Peter G. Hanson M.D.

June 25, 2009.

Today’s untimely death of Michael Jackson is a tragic replay of that of Elvis Presley in 1977. Both were kings of pop music, both were still young (50 and 42 respectively), and both were on pain medications beyond sensible (short term) doses.  There is some irony that Elvis (had he lived) would have been Michael’s father-in-law during his short marriage to Lisa Marie Presley.

Elvis’ doctor “Nick” Nichopoulos famously prescribed his star patient thousands of pain killers (enough to lose his license).

Jackson’s longtime friend Brian Oxman is today (June 25, 2009) bemoaning the high levels of prescription meds that Jackson was on. Apparently, Oxman tells CNN that Michael had ankle and vertebral back pains, the results of longstanding injuries during his amazing performing career. 

To cope with these pains while still ramping up for a vigorous comeback with 50 shows booked in London’s O2 venue, Jackson allegedly took these prescriptions in substantial quantities.  In combination with his energetic rehearsals to get back into tour shape, the physical demands on his heart apparently became supreme.  While today’s tragedy will be more fully explained after the autopsy results are in, there is a certain caution we should all draw from this.  Without question, high doses of these addictive meds are being widely used by the public, and are responsible for more admissions into rehab centers than street drugs.  But they are not just candy; sometimes they can kill.

As an MD, I find it appalling that patients in pain are usually not given alternatives to these very risky drugs. The Prescription Drug Cartel spends billions on media ads, as well as ads to doctors in medical journals.  To further clinch the deal, the Drug Cartel hires beautiful cheerleaders for reps, and takes doctors on speaking “tours” or subsidizes continuing medical “education” seminars.  The paradigm becomes set: any symptom must be caused by the lack of a brand name drug.  So the patient is primed to “ask your doctor if this drug is right for you”.  The doctor’s prescriptions are tracked by bar codes to identify “high prescribers” who are due for party favors like free pens, clipboards, coffee mugs, etc. 

The perfect storm is created, patients get what they are asking for, and doctors are rewarded for giving in to patient demand.  But while these drugs are sometimes helpful in short controlled doses, not everybody needs endless supplies.  Doctors are very aware of restricting access to repeat prescriptions, but, once addicted, patients can be resourceful.  Extra pills often lie in friends’ cabinets, or are available from street sources.  In the case of celebrities, there are plenty of avenues for open lines of these prescriptions. 

By contrast, Medical Acupuncture, with electrical stimulation, can bring even more pain relief and has absolutely no side effects. It produces so much endorphine that it even helps wean addicts from their recreational drugs.  I my practice, we routinely take people off pain pills, as well as antidepressants and sleeping pills, etc.  Unusual for an MD, but sometimes it pays to think outside the medical box. 

For more an MD acupuncturist near you, visit www.medicalacupuncture.org.  For more on Dr. Hanson’s Denver office, visit www.peterhansonmd.com.