Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Support Group

Hello, My wife has a chronic regional pain disorder (rsd) and is in constant pain and usually intense nausea. We live in pennsylvania, and her doctor refused to prescribe anything but narcotics ( he said because he has never prescribed marinol, he isnt going to prescrtibe it), which have not helped much with the pain, and make the nausea so much worse. Does anyone have any experience in getting marinol prescribed? We are willing to travel out of state to find a doctor who is more open minded about this. A Pennsylvania doctor would be more convenient, but judging from how PA handles "touchy" subjects like this proven medication, my hopes arent high that we will find any local doctor who will help.

Thank You

I have no experience with Marinol, I'm sorry. I wanted to welcome you to the group, though.

What type of medication is Marinol?

I believe it's another name for Medcal Marijuana.

Marinol was developed in the 1980's. It is a class III drug, made from concentrated thc derived from marijuana. It is completely legal in all 50 states, not just the ones medical marijuana is legal in, and has been proven to be an effective medication to help relieve symptoms of rsd. Why some doctors refuse to prescribe it is beyond me, I just want to find a doctor that will.

I read that patients prescribed Marinol frequently report that its psychoactive effects are far greater than those of natural cannabis.Marinol's adverse effects include:feeling "High",drowsiness,dizziness,confusion,anxiety,changes in mood,muddled thinking,perceptual difficulties,coordination impairment,irritability.and depression.These psychactive effects may last four to six hours.About one-third of patients prescribed Marinol report experiencing these adverse effects.It's just my thinking but maybe this is the reason Doctors won't prescribe it.

Considering the adverse effects of the narcotics and opioids they have my wife on now, these possible adverse effects seem relatively minor in comparison. My wife cannot eat because the medications she is on make her so nauseous and sick. I am worried she is going to get even worse without the proper nutrition. Marinol has been proven to be effective for RSD pain and nausea, while increasing the patient's ability to eat.

I feel for you and your wife I wish I could do something to help you both get through this I will still be checking to try and find some answers and maybe some help.

Thanks! All help is appreciated!

I know that it is sometimes difficult to add another medication, especially since a lot of anti-nausea meds have side effects of drowsiness or dizziness but....

Has she tried any medications to help with the nausea?

Compazene and zofran. neither are that effective or without unpleasant side effects, plus both are chemically based, while marinol is naturally based which will be much less harmful to her liver and stomach. She is only 29 and the idea of taking percocets and other narcotics and opioids for the rest of her life is kind of scary. Please if anyone knows a doctor that has prescribed marinol, please let me know.

Post edited by: concernedhusband, at: 11/05/2010 08:27 AM