MyMyelomaTeam

Are there negative effects of medical marijuana on MGUS, and should you consider it for sleep and back pain given your health history?

Medical marijuana can help with sleep and pain, but there are important risks to consider with your specific health conditions. Cannabis has been associated with both increases and Show Full Answer

Are there negative effects of medical marijuana on MGUS, and should you consider it for sleep and back pain given your health history?

Medical marijuana can help with sleep and pain, but there are important risks to consider with your specific health conditions. Cannabis has been associated with both increases and decreases in blood pressure, which is particularly concerning since you have hypertension. Marijuana can also cause dizziness and orthostatic hypotension (dizziness when standing), which may increase fall risk—especially important given your history of a fractured hip.

Some people experience anxiety or a "spacey" feeling with marijuana, and it can interact poorly with prescription medications. Given your afib and hypertension, it's essential to discuss medical marijuana with your doctor before trying it, as it may affect your heart condition and blood pressure control. Regarding your M spike appearing twice but then normalizing: MGUS is often discovered through routine blood tests and doesn't usually cause symptoms. The fact that your bloodwork has been normal for the past couple of years and your doctors aren't concerned is reassuring. However, people with MGUS have about a 1 percent chance each year of progressing to multiple myeloma, so regular monitoring is important.

Your doctors should be screening you regularly—typically every 6 to 12 months with blood and urine tests. The temporary protein in your urine that has since receded, combined with normal recent bloodwork, suggests stability, but continued monitoring is key. If you're thinking about this every day, it might help to have a conversation with your doctor about your monitoring schedule and what specific changes would be concerning. As for your children: MGUS and multiple myeloma can have some familial patterns, but there's no specific recommendation in the search results about routine screening for family members. This would be a good question to ask your hematologist—they can assess whether your children's age and your diagnosis warrant any specific monitoring.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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