Medications and Self Defense

[PegLeg45]

It is a rather standard, generic pain medication.....similar to Vicodin, Lortab, oxycodone (all opiate derivatives). Depending on the mixture and strength, most Hydrocodone pain medication isn't much more than Tylenol (depending on strength and one's tolerance).

Actually, it is usually teamed up with acetaminophen to carry it, as in "Hydrocodone 5-500 APAP" which means 5mg of an opiate derivative combined with 500mg of acetaminophen. I've had it in 5-500, 7.5-500, and 10-650 (usually the strongest). My normal prescription dose is the standard 5-500, but I usually just stick to generic acetaminophen unless I'm really having a good bit of pain.

It also may be prescribed (as in my wife's case during chemo treatments) as a cough suppressant.

http://www.drugs.com/monograph/hydrocodone-bitartrate.html

[Ping]

What Peg said! 

I would talk to a doctor about the side effects of medication. Hydrocodone is alright. Now if you were taking Chantix to quit smoking, I would be more worried about that. That crap is scary and gave me nightmares and panic attacks.

[tombogan03884]

Thanks for the info, he's taking it for Arthritis in his legs and back.
Any one who carries while they are trying to quit smoking is just a killing looking to be set off !

[Ping]

LOL. This is where discipline and training take over Tom! You avoid any areas where a minimal threat may present itself for possible annihilation.

[tombogan03884]

When ever I try to quit there are no threats, only invitations. 

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

How 'bout this stuff and it's side effects.......

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking Requip. It is not known whether the medicine actually causes this effect. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking Requip.

http://www.drugs.com/requip.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501263_162-3152310-501263.html

I remember laughing myself into a fit the first time I saw the commercial and they started listing the side effects.....thinking about the poor SOB that just lost his entire paycheck trying to lay it off on his prescription drugs......"But, honey, it's my leg pills!!"

 

[tombogan03884]

On the bright side, after his bookie breaks them he will not have a problem with tremors in his legs any more.
The casts will solve that.

[fightingquaker13]

It comes down to this. Are you going to NOT shoot because you are on meds or have had a couple (assuming you are in your own home and this isn't domestic dispute or party fight kind of deal) ? If the shooting was justified it was justified, if not, not. If the "Gee, maybe I shouldn't shoot" light goes on it should be because you see another way out,not because of what a jerk of a DA will make of your scripts. Just my .02.
FQ13

[MikeBjerum]

FQ,

The question is whether you should carry while on medications or not.

I have been known to take codine and morphine on ocsasion, and I would not touch a gun while on that stuff.  Damn, I can't find my ass with both hands on that stuff.  When I take my muscle relaxers I don't carry, because one of those little yellow flakes has the same affect as several stiff ones.  However, when I take sinus stuff or cold syrup I feel competent, but I would hate to have to explain myself in court if I used the gun at those times.

[kmitch200]

MB brought up a great point in a recent podcast about alcohol and self defense....very valid point, and great advise. Then I started to think....doesn't happen often....I'm handicapped, as are a great many others from this forum. I require medication just to put weight on my legs. it worries me to think of how a jury would look upon people like us if we were to defend ourselves in our homes, or anywhere else for that matter.
Any thoughts?

The assailant takes their victims as they find them.  If you are disabled, then you have a clearer defense to use deadly force than someone who is not - disparity of force is at play here. Just like a small or elderly woman isn't expected to fight off a 250 lb prison graduate, neither is the disabled person expected to go Bruce Lee on some able bodied scumbag. 
If you need meds to make you life livable, I don't see where it would be a question.