RIP Prince

[Sasha'sSpins]

Prince, like Bowie, was a part of the soundtrack to my youth. One by one they are leaving us.

I think Prince's sister was absolutely correct to start getting her brother's estate in order within a reasonable time. I assume he amassed a great deal of wealth and that's going to take time to sort out, especially since it can be assumed it will all go siblings since he died intestate.

 

[BittyBug]

I don't know that the Star Tribune is the most reliable source, but it's starting to sound like this was likely an OD.

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity...iction-doctor-the-day-after-his-death-w205198

Interesting article in Slate on pain management and addiction.

http://www.slate.com/articles/healt...have_no_idea_what_addiction_really_means.html

 

[meggonzo]

The Star Tribune is Minneapolis' newspaper.

 

[BittyBug]

Thanks, @meggonzo. I was thinking of the Star publication that is more like the National Enquirer (I only read the US post and did not click through to the link.)

 

[meggonzo]

Here's the Star Tribune article: http://m.startribune.com/addiction-...ce-just-before-his-death/378051471/?section=/

 

[Twizzler]

Press conference on CNN now. "Specialist was on 'life-saving' mission to Prince's residence. Prince didn't show for an addiction appointment. Specialist is immune from prosecution. Specialist was contacted the eve of April 20th by Prince's representatives. Specialist did not know/had never met Prince. Took red-eye to Minneapolis- when he arrived Prince already dead."

 

[Frau Muller]

It all sounds fishy. Why did Prince's reps/friends at the compound call for the dr or his son to fly across the US to help Prince...yet couldn't dial 911 themselves? Had they dialed 911 on the previous day, the local paramedics could have helped Prince sooner. Sounds like wild things may have been going on in that compound...which looked more like a fortress or jail than a house.

 

[Twizzler]

It all sounds fishy. Why did Prince's reps/friends at the compound call for the dr or his son to fly across the US to help Prince...yet couldn't dial 911 themselves?

The son of the Doctor who was called apparently arrived at Paisley Park while the reps were searching for Prince. The doctor is actually the one who called 911. (According to CNN)

The renowned doc the reps called for the emergency intervention wasn't available until Fri, so he sent his son on a red-eye. Apparently the hope was a local doc could get Prince stabilized and then the son would convince Prince to head to CA for rehab. So sad. Didn't have to happen

 

[Frau Muller]

The son of the Doctor who was called apparently arrived at Paisley Park while the reps were searching for Prince. The doctor is actually the one who called 911. (According to CNN)

The renowned doc the reps called for the emergency intervention wasn't available until Fri, so he sent his son on a red-eye. Apparently the hope was a local doc could get Prince stabilized and then the son would convince Prince to head to CA for rehab. So sad. Didn't have to happen

I know. The friends say so. Very convenient. Just sayin'.

 

[meggonzo]

It all sounds fishy. Why did Prince's reps/friends at the compound call for the dr or his son to fly across the US to help Prince...yet couldn't dial 911 themselves? Had they dialed 911 on the previous day, the local paramedics could have helped Prince sooner. Sounds like wild things may have been going on in that compound...which looked more like a fortress or jail than a house.

I know. The friends say so. Very convenient. Just sayin'.

Why would they need to call 911 when he was stable?

You are making some pretty wild assumptions yourself.

 

[Frau Muller]

Why would they need to call 911 when he was stable?

You are making some pretty wild assumptions yourself.

Hardly. Sounds like the great "healthy vegan" was a dope addict.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/prince-had-uncontrollable-cocaine-addiction-since-141517192.html

If Prince was stable, why rush a doctor (or his son) across the country?

 

[meggonzo]

I was talking about your comments about "the friends say so. Very convenient. Just sayin'." Like you are making assumptions about them not helping him.

 

[Jenny]

If Prince was stable, why rush a doctor (or his son) across the country?

VIP treatment. When someone with money or power (or someone who works for them) asks for something, people rush to fulfill the request. When there's an opportunity to work with a high profile client and/or make a lot of money, schedules are cleared.

That being said, this is all so sad. Sounds like someone who did try to lead a clean life, but also may have felt he needed extra help to get through a very busy life with a lot of obligations and a drive to do too much. The painkillers to be able to get through it, the cocaine to keep it going. Might have felt he was some sort of exception in his position, or that keeping it clean otherwise would allow him to do other things he likely knew he shouldn't.

So very sad.

 

[meggonzo]

If Prince was stable, why rush a doctor (or his son) across the country?

Did you read the Star Tribune article I posted?

Also, maybe the reps and Prince thought he'd be fine until the meeting with Kornfeld.

