Aspirin Overdose.

This is going to be a long post, so get comfy!

I'm a recovering alcoholic, pain killer abuser, etc. I've been attending AA/NA meetings and have been clean for 61 days.

Here is my story (and how it all relates to an aspirin overdose)

The last time I drank I was out of Vicodin (I used to drink and take pain meds, not bright I know... ) and was in a considerable amount of pain. I have been prescribed Vicodin for dental problems after a car accident. At the time I was drinking at least a 12 pack a night, which had been going on for months. In desperation I started taking Aspirin for the pain. Nothing was helping, so I took more, and more, etc, etc. I probably ended up taking around 40. Which I now know is extremely ignorant, but at the time I was drunk, in pain, and didn't think anything of it. After several hours I started to feel very sick. Hearing loss, shaking, hallucinating, etc. At the time I thought it was alcohol related and ended up throwing up for the better part of the night and the next day. It was then I decided "enough is enough" and stopped alcohol right then and there.

I had no idea that what I went through that night was Aspirin related until I was telling a friend at AA what I went through. He panicked, looked at me, and said "You're going to die." Which obviously put me into a state of panic. I left AA early, went home and immediately started googling the effects of an overdose, death, etc. After having a severe anxiety attack, I called my doctor (same one I've had for years) and told him everything that I had written above.

As always he was very calm and collective. I had seen him twice sense that night. Once three days after for my annual checkup, and then a week later because the ER gave me Clindamycin (which is evil) and I had a severe allergic reaction to it! (But that's another boring story)

He told me to calm down and that I was going to be fine. He said that if something was seriously wrong he would've picked up on it during my visits. I never had blood drawn, so that leaves me even more paranoid.

Because I was still panicking convinced liver failure or kidney failure was moments away he asked me several questions. Including the color of my urine, bowel movements, eyes, etc.

After a pause in the conversation, I said "I think I'm screwed. I've been reading online and I have all the symptoms for kidney/liver/circulation issues." He said I was using the internet to be my own doctor and picking my own fate. And that I was feeling sick because I was convinced I was. He said that what I was going through was stress and being dehydrated - I'm a soda addict, I rarely drink water. He also added that if I was going to die from it, I would've been dead already and that if I was going to have lasting effects they would've been obvious a lot sooner. Not two months later. Probably to calm me down he set up an appointment to see with me. He also remarked that what I did was not very bright, but quitting drinking and not taking anymore pills could be making me feel the way that I am.  

I know I am going to sound paranoid, but does what he say make sense to anybody? I'm still paranoid, to the point I have to talk myself out of going to the ER nightly. I've never had any problems with my doctor before, he's always been straight to the point and honest.

Should I get a second opinion? Or am I just paranoid?

And responses are welcome.

Thank you :)

[Ella789]

If it would make you feel better you could ask for a second opinion. Ask to have your liver enzyme checked and kidney ua done.  But, I think your dr. is prob right.  You are probably just worring and worring until it has made you question everything.  If you feel poorly, are having problems that concern you like high blood pressure or something of that nature, then you probably should have it checked out.  Only you know how you really feel, and I hope you can try to calm your worry untill you have some serious stuff to worry about.  Best wishes

Ella

[NebCaptain]

Thanks for the reply. I've always been overly paranoid. I tend to 'look' for things to worry about. I'm trying to calm down, which is helping :)

[10356]

I did a aspirin od when I was I think 13 I took a hundred was sick sick sick.. my eyes were freakin glowing.. I was fine in a few days.. I think your Dr. is probably right.. I wish you well and congrats on quitting drinking.. I no longer take aspirin :) I wish you well.. lesa

[NebCaptain]

Thanks to everyone for the comments! It's nice knowing there are people out there who have made the same mistake. :)

I'm almost 62 days sober!

[worried878]

as always..u need to feel safe,and if this dr does not then i would move on

It does make sense tho..he looked at ur liver enzymes and there was no reason to be alarmed..if u can get a copy from him/and u should be able as the record belongs to u.. and learn about it to put u at ease..if u do not feel safe with this dr then u need to move on//a dr whom u trust

But it is true...people addicted to hydro (M ):(  take in a ton of tylenol...4000 mgs is the top limit for tylenol) and i was probably taking a bit over that daily for a long time...the bodt is such an adaptable thing..it will adjust taking the excess tylenol for a bit/and opmly a bit/u can wear urliver slap out and I will not goi into

details of a death experience with someone who had liver failure///no picnic allowed!

