Oxycontin and Drug Company

So sorry to hear about your friend. It is my belief that all drugs have become way to easy to obtain from most doctors without any thought of the long term effects. I have someone very close to me that is having a very rough time because of this very subject. The drug companies have way too much power imo! I hope you have someone you can talk to about this sad event..and you always have your sowal family.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/07/20/oxycontin.plea.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories A very small amount of this oxycontin along with Xanax killed my 44 yr old childhood girlfriend this past Spring. I know in my heart she did not mean to die. I just know it. :angry: She had an 18 yr old son and a husband. I don't know why she had it, how she got it, where she got it from, anything. I hadn't seen her in years, and was way overdue for a visit. We were 500 miles a part. Anyhow, she will be missed by many, and I just want to warn people about this drug that is scary, and evidently way more addictive and dangerous than labeled by its maker. When I read this I just wanted to and . I am aware it has its uses with terminal illnesses however for other uses it sounds too dangerous, and also like lots of innocent people are dying from it. Just be careful of even prescribed drugs. It seems like everybody is on somethin' for somethin'. GGOM, !!! Isn't it normal to be a little depressed some times? There is a war goin' on with lotsa people dyin'. It's sad. A pill won't fix it. It may make us forget for a while though at the same time, may make us forget the other important stuff in our lives too. To think these big drug companies have lobbyists and cover ups is scary. I'm not tryin' to be too dramatic...I'm just sayin', careful be.

Careful, you're starting to sound like Tom Cruise, there, kristi. ;-)
Seriously, I am very sorry about your friend. This issue has been discussed more than once on here, and I usually jump in because I think it's dangerous any time someone suggests avoiding drug therapy for depression. Don't confuse a little sadness with depression; they're not the same thing. People who medicate themselves enough to forget things are usually doing it with more than "a pill".

Amen, pea.

I also think that oxycontin is way over prescribed for people along with Xanax. My husband was hooked on oxy when he was injured in the line of duty 5 yrs ago. The docs at UAB told him to take the pills before the hurt starts so he would not be in any pain. So every 4 hrs, he popped a pill. He never did know if there was pain or not for a long time. I saw a person i didnt know for a period of time and i didnt like what i saw. This drug made him so cold and un human like to us. The children thought he was stoned all the time. Very sad!! So i started replacing the pills with tylenol in his bottle and he never knew it. That is how much out of it he was. He didnt even noticed the pills were different. Within a month, he was back to his ole self and non dependent on any drugs.

I am very sorry your friend passed.We sometimes dont know they worries our friends and family has. They try and hide problems from others by taking meds as these. Xanax is a nerve pill and i also have friends that is on this. IF for some reason she misses her meds or runs out, i see her being very fidgety and nervous. Not someone i want to be around either. I just dont understand how people need these meds to live daily. Now granted i am not saying some people dont medically need meds like these, but to just go in and say to a doc, you are depressed and need some help is outrageous. A pill will not make your worries go away, will not solve your problems.

Please know you are in my prayers. I know you will m iss your friend dearly and you are very kind to try and warn people of this problem with easy to get drugs.

The drug for anti-inflamatory problems that caused so many strokes in patients that they took off the market in the past few years? Hubby had a stroke at age 42 due to this also. So we are very leary of what docs prescribe now. Not too much trust in the sytem now.

Ok i am off my vent also about these drugs. I just felt the need to add my story too since it hit home personally to me as well. God Bless you Kristi

Sadly I thought it was way to easy to get the pain pills. I have more oxycontin than you can imagine. When I was in pain every doctor was supplying me. I was in bed and my daughter was running to the drugstore for me with her hands full of perscriptions. When I got up on my feet and started seeing what all I had I was shocked. No one could possible need all the pain pills they gave me.

Sadly I thought it was way to easy to get the pain pills. I have more oxycontin than you can imagine. When I was in pain every doctor was supplying me. I was in bed and my daughter was running to the drugstore for me with her hands full of perscriptions. When I got up on my feet and started seeing what all I had I was shocked. No one could possible need all the pain pills they gave me.

