[JessF]

My friend is experiencing shortness of breath after short periods of physical exercise. She coughs up blood as well. She’s 15 year old, thin and has had a prior drug problem. She thinks what she’s experiencing are the side effects of smoking marijuana. I disagree.

[bptoo]

Jess,

There are a number of things that could be causing this problem, some of them very serious. I've never heard of marijuana smoking causing this, but it doesn't mean it can't. I'd do a Google search on marijuana side effects and see what you come up with. I'm definitely no expert.

One thing though, if your friend is coughing up blood, get her to a doctor or hospital soon. That's serious business.

Good luck,
Greg



"Beauty is truth, truth is beauty - that is all you know on earth, and all you need to know"

[JessF]

Thanks so much for your advise

I've looked it up and it would appear that coughing blood is not directly a side effect of smoking Marijuana. However, heavey coughing and symptoms of bronchitis, which can include coughing blood, are side-effects of prolonged cannabis consumption. I doubt it's the weed that's causing this, it's been a month now since she last claimed to have done the drug.

From what I read, the least imposing possibility could be a minor infection, the scariest possibility could be congestive heart failure.

Thanks again for your quick response, bptoo.

[darkeyes]

Sorry, do not mean to disillusion (sp?) you, but yes prolonged use of pot can ruin your lungs, as well as smoking cigarettes, but pot has more resins and are retained in the lung tissue, so if she has used it often, she can be suffering from the effects it has on your lungs, 2 things for her, is to STOP the pot and then see her doctor to rule out other things like TB, etc. but I am sure it is the use of pot that is causing this, even it's affect on her GI tract.
Just my 2 cents, from a 47 y.o. woman who has been there and done that

Take care,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[JessF]

But what why would this still be a problem fro her if the last time she smoked pot was on Mar. 29. and before that, it was months of abstinence. Mar. 29 was a relapse. Would her lungs still be imperil?

[darkeyes]

Possible, they just do not clear up overnite, it takes longer than the time she hasn't smoked, years.
She should really see a doctor, she may have some respiratory infection, not necessarily from pot but infections, allergies, gee, all sorts of things can be the cause of this.
Pot though, I would not suggest using it any longer, there are other healthy ways of having fun, and/or relaxing.
I just think she needs to see a doctor, find out what is wrong and then follow through with whatever treatment her physician prescribes.
Hope she'll be okay soon.
Take care now,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[Butterfly_Faerie]

I doubt its the pot, could be that your friend may be a bit out of shape.... Unless the pot also had tobacco in it.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[darkeyes]

Pot as well as cigarettes do damage lung tissue, it is a proven fact according to the medical association, and it makes sense, breathing in any smoke aggravates the respiratory system.
But her friend should have her health checked out just to be safe that there are no lung infections, pneumonia, TB, you know, any of those nasties.
Good luck to y'all

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Well they are back and forth on that. They are saying stuff then retracting their stories.

They know it helps certian illnesses such as MS, cancer etc.

They are also saying now that it can help with other things, not eating, headaches, etc. Haven't really looked into it yet but i've read some info on it.

I don't have a problem with cannabis, it can't kill yeah... unless of course it's laced and you take too much and all the time.

That's my opinon anyways. Gotta do more research on the above though.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[darkeyes]

It doesn't cure MS, cancer and the rest, just relieves the pain, from my past experience (my younger days) it was cool, but with age and growing wiser, it still is harmful.
Now in pill form, THC, I would believe it is safe, not going through your respiratory system, the lungs, so I wouldn't argue the use for medicinal purposes, it can be a great thing
For recreational purposes, I am not for that anymore, and it can kill like a drunken driver can, both things can cause poor judgment, causing accidents and both have been the cause of many fatal accidents, there were several every month and year where I use to live, one sad thing was a group of teens (3 got killed) and the other paralyzed due to being stoned, there are so many cases like this or where innocent people get killed by some one driving either drunk or stoned.
Best advice to those who believe getting stoned is fun, or drinking, don't drive during that time, for your saftey and others.
Regardless, anything we smoke and inhale can cause lung cancer and esophagal (sp?) cancers as well, it is your friends and your own personal preference / decision.
I am didn't reply to start any debates of the pros and cons of pot, so I hope I haven't trigggered any ill feelings towards me.
Good luck and take care,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Theres tons of pros and cons, I think personally that there is more pros then cons, but that is just me ... I don't have a problem with it, i've done it, it's not dangerous, yes it can be if it is laced, and if your wrecked and drive? Well because you should know that if you smoked too much you shouldn't be behind the wheel.

I don't even know if that is coming out right? Oi- I don't want to start anythng negative with this thread. But i'll just say that it is up to the person what they do with their lives. I personally never had a problem with it, i've done some research on it, and with doctors retracting alot of stories like they did with 'lsd' .. but that is a whole different story, and it has nothing to do with these issues.
So no more on this... well i'll shut up anyways..

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>