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Original poster

fucking Stephen Fry

349 replies

Showmethesunny · 09/12/2023 23:00

I just feel I have no more time in my life for self-important older men. I’m sorry he hurt himself but the fact he got offered a painkiller doesn’t make a headline story. I feel like this type of man feels that everything they do is noteworthy

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/09/stephen-fry-given-addictive-opioid-painkiller-oxycontin-fall

Stephen Fry was given addictive opioid painkiller OxyContin after fall

Actor was prescribed controversial high-strength drug to prevent loss of muscle after complex fractures of leg, hip and pelvis sustained on stage

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/09/stephen-fry-given-addictive-opioid-painkiller-oxycontin-fall

OP posts:
Dianalouise · 10/12/2023 05:29

Having read Empire of Pain, I’m horrified that Oxtcontin (or equivalents) are now routinely being prescribed here. The narrative that “it’s not the drug that’s the problem it’s the people taking it” is right out of the Sacklers sales pitch and has been widely discredited. I dislike the article due to the fact that it seems to suggest that this drug is fine after all because if “national treasure” Stephen Fry took it and those nice NHS doctors are prescribing it…it must be safe. Very irresponsible of the Guardian to report this.

iloveeverykindofcat · 10/12/2023 05:38

Im just sick of pointless old men who think their lives matter tbh

Yikes.

CrebillionFils · 10/12/2023 06:20

Well you seem to think you’re important and we should read your opinions (blathering ageist nonsense of which you are trying to back track on).

I know of the two who I’d rather listen to/read and it isn’t you. And FYI the original interview was really interesting.

MaisyAndTallulah · 10/12/2023 06:42

Oh I dislike him too

Charlize43 · 10/12/2023 06:45

iloveeverykindofcat · 10/12/2023 05:38

Im just sick of pointless old men who think their lives matter tbh

Yikes.

Shocking isn't it? Imagine the outrage and screams of misogyny and incels if someone had written:

Im just sick of pointless old women who think their lives matter tbh

Swap out women for any other group of people and it is still hate speech.

Attacking groups of people isn't really going to solve the world's problems.

I don't know why Mumsnet thinks this is acceptable and hasn't taken this thread down.

Usernamechange1234 · 10/12/2023 06:54

He uses the question to bring around praise for the NHS and the particular hospital that treated him. Whether you like it or not he has a voice as a ‘pointless old man’ and he uses it for good.

This is just nasty.

But I do love Stephen Fry he’s intelligent, kind and gentle!

Destiny123 · 10/12/2023 06:56

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 09/12/2023 23:13

I didn't realise Oxycontin was prescribed in the UK so I find that nugget of info interesting tbh,

Edited

It's our 2nd or 3rd line strong painkiller. Used in those allergic or intolerant of morphine or those with kidney problems. We use its drug, not brand name - oxycodone. Its been in common use at least since I went to medical school 10y ago

FloraClover · 10/12/2023 07:00

dressedforcomfort · 09/12/2023 23:13

I think it's newsworthy. When you know the story of the OxyContin scandal in the US and how it's literally destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives, you would balk at being offered it too. It's definitely not just 'a pain killer'.

Exactly. But guess the OP isn’t aware so starts slagging off someone for no reason

littleblackcat27 · 10/12/2023 07:01

Dianalouise · 10/12/2023 05:29

Having read Empire of Pain, I’m horrified that Oxtcontin (or equivalents) are now routinely being prescribed here. The narrative that “it’s not the drug that’s the problem it’s the people taking it” is right out of the Sacklers sales pitch and has been widely discredited. I dislike the article due to the fact that it seems to suggest that this drug is fine after all because if “national treasure” Stephen Fry took it and those nice NHS doctors are prescribing it…it must be safe. Very irresponsible of the Guardian to report this.

Wowzers - ignorant.

Opiate type analgesia is necessary for many reasons.

Particularly after surgery or for patients with cancer . Or for patients with ischaemic limbs waiting for surgery. etc

Before oxycontin people were given morphine or diamorphine - also addictive opoids,

The scandal in the States is because these drugs were being prescribed like smarties with increasing dosages, and the doctors/prescribers were benefitting from the company for doing so.

readymealeater · 10/12/2023 07:03

Im just sick of pointless old men who think their lives matter tbh

SF has been suicidally depressed in the past, so I'm sure he'll find comfort in that statement 🙄

CormorantStrikesBack · 10/12/2023 07:16

Showmethesunny · 09/12/2023 23:08

No, I don’t think he commissioned the story. But he did an interview where he highlighted this super amazing, fun and intriguing narrative.

Im just sick of pointless old men who think their lives matter tbh

Edited

I guess part of his job is publicising stuff. I’m not sure why he went on Claudia Winkleman but normally it’s to promote a book, tv show, etc. but they can’t just turn up and say “I have a new book, buy it”. So they have to make out they are there for a chat and talk about themselves.

I’d imagine they don’t particularly want to disclose anything too personal so a story about falling off the stage and his recovery ticks the boxes. I can’t get wound up by it. I agree it’s not overly interesting to me but then none of this stuff from any celeb is.

Saying that I did find it a bit interesting about the lack of health and safety at the o2. I wonder if he’ll sue.