Just horrible. I do think the discussion seacrestkristi brought up is dealing with two different subjects. If I am guessing correctly, pea didn't want her to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Depression kills.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/07/20/oxycontin.plea.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories A very small amount of this oxycontin along with Xanax killed my 44 yr old childhood girlfriend this past Spring. I know in my heart she did not mean to die. I just know it. :angry: She had an 18 yr old son and a husband. I don't know why she had it, how she got it, where she got it from, anything. I hadn't seen her in years, and was way overdue for a visit. We were 500 miles a part. Anyhow, she will be missed by many, and I just want to warn people about this drug that is scary, and evidently way more addictive and dangerous than labeled by its maker. When I read this I just wanted to and . I am aware it has its uses with terminal illnesses however for other uses it sounds too dangerous, and also like lots of innocent people are dying from it. Just be careful of even prescribed drugs. It seems like everybody is on somethin' for somethin'. GGOM, !!! Isn't it normal to be a little depressed some times? There is a war goin' on with lotsa people dyin'. It's sad. A pill won't fix it. It may make us forget for a while though at the same time, may make us forget the other important stuff in our lives too. To think these big drug companies have lobbyists and cover ups is scary. I'm not tryin' to be too dramatic...I'm just sayin', careful be.

I can see where you would be sad and confused in the death of your friend. I am so sorry for your loss.

Yes, it is normal for some to be depressed some of the time. But there are those where depression can be crippling. I for one, am very thankful for my Zoloft that I've taken for the past 8 years. My husband and son are also very thankful. I'm not sure where I'd be if it were not for the Rx. Those who are dependent on antidepressants should also be in some kind of talk therapy. Depression is something one cannot even begin to explain or understand.

I will say that none of my dr's. who treat me for back pain or arthritic pain, will NOT give me anything like oxycontin because of my history. Thankfully, I've had some very outstanding docs.!! And that's where it starts.

So anyway, for me, a pill (along with other forms of therapy) and an understanding spouse, has helped me.

It's just so much more complicated as it's an invisible disease.

Adding an addendum here after reading Ms. Kitty's post. It is 2 different topics here. But this is why my doc's won't prescribe the pain meds. because of the addiction rate.

Just horrible. I do think the discussion seacrestkristi brought up is dealing with two different subjects. If I am guessing correctly, pea didn't want her to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Depression kills.

You're right Kitty. Pea speaks wisely.

but to just go in and say to a doc, you are depressed and need some help is outrageous. A pill will not make your worries go away, will not solve your problems.

I am beyond amazed at the level of misunderstanding people have about how antidepressants work. yboi_kma, I only assume you've never taken them. It's distressing to me that people assume others go on antidepressants because they want "happy pills" or to escape from their lives. Nothing could be further than the truth; it's more typical the drugs pull people from the depths and restore them to normal--and that's best-case scenario.
Lynne, I also am amazed at your story. It's disheartening, but I'm so glad you came through it all right.

I am beyond amazed at the level of misunderstanding people have about how antidepressants work. yboi_kma, I only assume you've never taken them. It's distressing to me that people assume others go on antidepressants because they want "happy pills" or to escape from their lives. Nothing could be further than the truth; it's more typical the drugs pull people from the depths and restore them to normal--and that's best-case scenario.
Lynne, I also am amazed at your story. It's disheartening, but I'm so glad you came through it all right.

Even sadder Pea, is the way the stigma attached to taking antidepressants can have lasting effects on peoples lives. Once you've been on anti depressants, even for a short period of time, insurance companies can use that as a reason to disallow coverage or make you pay higher premiums for coverage. You recover, you get off the antidepressant (which by the way can be a very difficult process) and you are still judged. It stinks.

I am soon to be 46 years old. My mother passed away 6 years ago. She was on "meds" for debilitating depression my entire life. Had it not been for those "meds", I am sure she would not have been with me very long. They literally saved her life. Her sisters and brothers as well. Mental illness was rampant on her side of the family. They all needed these "meds" to survive. Someone very close to me now, is also on "meds" for depression. These "meds" have allowed this person to get up out of the bed and live. So, I for one am totally and completely NOT against anyone who needs these "meds" to function like a normal person.

Seacrestkristi.....I am very, very sorry for the loss of your friend.

Even sadder Pea, is the way the stigma attached to taking antidepressants can have lasting effects on peoples lives. Once you've been on anti depressants, even for a short period of time, insurance companies can use that as a reason to disallow coverage or make you pay higher premiums for coverage. You recover, you get off the antidepressant (which by the way can be a very difficult process) and you are still judged. It stinks.

