I didn't dare post this on the main Sleep Apnea Help page, and I know I'm going to get a lot of hostile responses for this post, but I have to bring this up.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Anna Nicole Smith passed yesterday. Why? Not yet known. Love her or hate her (I'm somewhere in the middle), or are indifferent, the medications she was taking brings me pause.

Not officially confirmed, these are the meds that she was taking and/or were found in her hotel room:

Provigil--As I've researched treatment for SA on this forum, I have found that some sufferers have been prescribed Provigil to be taken daily to counteract tiredness. Sounded like a good option for me. After further research, I found that this medication is simply a stimulant. Not for me. I am already taking tranquilizers and anti-depressants for an anxiety disorder in addition to a medication to keep my heart rate under control. The last thing I need is a stimulant that would counteract the "sedatives" I am taking.

Xanax (some reports of Valium)--Xanax has been reported in the media as an anti-depressant. It's not. It's a tranquilizer. I do take Effexor as an anti-depressant in addition to Xanax as a tranquilizer. For me, Valium is too easy to get addicted to. I've been prescribed Valium twice, and I'm smart enough to know that it's not a good idea. I like it too much, and it's far too easy to depend on.

Vicodin--Ironically, I have been prescribed this medication several times for pain. Too much and too strong for me. I found myself unable to function. I can understand why this drug is sold on the street. I was in the emergency room a few weeks ago with severe chest pains and one of the meds they gave me was Vicodin knowing the other meds I was taking. They sent me home with a prescription for this drug, but I never filled it.

Methadone--Know nothing about it other than the fact that it is compared to morphine.

My lifestyle is not similar to Anna's, and I am in no way trashing her. Let's not speak ill of the dead. What struck me about her death was the similarity of the meds she was taking, prescribed or not, and the meds I am taking and/or considering taking.

I guess what I'm trying to convey is that we all need to be knowledgeable and educated about our own healthcare. Prescribing drugs to address the ailment-of-the-week seems to be the norm. It may be lethal.

I still struggle with apnea, and have not found the best treatment for me. CPAP is intolerable. As I continue this journey, I will always consider pharmaceutical options, but will do my research before treatment.


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SnickersPie

The busier and more stressful our lives the more inclined we are to look for quick fixes. How many of us prefer to pop a pill than change our life style to include more physical exercise and a good balanced diet? How many of us find the time to set down to three, good, nutritious meals each and every day when fast food places and restaurants are so convenient?

Add a lot of travel. Unfortunately, the life style of someone in Anna Nicole's line of work encourages the use of different doctors in different areas of the country or even the world. It also encourages the use of various pharmacies in different parts of the country or the world. Its easy for a person to NOT remember the exact name, strength and dosage of a medication, especially one(s) not taken on a regular, daily basis. In such circumstances there is little coordination and oversight of what meds are being dispensed and taken except by the busy, stressed patient.

I would imagine that those in a similar situation to Anna Nicole's also find themselves in situations where alcohol is easily available and encouraged as an integral part of their social life. Fame and fortune don't always make for an "easy" life or life style, much less a "good, healthy" life.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
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CrohnieToo,

I absolutely agree.

I'm still looking for that magical pill to address my apnea. It's not out there, is it?

I will admit that I am not one to focus on nutrition and exercise to address health issues. I'm not proud of that, I'm just being honest.

Thank you for your comments. You make several good points.


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SnickersPie

Hey, SnickersPie! I'm still looking for that "magic pill" that I can pop and save all that time for food preparation, eating, cleaning up afterward, grocery shopping, putting groceries away, etc.

And another one to do my running, exercise, etc. so I can just focus on the "fun" things in life.

A pill to do my sleeping for me whilst I do more interesting things would also be nice.

             

Trouble there is: I "hate" popping pills. *sigh*      


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

I'm with you, babe. I'd pop a pill in a New York minute for a Stepford wife/husband ... and, of course, a good night's sleep!


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SnickersPie

SnickersPie wrote:

Methadone--Know nothing about it other than the fact that it is compared to morphine.

Methadone is for treatment of narcotic addiction... and on the abuse side of things it will give people with a strong tolerance to opioids a "comfortable high".


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CPAP: Respironics REMStar Plus w/ C-Flex
Mask: Nasal Respironics Comfort Gel
Pressure: 14

Visit my worthless blog.

I was surprised to find recently that methadone is also prescribed as a pain medication.


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Respironics? M-Series Auto w/ HH & C-Flex; Flexfit? Hybrid? Mask, Encore Pro 1.8i

SnickersPie wrote:

I guess what I'm trying to convey is that we all need to be knowledgeable and educated about our own healthcare. Prescribing drugs to address the ailment-of-the-week seems to be the norm. It may be lethal.