And 52/almost 53 days is astronomical

[NebCaptain]

Thanks for the comment :) I'm feeling quite a bit better... As soon as I stopped worrying and stressing I started feeling loads better. I'd still like to hear from others though, mostly because I'm paranoid. hehe :) Thanks :)

[outotown]

Alot of people in detox has anxity and what you are telling us that may be whats going on. how long ago did you take the asprain was it like a week ago or a couple months ago, and hwen did you feel like you done did it to yourself. Id say if the dr gave something to help with the panic you'll be ok

[NebCaptain]

it was two months ago.

[worried878]

and agree wth ur pedicament by bein with ur doctor can help//anf u must now be definte!  there are articles on the health pages concerning tapring and wd expeiriences..very useful..have u tried pumping the exercse notcth up a bit..there is a lots of info in the health pages..the tyomas recipe and there is an article oto stop cravings,,,read the dopamine articles and the thomis reciope..tak what u need..u dont havr too follow to a T but it served as a sense of "hope" for me..maybe others as well

[NebCaptain]

I read the dopamine articles in your journal. Very interesting. Thanks for turning me onto that!

[worried878]

now u just gotta pick a plan that u feel ok with..and to know u wont feel hunky dory for a few months..lots of fatigue that finally passes..but a recovery plan can help /not sure of ur dose but thinking it is like 100-120 of oxy each day...i was able to clear that in less than a week with the runs being my worse probem..u can do this..feel the strength that lives within///u relalize u r going nowhere//and i can tell u r too intelligient to let ur life be devoured by pills right now

u r welcome to pm me if u need any help///and i mean it

Laura

[NebCaptain]

Thanks again for the kind words :) I'm hoping that what I'm going through is alcohol withdrawal / pill related and not from taking all that aspirin. I believe I may be thinking about it too much. Every little ache, pain or uncomfortable feeling I get now I think "****, it's the aspirin finally catching up with me."

Sigh.

I'm trying very hard to remain positive. But I've always been paranoid by nature.

[snowflake620]

sounds like panic/anxiety attacks to me and not the aspirin your doc is right if anything was going to happen from the aspirin it would have shown up by now
snowflake

[NebCaptain]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies! I actually fell asleep last night without having a panic attack! :)

[NebCaptain]

Sigh. Still panicking all the time. Called my doctor to see if I could get something for the anxiety. I feel fine except for feeling tired most of the time with feelings of doom. Blah.

[Ella789]

  Do you take anything for anxiety?  I used to have panick attacks several years ago.   They r pretty much indiscribale, what a horrible feeling!    I hope I never have to deal with those again.  

  61 days clean is terrific, sounds like you are doing great without the pills.  I'm glad you are doing after care too.  I live so far from everywhere that makes it hard for me to try, and chance are I would meet someone I knew from my little small town !!!!  Typical small town, ya know?
Best wishes

Ella  

[NebCaptain]

I've never had anxiety until recently... and it's really taking a hold of my life. I am constantly worried that all of the things I've put in my body in large doses (aspirin, vicodin, oxy , alcohol etc) have done real damage. I feel tired all the time, weak, aches and pains everywhere, sick to my stomach, etc. I felt fine the first week after stopping everything, but now I just feel crappy all the time. Blah. Hopefully I'll find something to help me cope!! :) Thank you for the kind words and letting me vent. hehe.

[Ella789]

Well, from all the things you have quit, that takes a lot out of a person!!  Try the l-tyrosine and melatonin.  I drink an energy drink, green monster, about everyday. or maybe a tall red bull.   Just getting a good nights sleep will help too.  That was the worst for me, and thankfull my dr. helped me with that!  I bought D-Ribose, it's supposed to help with the muscles, help provide energy,  yeah, I really do know how the low energy thing is!!  Of course, I love coffee, there's only so much I can drink of it tho, it helps some I guess.

Ella                   keep going, I think you have alot of what it takes, courage!!!

[NebCaptain]

Thank you so very much for the kind words! It's been difficult. But I've been doing better! If only my paranoia would go away! hehe! :)

[NebCaptain]

Feeling a lot better today :