It doesn't stink..it sucks. Plain and simple.

Lynne,

It doesn't stink..it sucks. Plain and simple.

Lynne,

There ya go!

Darlene I had to cry reading about your mom. How sad that she experienced so much pain and sadness. I know that overwhelming sadness and anxiety is crippling. My daddy was the most positive, funn loving, well adjusted man I know but he needed antidepressants at the end of his life. It helped make the time he had left bearable for him and for us. Hugs to you sweetie

I am beyond amazed at the level of misunderstanding people have about how antidepressants work. yboi_kma, I only assume you've never taken them. It's distressing to me that people assume others go on antidepressants because they want "happy pills" or to escape from their lives. Nothing could be further than the truth; it's more typical the drugs pull people from the depths and restore them to normal--and that's best-case scenario.
Lynne, I also am amazed at your story. It's disheartening, but I'm so glad you came through it all right.

As a health care provider, I deal with this issue daily. There are definitely people who need and benefit from anti-depressants. However, I see far more individuals who are looking for the easy cure in a pill for all their problems. Roughly 10% of the U.S adult population uses these medications. I do not see how this can be normal. Depression is a very tricky thing to define. I see it as a spectrum from very mild symtoms to severe. At either end of the spectrum, it is easy to see the patients who clearly do or don't need medication. It is the large gray area in between these two extremes where overuse of medications occur. It is very arbitrary where one draws the line to treat with meds or not.
There are numerous studies showing talk therapy, exercise and many other treatment modalities work equally well when compared to medications.
When you combine the sales tactics used by pharmaceutical reps on physicians and direct advertising to the public, it is easy to see how these medications are abused.

Sorry to hear about this Kristi, but this is a great thread you started. A few observations: Xanax is in a family of medications called benzodiazapenes;they are intended to alleviate anxiety, not depression. Furthermore, some benzodiazapenes work fast, others, slower...the manner in which xanax works makes it easier for psychological dependence to set in. I can't explain it, but from what I have seen, if you looked in the medicine cabinets of 100 middle and upper class women, you would find 20-30 of those cabinets with a bottle of xanax. In my opinion, it is a terrible medication to use because of the addictive potential. There are other 'benzos' which are better choices for anxiety, and even then, I only write a prescription for them in small quantities, perhaps 5 pills for somebody going on a trip who is afraid of flying, for example.

Oxycontin is a whole other issue-obviously, it is a pain medication, and way too many people end up on the pills long enough to where they are physically and mentally dependent. With that said, it is easy to play 'armchair' physician and second guess well intended decisions...chronic pain is challenging for both the patient and the physician who desires to alleviate suffering. I think the best procedure when using this and similar meds is to draft a pain medication contract that the patient signs, stating that they will not have frequent refills, refills will be stopped if the patient makes no effort to attend physical therapy, not attempt to seek pain meds from a second source, etc.

As far as the antidepressant meds go, I think the SSRI meds such as Prozac are perhaps the third most useful categories of medication available behind antibiotics and cardiovascular medication. When used correctly, SSRIs can work near miracles in improving depression and helping people live better lives. I witnessed this first-hand in New Orleans after Katrina, perhaps the most depressed place in the country;I wonder what the suicide rate would be in the region had SSRIs not been available!?

Finally, all the above mentioned meds are available in generic form, so these are not the types of medications drug reps try to sell you on.

I am beyond amazed at the level of misunderstanding people have about how antidepressants work. yboi_kma, I only assume you've never taken them. It's distressing to me that people assume others go on antidepressants because they want "happy pills" or to escape from their lives. Nothing could be further than the truth; it's more typical the drugs pull people from the depths and restore them to normal--and that's best-case scenario.
Lynne, I also am amazed at your story. It's disheartening, but I'm so glad you came through it all right.

During the time i had to take care of hubby is when doctors ask me if i wanted some relief and they would prescribe me anti depressants til hubby got back on his feet. I refused because i had seen what my husband was going through and sure didnt want my children to have both parents in a zoned state. I also admitted in my post that some people do need these meds to function. So i really dont think the misunderstanding comes into play with me. If you have been diagnosed with depression, that is very sad and unfortunate and maybe the "pills" are what one needs to be "normal" again. But in my personal opinion and experience i have had, i saw first hand doctors free willingly wanting to prescribe me medicine to get me over a hump per say.

