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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Was my drink spiked?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Was my drink spiked?
by joantrombone, Jan 15, 2007 12:00AM
I went to our band director's house for a band meeting. It started at 7pm. I remember having a glass of wine. Then about an hour later I had another one and finally around 10 another one. I have been out and had 3 glasses of wine in a shorter evening and been fine. That night, after the 3rd glass of wine at around 10 we all got up to leave. The director told another woman in the band and me that we should stay. He came over and presented be with something in a wine glass. I took one drink and didn't like how it tasted so I left it on the table.The next thing I remember is throwing up in the bathroom. They cleaned up after me and I
laid face down on the floor. Later when I had to be sick again I had to hang on to the toilet bowl to lift my head up to throw up in there.
I was so dizzy and sick that I laid back face down on the floor
again. At some point I must have asked for my cell phone. I don't know who brought it to me because I could only lift up my arm behind me to take the phone. I could not raise my head to turn it to the other side. I thought that after that I went to sleep, but I later found out that I called several people and either didn't speak or was incoherent when they answered. I was lying there for at least an hour.
When I got home I was ranting and raving saying that I would never drink again because I had only had 3 glasses of wine and look how I ended up. My husband said that I was walking and talking fine and that I didn't reek of booze, like I usually do when I have had a lot to drink. He also said that it was really odd that I was so angry because I am usually a very happy drunk. Remorseful the next day but happy at the time. He said - "someone spiked your drink". At first I thought "No way", but I so distinctly remembered Bill refilling my glass only a couple of times with the Shiraz I was drinking.
I called the woman who was with me the next day because I knew that I didn't get that sick from the 3 glasses of wine I had over the span of 3 hours. I knew she hadn't been drinking and wanted to be sure that what I recalled of how much I drank was right. Mary said that I wasn't holding a drink and didn't drink anything else before I got sick, and that I had 3 glasses of wine at the most. She also said that she sat by me on the toilet and lifted my head when she heard me wretching and wiped me off - None of which I remember. I have looked around for information and a spiked drink does fit my symptoms. I should have gotten a blood test, but did not. I am not going to press charges or anything, but the why of this is so hard and of course, he denies it and denies it so well that I am questioning myself. I can't think of any other explanation for what happened. Could it have been anything else?
laid face down on the floor. Later when I had to be sick again I had to hang on to the toilet bowl to lift my head up to throw up in there.
I was so dizzy and sick that I laid back face down on the floor
again. At some point I must have asked for my cell phone. I don't know who brought it to me because I could only lift up my arm behind me to take the phone. I could not raise my head to turn it to the other side. I thought that after that I went to sleep, but I later found out that I called several people and either didn't speak or was incoherent when they answered. I was lying there for at least an hour.
When I got home I was ranting and raving saying that I would never drink again because I had only had 3 glasses of wine and look how I ended up. My husband said that I was walking and talking fine and that I didn't reek of booze, like I usually do when I have had a lot to drink. He also said that it was really odd that I was so angry because I am usually a very happy drunk. Remorseful the next day but happy at the time. He said - "someone spiked your drink". At first I thought "No way", but I so distinctly remembered Bill refilling my glass only a couple of times with the Shiraz I was drinking.
I called the woman who was with me the next day because I knew that I didn't get that sick from the 3 glasses of wine I had over the span of 3 hours. I knew she hadn't been drinking and wanted to be sure that what I recalled of how much I drank was right. Mary said that I wasn't holding a drink and didn't drink anything else before I got sick, and that I had 3 glasses of wine at the most. She also said that she sat by me on the toilet and lifted my head when she heard me wretching and wiped me off - None of which I remember. I have looked around for information and a spiked drink does fit my symptoms. I should have gotten a blood test, but did not. I am not going to press charges or anything, but the why of this is so hard and of course, he denies it and denies it so well that I am questioning myself. I can't think of any other explanation for what happened. Could it have been anything else?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 16, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 16, 2007 12:00AM
Difficult to say and prove. You can consider a urine and blood toxicology screen to see if there was anything overt that may have been in the drinks. Testing specifically for flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, the "date rape drug") and gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB) can also be considered.
You can also consider basic blood tests to ensure there is no metabolic disease present. A CBC, metabolic panel and liver function tests can be considered as a starting point.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
You can also consider basic blood tests to ensure there is no metabolic disease present. A CBC, metabolic panel and liver function tests can be considered as a starting point.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Member Comments (6)
by jd1419, Jan 15, 2007 12:00AM
I don't know that if you only took a sip of the wine that you didn't like would have caused al this to happen to you. It could be reasonalbe that the other drinks you had were also spiked--or what did you eat that day could it have been something like that? I would think if it was trusted person you know that may not have happened (I would like to think this)--it may not be to late to get tested to see if there is something residual in your system--it you don't remeber calling people you may also want to get a full physical done--if the drinks were spiked who is to say the lady that stayed with you was telling the truth--just to be safe
by joantrombone, Jan 17, 2007 12:00AM
Just to let you know, that confronted with evidence that I found on the internet about the effects of a spiked drink, and how it coincided with my what had happened to me, and how nothing else - the flu, food poisoning, allergic reaction to alcohol, etc. would cause that severe and short-lasting of symptoms, the man that I suspected of doing this to me admitted it. I feel like I have been punched in the gut, but now I know what happened.
by Kalio1, Jan 19, 2007 12:00AM
To: joantrombone
Did you peak to the Police? If he did it to you he might do it to someone else. I think it is criminal to spike someone's drink!
by ckvp, Jan 29, 2007 12:00AM
I had a similar incident with wine and an antidepressent-
by caregiver222, Feb 21, 2007 12:00AM
Go to the police and report the incident. Make a formal report. Resolve NEVER again to associate yourself with person. If it looks like a duck, it walks like a duck, and it talks like a duck, it is a duck. If the police brush you off, go to the assistant district attorney. Your statements are grounds for a search warrent. If he did this to you he will/has done this to others. Asside from the sexual aspects he may eventually kill someone.
by caregiver222, Feb 21, 2007 12:00AM
I have to post again. I get so upset when I hear of men taking advantage of woman like that I wish it was 1812 and dueling were still legal. You need to be persistent with the police, and go down with your parents, or have a clergyman or someone who can vouch for your character available to reach by telephone. Going to the police is something like Russian roulette. There are good officers and those who "put in their time". If they find your story credible they may set up a "sting". In addition to the local police go down in PERSON to the local office of the drug enforcement administration. Ask to speak to an agent. This is their jurisdiction and ricebowl. Be quiet. Do not confront this individual or tell him you have gone to the police. Tell the police you are willing to wear a wire. They may or may not encourage you to do so. Go to the drug enforcement people first. Do not wear a wire WITHOUT POLICE INVOLVEMENT. They will tell you to say (lie) "I has\d a drug test and it proved you drugged me? Why did you do it?". His actions deserve hard prison time breaking rocks and getting coca-colas for the body builders in cellblock B.
