What's new
Cystic Fibrosis Forum (EXP)

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

MARINOL?

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Anyone tried it?

Josh hasn't eaten in two weeks and his nurse recommended Marinol for weight gain. When he explained what it was we laughed, but IT WORKED!

It is a marijuana derivative, so he got THE MUNCHIES! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">


So why didn't the docs or nutritionists recommend this a long time ago?
 

Ricky

New member
I just drink 2000 calories of Ensure Plus a day. And I do't eat any fried foods. Only baked or roasted for me. I'm 6'2'' 195lbs.
 

Chill4291

New member
lol, Jane, your son is getting stoned off marinol!!! lol thats great!!, rolf...My doctor doesn't like to perscribe that because people get "dazed" on it , and My uncle takes it to gain weight, and he said he gets high off it, and has given ti to a friend to try who also got stoned. And Megace is a female hormone. sooooooo usua;;y is perscribed to females, rarely to males...I would aviod it,
I just got perscribed something to try, to help with appetite, I forget what its called, but when I get it, I'll give oyu the name
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Karen,

I've never heard of megace, but I'll ask about it. I looked it up (GOOGLE IT) and it is a derivative of a female hormone and might have "feminizing" side effects. Hmmmmm. It is so strange how doctors who work with cancer patients use these things regularly, but not cf doctors.

The marinol probably is an extreme option but since he's gone without eating for two weeks, they probably think the side effects are worth it. He's on school vacation this week AND in the hospital, so the buzz is probably ok. Besides, he's had benadryl IV three times a day with the vanco, so he might not notice an additional buzz.

Ricky, my kids get 1500 calories with G-tubes overnight, but with this virus, Josh couldn't EAT anything so he lost weight. How many cans = 2000 calories?

Thanks
Jane
 

Chill4291

New member
well, I read it, and then I went and asked my doctor about it, and that is when he told me he only prescribes it to his female patients, and is weary of giving it to males, but some doctors do. if you google megace, oyu can find the info without a problem
 

Chill4291

New member
I just wanted to add, I'm not putting down megace, I have heard of it working great for males also, that was how it got my attention, and even why I still asked about it anyways,even after learning what it was. but my doctor wasn't keen on the idea, and I wasn't going to puch it cause I wasn't so sure I wante dto be taking female hormones either..
 

anonymous

New member
Well, Troys oncologist prescribes it to all of his patients. He said the only side effect was that it would make troy hungry and that is what it has done. I am sure everyone has dif. effects but it has worked wonders for Troy. I am sure with Troy having cancer and CF and being his lowest weight ever, the doctor is just worried about his caloric intake, not his hormones.

Jane, will your boys drink the drinks? The boost, etc. I ordered the VHC carnation drinks that were being touted on here a few weeks ago and Troy really loves them. The nice thing is they have almost 600 calories and are the same size and taste as boost and ensure plus. They are lactose free (if that matters to you) and are loaded in nutrients. You can only get them online for 35 bucks including shipping for 24.

I would def. ask your doctor about all hunger inducing drugs available. I am sure there is something that will help him.

I cant imagine how hard it is to see your child not eat! I know with Troy it is hard enough but a child, I am so sorry you are dealing with this. What a tough thing.

Keep us posted on how he is doing.

Karen
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>

Jane, will your boys drink the drinks? The boost, etc. I ordered the VHC carnation drinks that were being touted on here a few weeks ago

I cant imagine how hard it is to see your child not eat! I know with Troy it is hard enough but a child, I am so sorry you are dealing with this. What a tough thing.

Karen</end quote></div>

It IS hard to watch him not eat. It really gets frustrating because everyone assumes you just put food in your mouth and that's the end of it. But it doesn't always work that way. So in Josh's case NOTHING worked- not treats, not shakes, not incentives- NOTHING. We were so encouraged yesterday when he asked for food, first time in weeks. The marinol must have helped with that. I'm going to mention the megace to the nutrionist- whatever works!! After he gets used to eating again, we'll see about the VHC drinks.

Thanks

Jane
 

anonymous

New member
Jane, is he depressed? Why isnt he eating? Is he trying to stay slim or is he just not hungry? The reason I ask is Troy says his mom could always tell when he was sick, he wouldnt eat. He says that when he is full, even now, it is harder for him to breathe so sometimes he wouldnt eat for fear he wouldnt be able to breath as well.

If the Marinol works, great. The only reason I mentioned the megace was it seems to have the lesser of the 2 evils as far as side effects. I could see telling a 14 year, OK, here is medicinal marajuana. So, he gets a buzz and will only wonder what the real stuff is like. I guess there are worse things, but as a mother, I am sure that has run through your mind.

The thing about the megace is that it tricks your mind into ALWAYS thinking you are hungry. So, Troy can eat a ton, I mean a ton, and still be hungry. He is actually worried about tearing his stomach from eating so much. From one extreme to the other. Now he doesnt worry about his breathing being restricted from being full, he just eats and eats!

I know you are at your wits end and I have been praying for you and Josh! Keep me posted on how things are going.

Karen
 

anonymous

New member
just my thought, but i would rather give a kid a little buzz, then female hormones, just cause of his age... troy is a full grown adult, fully matured, so I would imagine female hormones wouldn't have any real affects on his aging or anything.
 

anonymous

New member
I have taken it but I didn't think it really worked. I eat a lot anyways so I didn't really notice a difference. Maybe I should try it again because I need to gain weight like you wouldn't believe!!!
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>

If the Marinol works, great. The only reason I mentioned the megace was it seems to have the lesser of the 2 evils as far as side effects.


The thing about the megace is that it tricks your mind into ALWAYS thinking you are hungry. So, Troy can eat a ton, I mean a ton, and still be hungry.


Karen</end quote></div>




After a few days, we are wondering about the marinol side effects. Josh is feeling a little better, but still very tired. (could be marinol induced) He did start eating again, but not a lot. We're going to ask about the megace today. I'm not worried about his impotence at this point. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
The doctors are hesitant to try megace with Josh since they are unsure how it (the hormone) would affect this bacteria. They are still trying to figuring out how to treat it and are not really sure what's causing the fevers. So we'll have to stay with the marinol for now.

Anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks
 

anonymous

New member
Stoned isn't so bad in some situations (as I vaguely recall from the 60s).
I used to crave those junk peanutbutter/cheese crackers.
Have you offered those to Josh recently?
-LisaV
 
Top