How Can I Get Some Naloxone ?

[Altered Perception]

Is naloxone something general practioners can prescribe in Victoria? I tried to get some from the hospital by seeing an emergency room doctor for prescription but I was denied.

I want to use naloxone the same way someone with a peanut allergy uses and epipen to save their own life, I have an opiate allergy due to a damaged Autonomic Nervous System but at the same time I have been given opiates to manage my chronic pain. Often the adverse reactions are tolerable but sometimes random severe episodes occur and I had one episode a few days ago where the same usual dose made me nod real hard and supressed my breathing and I had to remind myself to breathe.

When I went to the hospital several hours later and asked the doctor to prescribe me one shot of naloxone to keep for an emergency situation for the next time this occurs I was treated like a junkie and denied and told to take panadol instead of opiates.

This last random adverse effects has come at a bad time because all my specialists and gp are away on holiday and now I have been battling extereme pain because I am too scared to take my Oxydcodone just incase I may have another severe episode but if I had naloxone it would really give me peace of mind knowing I have something to fall back on in worst case situation strikes.

 

[Mr Blonde]

How long until your regular doctor and specialists are back? Can you get in contact with their clinics and arrange something? They are the ones who will be able to provide you with naloxone.

 

[Altered Perception]

Pain management clinic and my other specialists open from the 9th of January onwards and my Gp is back in 3 days, I know its not that long of a wait but suddenly I feel obtaining naloxone has become priority since my bad episode.

Its kinda complicated but I have found these adverse reactions come in clusters and waves like for the past 7 months I've only had minor adverse reactions so I havent bothered about naloxone but prior to that I had about 2 months of bad episodes ending up in the emeregency room almost everyday, at the time I was considering naloxone but the problem sorta resolved and it seems Im back onto another wave of bad of episodes which seem to be worse than the last time so I'm suddenly back at trying to ensure my safety.

If your pretty sure they can prescribe it then I will try and hold out, I'm even contemplating taking my usual dose whilst I sit and wait at the hospital in-case things get bad.

 

[tyrael]

I have an opiate allergy . . . . . but at the same time I have been given opiates to manage my chronic pain

Maybe it'll be worth going to another doctor? This sounds a bit odd to me.

denied and told to take panadol instead of opiates.

Funny you should say this. I had pretty much the same experience with a locum just before Christmas! Wasn't regarding chronic pain/opiates however long story short, the locum made assumptions about me (who I am, my lifestyle, etc. etc.) based on a few notes on my record. Was very tempted to place a complaint with the Medical Board (however didn't. if you feel you were discriminated against, I'll be more then happy to forward you on the relevant info / procedure )

Pain management clinic

Hmm, was going to suggest to actually go to an actual pain management clinic and request to see an actual analgesic nurse (as a posed to a GP).


I think in general, it would be best to get your dosage correct instead of trying to counteract one drug with another.

 

[footscrazy]

Why is any doctor prescribing you opiates when you have this allergy? You've ended up in the emergency room nearly every day for 2 months and yet you're still prescribed opiates....? Have you even told your doctor about this? I find it hard to understand/believe why any doctor would continue to give you a medication that is endangering your life on a near daily basis. I think we're missing some info here.

I don't believe that naloxone can be prescribed. Another closely related opiod antagonist, naltrexone, can be prescribed, but it's probably not fast acting enough to treat an overdose. I think your best bet here is to manage your doses as tyrael has said. It's also possible there are other treatment methods for your pain. You need to speak to your doctor about this.

 

[tyrael]

Why is any doctor prescribing you opiates when you have this allergy?

I'm personally no GP myself, however I think it maybe seen as an easy option to throw a "common" opiate analgesic for pain relief.

As with most posts on BL, many on here aren't medical professionals (and even if they were they wouldn't give absolute advice via a forum) so without a complete (medical) history we cannot really give you an definitely answer.

Having said that, if you've been seeing your GP for a while (and hence he/she should know you quite well, I'd push the point) otherwise go elsewhere.

In the end it's your health and the doctor basically works for you! (with obviously exceptions like bounds to legal obligations etc. ) So if you're not happy, go elsewhere man!

 

[Mr Blonde]

Footscrazy, some background info on Altered Perception: he used to be under a different name, Unlucky, he changed it because he became more optimistic I think about his situation.

Anyway, as he said, he has damage to regulatory systems in his body... I think temperature regulation was another symptom you experience, Altered Perception? Anyway, he also has a chronic pain condition and he has tried a lot of other medications if I remember correctly. He used to post in Other Drugs a lot seeking advice due to his unusual circumstances.

I hope you and your doctor can sort something out.

 

[tyrael]

I hope you and your doctor can sort something out.

Ah, I second this A_P! Goodluck with it all!

Although I would like to reiterate, if you feel you aren't the medical attention you feel you deserve*, please push the point!



* I say this without know your relationship with your GP, so I mean no offense

 

[Altered Perception]

Footscrazy, some background info on Altered Perception: he used to be under a different name, Unlucky, he changed it because he became more optimistic I think about his situation.

