Long-term Impacts of Prescription Overdose on Health
Hello everyone, I'm a 43-year-old woman who has been on various medications for anxiety, depression, and PTSD since my teenage years. Five years ago, during a particularly dark period in my life, I made a grave suicide attempt by consuming excessive amounts of Lorazepam, Effexor, Trazodone, and other medications. Thankfully, I was discovered the following day and admitted to the intensive care unit. I’m not sure how long I spent there, but once I regained consciousness, I was moved to a mental health unit. Since then, I have experienced significant improvements in my life, and I am currently doing well. Nonetheless, I occasionally experience vomiting in the mornings while brushing my teeth or when taking as-needed medications. I'm concerned that I may have caused some internal damage that could explain these ongoing symptoms. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! Summary: What are the potential long-term effects of a prescription overdose on the body?
Answers (1)
7/21/2025, 8:01:52 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great to hear that you've made significant improvements in your life after such a difficult experience. Your concerns about potential long-term effects from the overdose and your current symptoms are valid, and I’m here to help clarify some aspects.
Main Points
Long-term impacts of prescription overdose can vary significantly based on the medications involved, the amount taken, and how quickly you received medical help. Common effects may include gastrointestinal issues, complications with mental health stability, and other organ-related concerns. Your morning vomiting could be linked to various factors, including medication side effects, anxiety, or even lingering effects from past overdose impacts.
Explanation
-
Gastrointestinal Effects: Overdosing on medications like Lorazepam and Trazodone can impact your stomach and digestive system. Side effects can include nausea and vomiting, which you may be experiencing, especially in the mornings.
-
Mental Health: It's not uncommon for individuals with a history of overdose to face ongoing mental health challenges. While you mentioned feeling well overall, stress or anxiety may contribute to the nausea when taking medications.
-
Physical Health: Depending on the specific medications and levels involved in the overdose, other body systems can also be affected over time, such as liver or kidney function. This is typically evaluated through medical tests, but it can be a concern if symptoms like vomiting persist.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a diary of when you experience vomiting and any accompanying symptoms (like dizziness or other discomforts). This can help identify patterns and triggers.
-
Hydration and Diet: Begin your day with hydration. Consider drinking water or clear fluids before brushing your teeth and throughout the day to ease nausea. Eating a light snack before your medications might also help reduce vomiting.
-
Assess Your Medications: If you have concerns about your medications triggering these symptoms, it may be beneficial to review your current medication regimen with a healthcare professional. They can evaluate if adjustments are needed or if alternatives could help.
-
Regular Check-Ups: Schedule routine health check-ups with a doctor who understands your history. Blood tests can assess liver and kidney function and identify any potential issues from past medications.
-
Stress Management: Since anxiety can link with nausea, consider techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga, or mindfulness practices that might help reduce stress.
Your health journey is unique, and addressing both physical and mental health is important. Please take these steps at your own pace, and remember that support is always available. If your symptoms worsen or new concerns arise, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Related Questions
Should I Seek Testing for Possible MS or Neurological Issues Due to My Symptoms?