What is so "fishy" about this?

 

[Impromptu]

Sounds like wild things may have been going on in that compound...which looked more like a fortress or jail than a house.

It's a working recording studio, which also had two live music venues, rehearsal spaces, and production facilities.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/n...k-my-amazing-day-with-the-purple-one-20160422

 

[Lorac]

Breaking news on the BBC is that Prince died from an opioid overdose. Not many details at the moment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36436767

 

[Frau Muller]

Did you read the Star Tribune article I posted?

Also, maybe the reps and Prince thought he'd be fine until the meeting with Kornfeld.

What is so "fishy" about this?

Here's the fish. Too many pop music icons seem to go like this. These are role models?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/prince-cause-death-000000903.html

 

[meggonzo]

Here's the fish. Too many pop music icons seem to go like this. These are role models?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/prince-cause-death-000000903.html

Yeah, isn't this what everyone was expecting to hear about the toxicology reports after the news stories that were coming out? I still don't get what is fishy? You were accusing his friends and personnel of not helping him, which I don't know where that was coming from? Stop acting like a troll.

 

[BittyBug]

 

[Cachoo]

If it was opiods then I feel so badly for Prince. To be in physical pain is tough. These pills have been pushed by big pharma who knew how addictive they could be years ago. From what I understand the CDC and other groups suggested oxy and lortab and their ilk be used in small doses for short term pain instead of relief for chronic pain. And I also understand there were lobbyists exerting their influence to have these pills used for long-term chronic pain. And they made millions, perhaps billions, when docs used the scripts for long-term pain. If indeed it was opoids, to me, Prince is just another victim. It is not like the guy was using recreationally since he was a teen. He had pain. He went to the doctor. You are being tough on him Frau.

 

[alj5]

Very sad. Pain management is a very tricky subject. In my ER experience, it's hard to get off narcotics (particularly as strong as what Prince is rumored to take - fentanyl, likely in a quick release format like a sublingual/buccal lozenge and/or a long-acting patch)

You take too many and nobody knows, and it's really hard. When I was a resident, we did CPR on a patient on and off for about an hour before one of the nurses said we should turn him over and look at his back. There were 8 brand new fentanyl patches applied to his back and buttocks. Every time we would bring back his pulse with CPR and resuscitation drugs, the fentanyl would just pull back his heart rate to near zero. Once we took the patches off and gave another dose of narcan, his heart rate stabilized.

Please people, don't take prescription narcotics for more than a few days. The vast majority of patients I have treated through the ER who get "hooked" come from real surgeries, injuries, etc. Anyone needing them for longer than about a week really should have a consultation with a pain management specialist. There are too many "candy doctors" who prescribe way too many. Like my patient from my resident days, there is NO REASON why anyone should have 8 fentanyl patches.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Yeah, isn't this what everyone was expecting to hear about the toxicology reports after the news stories that were coming out? I still don't get what is fishy? You were accusing his friends and personnel of not helping him, which I don't know where that was coming from? Stop acting like a troll.

When Charlie Sheen when through his "meltdown" and his show was on hiatus, I listened to an interview on TV with an interventionist (Kristina Wandzilak) talking about why the people around Charlie did not make sure he got help. The problem, according to Kristina, is that the livelihood and lifestyle of the people around Charlie (or Prince) is tied directly to the addict. They need to get Charlie (or Prince) on to the set or stage, keep them going, so their lives don't fall apart.

Opiate addiction sucks. Because it is a prescription drug it is "excused", or viewed as not too bad. But in the amounts Prince, or Matthew Perry were taking it is not an easy thing, and can't be done on your own. I get the part that Prince was in pain. However, I'll bet he took them when he wasn't in pain. I love narcotics. Really! I love the way they make me feel. They stop so many pains. Lucky for me I am not addicted to them. My daughter, not so lucky. Suboxone can help you get through the physical withdrawals. Then the real work begins.

Rehabs.com

Addiction causes changes to the brain, sometimes lasting changes. Regular drug use can permanently damage the brain’s dopamine receptors, which is why many people relapse – they simply cannot feel physical or emotional pleasure without drugs. A recovering addict may stay sober for months but, after being miserable for so long, may eventually pick up a new drug if the old one no longer works due to medication. A suffering addict who hasn’t spent quality time in counseling may become desperate if they can no longer get high, and may use large amounts of drugs to overcome their resistance.

Celebrities get a huge high on performing, so he wanted to keep going. Those surrounding them get a huge high by being around them.

Prince was an addict. Those around him had to have known it. He had to have known it. I don't know what other things and/or phobias he was dealing with. Too bad he did not get the help he needed.

