Brooke Intervention Blog

Update on my life

brookintervention — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:21:08 +0000

Update on my life

Hi everyone. I have been pretty good recently. My pain has been under control. I am still taking suboxone. My pain is also not as bad as it used to be. I am getting around much better. I still have a lot more joints that need to be replaced. My relationship with my family is doing good. Recently my mother had an accident. She went to a shooting range and they all shot their guns off and she didn’t have time to put her head phones on so she lost most of her hearing. It is so hard for her. In a way we relate, we both had a sudden traumatic accident in our lives. One day she could hear and the next day she can’t. One day I could walk and the next day I couldn’t. She is doing better now. She can hear a little bit now with hearing aids. My father is having some gallbladder problems. I can’t tell you about all my family members because some chose not to be mentioned. But besides that they are doing great and they are all in good spirits. My twin sister she just had a beautiful baby boy. His name is Corbin. He is a beautiful baby boy.
I did have a small relapse when I returned back to Bay Recovery. I was sobor for 19 months. I slipped up. But Dr. Rand took great care of me. He actually took me off all pain meds and I was just taking suboxone and Tylenol. I felt so great. I felt like I had been poisoned for years taking narcotics. My pain decreased, I looked healthier, I had more energy, it was amazing. I never thought that I would be able to live my life without pain medication but I can. Thanks to Dr. Rand. He really saved my life.
I have lived in Oklahoma all of my life. Believe me I love it. But I have been spending so much time here in California I just decided that I am going to move hear to San Diego. And I get to be close to Dr. Rand. For sure I don’t want to be far from the man who changed my life for the better. The weather is so much better here also. I will miss snow but I can always go back and visit. One thing for sure is that I am going to miss my babies like crazy. (My nephews and niece) I call them my babies because I have no children of my own and I love them so much like they were my own. And of course I will miss my family as well. Along with my crazy aunt.

www.bayrecovery.com
www.bayrecoveryintervention.com

I am a bionic woman

brookintervention — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:44:33 +0000

Hi everyone, recently I have been back to Bay Recovery to have another joint replaced. I just had my right shoulder replaced. We all know that I have both knees replaced. But the shoulder was the most painful. It is so uncomfortable. It has been 3 weeks and I still can’t get a comfortable position to sleep in. I have found out that if you put a pillow under your arm it does help a little. The physical therapy is a lot more intense and longer. I still can’t move it more than 25%. Which is very unpleasant. I think that I am very talented because I am doing several things one armed. Washing, drying, and straighting my hair. It took me a couple times to figure that out. But I am better at everything. Soon I will be all healed. But that isn’t all I have to get replaced. I still have to get my hips, a couple of fingers, and when the technology comes out both ankles. My ankles need it more than anything they are so deterated. There is nothing there. Just bone on bone. So after I get all of that done I will be a complete bionic woman. Probably the youngest bionic woman. Everytime I go to an airport I set off the secrity alarms. But that started when I had just one knee replaced. But I am so lucky. Everytime I have had a joint replaced I have been to Bay Recovery. Which has been incredible for me. Dr. Rand knows how to treat my pain and does not leave me in pain at all. And when the pain starts to go away he slowly starts to wing you off the pain medication. He does with care and so you won’t be in any withdrawls or pain. Dr. Rand is the only doctor I know that actually understands pain. The reason why he does is because he has had suffered from chronic pain. He knows what it feels like. You will have so much of a caring and understanding doctor when you come to Bay Recovery. Well, thanks to everyone for reading my blog. I am doing great. Talk to everyone soon!!!

www.bayrecovery.com

www.bayrecoveryintervention.com

About my family

brookintervention — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:50:07 +0000

I have seen some negative comments about my family. I just want everyone to know that my family and I are very close. Also my family has been there for me through the worst. I needed them before, during and after my addiction. And they were always there for me. My family has never let me down. I am blessed to have such a wonderful, loving family. I appreciate everyone’s comments. Just please don’t talk about my family. I love you all. God Bless

www.bayrecovery.com

www.bayrecoveryintervention.com

Alcohol, drug abuse suspected in man’s death – JSOnline

brookintervention — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:45:00 +0000

An autopsy is scheduled for a 36-year-old man found dead Monday night inside a south side home, where investigators suspect a combination of alcohol and prescription drugs contributed to his death.

The Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office identified the man Tuesday as Jason R. Jonas.

His cause of death is pending the results of a toxicology screen, but investigators are looking closely at multiple medications found in his home, including OxyContin and Suboxone, according to a preliminary report released on Tuesday.

Milwaukee police responded to the man’s home in the 1200 block of E. Howard Ave. after two roommates found him passed out and unresponsive on a couch about 10 p.m.

They told police the man had been drinking heavily since Sunday and they had offered at one point to call 911 when he was vomiting and breathing heavily. They stayed up with him and he told them he was OK and not to call for help.

Police found three bottles of vodka on a table in front of the couch where the man had been sleeping. They also located the man’s medications on the table, including a bottle of oxycodone prescribed on April 3. Of the 60 prescribed, two remained, according to the report.

Family told investigators that Jonas had a history of heavy alcohol use and drug abuse.

via Alcohol, drug abuse suspected in man’s death – JSOnline.

www.bayrecovery.com

www.bayrecoveryintervention.com

Oxycodone shortage stressing patients

brookintervention — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:42:39 +0000

Patients in need of a popular painkiller are outraged that they can’t get their prescriptions filled.

There are reports of a nationwide shortage of Oxycodone — the generic version of Oxycontin which is derived from morphine.

William Chmael of Springfield takes it every day to help alleviate his back pain and arthritis.

He told 22News he’s been to six local pharmacies and they are all out of Oxycodone.

“To think about that some day you go to get your medication refilled and it’s not there. What are you going to do? It’s terrifying,” he said.

Chmael is getting his prescription filled since he went from 10-milligrams to 5.

Experts recommend checking with your doctor or pharmacist for other alternatives.

via Oxycodone shortage stressing patients.

Links to chronic pain support / treatment sites

brookintervention — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:50:32 +0000

www.treatingfibromyalgia.wordpress.com( Fibromyalgia treatment information )

www.chronic-pain-treatment.net ( chronic pain treatment info )

www.bayrecovery.com ( chronic pain treatment center )

www.johnhenely.wordpress.com ( John Henely’s chronic pain blog )

www.suboxone-doctors.com ( Information on Suboxone treatment)

www.youtube.com/bayrecovery( videos of patients who have gone through treatment at bay recovery center )

www.billbriggs.wordpress.com( William Briggs Chronic Pain Blog )

www.bayrecoveryintervention.com( Bay recovery intervention information )

www.oxycontinaddiction.wordpress.com( Oxycontin addiction and treatment info )

www.treatingfibromyalgia.wordpress.com( Fibromyalgia treatment information )

www.addictiontopainkiller.com( Pain Killer Addiction Information )

www.hydromorphoneaddiction.wordpress.com( Hydromorphone Addiction Information )

www.dilaudidaddiction.wordpress.com( Dilaudid addiction information )

www.brookintervention.wordpress.com( Brook from the television show Intervention’s blog )

Videos of my story

brookintervention — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:43:26 +0000

Pictures of me and family

brookintervention — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:25:08 +0000

Treatment programs help veterans for the return home

brookintervention — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:11:17 +0000

A number of addiction treatment organizations are doing their part to ensure that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have access to supports to ease the transition back to their communities.

A Better Tomorrow, which operates a 60-bed facility and outpatient services in Murrieta, California, has for the past year offered free outpatient services (up to three days a week for up to a month) to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. A couple of months ago it also decided to discount its residential treatment services by 50% for veterans who might need a more intensive level of care, says A Better Tomorrow president Jerrod Menz.

Although only about half a dozen outpatients and one residential client have received services under the program so far, Menz believes the center is providing an important alternative for returning veterans who might not want to pursue health services through military challenges for fear of repercussions.

