I need to say goodbye to my friend, “Goodbye Keith and warn you all about opiate painkillers.”

[Danger19]

Firstly I would really like to thank all the lovely people that responded to my bad day post. Everybody offered really helpful and supportive advice.

Although I’m extremely glad that I now believe that my anger and aggression is only a very small symptom of my brain injury, the real underlying reason is very sad. I just want to add I’m not putting this post on here to tell everybody that I knew somebody famous, it’s just that the story and information may help another person that finds themselves in a similar situation to my friend.

So 17 days after my discharge from hospital, an old friend of mine hung him self. You may be aware of it because it was on the news and in the newspapers. My old friend was Keith Flint, the frontman of The Prodigy. We met when we were young teenagers. He lived literally 5 minutes from the town I live in. We were friends for a few years after he made it big, but then he began to date a girl that was in the public eye and she hated his friendship with me which was ridiculous as we had only ever been friends.

Obviously I was devastated by his death. Even though I hadn’t seen him in years, I have really good fond, memories. He was very interesting, funny and wonderfully talented.”

So next comes what I want you all to know. I knew about Keith’s mental health problems but I never knew about his prescription drug addiction. As a nurse I know prescription drug addiction is taking over the popularity of street drugs. I have looked after so many individuals that have found themselves in this situation. Keith had a mixture of alcohol, cocaine and codeine in his system. What I hope you all remember is that painkillers such as codeine, Tramadol, are all opiates and are highly addictive. Also benzodiazepines such as Diazepam, Amitriptyline, temazepam are all highly addictive as well. Doctors hand these things out like sweets but never warn you of the risks and they will provide repeat prescriptions without checking if you are coping ok. All opiates metabolise into morphine in the human system and so does heroin! In our position with our injury we are often offered opiates for pain or medication to help us sleep. I want everyone to know what the risks of this type of medication is. I just want all you lovely supportive people to be safe and in a knowledgeable position to look after yourselves.

I wish all you wonderful people good health, peace, happiness and lots of luck for your futures,

Take care my lovelies,

Vikki

[Lynd]

Thanks for the warning Vikki.

Suicide is an incredibly difficult thing for those left behind. The ripples spread wide. X

[Danger19 in reply to Lynd]

Good morning my friend,

I hope today is a good day for you. I just wanted to let you know, as you have given me such positive and understanding advice, how I got on with my GP.

My doctor is a lovely lady and she said that damage to the right frontal lower lobe can effect an individuals emotionS. She said the increased anger and feelings of aggression could be linked to this. She also said that the news of my friend hanging him self would not of helped how I am struggling to accept my accident especially as I was not allowed by my parents to attend his funeral. Their argument was the extent of my injuries and that I had only been out of hospital 17 days. So I have decided to go to his grave today. I have bought him a statue that I know he would love, it also has a solar light so he won’t feel so alone in the dark. I will have a good cry and a chat to him, say all the things I would have said to him if he were with me. I feel really positive about going. Thank you so much for all your supportive messages, I will let you know how I get on.

Take care my friend,

Vikki

[Lynd in reply to Danger19]

So pleased Vikki. We do need to say Goodbye in a way that allows us to carry on with our own life in the best way possible. Trouble is that with suicide we don't get a chance to say what we want to say. A funeral is very upsetting for everybody but it gives us that reality check and is one of the milestones of grief. You didn't get either of those things so it is little wonder you have had problems with it. Now you can say goodbye in your own way.

Some people may laugh but I believe sometimes people we have lost pop in to see us now and again. When my Dad died I could really feel his presence sometimes. Can't explain it but I know it was real. So I think they keep an eye on us.

You are doing amazing so good luck to you..

[Danger19 in reply to Lynd]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Keith had an amazing personality. He was very funny, extremely mad but unlike most people would imagine from the character he came across as, he was a good caring friend. It was Gail Porter the presenter that hated our friendship, but I did go and see him, not too long ago in the pub he had. So I did get to spend some time with him before what happened. I have really appreciated your support and advice.

I wish you a lifetime of peace, happiness, good health and a whole load of luck.

Vikki

[Danger19]

Thank you my lovely,

I just think it is important that people know the risk of these medications. I’m still seeing the GP tomorrow, I think your advice was so right.

Take care,

Vikki

[Lynd in reply to Danger19]

I am so glad Vikki. You would be a very rare person indeed to come out of Brain Injury unscathed. Plus the other problems you mentioned so you need medical support.

To quote a well known TV ad

Because you're worth it 😁

[Hidden]

I'm on 180 mg dihadracodine per day, it's not being on it that's the problem, what is a high dose and what is a low dose? Does anybody have the answer? I have pykd and also have had a subarachnoid heamorrage.

[Danger19 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jason,

I’ll just tell you what I know my lovely.

I have nursed a lot of people on Dihydrcodeine following surgery but it’s only been 30mg to 60mg. I have cared for people in end of life care that have been on very high doses but the dose has been built up over time and as there is a high risk of respiratory depression (stop breathing) patients are constantly monitored when being given opiates. I’m not for one minute suggesting you are end of life care, I’m just letting you know what I know.

I would think your dose was built up over time. 30mg-60mg is usually given for small to moderate pain and following surgery. I’ll be honest, in my job I haven’t looked after anybody on the dose you have been given.

If you have been given that dose by a consultant I would assume you had severe pain either relating to bone, muscle or sometimes nerve pain. If it helps you please don’t stop it just because of what I have said about Keith. Just keep what you now know about these drugs in your mind and constantly check yourself. The truth is, that no matter how good these tablets make you feel, the problems or bad feelings, the individual is experiencing will not go away. I know that the Keith Flint that I know and loved as my friend would want me to warn people in our position, of the bad side of the medication that is supposed to help us. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use them if you need them but please watch yourself. If you need any more detailed information please just ask, I will tell you whatever I know or I can find out from other medical professional friends. But for now from me and I know Keith would join me in wishing you a really safe, healthy and happy future.

