Bugout bags and pain meds.

[Sam Reeves]

I've been looking into what goes in other folks bugout bags. I understand that every bag is for a different situation but I never see pain meds included. Why?

[Ken]

Sam, here's what I try to keep on hand. Make sure you know how to use the stuff.

See Post #9 http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ead.php?t=2826

This is also a good info site.

http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/psychoactives.shtml

[crashdive123]

When you say pain meds are you referring to typical OTC stuff like aspirin, motrin, etc. or something stronger.

[Rick]

Sam - Most of us maintain a first aid kit as an adjunct to the BOB. That's where you'll find the pain killers. If you do a search on them, you'll see that type of stuff lists.

Here's a recent one:

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ght=first+kits

[Sam Reeves]

Thanks, guys. I guess I need to figure out how to use the search function a little better.

[Sam Reeves]

When you say pain meds are you referring to typical OTC stuff like aspirin, motrin, etc. or something stronger.

Both. In my I have five Fentanyl patches, half a bottle of oxycotton, 12 percocets and a bottle of hydrocodone (all prescribed to me).

Ironically the best thing for a toothache I have found is Ibuprofen.

[Arkansas_Ranger]

Ummm....in an extreme situation are you sure you'll be able to function with fentanyl, oxycontin, percocet, and hydrocodone?????? Don't give it to anyone else. You never know how they'll react to it.

[klkak]

Ummm....in an extreme situation are you sure you'll be able to function with fentanyl, oxycontin, percocet, and hydrocodone?????? Don't give it to anyone else. You never know how they'll react to it.

Start taking one of each every day. As you get used to functioning on them slowly increase the dosage. That way if you are in the woods and have a horrible accident you will be able to function on the meds.

[Arkansas_Ranger]

I agree that it's fine to have "pain meds" but to stockpile them?? Then suddenly begin taking them if something were to happen and cause you pain?? I'm sorry. Having worked in emergency medical environments I don't think it's wise. My opinion so that's all it's worth.

[tacmedic]

My main concern with having meds like these around in a SHTF scenario is the potential for theft once people realize that you have them. The biggest growing drug addiction in the US right now is the addiction to prescription pain meds, and the addiction is just as strong as for street drugs. Especially with things like fentanyl and oxycontin which are very powerful opiate/narcotics.

On the other hand; if you have an injury or a medical situation that requires such items on a daily basis to function, then that is a different story and it would be wise to have them. Just my $.02. (actually it may be worth less than that if you figure in the current inflation rate.)

[Rick]

Sam - Just my .02 here. I don't see anything wrong with having any of those meds as long as 1. Your Dr. prescribed them (which he did) 2. You understand their side effects and contra indications (assume you talked to your Dr.) and 3. They are safeguarded per Tacmedic's concerns. I carry Ultram with my Dr.'s knowledge but never more than a few. That's true if I'm in the woods or traveling for the week-end.

My doc told me it's pretty common for some patient to call and say someone stole a bottle of Oxy out of my car. He said the first question he asks is what the he** were you doing with the bottle in the car?

So the bulk of mine stay at home. It's reassuring to know that if something bad happens I have the ability to ease the pain until help arrives. And let's face it, if my femur is shattered I'm not going to be too keen about finding shelter or water or fire. I'm going to be concerned that my leg is about to fall off and I'm going into shock from the pain.

[beerrunner13]

I agree with ya on this one Rick I have pain meds and anti biotics I got from my DR and keep a few in my kit I f I had to bug out they would all go with me just like my BP meds.

As for the theft thing 1 I don't see anyone I don't know and trust knowing what is in my BOB

and 2 the only way someone is stealing my pack is if I am dead and out of ammo, but then some here would not have me armed in the first place.

[Ken]

Why keep them on hand? Repeat after me: K I D N E Y S T O N E S.

[klkak]

Why keep them on hand? Repeat after me: K I D N E Y S T O N E S.

Ken, I am with you on this. I Keep a bottle of Oxycodone on hand all the time. I have never felt anything as bad as passing a Kidney stone. I don't really remember to much about the pain I was in from the broken leg. But if it was worse then the kidney stones it was not by much.

[Ken]

Ken, I am with you on this. I Keep a bottle of Oxycodone on hand all the time. I have never felt anything as bad as passing a Kidney stone. I don't really remember to much about the pain I was in from the broken leg. But if it was worse then the kidney stones it was not by much.

Klkak, I had one (1.4 cm) that kicked my butt for 4 months. Demerol was the only thing that allowed me to function. Out of about 50 stones over the years, it was the only one I didn't pass within about 48 hours of getting hit with the pain. Because of it's location, Doc couldn't blast it 'till it moved. The meds don't get you "stoned" and the "need" goes away as soon as the stone passes. I compare the pain as like getting stabbed non-stop in the back with a twisting white-hot barbeque fork while getting slammed with a 10 lb. sledge at the same time. You feel a tingle and within 20 minutes the pain is a 10 out of 10. Last time was 2 years ago (knock on wood) but I always have pain meds within arms reach.

Good news: Magnesium supplements can PREVENT them.

"Natural Calm" www.petergillham.com

[klkak]

I passed one about 4 months ago that was 7mm. I agree with your description of the pain. It is amazing how fast the pain stops after the stone passes. I can't use morphine so if I go to the hospital it's straight to an I.V. and fentanyl injections until I pass it.

[Ken]

Klkak,

I went to the hospital about 10 years ago, only because I had no Demerol to ride it out with. Ran out months before during an earlier stone attack and didn't get a new script. ER Doc wouldn't give me anything for pain (even though my hospital record showed a history of stones) because the idiot wasn't sure it was a stone (I told him I had at least 35 prior attacks) and he wanted to make sure I wasn't a drug abuser faking to get some drugs. Good thing I couldn't move at the time or I'd be serving life for killing the Bas-Turd.

Read the literature on Magnesium. Very good Tufts Medical School research on the subject.

Good luck, brother.

[beerrunner13]

Who would not want to see you armed Beerunner? While I disagree with guns in certain situations and locations.. my argument was not that I would want to disarm you. I am only making this response because I had posted a statement about it in another thread. I have my opinion, you have yours, I didn't single you out but it sounds like you are singling me out because of my opinion, which isn't even directed at you. Are you creating slams on this forum?

Don't see where I mentioned any names there sport, so it looks like it is you that is trying to get something stirred up, go back to your little dream world and leave me out of your problems. OK/

[Ken]

C'mon, folks. We're here to help each other survive from the Bas-Turds in the OUTSIDE WORLD! Let's show some love

[Sam Reeves]

Ummm....in an extreme situation are you sure you'll be able to function with fentanyl, oxycontin, percocet, and hydrocodone?????? Don't give it to anyone else. You never know how they'll react to it.

Yes, but I see your point. I wouldn't want to be in a bad situation and have a bad reaction to meds. These are all meds that I am personally familiar with. Fentanyl is a strange drug. It is 30-50 times more potent than morphine but it is not a euphoric drug so it does not get you stoned it just relieves the pain. The downside to Fentanly is that it is very slow acting so one would need something for "breakthru" pain.

One thing I do know is that I function better with pain relievers than I do with extreme pain. I also carry muscle relaxers.

You never know when you are going to hurt your back or worse.