If a doctor does screening and effectively diagnoses a patient needing these mind altering drugs to function in society then so be it. I have no problem at all.Some people truly have had hard times dealing with depression and this is the alternative for them. But when you have first hand seen the effects of addiction and knowing this could have been prevented, then it leaves a bad taste in your mouth with how certain doctors can so easily ruin someones life just to take the edge off at times. I hope i explained myself here to where i dont get beaten down. What works for some surely dont for others. Some people do need the meds.

Kristi was just stating how dangerous these things are and alerting people of the dangers and what can happen. I agree 100 % with her on all this and know the families of all involved are in my prayers.

I've known friends who have doctors who prescribe anything and everything. Rehab resulted for one of these friends. She learned the hard way about drugs and a certain kind of drug-happy doctor. She was responsible for her own addiction, her doctor helped her get there.

I think we have to be careful about selecting physicians and taking responsibility for knowledge of our own health and available treatment options.

That said, I also believe its up to you as the consumer to find out about drug treatments and work closely with your doctor about what you believe to be right for you regarding a drug or treatment. Drugs can be life saving in so many ways, when used properly and respectfully.

It's very sad about seakristi's friend. I am sorry to hear about it. Perhaps we all need to learn more about how drugs interact, especially heavy duty pain killers. We know they can be dangerous, but we don't know much about specific drug interactions.

My family is having the opposite of the problem that started the thread - we can't get Grandma to TAKE her meds. (She is one of those people who only takes a fraction of the recommended dosage because she is convinced her system is so sensitive............then wants to stop taking them all together because she doesn't see results .)

Addiction, drug abuse, and dependency are all awful problems, but don't dismiss medications that can do a LOT of good because of the problems that occur when they aren't used properly.

Most of those medications take weeks or months to take effect/get the correct dosage on and anyone who thinks of them as "happy pills" doesn't really understand how they work.

One related issue that constantly appalls me is how often they are prescribing these kinds of medications for kids!

One related issue that constantly appalls me is how often they are prescribing these kinds of medications for kids!

It does seem appalling at first, until you know the whole picture. I've known a few kids and teens that have had to take them. There's a lot teen suicide because of misdiagnosis. Bi-polar, & schizophrenia is usually diagnosed in the late teen years. Thankfully, there is medication to help.

My concern is that 1) kids are getting pills to make them behave better/be more manageable, NOT because they actually have a problem 2) most of these medications are not tested/side effects are unknown on that age group.

Ya'll, thanks so much for your input and support. I do appreciate each and every one of your perspectives, personal experiences and respect all your smarts too. Thanks for your time and sharing some very personal stories, johnrudy,yboi_ kma and kdw, peapod and toots, Franny and Miss K too. Thanks for your kindness and openess. Please pray for her;-) son, her sister and her momma cuz my friend who died at 44, well, her daddy died too, 6 weeks later of cancer he had been fighting. yboi_kma you hit the nail on the head when you said we just don't know what others are goin' thru or how they may be hurtin'. Sorry , back to the oxycontin. It is a pain pill and the Xanax, an anti-anxiety. Thanks skunky for all the 411. Peapod, I did not mean to imply that any one should never use anti-depressants. Of course they have thier uses. I'm just sayin' there are people out there that actually think and promote takin' a pill at the drop of the hat for any and ALL problems. That can be very dangerous too. I'm just sayin' be careful, that's all, no ALWAYS and no NEVERS. Pills can have different effects on different people. When I said 'forget' things before I meant it broadly, to include 'numbing' oneself to not care about some things, some that may be you should, simple things, like calling old friends, remembering birthdays, etc. How many of you know someone who takes Xanax and says uninhibited stuff all the time, stuff that hurts people and inevitably people don't want to be around them cuz of it? Just curious. I mostly just wanted to speak out and warn folks without inhibition or embarassment about oxycontin and Xanax and how dangerous these can be? So thanks everybody. I do have to ask,'People who medicate themselves enough to forget things are usually doing it with more than "a pill",' what else exactly are you refering to here pea? Do you mean more than one pill, or other illegal drugs, and i guess does it really matter, if they're hurtin', they're hurtin',right friend? I didn't mean to carelessly jag in to anti-depressant discussions nor suggest they don't have a definite purpose, it's just they too I'm sure can be used and abused and people don't always need them nor know the implications when they ask thier MD about them for getting through a life hump, eg, thier insurance premiums being raised like cheering noted. That in itself can be truly depressing. Alternative therapies, like rancid suggested may be way more effective in the long run for some. Everyone is different, right? The kid's meds are scary to me too scooterbug, as far as being overused and consequences.