BIossomtoes · 10/12/2023 07:25

I doubt he’ll sue, he’s got too much class to do that. I have huge respect for him, he’s been very open about his mental health struggles and his very troubled youth. It’s really refreshing to see a man of his age and class buck the stereotype and allow his vulnerability to show.

shockeditellyou · 10/12/2023 07:29

i thought the real point should be the completely shite health and safety in the entertainment industry that enables a pensioner to walk straight off a 6 foot drop? The graun should be more aware of this - it recently had an interview with a stuntman from Harry Potter who was left paralysed after a stunt went wrong.

Mikimoto · 10/12/2023 07:34

Wow, sexist AND ageist. "old men" could have been "some people".
The whole point was that it was about Oxycontin: did you not even see Painkiller? Thought not. Maybe tone down Emmerdale and Dinner Date a bit.

Mumof2teens79 · 10/12/2023 07:38

You have read a headline and assumed that he has issued a statement on that very specific single point for attention.

That's not how newspapers work anymore
He had a very serious accident. He was on the radio yesterday being interviewed about all sorts of stuff since his accident.
This was a small part of a natural conversation around that.....and the journalist (listening to the radio, not even interviewing him or in the room) has taken that snippet and turned it into a click bait headline.

Read between the lines on where a story has come.

tttigress · 10/12/2023 07:41

Must admit I have felt Stephen Fry is overrated for quite a while.

This "Stephen Fry is a national treasure" thing seems to be media generated ratythan coming from the general public.

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 10/12/2023 07:42

Showmethesunny · 09/12/2023 23:08

No, I don’t think he commissioned the story. But he did an interview where he highlighted this super amazing, fun and intriguing narrative.

Im just sick of pointless old men who think their lives matter tbh

Edited

He's not a pointless old man to many though. He's clever, insightful, funny and entertaining.
It's ok for you not to look him, just like I cannot stand Alison Hammond (for example), but your opinion isn't fact.

winewolfhowls · 10/12/2023 07:42

There is a massive thing about this in America at the moment, it was on the news on radio four the other day. So I think this may be considered a story because it is a part of a bigger story. Louis Theroux also made a documentary about the prescription of these drugs causing addiction.

thefallen · 10/12/2023 07:43

Showmethesunny · 09/12/2023 23:08

No, I don’t think he commissioned the story. But he did an interview where he highlighted this super amazing, fun and intriguing narrative.

Im just sick of pointless old men who think their lives matter tbh

Edited

What a horrible thing to say.

GymBergerac · 10/12/2023 07:45

Showmethesunny · 09/12/2023 23:08

No, I don’t think he commissioned the story. But he did an interview where he highlighted this super amazing, fun and intriguing narrative.

Im just sick of pointless old men who think their lives matter tbh

Edited

Struggling to get beyond the last sentence. Very unpleasant and unnecessary. Maybe it's not a massively exciting news story. Or maybe it's newsworthy because a lot of folks aren't aware of Oxy, it's use and it's side effects. But whichever, people aren't pointless and their lives matter.

QuestionableMouse · 10/12/2023 07:46

dressedforcomfort · 09/12/2023 23:13

I think it's newsworthy. When you know the story of the OxyContin scandal in the US and how it's literally destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives, you would balk at being offered it too. It's definitely not just 'a pain killer'.

My mum is on it currently for RA and it's working much better for her than the morphine was!

Rewis · 10/12/2023 07:48

Now that all celebrities have instagram and go to podcasts to talk about stuff. I'm sick of newspapers ripping the headlines and stories from these and then the celebrity being blamed for putting themselves out there and insisting on the limelight. It's just lazy journalism and fuck all to do with Stephen Fry. Unless him being asked to do a programme which is kinda his job is wrong of him.

BrimfulOfMash · 10/12/2023 07:49

JANEY205 · 10/12/2023 02:00

I was prescribed it post major surgery and seriously don’t see the big deal, not something I even told people lol. Codeine is seen as a bigger deal in some countries and I don’t see people bleating on about that. I agree with you OP. OxyContin made me sleepy and took the pain away enough to sleep, I certainly wasn’t walking off into rooms that didn’t exist like he is implying. He made a choice to take it before going on stage 🙃

@JANEY205 so what do you think is the cause of your lack of comprehension?

(He didn’t take painkillers before he went on stage…)

fuckssaaaaake · 10/12/2023 07:50

People are really getting pissed off at some pathetic things at the min! get out more

IrresponsiblyCertainAboutSexualDimorphism · 10/12/2023 07:56

What a bizarre thread.

The article is terrible click-baity shit written by a media correspondent who knows nothing about healthcare.

Oxycodone is a valuable synthetic opiate for post-surgery and severe intractable pain. The fact that it was over-promoted and over-prescribed, especially in the USA, is scandalous. However this does not take anything away from its legitimate and careful use. It sounds as though this is what Stephen’s doctor explained to him.

Stephen Fry is an older bloke, flawed and damaged by his upbringing, and has made a career out of making people laugh. He has a reputation for being a nice person, despite being flawed, like most people really.

The fact that some people on this thread don’t find him funny is irrelevant. Many people do.

The OP should take a long hard look at herself, starting this hate-fest ageist thread.