Very true. There's also the danger of "doctor/pharmacy shopping," using different physicians and pharmacies to obtain various forms of meds without informing them of the ones they are currently taking. Add to that all the OTC meds that may be consumed, which can create a potentially lethal drug combo. Very sad.


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CatNappin,

Agreed. I guess the "doctor/pharmacy shopping" is common among celebrities (and others) with prescription drug issues. I, on the other hand, was prescribed this $!@# of drugs by the same doctor. Not all at the same time though. When one anti-depressant didn't help, he switched to another. Now, I know that this type of med takes a couple of weeks to get "into" your system, then another couple of weeks to get "out of" your system. I guess I was "doubling up" while switching from one med to another.

Please understand that I did not intend this string to be about Anna. My concern is taking prescribed medications without doing our homework. My doctor will not extend a prescription for my meds until the schedule says I need it. I used to get angry with him, but now I understand.

As I've watched coverage of Anna's death, they touched on the death of her son, Daniel. He was taking Zoloft and Lexapro. Ironically, those are the two anti-depressants that were first prescribed by my doctor. Again, not at the same time. Makes me nervous.

When my doctor finally sent me to a Psychologist, then to a Psychiatrist (I'm not crazy ... just have an anxiety disorder), I was prescribed Effexor and Xanax. I was concerned about Xanax since I had heard that it was addictive. My Psychiatrist assured me that my concerns were valid, but I was taking a "baby dose".

I know ... I'm babbling ... but there's a lot to think about. I take my meds only as prescribed, but I'm pretty sure Anna and her son exceeded the dosage ... maybe not.

Am I paranoid? Probably. But I'd rather be cautious than reckless.


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SnickersPie

Clarifications

1.  If you mean stimulant, as in the amphetamine class of drugs, Provigil is not an amphetamine.  My daughter has ADHD along with some other disorders which contraindicates the use of the usual amphetamine class of ADHD drugs.  So she takes Provigil.  You can pull up the mechanisms of action at the Provigil website, but all I cared about in regards to my daughter was that it isn't an amphetamine.  I don’t know how it would affect someone with anxiety disorders (like me).

2.  Also, Xanax is one of the most addicting benzodiazepines on the market and it also has a very short half-life.  There are other, safer benzos. like Klonopin which has a much greater half-life than Xanax.  I was highly addicted to a 0.5 mg nightly dose of Xanax.  It took a few months with an M.D. who specialized in addictions who immediately switched me over to Klonopin and then weaned me down.  It was still a bear.

Vicki



Last edited by Vicki on Sun Feb 11, 2007 9:59 pm; edited 2 times in total
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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Thanks, Vicki--

As I explore treatment for my SA, all I know about Provigil is what I've read on the SA forum. Good to know it's not an amphetamine. That's the last thing I need. As you may have read on some of my posts, I already take an anti-depressant, a tranquilizer, and Atenolol, not for my blood pressure, but to keep my heart rate in check. While I spend my days in a tired fog due to SA, the last thing I want to add to my medication is a speed-like substance. I'll do more research.

If you don't mind me asking, how old is your daughter? What symptoms did she exhibit that led to the diagnosis of ADHD? If too personal, I understand.


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SnickersPie

I am on a dose of .25 mg of Klonopin® (clonazepam) when I get RLS.  Seems to work with no side-effects.


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Acronyms and Often Used Forum Phrases
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hhopper,

Is clonazepam a so-called "stimulant"?


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SnickersPie

SnickersPie wrote:

hhopper,

Is clonazepam a so-called "stimulant"?

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine used as an anticonvulsant for epilepsy, as a sedative for sleep disorders and is also prescribed for RLS.


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Acronyms and Often Used Forum Phrases
Respironics? M-Series Auto w/ HH & C-Flex; Flexfit? Hybrid? Mask, Encore Pro 1.8i

Vicki,

For some reason, your comments regarding Xanax did not display when I first read your post. Interesting.

I take .25mg of Xanax twice a day, or as needed. I'm not even aware of its affects. The only time I took it more than usual was during the wake/funeral of my Aunt. I called my doctor to see if there was something else he could prescribe to get me through those difficult days, and he simply said to "take two instead of one". I'm not trashing my doctor. I've seen him for over ten years.

Can you help me to understand what a "half-life" is?

I take so many meds. One for a "chemical imbalance", one for anxiety, one to regulate my heartbeat, one for high cholesterol, one for allergies, and two inhalers for bronchial issues. These are in addition to high levels of Ibuprophen for back pain.

I often joke that when I die, they will dry me, roll my ashes, and smoke me!


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SnickersPie