Most definately the family and you will be in my prayers. You hurt also having lost a friend. I appreciate you bringing out a discussion that sometimes can be a two sided heated debate. We all have opinions and very happy to see that we each have a story to tell or opinioin and it didnt get out of hand.


Your right in me knowing someone that is on Xanax and she is a little hyper sensitive anyway. Also seen her without her meds. Not a good thing. We are walking on glass when that happens. Time bomb waiting to go off. But this all goes back to being dependent to get through a day without stress. She is prime example. Hate to say it, but sadly true.

I hope things get better for the family that is involved and happiness comes soon for everyone.

I do have to ask,'People who medicate themselves enough to forget things are usually doing it with more than "a pill",' what else exactly are you refering to here pea? Do you mean more than one pill, or other illegal drugs, and i guess does it really matter, if they're hurtin', they're hurtin',right friend?

Yes to all of those. My point was anyone trying to escape their lives to the degree of forgetting things is usually abusing a drug; whether it is illegal substances, over-using prescription drugs or drinking heavily. My experience with depression is that the sufferers are usually trying to get back to normal againn--not escape life, experience life.

I'm glad that is your experience, peapod, but unfortunately that is not true for everyone, especially those in a severe depression. After all, isn't that one way in which anti-depressants can save lives, by preventing suicide, in some of the most severe cases? I'm just sayin', I don't care how my friend died, all I know is she's gone form this earth. I don't know if she abused drugs or not. I don't give a damn. I'm not on this earth to judge anyone. I'm just here to reach out, like you did to me and this subject on this thread. Thank you lady. Honestly, what makes the story even scarier is actually her sister, who did live in the same town, said she didn't drink or do any illegal drugs. Just the RX stuff. It's just I think maybe some people feel safer with prescribed drugs than they should? Actually, true confession time, when I heard it said she didn't do any illegal drugs, I thought to myself, maybe she shoulda, even some 'killer' weed wouldn't have actually killed her like the f627in' oxy and Xanax did. I just know in my heart it was a mistake. I'm just 'acting out', I guess. Talkin' about it ...
OMG, what a sad fact, I heard just now the news said 99 active US duty military in Iraq have committed suicide this year as compared to 77 last year. I never even thought of that, suicide by our young service people in Iraq. A lot of lives are being lost in lots of ways especially now. A life lost is lost, regardless, right? I'm just glad to see people who care like all ya'll. It woulda been kinda sad if no one had any replies. It's sweet how people reach out, even though I really wasn't tryin' to get sympathy for myself or my friend( or was I ), but to the POTENTIAL dangers of prescribed drugs. Thanks, I appreciate your sharing your thoughts, regardless of my motive. UR sweet E's! I think I'll get outside and live a little today. Exercise=Endorphins=

Sorry to read about this. Personally, I know two people who were admired greatly by all whom knew them. They were prescribed Oxycontin after major surgery, and they were hooked. They recovered from the surgery only to be hooked on the highs of oxycontin. One became a hermit, never again leaving the house, and that was about 9 years ago. Correction, he never left the house until he lost it and all of his cars, and wife of many years, and one of his children who abandoned him. The other person, when he couldn't get Oxycontin, he turned to whatever he could get, including crack. He became so addicted to both oxycontin and crack, that he valued both, much more than his family, business, and friends. His business went from booming to bust, practically overnight. He broke into the office after he was terminated, stole all of the company files, and became a different person. Divorce wasn't far around the corner, and he lost his daughter as well, as she went with her mother. He went to rehab, but it didn't seem to help. Not sure where he is now, but the other guy, is still the same old same old. He is severely depressed and feels like he has failed everyone in his life, including himself. I'm not sure if he is on anti-depressants or just lives off the Oxycontin. He is the father of a good friend of mine, the daughter who keeps in contact with him and now works three jobs in order to help her father pay his mortgage.

I know too many people who want the heavy drugs to feel no pain, searching for the highest high, but I think they haven't seen enough pain, to know how high they truly are presently.