Post: #1

Does anyone here have experience in dealing with someone that may have overdosed on heroin or some other drugs and has lost the ability to use their legs?

I don't want to get too detailed but a family friend aparently left home 3 weeks ago and showed up two days ago with blue/black toes, no feeling in legs and very incoherent, repeating same statements, pissed themselves, etc.

I took them to the ER and they gave 2L of IV fluids and an antibiotic and discharged them. The doctors correctly diagnosed extreme dehydration and severe alcoholism. The blood work came back fine, although I don't think they tested for any drug use.

I have known this person to basically drink 10-15 shots of liquor a day since losing both parents, and only 22 years old. I never thought any hard drug use was involved, just klonopin for anxiety and alcohol. Apparantly something happened at someones house over a period of weeks and I'm just trying to get the help needed.

It has been 48 hours since leaving the ER and at this point, they are coherant and can carry on a coversation but still cannot use legs at all - cannot stand or walk. They are eating and drinking liquids but vomiting occasionally as well, also some scratches/scabs on the arm that look like bug bites. The paralysis leads me to believe heroin use but no needle marks unless on the toes and have not checked. Their leg muscles have atrophied to maybe half or less of previous size and are supposedly still numb. There is no ability to control bladder and has peed themself every night since being home.

Do I take them back to the ER and just have them continue with IV fluids? I have called the hospitals and addiction centers and cannot get any real advice. My major concern is permanent paralysis and never being able to walk again. I've read stories saying that feeling and ability to walk comes back in days to weeks and that some people never walk again. Any advice?

Post: #2

Take them to the hospital, but to be honest there's not a lot they can do.
This person made their choice. Medicine can't fix everything.

Post: #3

Stab them in the heart with an adrenaline shot.
I hear it works...

Post: #4

Your friend is likely experiencing Rhabdomyolosis (muscle wasting). Get him to the hospital before further damage is done, especially his kidneys.

Post: #5

Take him back to the hospital and have him explain the symptoms to the doctor. Only they can determine whats going on and take to right action. Calling clinics on the phone or asking on the forum won't get you what you need. Go to the hospital. If you are worried about permanent physical damage you should be on your way to the hospital, not on here.

Post: #6

(07-25-2015 04:14 PM)Aquiles_Baesta_Parada Wrote:  Stab them in the heart with an adrenaline shot.
I hear it works...

Dude, the OP was asking a serious question. That is kind of a fucked up post you made.

Best of luck OP. I think if you went to a place like reddit and searched you may find other people may have discussed what you are asking about. Just a suggestion. Hang in there.

Post: #7

(07-25-2015 06:01 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Dude, the OP was asking a serious question. That is kind of a fucked up post you made.

Fair enough, maybe that wasn't the best response to the original post and I apologize....
But let's see here:

Paralysis is no joke fellas, and the other symptoms OP is describing are not to be taken lightly either.
The only logical step to take here is to take such person back to the ER immediately!

We're not sure if there was actually any drug use right? And there wasn't any drug testing done at the hospital... Well it fucking doesn't matter if there was actually any heavy drug use! A hospital can't turn you away from that. And when it comes to doctors, patient-doctor confidentiality folks (at least in my state. I highly doubt that a doctor will call the cops on you)
That's why we have to be completely honest when answering questions from them or nurses as well. A mixture of a drug with the wrong medicine could be fatal.

I really should've given it more tought OP, but basically you're wasting valuable time with this person who should be getting medical care.

Post: #8

I typed up the thread while waiting on a ride to take my friend back to the ER. I was genuinely looking for anyone with any past experience dealing with this as its nothing I've dealt with before. Yes, the obvious answer is back to the ER which is where I am at the moment. The doctors don't seem to care about the paralysis, only focusing on an infection. I honestly appreciate all the thoughtful responses and will update the thread when I find out something.

Samsamsam is dead on regarding the inconsiderate response above with "look at my witty gif" response and then justification back peddling. Other guys said it with some class that I needed to get help asap. Sometimes reaching out to a group of guys with real experiences that have been down some crazy roads can help as an extra level of intelligence to complement traditional wisdom.

I'm going to check on things. I'll update.

Post: #9

The guy left home 3 weeks ago and he could walk? And now he can no longer walk? Has this been made absolutely clear to the doctors?

Post: #10

These people who discharged someone in that condition call themselves 'Doctors' ?

Post: #11

I am a doctor and very sorry for this situation. I am interested in what ended up happening. Any chance you could give an update?

Post: #12

(07-25-2015 03:44 PM)TheThinker Wrote:  I don't want to get too detailed but a family friend aparently left home 3 weeks ago and showed up two days ago with blue/black toes, no feeling in legs and very incoherent, repeating same statements, pissed themselves, etc.

Sounds like a spinal abscess.

Could also be botulism. Possibly a spinal infarct (a spine stroke, if you will)

All the above are associated with drug addition.

Could also be Guillian-Barre syndrome from HIV infection, caught by sharing needles.

I'm also interested in the final outcome of this.

Post: #13

I'm addicted to opiates but been on suboxone maintenance for a while. Never done heroin (just painkillers and lean) never OD'd but being involved with the opioid "culture" I've known plenty of people who have overdosed and never heard of that happening.

I did know a guy who did a combination of several drugs causing circulation to get cut off to his legs, which caused the muscle wasting mentioned above with similar symtoms. He spent an extensive time hospitalized but recovered.

Take your friend back to the hospital.

You mentioned your friend does klonopin and alcohol. Around here benzos combined with alcohol is called the "jailhouse cocktail" because you're pretty much guaranteed to black out and do stupid shit, possibly waking up in jail. He could have consumed 10 different drugs, shot krokodil and robbed a bank and not know it. But again, take him to the hospital.

Post: #14

Does your friend have bowel control? Is there no sensation or "pins and needles" around the groin and inner thighs?

I agree with Thomas the Rhymer that this might be Guillian-Barré. GB should be treated in a hospital until symptoms are regressing. It could also be Cauda Equina Syndrome, which presents similar symptoms as those you describe and often results from trauma or inflammation in the lower back.

Please keep us updated.