Anyway, as he said, he has damage to regulatory systems in his body... I think temperature regulation was another symptom you experience, Altered Perception? Anyway, he also has a chronic pain condition and he has tried a lot of other medications if I remember correctly. He used to post in Other Drugs a lot seeking advice due to his unusual circumstances.

I hope you and your doctor can sort something out.

Exactly what Mr. Blonde said. I didn't want to go into my life story this time cause it always ends up being a really long read cause its a bit complicated and I'm pretty sure people are sick of hearing about it lol, This instance all I wanted was to get some information specifically on acquiring naloxone and I also wasn't sure if my rights were violated at the hospital when I was denied a script.

EDIT: Footscrazy, I tried every opiate on the market trying to find one my body would tolerate and I went through a long desensitization process which helped immensely but obviously it still isnt enough.'

 

[MrIbis]

yeah naloxone isn't prescribed except in suboxone tablets.

naltrexone is useless in your case, because it's far too long acting, and not really fast enough hitting.

If you have a mate who works in an ER ward or anything like that - ask them to nick you a few vials.

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ It is Schedule IV, meaning that it could possibly be prescribed. And it's what is known as a 'Doctor's Bag' drug as well; doctors often carry it around in their kit when they make home visits. It's not unconceivable that an arrangement could be made for him to purchase naloxone in an injectable form due to his condition.

 

[MrIbis]

yeah dude im well aware of all of that.

I have a friend who works in a hospital, and he recently got me some naloxone, just for me to hold on to in case of emergencies with friends - but i haven't been doing any opes and haven't bothered to go see him...

 

[Altered Perception]

Thanks very much for the advice, it seems the bad reaction I had the other day was short lived because I took the exact same dose today expecting something to go wrong but nothing happened, in fact I barely even felt the drug working.

I had a pretty severe stomach acid reflux due to my unstable Autonomic Nervous System today so I dunno if that had anything to do with absorbtion of the dose I took but either ways it turned out just fine so as you can see the adverse reactions are its fairly random, I never know when the next one will strike.

 

[Mr Blonde]

err.don't od in the first place dude.lol.pretty self explanatory.go and get yourself a naltrexone implant...cost ya about 500 bucks.

This isn't a simple OD, if you read the original post you would see there is more to it than that.

yeah dude im well aware of all of that.

I have a friend who works in a hospital, and he recently got me some naloxone, just for me to hold on to in case of emergencies with friends - but i haven't been doing any opes and haven't bothered to go see him.

You said naloxone isn't prescribed to people for use, yet there is no definitive proof for that and you recommended he obtain it illegally when it is probably in his best interests to have it given to him by his doctor.

The CMI for naloxone suggests that it may, perhaps, be a substance that could be prescribed and given to for necessary use.

 

[tyrael]

Or possibly a needle exchange maybe?

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ They don't carry it. I think a couple of places in America do though.

The head of the Australian Medical Association think that you have to be 'highly trained' to use it.

 

[tyrael]

Ah k. Thanks M_B, learn something new.

Just quickly too M_B, what's your opiate knowledge like? I have a quick general question but I don't think it's worth a thread. Meaning, if ya got a spare 2mins I'll PM it over. I don't think it's an overly complicated one.

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ Go ahead, comrade. I will warn you I am opiated and have had a couple of beers but I will do my best.

 

[MrIbis]

^Dude, The simple truth is in most cases (save for maybe this guys GP) the doc will look at you like a junkie. An in most cases, well at least with heroin OD - By the time you're dropping - you don't have the ability to administer a dose of naloxone - and a second person would be required.

If you really need naloxone that badly - call an ambo. Their response time for opiate related issues is usually fairly fast as they're well aware something can go wrong quickly.

To the OP: Is there normally someone around who can perform life support in the instance something goes wrong? Are you physically addicted to opiates, and complication may arise from using Naloxone? (not that it would really hurt you, but the discomfort might be too much).

Obtaining naloxone 'illegally' isn't really an issue now is it? If it can be done that way why not? it's not like it's worth anything. It's not likely to get you in trouble if you're caught with it either?

Police Officer: What's this?
You: Narcan, to reverse my medicine in case of emergency.
PO: Oh, okay.. on your way.

 

[madmick19]

mmmmmm...... Mr ibis you are right in the first instance call the ambulance if you think that something is wrong. If your living in constant fear of this happening maybe you should a medical alert system for home;
http://www.smartlink.com.au/
http://www.signaturesecurity.com.au/default.aspx?ArticleID=857&gclid=CK7HhPHjnKYCFU6DpAodE062nQ
http://www.redcross.org.au/act/PersonalAlarmService.htm

as for the treatment, are you taking the prescribed amount? just from hearing that you are 'on the nod' sounds like you aer on way too much for an opioid. i woud highly reccomend that you tell your gp this and maybe even get a referral to pain specialist or for a pain management review by a opioid addiction specialist. i would wonder how suboxone could be implimented as your pain meds?

but short story is go back to your doctors, if not happy go to a specialist that they would reccomend and dont leave any info out as this could potentially kill you through their prescribing practices.