please help me. I think my boyfriend had a seizure from heroin use.

[scorpio1169]

My boyfriend started using heroin a year ago. I do not do drugs. So, he hides it from me. We have been together for a long time and I can see the difference in him immediately.  I never would have thought it was because of heroin. He wants to be clean. He detoxed at him 2 weeks ago. I was by his side every second.  It was hard for him and very scary for me. He had mood swings and was unpredictable but he did it. The man i love was finally starting to come back. That lasted maybe a week, Im not sure exactly when he relapsed.
Today I heard a loud crashing sound, gurgling sounds, and I ran upstairs screaming his name. He was unresponsive, body limp face down on the floor, he started to shake when I was trying to get him to sit up. I put him on his side, then he had alot of bubbly saliva, opened his eyes but he wasnt there. He had faint breathing maybe. I was really freaking out. This same situation has happened 4 times this past month. Is this an OD? This time there was no syringe or thing to tie up his arm. He said he hadnt done anything for hours. He was even scared for once. Has he permanently damaged his brain? Is he having an overdose these past 4 times? He is lucky to be alive, right? Is this common? He  thinks I am exagerrating. He has no memory of any of these times. I dont know what to do. He does not have a job or insurance. He has been draining me of my money. He scares me sometimes and I dont want to find him dead next time. Especially if he is having seizures with out having just used drugs. He sounds like he cant breathe when he sleeps. I have been with him for a long time but he is not the same. Does he have some permanent damage to his brain from this? What do I do? I cant pay for his rehab.

[EvolverU]

Btw, like your boyfriend, Joe didn't always have seizures on H but once they periodically began, they continued! (Please, let him know.)

[EvolverU]

Hi there,

I'm so sorry you had to experience this!!

I was a heroin user for almost 30 yrs. I had a roommate who was a dealer & a friend. He'd do large shots of dope (over 2 bundles [20 bags or more]) at once a couple times a day. Every month or so, he'd have a grand-mal seizure. It was absolutely terrifying & I used to have to watch & tend him through it.  He ended up getting popped during a deal & went away for a year. When he got out he came to visit my boyfriend & I & begged a single bag off us. He promptly had a seizure on this single bag. Several months later we found out he had seized & OD'd. He was in his late twenties. No one else that we knew who did the same dope ever seized. It's not common but it does happen on heroin with certain people.

I tell you all this not to frighten you further but so that you'll convey Joe's story to your boyfriend & try to get him to MH for support, education & hope. I agree with the above posters that he should see a doctor although there's probably not much they can do besides refer him to an addiction specialist or a rehab. Some addicts don't have grand mal seizures but mini ones. It's also possible that he reacted to something it was cut with.

My heart goes out to you! This is serious & deadly business. If you or he should ever want to talk , you're welcome to PM (private message me.)

[Ben727]

This does not sound like a typical heroin overdose. The lack of needles/foil/straws nearby is unusual. The seizure-like symptoms don't sound right either. You absolutely must get medical help for him immediately. Go to the ER if you don't have a regular MD. Don't delay.

[Dryan8313]

Wow.... That sounds terrifying!
Kinda sounds like an overdose but that's total speculation on my part. You should really seek medical advice ASAP!
Insurance or not... Go to the ER. He won't get in trouble if he has nothing on him. He can worry about the bill later.
If anything, at LEAST call a non emergency number (whether it be your local ER or the 800 nurses hotline) and tell them what happened.
If he's still using, you can't believe a word he says. (Sorry, I know that sounds harsh but us addicts don't like to tell, or face the truth!)
Good luck and please seek medical attention!!!