“A lot of times you’re better off being a drunken sailor than to be in rehab,” Menz says of the military culture. A treatment site outside the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs might offer clinical benefits as well, he believes. “It lets veterans be more honest about their issues,” Menz says.

Headlines about efforts to improve behavioral health services for veterans with substance use issues and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been everywhere in recent months. In New York, the Outreach Training Institute has received special funding to offer honorably discharged veterans a full scholarship for its counselor education program that prepares students for state licensure.

And on Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts has introduced two veteran-related bills, including one to create a pilot program for the training of counselors in higher education institutions to recognize the signs of PTSD.

DURECT Corporation Reports Positive Phase IIb Data from TRANSDU(TM)-Sufentanil Clinical Program

brookintervention — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:47:54 +0000

CUPERTINO, Calif., March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — DURECT Corporation (Nasdaq: DRRX – News) announced today positive results from a 74 patient Phase IIb clinical trial conducted by Endo Pharmaceuticals of TRANSDUR(TM)-Sufentanil, a proprietary seven day patch under development for the treatment of chronic pain. The development program for this drug candidate was reviewed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during a successful end-of-Phase II meeting with the FDA on February 19, 2009. As a result of that meeting, we believe we understand the anticipated regulatory pathway for the Phase III program and approval, which we expect will follow a 505(b)2 pathway as discussed with FDA.

“In this trial, all of the primary and secondary objectives were met by showing patients could be successfully converted from oral opioids such as OxyContin® and from fentanyl patches such as Duragesic® to TRANSDUR-Sufentanil, while also showing a reduction in pain scores on our therapy,” stated James Brown, President and CEO of DURECT Corporation. “We believe that our small, patient-friendly seven day sufentanil patch would compete effectively in the chronic pain market including both patches and oral opioids.”

In addition to the recent Phase IIb study, there have been 9 additional clinical studies performed to date with TRANSDUR-Sufentanil that have involved over 300 patient exposures. These studies include evaluating wearing, pharmacokinetics, specialty populations, repeat applications, skin abrasions, drug interactions and dose conversions. In addition, a non-clinical package comprising multiple animal safety studies has been developed, including carcinogenicity studies, long-term toxicology and multiple biocompatibility studies.

Phase IIb Trial Objectives

* Primary objective: explore the minimally acceptable dose titration interval for transitioning opioid experienced patients to TRANSDUR-Sufentanil to achieve an acceptable analgesic and side effect profile. * Secondary objectives: o Evaluate the relative potency relationship for converting patients from current opioid therapy to TRANSDUR-Sufentanil; o Evaluate the efficacy of TRANSDUR-Sufentanil administration; and o Evaluate the safety and tolerability (including local effects) of continuous TRANSDUR-Sufentanil administration at a dose delivering adequate pain control.

Design

The TRANSDUR-Sufentanil Phase IIb clinical trial was an open label, two-stage study to explore the titration (conversion) schedule for transitioning opioid-experienced patients with non-malignant moderate to severe chronic pain from current oral (e.g., OxyContin®) and transdermal opioid (e.g., Duragesic®) therapies to TRANSDUR-Sufentanil. After screening and recording of baseline (before TRANSDUR-Sufentanil therapy) measurements with respect to average pain intensity and other matters, patients were randomized into multiple titration regimens. After achieving an endpoint of adequate, stable pain control and an acceptable safety profile on TRANSDUR-Sufentanil, patients entered a 28-day continuous treatment maintenance period, followed by a 7-day follow-up period to ensure that an adequate pain control regimen was re-established. In this study conducted at 11 sites in the U.S., a total of 74 patients entered screening, of which 36 entered the maintenance period.

Results

Dose Titration Interval

In this study, approximately half (36 out of 74) of the screened patients successfully entered the maintenance period, which is consistent with expectations for the study and with other chronic pain studies of a similar nature. After exploring multiple dose titration regimens, two acceptable dose titration intervals have achieved the desired analgesic effect and side-effect profile, and therefore are expected to be utilized in Phase III.

