Here are some links. As we all know pain meds can kill but those in severe pain these meds are life savers. The fed was out and is still out to set examples of people, to send a message.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hurwitz

http://www.november.org/stayinfo/bre...NYTimes06.html

It's so frustrating that pain patients have to be compared to medication "abusers". My body is used to my meds (Hydrocodone 10/325 2 pills 4 times daily, Ultram ,Neurontin, Cymbalta), so I never feel any mental effects- no "high" or even pleasant mental effects. In fact, NOTHING really ever kills my pain, but I'm afraid to ask for anything stronger. I have been offered Methadone, but fear the side effects, so for now, I'll just suck it up and be thankful for the fact that I don't feel the full effects of my pain anymore. I hope that if it turms out that MJ did overdose on pain medications, that the authoritites will treat it as that- an overdose by an individual. Unfortunately, it happens every day. A celebrity being the one who passed away doesn't change the circumstances of the medication use. I think he was a great musician, but he was just a person, and could have made a mistake with his medication. The person, not the medication, caused the problem.

I think it is important to understand WHICH drugs are problematic.

Demerol used every day is VERY dangerous.

Methadone is also dangerous in some patients with potential for QT prolongation or mixing with other drugs which may also cause cardiac effects.

All the other opiates are safer to use unless given in doses which may depress the respiratory centers in the brain, or mixed with Benzos (Klonopin etc) or Soma which also depress the respiratory reflex.

But long term use of opiates for pain control can be done safely and effectively for most patients, with good medical supervision.

When something hits the media like this MJ tragedy, everyone gets up in arms trying to protect their treatments, or others who feel moral indignation and want to remove ALL treatments.
Eventually the truth will come out, and the overreaction will end I think, like it usually does.

heypete
I dont think anyone is going to have a problem getting your meds..m.j ,,i think had a dr in his pocket,im not saying he wasnt in pain,butit is addictive,,this i know first hand,,,,i have to discipline myself on them,,the eurphoric feeling is the trigger for anyone,,,we all have to be careful,,but when i walk in {or any of you} into any dr;s office,,my extenal rsd symptoms speak so loud,,i dont have to say a word,,if there is a problem with a dr,and we all have seen bad ones and good ones,,,I'll go to the next guy in the yellow pages,,,,,, you will be fine,,and keep up your faith in which ive seen increasing daily,,,, who knows,,,maybe we will get that remission or better yet,,complete healing,,,,your friend in christ Jesus
boyd p.s for those on this site in hearing range who dont already know,,,pain meds are not only hard on the liver,they are extremilly hard on the heart,,,,,,,

Euphoric feeling? I don't have that with my pain meds.

I get euphoric feelings when my wife's pain level is down!

And, there's not a thing wrong with that!!
I hope that she does too!

pete

I agree with this statement. Euphoric feeling would be totally pain free for me..to be RSD/CRPS Free. I can't remember how that felt,anymore. Sad, it has only been 2 plus years

The media is reporting that propofol was removed from Jackson's residence.

It might show up on the tox screen. If it was used in this setting it may be very contributory or the real cause of this event.

Propofol is a very hazardous anesthetic and MJ was begging medical professionals for it, and when used outside of a hospital without emergency protocols, it is capable of killing the patient.

His drug bills that he owed were enormous...and I am expecting a huge list of substances to be revealed when that autopsy report comes back. Law enforcement (LA and DEA) are working on his records already!

So in reality this situation is extreme and not similar to what other chronic pain patients experience.

What I heard was the doctor would put him under using that particular anesthetic just after he performed concerts. They would put him to sleep until the next day or gig. The doctor would monitor him all night as though he was in an intensive care unit. Very strange.