More medical testimony Wednesday at Alex Fazzino murder trial in Decorah

Family medicine doctor Alexandra Vander Meide, another of Emily Fazzino's doctors

Another of Emily Fazzino's doctors, family medicine doctor Alexandra Vander Meide, testified Wednesday morning in Decorah about Emily's addiction to opiate painkillers.

Dr. Vander Meide told the court Emily Fazzino started being her patient in September of 2010.  Dr. Vander Meide quit prescribing opiate painkillers to Emily later that year because "It was concerning that she was asking for an early refill."

Questions from defense attorney William Kutmus centered around the time closer to Emily Fazzino's death in January of 2012.  Dr. Vander Meide stated that Emily Fazzino said on December 1st of 2011 that she was addicted to the painkillers.

Other testimony in the trial stated that Emily Fazzino went "cold turkey" on the painkillers later in December with the help of her mother.  When questioned by Kutmus about whether she would have recommended such an approach, Dr. Vander Meide said going cold turkey was "rarely fatal, just very uncomfortable."

Dr. Vander Meide also testified that she thought Emily Fazzino was not suicidal or homicidal at that time.