Neurological Associates

Pain Management Center

Vero Beach, Florida

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RSD PUZZLE #85
Death From Methadone

Any type of withdrawal phenomenon is apt to cause pain and alarm (panic). If we are not allowed to apply the term withdrawal or addiction for any kind of pain then there is no such thing as addiction.

What is truly unethical is the fact that a combination of methadone and morphine has the potential of causing respiratory arrest and death. In the past six months, three patients waiting to come to our clinic as new patients, died before they made it here. Their deaths were due to a combination of Methadone and Morphine. Just because Methadone has a long half life and causes subtle rebound and dependence does not make it a safe drug. The patient on Methadone should be very careful of any additional medication.

Medical societies represent unlimited varieties of opinions, I am a member of many pain, medical, and neurological societies, Unfortunately, these opinions can not be used as scientific standard or yardstick.

It is cruel for doctors to enforce dependence by prescribing drug dependent type of analgesics on pain patients and then to call them drug seekers or drug addicts. Many of these drugs actually make the pain worse in-between doses. The blame goes to the doctor, not the patient.

I realize that there are a few of us rebelling against the recent surge of "liberal" pain prescriptions. However, we shall keep warning the patients of the dangers of such drugs. The body usually signals the symptoms of complications of dangerous medication combinations. If something does not seem right by all means call your doctor.

One excellent form of pain relief for many patients is the morphine pump. The pump provides small dosage of morphine in the spinal fluid without causing withdrawal or dependence. This is because the dosage is too small to completely halt the formation of endorphins. Patients on the pump can not be given large oral doses of Morphine, this can be a deadly combination.


H.Hooshmand, M.D.

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Copyright © 1997-2006 H. Hooshmand, M.D. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system other than this specific media, transcribed, or translated into any language without the expressed written permission from the author; H. Hooshmand, M.D. and Eric Phillips and CMNE. This material is for informational and education purposes. It is not meant to take the place of your physician. Before starting, changing, or stopping any treatments or medicines consult your physician.

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The material on the Neurological Associates Pain Management Center Homepage and all it's associated, linked or reference pages is for informational and education purposes. It is not meant to take the place of your physician. Before starting, changing, or stopping any treatments or medicines consult your physician. H. Hooshmand, M.D., Neurological Associates Pain Management Center and Associates will not be held liable for any damage or loss as a result of information provided on this page or associated documentation. Again, this WEB SITE is simply published as an information source and should not be used to treat or make judgments on RSD/CRPS. All associated material on this web site may not be copied, reproduced or quoted without expressed written permission from the owner; Copyright © 1999-2006 H. Hooshmand, M.D.

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This page was last updated on 3/11/2000.