I recently found out about something that's been weighing heavily on my mind. A woman I used to know, who had lupus and fibromyalgia, died of a pain-killer overdose.
This happened a couple of years ago, and I'd heard that she died, but I hadn't heard how until just awhile ago. Essentially what appears to have happened is that she'd had a root canal, was in a lot of extra pain, and took too much OxyContin (oxycodone). She went to sleep, her kids couldn't wake her up before they left for school, and by the time they came home she was dead. She was an intelligent woman who left behind a husband and three children, one a teenager and two in elementary school.
I want to take this opportunity to remind you to be careful. Pain, fibrofog, and drugs are a dangerous combination. Please do whatever you can to keep this from happening to you. Use a pill sorter. Have someone else hold onto your meds and give you only the prescribed amount. Write down the times you take pain pills. Whatever it takes.
Drug Safety Resources:
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I am not surprised. Back in September I was having an 8 week flare up and with the fibrofog I overdosed on Tylenol for THREE DAYS. I read the bottle wrong. I ended up in the ICU for three days, and thank God have no liver problems from the ordeal. It was very scary and it really is important to take the right medication dosages. It is really hard to figure it out with fibrofog, but it can save your life.
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I had some brain-fog, but I also should have been notified by my pharmacist or asked for better instruction from the doctor.
I take flexeril at night-time (muscle relaxant). I asked the doctor for a muscle relaxant that might be non-drowsy. He gave me Soma to try. Soma is NOT non-drowsy so I wonder if there was a communication problem.
Well, Soma was knocking me out, so I thought I’d try it at night-time. Just like habit, I continued taking my flexeril. That’s a no-no. It could have affected my lungs (maybe my heart?!?) because both would slow down my muscles and potentially affect my breathing.
I did it for two nights and realized how hard I was going down at night. Took pills, too woozy to stand up without nearly falling over… and then just OUT COLD.
It was fibro-fog. As soon as I thought, “Hey, I don’t like the way this is knocking me out,” I realized what I’d done!
I also had been talking about Chambord, a liquor that I hadn’t had in quite some time. Thank goodness I didn’t end up bringing any home with me! Liquor and muscle relaxants are a bad combination.
I’m a 51 yr old male and have been suffering from both Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue for over 7 years now…
I stopped taking Oxycontin about 4 months ago and switched to Morphine Sulphate 30mg IR. I’m so glad I did, its so much cheaper and I’m less drowsy and have less Fibro-Fog, because I’m taking less of the Morphine Sulphate than I was of the Oxycontin…
I also take 1 30mg Venlafaxine (Anti-depressant)per day and one 5mg soma at night before bed. They both help me sleep much better. Since I’ve been taking the Venlafaxine and Soma I usually wake up only once or twice now…
All pain meds can make you pretty drowsy especially with CFS. Soma can make you very drowsy and should only be taken before bed. It’s very good to help you sleep which with Fibro. & CFS, I had a very hard time NOT waking up 4 to 6 times a night…
I use a two different pill boxes. One for am; one for pm. I carefully sort my meds. for one week. This wasy there is no confusion and I know exactly what i’m taking and when.
So sorry about your friend Adrienne. That’s heartbreaking to hear.
I slept all night & into the late morning with my husband Whom I thought was “Finally getting the sleep he needed.”
He had high Uric Acid in his Brain, and couldn’t remember things. He died of an Oxcontin overdose, almost 5 years ago. People had a Civil Suit filled against the Company. I received $500. for a dead husband.
A very dear online friend I’d known for about 7 yrs. also died of an accidental med od similar to this. Although I don’t know the particulars, it still is so very sad, tragic and unnecessary! Please please do heed the warnings and write down your times or have someone you trust help you or keep up with it for you.
God bless,
Donna
Sad story. One has to be so careful these days with cross medications.
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