Size led obese man to overdose (NZ)

[~lostgurl~]

Size led obese man to overdose

By KAY BLUNDELL - The Dominion Post
Tuesday, 26 December 2006

The death of an obese man who overdosed after obtaining "truckloads" of prescription drugs from different doctors has prompted calls for a better patient-tracking system.

Daniel Middleton Raven, 33, of Foxton Beach, who weighed about 180 kilograms, was found dead in his bed by his partner Wendy Shailer on the morning of December 4 last year.

Ms Shailer said Mr Raven had told her that because of his size he needed more medication than the usual dose. "I encouraged him to tell doctors how much medication he was taking – I do not believe he knew the effect the medication was having on him," she said.

Police inquiries found Mr Raven had a long history of depression and ill health and was taking medication for various ailments. He had been obtaining big amounts of prescription drugs from several doctors who recognised that he was addicted to the drugs.

Mr Raven's unintentional death highlighted the need for a better system to pick up patients using several doctors to obtain prescription medications, Foxton Beach Senior Constable Ross Brannigan said.
"Each doctor formed the same opinion that he was actively drug seeking, but because he swapped from doctor to doctor, they fell short of forcing the issue," he said. "Though he was very cunning there should have been some line of communication where they said, 'Beware of this guy, he should not be getting this amount of medication' – because he was getting truckloads.

"If he had wanted to commit suicide, he could easily have done it."
One pharmacist realised there was something wrong the day before Mr Raven died, contacted one of the GPs and gave him only half his latest prescription, Mr Brannigan said. Ms Shailer was adamant that Mr Raven had not intended to take his own life, but said his self dosing had led to his unplanned death. "He used to describe his life at Foxton Beach as 'close to paradise'. The night before he died, I said I did not know what I would do without him, and he replied, 'I am not going anywhere'." "He would not have done this to me purposefully. Bigger people need to realise that, although they know they are bigger, their hearts and other organs are the same size as a smaller person," she said.

Levin Coroner Phil Comber said there had been no evidence to suggest Mr Raven's death was intentional and he concluded that the cause of death was the combined depressant effects of Dihydrocodeine and Clonazepane on his nervous system.#para"If a person is determined to overdose on medication they will usually find a way," Mr Comber said. " While it can be controlled in a hospital setting that is not possible in the community."

Medical Association chairman Peter Foley said it was important that patients were honest with health practitioners when seeking medication, and ultimately it was the patient's responsibility when taking prescription drugs. "Without commenting on any particular case, it is important that a patient follows the instructions and advice issued with a prescription.
"If a patient feels the need to change then it is important they discuss their concerns with their doctor, rather than taking things into their own hands."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/3910869a10.html

[pankreeas]

Truckloads? thats a little absurd...nobody gets truck loads of pills.. except truck drivers and pharmacies... and celebrities that show their snatch.. regardless I'm
curious as to what LD was measured @ in the blood.. for swims sake.. as he is 167 lb's and enjoys said combination.

[psycho joe]

media here is pretty shocking, exagerated no-doubt

[Riconoen {UGC}]

holy shit, how did he get enough of the good stuff to fill an entire truck? he must have wieghed literally a ton.