Description

Cannabidiol alleviates eosinophilic esophagitis

Medical Condition

Gastrointestinal disorders

Symptoms

Food gets stuck in throat

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Heartburn and reflux disease

Pain Scale: Before Cannabis Use

6

Pain Scale: After Cannabis Use

2

Abstract

This 31-year-old white male with heartburn and dysphagia unresponsive to antacids was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis. He finds relief of his symptoms by using cannabidiol rich concentrates.

Patient information

Gender

Male

Age

25-34

Brief history and target symptomatology

This 31-year-old computer security specialist developed heartburn around age 15, which did not respond to usual antacid treatment. 6 years later he developed severe dysphagia and was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis upon esophagoscopy and biopsy. Recently he required bougienage for esophageal stricture. Cannabidiol rich concentrates relieve his dysphagia, without the need for additional medication.

Previous and current conventional therapies

Standard antacid therapy (Protonix, Nexium) did not relieve heartburn. He undergoes annual esophagoscopy and esophageal biopsy and recently required esophageal dilatation for stricture. He is currently in remission, for which he credits cannabidiol.

Clinical response to Cannabis

Relief of heartburn and dysphagia.

Additional Comments

Esophageal eosinophilia is increasingly recognized as a separate disease, with an incidence of one in 10,000 per year. Unlike GERD, it does not respond to antacids. It manifests with progressive dysphagia and may progress to esophageal stricture. It is usually associated with food allergies, however it may occur in antibody deficient patients. It is treated with dietary restrictions and topical corticosteroids, such as Flonase. The role of medical marijuana has not been investigated.

Reference: http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments

Here is a description of patient's method of using medical marijuana: “I do not use medical marijuana throughout the day, just at night, usually sometimes just before dinner to before bed, but almost never more than once in a day. I have used it twice after food has become lodged (and subsequently dislodged) to try to limit the additional swelling that usually occurs after such an event. With the use of medical marijuana, I have been able to return to, and finish my meal. My tolerance is quite low, so I have tried both vaporized plant and concentrate, and smoked plant, and low-dose lozenges and sprays. I cannot say for certain that one is any better than the other; all seem to help.”

Cannabis

Usual method of Cannabis administration

Vaporized

Frequency of Usage: Time Per Day

3

Frequency of Usage: Days per Week

3