I'm looking for information on treatment of the neuroligical after effects of substance abuse.

[worriedjohn]

Hi I am a 25 year old male who has recently returned from holidays three weeks ago. During the holiday I foolishly took several illegal drugs. Over the course of the one week holiday I can remeber taking at least 15 ecstacy tablets (over the first four days), two joints of weed (one night) and 3 grams of cocaine (the second last night). Before taking the cocaine I noticed it was more yellow in colour so I presume it was mixed with something else.

After taking the cocaine and returning to my holiday apartment I was unable to sleep and felt unusually wired. This insomnia and wired feeling lasted until the following night and was only ended by taking over the counter sleeping tablets. Since returning from my holiday (21 days ago) I have been suffering from extremely poor and blurred vision, even worse night vision, sharp shooting pains mainly concentrated to the front of my forehead, sometimes moving to my temple area. This constant wired feeling and blurred vision has me feeling constantly and extremely worried. I have used recreational drugs in the past (more than 5 years ago) and have even used the same amount over a similar time period so I am worried now that whatever yellow substance was mixed with the cocaine or even a substance mixed with the ecstacy has done some permanent damage.

I am wondering if there is any substance that can cause these long lasting effects, bearing in mind it has been over 23 days since I last took the cocaine.

Has anyone heard of a similar case to mine?

Is there any medication I can take to alleviate this constant wired, spaced feeling and visual problems.

Is there any other general information that would be beneficial to my recovery?

I am afraid to go to the hospital and have this on my permanent medical record but yet im finding almost impossible to deal with it mentally. I really need some help and some pro-active/positive yet honest advice

Thanking you in advance.

John

[avisg]

You mixed some things some things together that can be neurologically damaging chemical's you are going to have to see a doctor it may not be related at all but you do need to find out what it is.

[theeagle]

If you do have a problem it is highly likely that the ecstasy is the culprit. The coke could have had some chemical wash left - and it may have been adulterated with something......But the Ecstasy will mess with brain chemicals and cause depression after use....it may also kill you with the first use and no warning. The coke and most adulterants are history as far as your body is concerned by now. The X may have depleted neurotransmitters / especially serotonin and dopamine / and is similar to an induced depression.  It may be problematic for you. The amino acids 5-HTP and SAMe are used to attempt to restore brain chemicals with narcotic use........And some antidepressants are also used...... You most likely will want some professional help if you find the situation impossible to deal with mentally. Good luck to you........

[worriedjohn]

Thanks so much to everybody who responded so quickly. I can say with all certainty that I will never do drugs again so long as I live but I hope and pray that I have not done too much irreversible damage. As I said in the initial post I did use recreational drugs as a teen so I am quite a accustomed to the post bender depression, mood swings, dizziness, memory loss, general feeling of poor health and exhaustion. I can handle all of these because I know they get better with time and some tlc but never have I experienced visual problems and what I can only describe as this " spaced feeling ", it’s like looking out of somebody else’s eyes 3 weeks after use .
Has anybody ever heard of or experienced visual problems long after the short term affects have subsided?
* If I move from focusing on a particular object to another it takes much longer to re focus than before

* I am extremely sensitive to light and I am constantly squinting

* My vision in general is like time lapse photography

* The above symptoms all get worse as the day progresses and I get tired.

I live in Ireland and there is a similar act protecting our medical records but if you apply for a job be it a cleaner or a police officer, the employer can ask you to sign a consent form to access your medical records and if you refuse then they will know you have something to hide.

Who and where is the best place to go to for medical help?
A general practitioner?
A hospital?

And how can I get this amino acid? Will a doc prescribe it?

Again Thanks so much for your responses

John

[theeagle]

You should be able to obtain the amino acids from your chemist or just OTC at a health food store. The amino's are all natural things that your body deals with easily. The ones that I mentioned are precursors for production of serotonin - the feel good chemical in your brain that helps avoid depression. Or even recover from it. Not familiar with your systems at all..... but I would think that you should pick this Doc out very carefully. I am afraid that if you go to a hospital you will not be seen adequately. But I am also paranoid because of our system. I would look to a University Doc if possible. Or barring that an addictionologist. Someone that might relate and be familiar enough with the problem to help you. A nuerologist might be a choice. And this also might be one of those "time heals all wounds" scenarios. Time should take care of it. But I would get some Pro help if I were you. From someone that has experience and is familiar with treating complications from the X.  And best of luck to you..... Let us know how you do - - -

[worriedjohn]

Thanks so much i will go to the pharmacist and get the amino sup's and i think you right. Im gonna seek out a consultant neurologist who i can pay for a visit and be selective in what information i give IE name :-)

Thanks

I'll keep ya posted