http://www.thepetitionsite.com/take...ction/472711451
http://www.actionstudio.org/public/...id=7555&tmode=0
On June 24th 2006 I lost my fianc (Ron) to this deadly drug prescribed by a physician with a combination of other medications that acted as additives to the Methadone. He had knee surgery and became addicted to the percocet he was prescribed. He checked himself into Greenleaf in Valdosta, GA for detoxification. Upon entering the facility he was drug tested and did not come up positive for opiates (he had stopped taking the percocet 4 days before entering the facility). On the fourth day in detox he died sometime between 2am and 1pm in the afternoon (he was never checked on in all of those hours). The night before he died he was complaining of migraines and vomiting, apparently the staff thought he was still experiencing withdrawals and was not concerned about these symptoms. The symptoms of methadone toxicity mimic withdrawal symptoms physicians and staff must be very cognizant of the complex properties and metabolization of methadone. There were many errors made in my fiancs death including the fact that he was given numerous amounts of additive medications such as benzodiazepines. He had only been taking percocet for about 4 months and according to the DSM IV he wouldnt be an appropriate candidate methadone maintenance treatment.
It doesn't matter specific reasons for taking methadone but what does matter is that this medication is deadly and physicians need to more prudent in prescribing it as well as monitoring their patients while beginning treatment of any kind using Methadone. I'm not sure if Ron was given methadone for the sole purpose for detoxification from opiates or if it was a combination of pain relief associated with numerous surgeries and opiate addiction. Methadone is difficult to properly dose no matter what reason it's being used for and primarily relies on the patients indications of how they feel (assumedly they are being monitored). There are ways to make the administration of methadone safer, it's just a matter of putting the focus on this drug and the deadly consequences when administered incorrectly or not monitored.
Many people are dying unnecessarily at the hands of the physicians they turn to for help. Methadone deaths are rising throughout the country. Ron was 32 years old and has 2 children from a previous marriage that now do not have a father.
Current statistics show that nearly 4000 people a year die from methadone. These deaths are mostly happening to pain management and detoxification patients within the first 10 days of taking initial dose. Most of these deaths are related to methadone prescribed with other medications that react as additives with methadone. Diversion of methadone is a serious problem because it lands this most deadly drug on streets. Statistics also state that methadone is contributing to more deaths nationwide then heroine and cocaine.
I am sorry for your loss.
Have you seen the documentary by HBO called Methadonia?
It is very much inline with your thinking and is very illustrative on how the system works. We can definitely do better than methadone in this country...a place where we can inject serums to rid our faces of wrinkles...I know there are better meds to help the suffering addict.
I hope you keep marching with your message.
Have you seen the documentary by HBO called Methadonia?
It is very much inline with your thinking and is very illustrative on how the system works. We can definitely do better than methadone in this country...a place where we can inject serums to rid our faces of wrinkles...I know there are better meds to help the suffering addict.
I hope you keep marching with your message.
Thank you very much
If you have a chance to read through the petition you will see how many stories there are from families throughout the country who have lost someone to methadone.
Melissa
If you have a chance to read through the petition you will see how many stories there are from families throughout the country who have lost someone to methadone.
Melissa
God bless you...this disease is so horrible....your fiance sounded like he was an amazing person. This disease kills no doubt about it. Its negligent at the very least to rx pain meds for simple injuries that would perhaps heal with little more than ibuprofen.
My prayers are with you...sorry
My prayers are with you...sorry
Hi Melissa
Throughout the 30 years of my addiction I have seen so many senseless deaths, but your post really surprised me. I live in the S/W of the UK and the local drug centre I attend would not allow you methadone unless you give a positive urine test. I'm pretty sure that is the same throughout the UK, even when you give a positive they start you on a small amount and increase it day by day till you find your level.
Methadone, I believe is worst than the drugs its meant to substitute. I have taken it several times because when its the only thing offered and you are in w/d where's the choice. As a maintanance use it certainly requires serious consideration.
I wish you well-being in this time of sadness.
Peter
Throughout the 30 years of my addiction I have seen so many senseless deaths, but your post really surprised me. I live in the S/W of the UK and the local drug centre I attend would not allow you methadone unless you give a positive urine test. I'm pretty sure that is the same throughout the UK, even when you give a positive they start you on a small amount and increase it day by day till you find your level.
Methadone, I believe is worst than the drugs its meant to substitute. I have taken it several times because when its the only thing offered and you are in w/d where's the choice. As a maintanance use it certainly requires serious consideration.
I wish you well-being in this time of sadness.
Peter
Melissa,
I have read your story on another message board and I am so sorry about what happened. I still don't understand why the rehab facility gave Ron methadone to begin with. I was prescribed methadone back in 2002 and I never should have been. Doctors need to be a lot more careful who they give it to. It seems like they will give it to anyone who is willing to pay.
Here in WV the legislation is trying to pass a law that would make all methadone patients start weaning off it. They are also trying to enforce stiffer guidelines for people wanting to get on methadone. I hope it passes because I think a lot of people on methadone never should have been put on it in the first place.
I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Shelly
I have read your story on another message board and I am so sorry about what happened. I still don't understand why the rehab facility gave Ron methadone to begin with. I was prescribed methadone back in 2002 and I never should have been. Doctors need to be a lot more careful who they give it to. It seems like they will give it to anyone who is willing to pay.
Here in WV the legislation is trying to pass a law that would make all methadone patients start weaning off it. They are also trying to enforce stiffer guidelines for people wanting to get on methadone. I hope it passes because I think a lot of people on methadone never should have been put on it in the first place.
I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Shelly
Melissa-
I know I cannot offer much comfort in a time of such horrible loss............
But please know my thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry.
I know I cannot offer much comfort in a time of such horrible loss............
But please know my thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry.
BUMP...
I am bumping this up for all of those that are interested in starting methadone.....or know of anyone that has a friend or family wanting to start or on it, we really need to do something about this wicked drug.....
I am grateful everyday that I am off this crap and ALIVE...unfortunatly others aren't...
This petition brought tears to my heart...and left me speechless....
Krazi
I am bumping this up for all of those that are interested in starting methadone.....or know of anyone that has a friend or family wanting to start or on it, we really need to do something about this wicked drug.....
I am grateful everyday that I am off this crap and ALIVE...unfortunatly others aren't...
This petition brought tears to my heart...and left me speechless....
Krazi
BUMP......for buckle
Becuz I care for those who are on it or starting on it...........
Krazi/Traci
Becuz I care for those who are on it or starting on it...........
Krazi/Traci
I have heard that there is an anti-methadone forum but haven't been able to find it. All I can find is a bunch of pro-methadone boards and those are so sad. Anyone know about an anti-methadone board?
Shelly
Shelly
check out the link above......
Krazi/Traci
Krazi/Traci
