Seeking Clarity on a Mysterious Incident
Age: 36 Medication: None, aside from medical cannabis Height/Weight: 5’8”, 130 lbs This is my first time sharing here. Last Tuesday, I awakened to severe vomiting that persisted throughout the day. I managed to hold on until my roommate, who happens to be a nurse, returned home. For context, I want to clarify that I hadn’t consumed any marijuana that day. When he arrived, I briefly mentioned my illness and intended to rest. About thirty minutes later, he heard me struggling to breathe and recognized that I seemed to be choking. He promptly performed pressure point techniques on my jaw to help free my vocal cords, cleared the vomit from my mouth, and called for an ambulance since I was unresponsive and appeared to be seizing. I cannot emphasize enough how thankful I am to him; he truly saved my life. Unfortunately, the situation escalated. My roommate reported that I resisted the EMTs and had to be sedated and restrained. Given my small stature, this was completely out of character for me. Upon arriving at the hospital, I continued to exhibit similar behavior, even lunging at my mother, which the staff documented. (Could this be postictal state aggression?) I came to roughly a day and a half later, with no recollection of the events that transpired, and I felt awful about my conduct. I ended up receiving charges for attempted biting of the nursing team and had to report to jail upon discharge, which was quite distressing. Upon reviewing my lab results, my white blood cell count was elevated, as were my PCT and lactate levels, indicating issues with kidney function. I underwent an MRI and EEG when I regained consciousness, but both tests returned normal results. The hospital didn't provide any substantial answers, and I have a scheduled appointment with my primary care physician next week. The only tentative diagnosis I have received points to metabolic acidosis as the root cause of the seizure and subsequent postictal condition. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experiences or insights into what might have occurred during this ordeal. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Answers (1)
3/22/2025, 7:40:37 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you went through an incredibly challenging and frightening experience, and it's understandable to seek clarity about what happened. Your symptoms, including severe vomiting, loss of responsiveness, and subsequent aggressive behavior after regaining consciousness, suggest a serious medical incident, likely linked to metabolic issues affecting your overall health.
Explanation
The combination of elevated white blood cell count, elevated procalcitonin (PCT), and lactate levels indicates potential underlying issues, such as an infection or metabolic imbalance, which might have led to your acute symptoms. The metabolic acidosis mentioned could refer to a condition where your body produces too much acid or the kidneys aren’t removing enough acid from the body, which can certainly explain the seizures and altered behavior.
Postictal state aggression (behavioral changes following a seizure) can occur but is typically brief. The behavior you experienced might also be influenced by the circumstances and stress surrounding the seizure itself.
Next Steps
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Document Symptoms and Changes: Keep a record of any unusual symptoms you experience leading up to your next doctor's appointment, including changes in appetite, energy levels, or any new physical or mental health issues.
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Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Focus on maintaining hydration and proper nutrition, which can assist your body in recovery, especially after a severe illness.
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Follow Up on Lab Results: When you see your primary care physician, discuss the elevated labs in detail. Ask for clarification on what they might indicate and what additional tests could be warranted to explore potential infections, kidney function, or other metabolic conditions.
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Consider a Specialist: Depending on the outcomes of your primary care visit, you may want to discuss the possibility of seeing a neurologist or an internal medicine specialist to further investigate the seizures and metabolic issues.
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Mental Health Support: Given the trauma of your experience, consider seeking support from a mental health professional to help process the incident and cope with any residual feelings of distress or anxiety.
Your wellbeing is paramount, and while the road to understanding what happened can feel overwhelming, you’re taking essential steps by seeking clarity and care. Please ensure you address these next steps, and don't hesitate to reach out for support along the way.
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