Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Write Your Representative
I have added a link to our resources ( http://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml )that will help you to identify your house representative - simply click on the link, enter your information and it will provide contact information. I will continue to collect and post contact information for all levels of government. Please take the time to let them know the impact these and other drugs are having on our world. What is it they say "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" - lets "SQUEAK".
Monday, January 5, 2009
I am so angry - the more I read about Oxycontin and Methadone the more disturbed I get - it is astonishing how many people have died - and our government passes optional laws? controls? I am so sad that Jimmy had to be another statistic - you go to the doctor and trust that they are making the right decisions for you and your health. How many people read every word about every prescription they receive? Jimmy didn't want to have risky surgery because he was aware of the risks, why wasn't he given the same information on the drugs he was being given - from what I have read the risks are much greater. Would his doctors have given his family member the same prescription with the same information? I am betting the answer is "No".
~Never Forget! I love you Jimmy! I promise you we will make a difference - save someones brother, father, son and friend ~ in your name this is our goal....
~Never Forget! I love you Jimmy! I promise you we will make a difference - save someones brother, father, son and friend ~ in your name this is our goal....
Methadone Deaths: The frightening Facts
Article: Methadone Deaths: The Frightening Facts
Deaths caused by methadone, a narcotic drug used to treat chronic pain and drug dependence, have increased significantly over the past 10 years according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, the CDC reports that methadone deaths increased a startling 468% (no, that's not a misprint) from 1999 to 2005 alone. But why?
The facts
Methadone, or Dolophine, has been around for over 50 years. While it is a low cost treatment for those who are attempting to decrease their usage of stronger narcotics such as heroin, it is also commonly used by patients who suffer with chronic pain. However, according to the CDC, many doctors do not realize that methadone stays in the body from between eight to 59 hours after dosing and that has caused death rates from methadone use to increase significantly. Here are some facts from the CDC (www.cdc.gov/):
Methadone poisoning deaths increased 468% from 1995 - 2005. To put this number in context, the CDC reported that poisoning deaths from other drugs only increased an average of 66% over the same time period and said that of all narcotic drugs mentioned in poisoning deaths, methadone had the largest relative increases during that period.
Death rates highest for those between ages 35 and 54. Death rates are highest for this age group than for those who are younger or older. In fact, the CDC stated that the death rate for those 55-64 years of age was nine times greater in 2005 than it was in 1999. <1i>10 states with the highest reported methadone deaths. The following 10 states reported the highest reported methadone related deaths in 2005:
Florida 430
North Carolina 299
Washington 269
California 213
Texas 199
New York 179
Ohio 158
Kentucky 156
Maryland 145
Tennessee 134
Deaths caused by methadone, a narcotic drug used to treat chronic pain and drug dependence, have increased significantly over the past 10 years according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, the CDC reports that methadone deaths increased a startling 468% (no, that's not a misprint) from 1999 to 2005 alone. But why?
The facts
Methadone, or Dolophine, has been around for over 50 years. While it is a low cost treatment for those who are attempting to decrease their usage of stronger narcotics such as heroin, it is also commonly used by patients who suffer with chronic pain. However, according to the CDC, many doctors do not realize that methadone stays in the body from between eight to 59 hours after dosing and that has caused death rates from methadone use to increase significantly. Here are some facts from the CDC (www.cdc.gov/):
Methadone poisoning deaths increased 468% from 1995 - 2005. To put this number in context, the CDC reported that poisoning deaths from other drugs only increased an average of 66% over the same time period and said that of all narcotic drugs mentioned in poisoning deaths, methadone had the largest relative increases during that period.
Death rates highest for those between ages 35 and 54. Death rates are highest for this age group than for those who are younger or older. In fact, the CDC stated that the death rate for those 55-64 years of age was nine times greater in 2005 than it was in 1999. <1i>10 states with the highest reported methadone deaths. The following 10 states reported the highest reported methadone related deaths in 2005:
Florida 430
North Carolina 299
Washington 269
California 213
Texas 199
New York 179
Ohio 158
Kentucky 156
Maryland 145
Tennessee 134
Friday, January 2, 2009
Why is this even being prescribed?
In my research I found the following warning.... I am certain there are other options why prescribe something so dangerous. Since Jimmy's death and my researching of this particular drug I have met many people who have been prescribed Oxycontin - so far not one of them has been helped by it -
WARNING:
OxyContin is an opioid agonist and a Schedule II controlled substance with an abuse liability similar to morphine.
Oxycodone can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. This should be considered when prescribing or dispensing OxyContin in situations where the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, abuse, or diversion.
OxyContin Tablets are a controlled-release oral formulation of oxycodone hydrochloride indicated for the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around-the-clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time.
OxyContin Tablets are NOT intended for use as a prn analgesic.
OxyContin 80 mg and 160 mg Tablets ARE FOR USE IN OPIOID-TOLERANT PATIENTS ONLY. These tablet strengths may cause fatal respiratory depression when administered to patients not previously exposed to opioids.
OxyContin TABLETS ARE TO BE SWALLOWED WHOLE AND ARE NOT TO BE BROKEN, CHEWED, OR CRUSHED. TAKING BROKEN, CHEWED, OR CRUSHED OxyContin TABLETS LEADS TO RAPID RELEASE AND ABSORPTION OF A POTENTIALLY FATAL DOSE OF OXYCODONE.
WARNING:
OxyContin is an opioid agonist and a Schedule II controlled substance with an abuse liability similar to morphine.
Oxycodone can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. This should be considered when prescribing or dispensing OxyContin in situations where the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, abuse, or diversion.
OxyContin Tablets are a controlled-release oral formulation of oxycodone hydrochloride indicated for the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around-the-clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time.
OxyContin Tablets are NOT intended for use as a prn analgesic.
OxyContin 80 mg and 160 mg Tablets ARE FOR USE IN OPIOID-TOLERANT PATIENTS ONLY. These tablet strengths may cause fatal respiratory depression when administered to patients not previously exposed to opioids.
OxyContin TABLETS ARE TO BE SWALLOWED WHOLE AND ARE NOT TO BE BROKEN, CHEWED, OR CRUSHED. TAKING BROKEN, CHEWED, OR CRUSHED OxyContin TABLETS LEADS TO RAPID RELEASE AND ABSORPTION OF A POTENTIALLY FATAL DOSE OF OXYCODONE.
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