I have multiple myeloma (and a couple of other cancers, but the myeloma is a terminal blood cancer, and kinda the most important). Anywho, I take like (not exaggerating!) 25+ meds every day and a few more during the week, not to mention the chemo and what I might be given before some kind of testing. That's the background to this CSB.

A couple of weeks ago, I brought in the latest batch of meds from the VA Pharmacy. (Thank God I have the VA: I get great medical care and pay virtually bupkis; everyone in the USA, if I had my way, would have socialized medicine similar to this so they don't have to be afraid of living a medically impoverished life in retirement because of illnesses.) In the batch of meds, I found a nasal spray I'd never heard of and don't remember discussing with any of my medical team. I do use an over-the-counter nasal spray because I have pets and sometimes the pet dander makes my nose run, but I have never discussed this with anyone because I don't want to have another series of tests. Yes, it could be important but I'm already on Death's Wait List, so meh.

A couple of weeks later, I asked my oncologists' assistant about it. It turns out that it is now the VA policy to send all patients who use controlled substances like morphine a couple of doses of Narcan in case of overdose (accidental or otherwise). No one ever mentioned this to me. They probably should have because I might've accidently used it thinking it was just a nasal spray to make my nose less runny and because I'd run-out of my OTC nasal spray. Had no one been home, I could've died. I didn't read the literature because that would have meant opening the box it came in, and I never used it anyway because I have enough drugs to warrant mine own medicine cabinet. (Hubby just has diabetes and his meds take up half the armoire in his walk-in closet, 8'x12'.)

If you are a Vet and taking a controlled pain-reliever like morphine, and you receive a nasal spray called something like (I don't have it in front of me) Naxolone, do not use it until you first read the literature for it and discuss it with at least your primary care provider (PCP). It could cause reactions that are difficult to quickly recover from. It is not a nasal spray for the sniffles, runny nose, or any similar condition. It is meant to shock the hell outta your body if you are doing drugs and accidently ingest, inject or inhale something dangerous like that phen stuff we keep hearing is killing younger addicts because the drug makers are using it as filler or something. Don't take a drug you don't remember talking to your doctor about or remember a prescription for it.