Please help, I don't know what else to do...
 

Hello all,



As you might guess, I am new to the community. I was actually directed here by my physical therapist. Well I'll move right along with my problem.



I'm not sure if anyone has heard anything like this before, but I really have tried every forum I could think of for other diseases such as parkinson's and ms, but I don't have either of those diseases so I was kindly asked to move along. Well my story begins a little over two years ago. I was about to turn 19, and foolish as most teenagers are. I had been doing drugs since I was about 16, but I decided to quit all that and grow up, so I joined the Army. This worked very well, and I actually went cold turkey off of heavy drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Well, about eight months later I returned to New Orleans on leave, keep in mind this was after Katrina, only to find the home I grew up in completely destroyed (I am from the 9th ward). I cannot blame anyone or anything for what happened next, and to be completely honest the events are extremely hazy to me. However, the next night, Christmas Eve, I somehow managed to overdose on heroin. I married very young, having just turned 18, to a young lady who also had a drug problem. She actually injected me with the heroin that night, but as I previously stated, I probably did not resist. Since I had been clean for drugs for the better part of a year, I overdosed. Her recount of the night had changed several times through the year immediately following my overdose, but the basic idea I have gotten from it is she panicked and flushed all of the heroin and the syringe down the toilet before calling 911. She also attempted to pour milk down my throat in an effort to counter-act the heroin, but since I was passed out it only went into my lungs and I got pneumonia as well. There was a 15-20 minute time gap before paramedics even arrived at her home and I was shot twice with adrenaline. I remember nothing from Christmas Eve until roughly the fifth of January because I was so heavily drugged. However, my parents have told me that while in the ICU I shook violently, so much so that the doctors administered 60 ml an hour IV ativan. I was also told that I died, or came near death, more than once in the ICU. Afterwards, I could not feed myself, walk, stand, or even hold a cigarette. Fast-forwarding, I was sent to the VA hospital in Palo Alto, CA, where, after roughly three months of intense physical therapy, I was able to walk with a single point cane just fine, feed myself, and basically do almost everything I could before. I thought I was on the road to a rapid recovery and I was very excited. Then a rapid turn of events occurred - I actually was confined to a wheelchair again because I was falling five to six times a day trying to walk. While in the hospital, both Oschner in New Orleans, and in the VA in Palo Alto, I had several MRI's, CT scans, two EEG's, and an EKG. All of these came out normal, showing no brain damage whatsoever. When I was put back into a wheelchair again, immediately I had another MRI but that showed nothing abnormal yet again. I had another MRI some months after, and still nothing was abnormal (by this time I had gotten back to physical therapy and was put on a cocktail of different pills, ranging from muscle relaxers to benzos to barbituates, and was able to walk again independantly). Now, fast-forwarding again to about 7 months ago, I found I was unable to move around as well and went back to using my cane. Then more and more spasms in my left arm began to occur, and all down the left side of my body. Eventually, today, I am terrified to be around large amounts of people, I am unable to walk independantly (I usually hold onto my Grandmother's hand in addition to the cane), I still am unable to write well (although that has vastly improved), my left side has increased spasms, and I feel terrified of almost everything.



I have not suffered from a stroke, a heart attack, or seizure. However I did suffer from severe panic attacks. My neurologist is baffled by my condition, as are the other neurologists I have seen in the last two years.



So I ask, please, if anyone can shed any light on my condition, or have even heard of anything similar I ask please to help me find out what is wrong with me. I am a 21 yr old, who only wants to go back to school and live a normal life. I thank all of you in advance.



sincerely,

Mikhail

I copied Mikhail's post over here from PTSD forum in hopes someone may have some insight for him on his condition

thanks

I am sorry that you are still impaired.
 

You know, doctors don't know everything. The MRI will only show dead areas.
Scars. It does not show, impairments in the chemistry of the brain cells.

You really don't know what was mixed in that drug overdose.There could have been contaminants, and other drugs used to "cut" it.

It you damage neurons, but they remain alive, just non-functioning, I don't think that would show up on tests. Perhaps a PET scan might reveal something.

We are just discussing hyperbaric oxygen on the PN forum.
I'll give you this link:
http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/serv...rbaric/faq.asp
and
http://www.emedicine.com/plastic/topic526.htm

I saw a show about a child who was in a car crash, and had a closed head injury. He was able to regain many faculties after these treatments. It was on a science show several years ago. Hyperbaric treatments should be monitored by a doctor, if you decide to try it.

There is a form of Parkinson's that is acquired from bad heroin:
http://everything2.com/?node_id=1107315
I hope this is not the case for you.

The brain is very complex and still puzzling for many doctors. So an answer for you may not be forthcoming until more is learned.

I hope with time you may heal. Sometimes things take a while.

thankyou very much!
 

thankyou mrsd for your insight on my condition! i was not aware of that regarding the MRI scans. I did have two EEGs however, and both showed as being normal? I will take your advice and push to get a PET scan, but my neurologist is unfortunately rather single minded and previously did not think i needed a PET scan, or it would not show anything significant. I disagreed, but I am not a doctor of course. I read the article regarding parkinsons disease from heroin, and I actually did go to a Parkinson's Clinic. Luckily, the neurologist there as well as the panel of neurosurgeons that went over my examination and MRI/EEG/CT Scan results felt I had a problem in my cerebellum. so yes, I definitely agree I should have a PET scan or fMRI to show exactly what the problem is. I have been improving steadily as far as writing and standing for long periods of time and walking with assistance. I actually had a great day at physical therapy! thankyou for all the information you've given me.

You're young. It's only natural for you not to know what to do. Actually, few people in your place would know what to do. No, I am not trying to sound hopeless. I just want to say that when you don't know what to do, just don't do anything. Relax and trust. You'll be cared for.

Anyway, it's very important for you to have the right nutrition. I don't know to what extent you can choose what you eat. If possible, avoid junk food. That alone will be a great step towards health and sanity.
There's a product by the name of Mental Clarity which could be helpful in your case. It's a mushroom. It aids neurological repair. See (and ask) if it is useful in your case.

Good luck.

José

I have another question for you, Mikhail:
 

Did you go to RAVES too? Did you do nitrous oxide?

If the answer is yes, then you could have damaged the B12 chemistry
in your body. We have a vitamin forum here that discusses ways to improve
B12 levels. You can have B12 level run by the doctor, along with MMA test
to see if you are low. Low B12 seriously impacts the nervous system.
In USA often levels that are low are considered "normal" when in reality they are not. In Japan they treat anyone below 500. So don't accept "normal" -- ask what the # really is.

thank you so much for your very quick responses! Jose, I am actually going to see my psychiatrist tomorrow, should i ask him about the 'Mental Clarity' product? I had never heard of that, I will have to search for it and bring him the information I'm sure, as he rarely will take any suggestions from me.

mrs d, I never actually went to Raves as they are commonly referred to, but yes I did take ecstasy for a while when I was in high school, but not very much after that. I guess once I got started on the heroin I had no money for anything else. I guess I really messed it up, huh? :( One interesting thing is I FINALLY got out of the house yesterday for a social event with people my age. I was so nervous at first my friend had to almost pick me up into his truck, however, once I began to drink I was actually able to walk around with my single point cane and in some cases without it! I guess that is normal, as the alcohol made me more loose and sociable, but what a change! I walked up and down stairs by myself! It was only temporary, but it raised my confidence, and, for once in a long time, I actually enjoyed myself. I will certainly ask about the B12 level test and the MMA test, unfortunately though it is getting more and more difficult to get ANY tests approved by my primary care physician :(