Relative Potency

As a result of converting screened patients to stable pain control and into the maintenance period (see above), the conversion ratios from oral morphine equivalents at baseline to TRANSDUR-Sufentanil dosage strengths were established and are expected to be utilized in the Phase III program.

Efficacy

Although not the main goal of the study, the mean pain score during the maintenance period of 3.88 (on a numerical ratings scale for pain intensity of 0-10, with 0 being no pain) represented a reduction of approximately 19% from the mean baseline pain score of 4.78. These pain scores represent the mean for the patients that had a maintenance pain value and a baseline pain value (n=36) and computations were based on the intention-to-treat patients set. Only 1 patient out of 36 (approximately 2.8%) dropped out of the study during the maintenance period for lack of efficacy.

Safety and Tolerability

The safety summary is consistent with commonly expected adverse events using transdermal therapy systems with opioids. Only 1 out of 74 patients (approximately 1.4%) dropped out of the study due to application site reaction (local pruritis) and that one instance occurred during the first visit. No patients dropped out of the study due to application site adverse events during the maintenance period. No patients’ adverse events were rated as severe.

About TRANSDUR-Sufentanil

TRANSDUR-Sufentanil is intended to provide continuous delivery of sufentanil for up to seven days from a single application, as compared to the two to three days of relief provided by currently available opioid patches. We anticipate that the small size of our sufentanil patch (potentially as small as 1/5th the size of currently marketed transdermal fentanyl patches for a therapeutically equivalent dose) and longer duration of action may offer meaningful patient benefits for chronic pain sufferers. We believe that the product profile of TRANSDUR-Sufentanil may allow such patches to compete effectively in the chronic pain market including both patches and oral opioids.

Effective August 26, 2009, we will receive back from Endo Pharmaceuticals the right to develop and commercialize TRANSDUR-Sufentanil in the U.S. and Canada. Endo has committed to assist us in an orderly and rapid transition of this program back to us. With the worldwide rights to this program restored to us, we believe we have an attractive asset to partner or to progress ourselves.

About DURECT Corporation

DURECT is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative drugs for pain and other chronic diseases, with late-stage development programs including REMOXY®, POSIDUR(TM), ELADUR(TM), and TRANSDUR(TM)-Sufentanil. DURECT’s proprietary oral, transdermal and injectable depot delivery technologies may enable new indications and superior clinical/commercial attributes such as abuse deterrence, improved convenience, compliance, efficacy and safety for small molecule and biologic drugs. For more information, please visit www.durect.com.

NOTE: POSIDUR(TM), SABER(TM), ORADUR(TM), TRANSDUR(TM), and ELADUR(TM) are trademarks of DURECT Corporation. Other referenced trademarks belong to their respective owners. REMOXY, POSIDUR, ELADUR and TRANSDUR-Sufentanil are drug candidates under development and have not been approved for commercialization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other health authorities.

DURECT Forward-Looking Statement

The statements in this press release regarding TRANSDUR-Sufentanil, its potential attributes and product benefits, its potential as an alternative to opioid products, anticipated Phase III program (including the dose titration regimens and dose conversion ratios expected to be utilized in the Phase III program) and regulatory pathway for approval, our intentions to enter into collaborations or further develop the program are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the uncertainty and costs associated with the development and commercialization of certain opioid drug products such as TRANSDUR-Sufentanil due to increased scrutiny and possible new regulations relating to risk evaluation and mitigation of these drugs, our difficulty or failure to obtain approvals from regulatory agencies with respect to TRANSDUR-Sufentanil, design, enroll, conduct and complete clinical trials, complete the design, development, and manufacturing process development of TRANSDUR-Sufentanil, consummate collaborative agreements relating to TRANSDUR-Sufentanil, manufacture and commercialize and obtain marketplace acceptance of TRANSDUR-Sufentanil, avoid infringing patents held by other parties and secure and defend patents of our own, and manage and obtain capital to fund our growth, operations and expenses. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in DURECT’s Form 10-K dated March 10, 2009 under the heading “Risk Factors.”