taking an ultrasound test for my throat.

Thanks again, will keep posting.

seattle420lover · 06-22-2009, 05:19 PM

Pot Shrinks Tumors

stoneric · 06-22-2009, 08:39 PM

You sure it isn't something in the pot? Like pesticides or some shit? I remember they sprayed Mexican pot with paraquat back in the day.

Mikey · 06-22-2009, 09:11 PM

I think it's just bad pot (harsh to smoke like inhaling cigars) and you've got strepthroat.

Definitely try if you can get a vaporizer, or just make butter out of your weed and cook with it like make cookies and brownies and stuff.

The effects are more intense and last waaay longer. And it's healthier for your throat.

iamreguser · 06-24-2009, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the replies. Just got some ultrasound analysis made, didn't find anything in the neck. Guess its only the streptococcus

@seattle420lover: Wow, I didn't know that, thanks for the info!

@stoneric: Could be... hadn't thought about it. And all i smoke comes from the same source, so it is possible.

@Mikey: Hard (and expensive) to get a vaporizer here, but it's doable. As for cooking, i've had bad luck in cooking it right, i almost always end up with green butter that doesn't do shit, though my first try, when i made some cookies, was EPIC. Oh, also, i read that having them in cooking/olive oil for about a month or so makes the oil absorb all the THC (tried it once and got a REALLY different high), but does it also keep all the carcinogens and crap? Is there a sure fire method to cook it without messing up the thc?

spicoli · 07-21-2009, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by seattle420lover

Pot Shrinks Tumors

not when you smoke it. when it's been injected as pure thc directly into tumors, yes, but not inhaled.

i do know someone who had a similar problem and it was cancer. do not wait. do not panic, you don't know what it is, but get a second opinion as soon as possible. especially since it keeps coming back. good luck, and GODSPEED

kamikazi89 · 07-21-2009, 05:02 AM

try a bubbler
Red Eye Glass - Bubblers

**Pharm Girl** · 07-21-2009, 05:15 AM

If ever there was a time when I thought someone needed a scan/MRI is now!!

Lumps in that zone are not kosher!

Keep me/us posted.......I'm worried, real mom like worried!!!

**Pharm Girl** · 07-21-2009, 05:21 AM

I looked this up for you-------~

Chamomile tea is one of the best natural remedies for strep throat. Its analgesic properties can provide rapid relief for throat pain and headaches. Administered every few hours, chamomile tea can also reduce fever and prevent dehydration. A very strong natural remedy, sage can reduce inflammation, protecting the soft tissues of the throat and respiratory system. Sage can be used either under the form of tincture or under the form of capsules. Thanks to its antibiotic properties, garlic is also an appropriate home remedy for strep throat.

Gargling with salt water can fight against bacteria and can reduce throat inflammation and pain, while saline nasal sprays can help decongest the airways clogged with mucus. When suffering from strep throat, it is very important to maintain a warm temperature in your bedroom and to increase the air humidity by using mist humidifiers.

You should avoid exposure to chemicals or irritants such as cigarette smoke and alcohol vapors. You should keep away from any substance with strong, persistent odor in order to prevent further inflammation of the respiratory system’s soft tissues and membranes.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat # 1: Take echinacea this herb it’s antiviral and antibacterial, speeds healing,

Home Remedies for Sore Throat # 2: Horseradish is another herb that many use in the kitchen but it also has excellent properties to treat sore throat and upper respiratory tract infections, reduces fever, and expels concentrations of mucus. (Corson, as the french call the root)

Home Remedies for Sore Throat # 3: Use kava kava as a gargle for soothing and analgesic pain relief. Helps insomnia cause by coughing and sore throat.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat # 4: Myrrh is an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, very powerful and excellent for a chronic sore throat. It acts also as an expectorant and decongestant. It helps cure gum disease.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat # 5: Barberry Tincture keeps strep from attacking the lining of the throat. Take 15-20 drops in 1/4 cup of water 3 times daily for 10 days.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat # 6: Garlic oil Relieves swallowing difficulties. Take 3-4 drops in 1/4 cup of water onces a day as Gargle.