 

[Prancer]

Didn't Prince try various rehab methods? I know, it's hard to say, given how rumors were rampant about him.

This article is not about fentanyl but oxycontin; I think it explains how some people get so hooked on prescription opiates well, however: http://static.latimes.com/oxycontin-part1/

 

[meggonzo]

When Charlie Sheen when through his "meltdown" and his show was on hiatus, I listened to an interview on TV with an interventionist (Kristina Wandzilak) talking about why the people around Charlie did not make sure he got help. The problem, according to Kristina, is that the livelihood and lifestyle of the people around Charlie (or Prince) is tied directly to the addict. They need to get Charlie (or Prince) on to the set or stage, keep them going, so their lives don't fall apart.

Opiate addiction sucks. Because it is a prescription drug it is "excused", or viewed as not too bad. But in the amounts Prince, or Matthew Perry were taking it is not an easy thing, and can't be done on your own. I get the part that Prince was in pain. However, I'll bet he took them when he wasn't in pain. I love narcotics. Really! I love the way they make me feel. They stop so many pains. Lucky for me I am not addicted to them. My daughter, not so lucky. Suboxone can help you get through the physical withdrawals. Then the real work begins.

Rehabs.com


Celebrities get a huge high on performing, so he wanted to keep going. Those surrounding them get a huge high by being around them.

Prince was an addict. Those around him had to have known it. He had to have known it. I don't know what other things and/or phobias he was dealing with. Too bad he did not get the help he needed.

Yes, they did know it because a doctor flew out from California to Minneapolis to get him into a rehab program. Prince and his staff were trying to get help, it was just a day too late. Which you don't know until it's too late. There aren't any surprises here based on the facts that have already been reported.

I also don't know why people are blaming the "people around Prince" when ultimately he was a grown ass man that's responsible for his own decisions.

 

[Cachoo]

Yes, they did know it because a doctor flew out from California to Minneapolis to get him into a rehab program. Prince and his staff were trying to get help, it was just a day too late. Which you don't know until it's too late. There aren't any surprises here based on the facts that have already been reported.

I also don't know why people are blaming the "people around Prince" when ultimately he was a grown ass man that's responsible for his own decisions.

Usually I would agree but when it comes to opiods and addiction then I feel like I'm on unstable ground in the blame game especially if this all started with an injury and a script.

 

[skatesindreams]

Supposedly, Prince suffered an injury when performing, which began his problem.

 

[Cachoo]

I was watching CBS News tonight and they reported the people around Prince had an intervention the day or days before his death and had help on the way. But it sounds like using fentanyl is akin to playing with fire. Is fentanyl given as a script outside of the hospital? I'd like to know how Prince obtained it.

 

[AxelAnnie]

But it sounds like using fentanyl is akin to playing with fire. Is fentanyl given as a script outside of the hospital? I'd like to know how Prince obtained it.

It is all playing with fire.

And how he obtained it? Any way he wanted! He was Prince!

 

[once_upon]

The people around Prince had to be aware. There was the emergency landing, whisked off to hospital, left hospital incident 2 or 3 days before death. It was reported that he left because there were not any rooms he found acceptable. I read that at the time as "I don't like the recommended treatment"

Fentanyl (sp) is a dangerous drug. When I was working in clinical areas 25 years ago, it was hospital only. Obviously not anymore as alj5 stated.

Drug use is not just drugs like cocaine or heroin. All drugs can be dangerous even "natural herbs". Anyone can become addicted and they generally resist any drug abuse program. I don't think Prince's people are to be blamed.

From personal family experience, if an addict (alcohol or drugs) doesn't accept there is a problem and aren't willing to be actively engaged in rehab, there is not a lot you can do. Just like Michael Jackson - enough fame and fortune can buy a lot of drugs. And if they are legal or the well dries up..then there is cocaine, heroin, meth. The street drugs.

Chronic intense pain should be managed by specialized pain management programs.

 

[Twilight1]

Public service announcement-

If you or someone you know is taking potent opioids please consider having a Naloxone kit on hand at all times. Learn how to administer it. You could save a life.

Tolerance to pain medication is not the same as addiction.There are 2 domains... physical and psychological. Pain is pain and should not be overlapped erroneously with other types of addiction. Yes there can be physical tolerance but there is so much more to substance use disorder.

That said, I am so sad to hear it was a possible accidental overdose.

And yes Fetanyl can be accesed outside of the hospital. 'Off the boat', shady docs, double doctoring, pharmacy robberies, 'fell off the truck', people sell their own Rx, stealing from family/friends. etc.