How can I find out what killed my son if he took 2 perscription drugs and alcohol?

22 Jan 2011

There aren't normally medical professionals who answer these questions in the public community. I am just a mother of 3 and your question touched me so much. I am very sorry to hear about your son. You have my condolences. The toxicology reports can be very confusing. Were they reports from a hospital? Has your son been autopsied to determine a cause of death? If a reaction between Ethanol (alcohol) and prescribed medications (or undiagnosed medical condition) played a role in his death, the Medical Examiner should be able to make that determination. From what I've been told (at least in my county) the toxicology and microscopic reports may take a few weeks to come back to the ME. I'm not in the medical field at all. Just a concerned member who feels your loss deeply. I know how much you need answers. I hope and pray you get the answers very soon.

I will keep you in my prayers,
chris

22 Jan 2011

I am so very sorry due to the limited things that I know about him and you gave me good information the only thing I can think of is that it may (and I say may) have been due to the fact that some of these drugs cause a effect that makes it stronger than if he just ingested the one Aprazolam hydrocodone and dihydrocodeine given together can have a big effect due to the fact that they are central nervous system depressants and is it possible that they may have caused him problems with his breathing, since I don't have any way of knowing I am trying my best to give you as accurate an answer as possible, also the strengths of the medications would be another thing that would comeinto play here I wish I could be of more help I am so sorry for your loss I just saw the levels of things he took but I could be mistaken in some way if I am I am so very sorry please accept my very deep sorrow for your great loss

23 Jan 2011

Very sorry about the loss of your son. Did the medical examiner do an autopsy? You haven't said if he has been laid to rest yet, but, if he hasn't, hire a pathologist to do an autopsy. The county or state will tell the medical examiner to do an autopsy if it was considered suspicious, if they didn't you may be able to discuss his death with a pathologist ( if he has been laid to rest) or even your own doctor might shed some light on this. Basically it looks like he had low levels or 2 opiates, some alcohol, and some benzo. This combo can suppress respiration, it may or may not have contributed to his death. If the M.E did a report, request a copy, it may shed some light on this tragic event.