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Can Marijuana Cause Eosinophilic Esophagitis?

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Posted on Thu, 24 Dec 2015
Question: I was diagnosed with eosinophillic esophagitis, I have asthma,allergies, dermatitis and a severe tree nut allergy. No allergy to other foods,as far as I know I am allergic to trees,pollen, grasses and certain weeds. I smoke marijuana to help with sleep. Could the cannibus use be causing the eosinophils to build up?
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I'd suggest cutting back and try medication for sleep.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

This is a difficult one to sort out. Marijuana is a plant (hence it's knickname weed, of course), and you do have allergies, so you are at more risk of having/developing an allergy to marijuana too. There is plenty of literature on marijuana and allergies, often pulmonary allergies. These also included pulmonary eosinophilia. But I couldn't find research on marijuana and eosinophilic esophagitis. I would think, given that the primary route you are using is inhalation, that if you have an allergy with increased eosinophils from marijuana, that respiratory symptoms would be more dominant than esophageal symptoms.

I found an article that showed some correlation between aeroallergens (allergens that are breathed in) and eosinophilic esophagitis. Marijuana was not mentioned, but it is a plant so that potential is there.

So given all of those thoughts and nonspecific research, for now I would recommend cutting back on the marijuana use to play it safe. You will probably need to replace it with something for sleep. There are various options. One option are meds specifically for sleep such as Sonata or Ambient. These can help if there is no underlying anxiety or depression going on that is keeping you from having quality sleep.

First generation antihistamines can be sedating and can be used as sleep aids. Since you have allergies, this may be a good option for you. Hydroxizine and diphenhydramine are possible choices.

If you have some anxiety and depression, first get your thyroid (TSH) checked as that can interfere with sleep. If ok, consider a daily antidepressant plus a benzodiazepine, like Xanax or Ativan at bedtime. After a while on the antidepressant you may be able to stop the benzodiazepine.

I hope this information helps. And that you get the underlying problem identified so that you can start to get better. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Can Marijuana Cause Eosinophilic Esophagitis?

Brief Answer: I'd suggest cutting back and try medication for sleep. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX This is a difficult one to sort out. Marijuana is a plant (hence it's knickname weed, of course), and you do have allergies, so you are at more risk of having/developing an allergy to marijuana too. There is plenty of literature on marijuana and allergies, often pulmonary allergies. These also included pulmonary eosinophilia. But I couldn't find research on marijuana and eosinophilic esophagitis. I would think, given that the primary route you are using is inhalation, that if you have an allergy with increased eosinophils from marijuana, that respiratory symptoms would be more dominant than esophageal symptoms. I found an article that showed some correlation between aeroallergens (allergens that are breathed in) and eosinophilic esophagitis. Marijuana was not mentioned, but it is a plant so that potential is there. So given all of those thoughts and nonspecific research, for now I would recommend cutting back on the marijuana use to play it safe. You will probably need to replace it with something for sleep. There are various options. One option are meds specifically for sleep such as Sonata or Ambient. These can help if there is no underlying anxiety or depression going on that is keeping you from having quality sleep. First generation antihistamines can be sedating and can be used as sleep aids. Since you have allergies, this may be a good option for you. Hydroxizine and diphenhydramine are possible choices. If you have some anxiety and depression, first get your thyroid (TSH) checked as that can interfere with sleep. If ok, consider a daily antidepressant plus a benzodiazepine, like Xanax or Ativan at bedtime. After a while on the antidepressant you may be able to stop the benzodiazepine. I hope this information helps. And that you get the underlying problem identified so that you can start to get better. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.