[Danger19 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry Jason,

Just quickly, I have checked with a friend who is a surgical registra and he said Dihydracodene is often prescribed following subarachnoid haemorrhage. Hope this helps.

Take care,

Vikki

[Hidden in reply to Danger19]

I've had a sah this year but been on the tablets for at least 10 years slowly increased dosages.

[Hidden]

My dose has been built up over time from 30mg tabs to 60mg now 90mg twice daily, I know I'm addicted to them as I require them to function but they are for my kidney pain, my mother who I inherited this disease from is on morphine patches and liquid morphine so I'm not as bad as she is. Just nice for some input as too what is a high dose. Sorry for your lost, the bloke was a star the likes of which we will not see again and will be greatly missed.

[Danger19 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jason, I’m so sorry I have replied to you but I forgot to reply to you specifically. The response is on my post for Keith. I replied too quick then realised I hadn’t replied directly to you.

Take care,

Vikki

[Danger19]

Thank you Jason for those lovely words about a fine man who had an amazing character. If you need the medication for your pain and it helps that’s great. It says a great deal positively about you that you know and admit you may have an addiction. I’ll be really honest with you, I have been in your position before my accident. Yes I am totally addiction free now but it was hard work and took great determination. That’s what really hurts, had I known of my friends problem I might have been able to help. Again if you think I may be able to help you please just ask. I’m happy to talk about my previous addiction and about how I stopped so no questions will offend or upset me - I’m just plain honest and I don’t want anybody to find themselves in Keith’s situation.

Take care of yourself, with our history we have been through enough my lovely.

[1949liz]

Thanks for the warning ⚠️ BUT I am sure you will agree with me, that there are times when painkiller are necessary especially when following a operation or injury. I have recently had a large operation and I gladly took codeine and paracetamol which I needed to dull the pain. BUT again it’s all relative to each person. I know the dangers of addiction of medication (so does most people) so when I started feeling a little better I cut down slowly, the codeine first and then the paracetamol only now taking two paracetamol pills at night but they will go soon as my pain is much better. BUT not because the doctor has said so-but because I do NOT want to be reliant on taking too many pills. My concern is my doctor will continue to give me codeine and paracetamol for as long as I-ask for them! Maybe, that’s the problem we face to day that doctors should be more accountable for giving out addictive medication so freely and continually without seriously checking all patients on a weekly basis.

This I believe, if a person is determined to end their lives Nothing will stop them, in most cases it’s a cry for help and we need much more facilities to help those who are ill as any form of addiction is an illness. Thank you for highlighting this extremely sad illness Love Liz x🌹

[Danger19 in reply to 1949liz]

Hello my lovely,

Thank you so much for your response. I completely agree that medical professionals should be held accountable for freely prescribing these medications without providing the patient with the information of how dangerous they can be. Also they repeat prescribe these things like sweets without even catching up with the patient. As a nurse, obviously I completely agree that patients should be given effective analgesia, especially following surgery. I just want all the lovely people on this site to have the knowledge so they can make an informed decision as to what medication they want to take and how they wish to take it. You are totally right, there are not enough facilities for people. Mental health facilities are underfunded and addiction facilities like Open Road refuse to help with prescription drug addiction, only street drug addictions. My heart goes out to anyone that is finding life difficult. Having Bipolar, many times before I was helped by my amazing psychiatrist, I found myself in the position of wanting to end my life which felt, at the time like torture. I am one of those annoying people that will offer to help anybody that needs it so if anybody has a question or just wants someone to listen I’m here.

Again thank you for your response. I wish you peace, happiness and good health for your future.

Take care,

Vikki

[moo196]

Thanks for the post.

I was prescribed tramadol after my cvst as I'm allergic to morphine.

My symptoms were pretty bad... But also made worse by the drug. As soon as I was aware of the addictive nature of the drug, I stopped taking it (went through hell for a week, but was soooo much better for not taking it thereafter).

I can see why it may be required occasionally, but would not touch it again without an end plan to come off. It's clear that it's extremely addictive.

[Danger19 in reply to moo196]

Hello my lovely,

Firstly I want to congratulate you for having the strength to get through the withdrawal from Tramadol. The withdrawal from opiate painkillers is not much different to the withdrawal from street drugs. Yet nobody wants to help somebody suffering with this type of addiction. You should be so proud of yourself, I’m proud of you my friend.

I wish you good health, peace, happiness and a whole lot of luck.

Vikki

[Firebolt]

Good advice, I became addicted to codeine it was very difficult to get off it and your right they are handed out so easily. Sorry about your friend x

[Danger19]

Thank you so much for your kind response. I know that prescription pain killer addiction is so difficult to stop. The withdrawal is no different to withdrawing from any street drug especially opiate painkillers like Codiene. But there is hardly any help out there for people. They only seem to want to help with drugs such as Heroin, Cocaine and such like.

You should be very proud of yourself to have managed to come off Codiene is so accessible, you can but it in any chemist, things like Neurofen plus which has 12mgs of Codiene in each tablet and if you slowly increase the dose to maintain the good effects you are experiencing your body can maintain higher and higher doses.

You should be so proud of yourself for doing what millions of people can't do, recognising your addiction and coming clean all by yourself. I think you are amazing and I am so very proud of you. Having nursed hundreds of people in your position I know how hard it is to do what you have done.

I wish you peace, happiness, good health and a whole lot of luck,

Vikki