Strange Reality highlights Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Fentanyl painkiller

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You may have heard the name Mackenzie Mathis, 19 year old miracle child, who fought Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a neurological condition. EDS includes a group of genetic disorders. It affects collagen, a protein that adds strength and elasticity to connective tissue. Hence, a patient, diagnosed with EDS often experience a downward pull of the spinal cord, which causes Chiari malformation. EDS also results loose joints, fragile vessels, and abnormal scar formation.

Diagnosis of EDS usually requires a series of examinations which include reviewing the patient’s family history, personal medical history, physical examination, biopsy, and urine testing. EDS is more likely to happen when both parents carry the defective gene.

Linda, who developed Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, appeared in Strange Reality, the 2009 Emmy Award winner for Best Reality Show, tonight. Linda got success working as an extra in Hollywood. To get rid of the rare disorder, she started taking fentanyl, a painkiller 100 times stronger than morphine. She went on using painkiller and claimed that electricity, energy, colors, and even specific people were causing her pain.

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Fentanyl is a synthetic primary -opioid agonist commonly used to treat chronic breakthrough pain and is commonly used in pre-procedures. Fentanyl was first synthesized by Dr. Paul Janssen in 1960 following the medical inception of meperidine several years earlier. 100 micrograms of fentanyl is approximately equivalent to 10 mg of morphine and 75 mg of pethidine (meperidine) in analgesic activity.
Fentanyl is currently the most widely used synthetic opioid in clinical practice, with several new delivery methods currently in development. Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II drug in the United States due to its potential for abuse.

In July, Jeffery Scott Swaim, 40, was found in a bus seat and not breathing, New Hanover Regional Medical Center doctors found a pain patch in his mouth, according to source. An autopsy confirmed Friday he died from acute Fentanyl poisoning.

After reports of deaths and life-threatening side effects, The federal Food and Drug Administration has put out warnings on the use of Fentanyl painkiller. The patches and other side effects of the strong narcotics are supposed to be more prominent in patient suffering from chronic pain.