EARCLOPS

Dedicated to the pursuit of sound minds and sound bodies

1. BN 12.1.10 / 4pm

   I guess I will have a few things to say now. First off, I almost went on a fucking rant when I initially heard about the methadone angle. Methadone is an opiate based drug that is controversial because it can lead heroine addicts to being addicted to it. Anyways, the connection to Heath is that one of the drugs that he had was in the same family as methadone (another opiate based drug) that was speculatively being used as a severe pain reliever. (Methadone can be used for that as well. For what I have read of course, since what the fuck do I know). Anyways, it was reportedly the combination of the opiate drug and anti-anxiety and sleep drugs that caused Heath to nod off permanently due to the process of depressing the nervous system, breathing, etc until the person dies due to carbon monoxide poisoning when the automatic wake up shit that would normally go on doesn’t occur. Heath reportedly also had a weakened system due to pneumonia or whatever he had making him more vulnerable. Irons, allegedly had Dengue fever which this article also touches on. I had researched that since I am fucking obsessive and saw that it only kills off the very old, very young, and compromised. Much like a heat wave. For a top athlete to die from it seemed to suggest that there was something else at play.

   So what would we be left with. Either a freak death, a Heath-like drug interaction, or a harsh drug overdose. The middle one, I would guess would be the most likely but we will see.

   And this is now my modified and greatly shortened rant since time has passed. If his death turns out to be due to prescription drug interaction then this yet a fucking again is one more sad, tragic, and fully unnecessary example of a healthy person dying because of the over-’medicating’ of the public. (Have you missed this thread of a rant? Probably not).

   But think about it if it already isn’t quite obvious. Drug companies market to not only get drugs out to sick people, but also to healthy people. It is an industry that has gone awry for so long that it has become an obvious what in the hell do we do with it problem since it is such a powerful industry. Celebrities, sports figures, and other prominent individuals are more or less a form of a canary in a coal mine since they are so visible. They, although an unrelatable study group, are a study group nonetheless, and to see the dramatically marked increase in their deaths (Ledger, Haim, Britnney Murphy, to name a few) can only hint at what that correlates/represents to the society at large that have the same sort of access to these drugs. These aren’t designer drugs. These people aren’t knocking off due to cocaine binges and whatnot. They are passing out in bed and not waking up.
   Again, we will wait and see if Andy Irons joins that list, but regardless if he does or not, the epidemic is still there.
   Seriously, for the nth time. Who’s with me? Let’s burn some shit down.
2. BN 12.1.10 / 4pm

   In case you are far too whipped by wife, girlfriend, or fiance and haven’t heard…Lebron and the Heat play in Cleaveland tomorrow (Thursday) night. The only more hostile environment I can think of in professional sports may be when Rocky went to Drago’s crib. If all goes to hell would love to see Lebron stare into the camera with raised fist going, “Yatsem Ya! Yatsem ya!!!”
3. GW 12.2.10 / 8am

   Wow BN, deep seated rage that you’re harboring for the drug companies, which is pretty understandable. On a lighter note I don’t really watch the NBA but i will be making an exception tonight.
4. BN 12.2.10 / 10am

   They stole some time off my clock so they fucking started it. But past myself, anything/institution that knowingly injures or risks lasting damage/death to other people to make money while ridiculously fronting as those who are trying to help…what words can describe?
   The more you read about the behind the scenes the more anyone would get pissed off. Believe me.
   Yeah, I don’t follow the NBA too closely either. Watch Laker games and used to watch Cleveland games, and definitely watch Playoffs but that’s about it. Should be a wild one.
5. JohnP 12.6.10 / 11am

