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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by song on February 4, 2004, at 0:03:34
I used ecstasy every weekend for a year and smoked ice for another year. After I quit I got weird tingling sensations on the right side of my head. The tingling isnt as bad as it used to be but I still have them sometimes. I also zone out and daydream alot of times. My memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. I quit for about a year and a half but still drink alcohol. I've been doing research cause I was scared that my symptoms might be permenent. The websites I looked at say brain damage in monkeys lasts for up to 4 years sometimes 7. Does anyone have any clue or idea if the brain damage I got will heal in the next 3 years. I am currently taking risperdal, prozac, and welbutrin for depression. I believe I was depressed before these drugs and that they are helping alot. I feel better than I did before the drug abuse, my only problem is the brain problems I got. If anyone can give some info please write.
Posted by cookie0876 on February 6, 2004, at 16:02:42
In reply to Brain damage and how long does it take to recover, posted by song on February 4, 2004, at 0:03:34
Wow. I smoked ice for a year and had a serious episode one night where I felt vibrations all over my body and had some episodes of sleep paralysis (felt vibrations from my chest up to my head accompanied by a roaring sound in my head and felt paralyzed till I fully woke and shook it off). I get tingling in my hands and arms and feet now. Things go numb, fall asleep easily. I had panic attacks for awhile, but after a year a lot of this has subsided a great deal although I am not fully recovered. I now have problems with my tongue tingling and going off in a daze - my doctor suggested I could possibly be having partial complex seizures instead of panic attacks due to maybe a portion of my brain being damaged by the speed. I am off all SSRI's b/c they actually induce seizures. It took awhile but I've been off SSRI's for 3 mos and I haven't had a serious episode with depression either. I feel like I'm getting better. The last hit of ice was March 1. The things that have worked the best for me were Ativan & Xanax which I took for six months. Now, I take Benadryl or Atarax which helps my body calm down. I watch what I eat (too many carbs & sugar esp. soda) seem to make my symptoms worse, and I am exercising which helps immensely (helps blood circulation). I went to an acupuncturist twice but thought it was hokey so quit spending money on it. Hope this helps.
Posted by cookie0876 on February 6, 2004, at 16:11:10
In reply to Brain damage and how long does it take to recover, posted by song on February 4, 2004, at 0:03:34
I forgot to add that I feel worse when I drink but do it anyway. ;-) I have to have some sort of vice - only drink on some weekends and usually only 4 to 5 drinks. The neurological problems pop up the next day (electrical sensations I feel and the tingling tongue), but they subside after awhile. I have noticed that after time even after drinking the sensations are fewer and farther between. You might never be fully recovered, but after time things will get much better. Just don't do anymore e or ice, whatever you do. Once you have damage, it's easy to make it worse. I don't know why this happens to some people and not others. I know people who have smoked speed for years and are fine. It baffles me.
Posted by dtsd on March 17, 2004, at 13:08:19
In reply to Brain damage and how long does it take to recover, posted by song on February 4, 2004, at 0:03:34
get off the medication if you ever want your brain to heal. this takes time study neuroscience and you will get the answers your looking for.
Posted by song on March 18, 2004, at 0:49:15
In reply to Re: Brain damage and how long does it take to recover, posted by dtsd on March 17, 2004, at 13:08:19
I don't understand neuroscience so can you please explain to me how stopping my medication will heal my brain. I think the medication is actually helping me out.
Posted by dtsd on March 20, 2004, at 21:44:07
In reply to Re: Brain damage and how long does it take to recover, posted by song on March 18, 2004, at 0:49:15
If you are happy with your medication. I will not rain on your parade.I cant teach you neuroscience on the web but its not as hard as you may think it is to learn. Good luck
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