   Just was at a presentation by a pain doc. He uses methadone as an add on long acting pain med at the lowest dose, 5mg rather than ramping up the short acting pain meds. Says it is a very good long acting pain med when you are starting to see a patient ramp up the oxycotin/morphine dosages. He made one strong point. The one thing he does not do is put people on benzos. Very dangerous, and a liability to his license. Primary care is starting to even see that benzos are a dangerous drug, but they are the go to in the emergency room and for most primary care offices. Atizan, Valium get abused all the time, addiction is a very misused word, very hard to be addicted, 1st the person needs the genetic predisposition for addiction, so 10% of the general populaiton, then need escalating dosages plus real physical dependency. The abuse is more the proper way to describe how a lot of folks use these meds. They are using them without relief of their problem, most cases anxiety. Andy may have had an addictive predisposition, and then may have been abusing these meds and not being properly managed by a doc. As soon as we see somebody starting to blowing through their meds they need to be seen to really see why they are doing so. In the case of pain, they may be undermedicated and not getting relief, which is where in really complex situations a drug like methadone is used. Very misunderstood drug in the opinion of the pain med doc. I have to agree, I saw it used very well at the VA hospital by pain specialists, which again is probably the relm you want somebody giving out this type of drug since it is long acting.
   My own rant. People start taking what they want to take, they misuse a prescription drug that has a regimented dosage, they fail to show up for follow up appointments because they don’t want to sit waiting in an office, they decide they can self manage their situation with a bottle that should be co-managed between the patient and the prescribing doc. The way I look at it, if you go to a doc for relief and that doc determines a prescription drug may provide relief,you have now entered into a contract with that doc to be have your symptoms and overall well being followed. If you stray off the dosage path or don’t follow up, you are on your own and I think the liability then falls on the patient. Not sure how that applies in this particular case.
6. BN 12.6.10 / 1pm

   Thanks for chiming in on this Pucc. It actually gave me (a reactive person for sure) a few things to think about. First I do want to say that my reaction to something (like this post and following comment) is more a vent of anger than clear headed analysis. Thus a slant is a slant. I believe in what I wrote, but it sure as hell is not balanced. I don’t think all meds are bad and that all is ridiculous and wrong.
   With that said though, a few responses to your points. First, ‘addiction’ is a tricky word. I agree, again from what I understand and have read, that addicts are those who have the predisposition for addiction. There appears to be a reality that if those individuals ingest a substance it sets off a whirlwind whereas a non-addictive person can say “when” and not lose control of their lives. So with that said, I agree in that definition of addiction/addicts and what percentage of people have that shit hand dealt to them. However, I feel that by calling a prescription drug problem or misuse as simply ‘abuse’, that to me (based on what I have read) is an area of debate. I believe that the body/brain becomes if not ‘addicted’ to a given substance like the benzos, then they at the very least become dependant on the depressant/stimulant. Seen in that if the individual tries to get off the drug they have an increase in symptoms if not a whole host of other problems. Some, whether addicts or not, cannot get off some of the drugs. Thus it feels like splitting hairs defining addicted and dependent. The word ‘addicting’ is a damning word for drug companies so much time is debated on the wording (”may be habit forming, etc”). -I’m typing on Blackberry so shorting this up.
   Final point though is responding to people taking what they want and are the ones who go to their doctor so responsible…
7. BN 12.6.10 / 1pm

   …phone interview. Got cut off. Anyways, regarding latter point,what I contend with is that people are largely coming to their doctors wanting this drug or that drug because they are being mass marketed on tv ad after tv ad telling them about drugs that will make them feel better (and is misleading). The fact we purchase clothes, make-up, and all based on this same process, one can argue that is a very powerful and persuasive medium. Thus now have patients coming to doctors (right or wrong) saying I want this drug or that drug, or l knew something was wrong cause ad said so and that starts the relationship with the doctor. Sure own up to responsibilty for own actions but as humans I would say we aren’t always aware of our motivations and power of marketing. I’m just reacting to the not so safe practice of the whole thing. There is a lot to this conversation and I’m sure you got better things to do. Thanks again for chiming in on this.
8. BN 12.6.10 / 2pm

   Just to be clear though, I am not reacting to the medicating of the public. I’m reacting to the over-medicating of the public, especially with psychiatric meds that has occured over past few decades as the drug companies went into advertising with it all. Simply in working with foster kids in centers and every single one of them is pumped full of these things like a swollen turkey is the smallest example of the trend that I feel truly is frightening and fucked. In no way am I criticizing your field or relationship w/ pharmaceuticals JP (nor do I feel you are taking it that way). Just responding to over-doing and reduced safety with it all. Very complicated situation.
9. BN 12.6.10 / 6pm

   Jealous about what you’re learning JP. Must be fascinating to learn all that stuff.

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