I am a 31-year-old woman standing 5'3" and weighing about 110 lbs, without any current medications. I manage both mixed connective tissue disease and endometriosis effectively. Working in healthcare, I'm quite apprehensive about utilizing an already strained rural Canadian healthcare system without just cause. My main concern is whether my symptoms warrant further investigation or if they can simply be monitored. Over the past two years, I have developed a range of symptoms that persist to this day: - **Chronic fatigue**: Once exercising seven times a week, I now struggle to manage just two sessions. - **Vocal exhaustion and hoarseness**: I find it difficult to project my voice and often lose it easily. - **Choking incidents**: I frequently choke on liquids and solids, waking up 2-3 times a night due to bouts of choking on saliva. - **Bilateral foot tingling**: This sensation is most prominent at night. - **Intermittent tingling and muscle twitching**: Occurring daily for 1-5 minutes across all four limbs and my torso without any clear pattern. - **Increased reflexes in my right hand**, particularly the thumb: Actions as simple as opening a can trigger spasms, while a firm tap results in clonus. When holding my hand still for about a minute, I experience tremors. - **Wartenberg sign observable on my left side**. - **Notable muscle weakness**, especially in my arms: My grip strength is only about 30% of what is typical for my age. - Approximately a year ago, I had an episode of intense pain and hypersensitivity in both legs, particularly affecting my hamstrings. It was initially considered to be a mild central disc issue, yet no imaging was conducted for confirmation. Neurological assessments at that time indicated a fatigable L5 myotome on the right and absent reflex responses in the knee and ankle on both sides. - Recently, I've been experiencing eye strain and diminishing vision, which includes bumping into walls and difficulties noticing items in my peripheral vision. An eye doctor mentioned a possible optic nerve issue on the right, suggesting it might relate to a previous occurrence of optic neuritis and observed slight desaturation of red color. Monitoring was recommended. Aside from the clinical examinations, the only diagnostic tests performed have been blood tests, all of which returned normal results (including CBC, electrolytes, thyroid function, B12, iron, calcium, magnesium, glucose, and A1C). Despite this, I would categorize my symptoms as quite mild. They've gradually appeared, and I've often attributed them to benign causes. I've adapted to the fatigue and weakness in a way that does not severely disrupt my life. I do not experience distress over my symptoms, nor do I feel they are deteriorating. When I see them itemized, they may seem much worse than they feel in my daily life. It wasn't until an eye specialist directly inquired about the possibility of MS that I started to reconsider these issues seriously. My overarching question is: is it worth navigating the complexities (such as long waits at a walk-in clinic, potential delays for referrals, and then waiting a year or more for specialist appointments and imaging) just to rule out conditions when my symptoms are not significantly impacting me?
Experiencing Blood in Stool Again
I understand this may not be the most pleasant topic, yet I see many men on Reddit discussing similar issues quite candidly. Unfortunately, my gastroenterologist is not available until September. Earlier today, I noticed bright red blood after my first bowel movement when wiping. Later on, my second, more substantial movement resulted in even more blood visible in the toilet bowl. Throughout the summer, I’ve been struggling with abdominal discomfort and bloating. Last month, I experienced a bit of bleeding, which resolved itself within a day. I've undergone two colonoscopies previously, with the last one occurring in January 2024, where nothing unusual was found. From my online research, I’m seeing potential causes such as constipation or hemorrhoids, although I do not experience any rectal pain or itching. Could this possibly be linked to endometriosis? I kindly ask that no one suggests, “You should consult a doctor instead of relying on Reddit.” I did visit my gynecologist today and have an appointment with my primary care physician next week, along with my gastro appointment set for September. They informed me that there are no earlier openings and I cannot switch to a different provider. If my symptoms worsen, I will head to the emergency room.
Bilateral CCA and ICA Stenosis with Vertebral Artery Issues in a 25-Year-Old Female
About two months prior, I experienced a fainting spell that led to a fall, resulting in a head injury that required two staples. In the weeks following this incident, I encountered various concussion-like symptoms. To explore the underlying cause of my fainting, I consulted both a cardiologist and a neurologist. The cardiologist conducted an echocardiogram and an EKG, which did not reveal any abnormalities. He suggested that my episode might have been a case of vasovagal syncope. However, my concern persisted as I had experienced fainting spells intermittently over the past six years, always sparked by identifiable triggers such as prolonged standing, heat exposure, or inadequate food intake. In contrast, during this latest incident, I could not pinpoint any specific trigger. I recently received the results from my neurological evaluations: **MRI and Autonomic Function Tests:** All were within normal limits. **Carotid Doppler Assessment:** - There was a moderate to severe delay detected in both the common carotid arteries (CCA), internal carotid arteries (ICA), and external carotid arteries (ECA). - The left vertebral artery showed a mild to moderate delay compared to the right side. - Increases in blood flow velocity suggest the possibility of stenosis in the bilateral CCAs, ICAs, and the left vertebral artery. **Transcranial Doppler Study:** - This examination was technically limited, revealing a mild increase in the left vertebral artery relative to the right, further indicating the potential for stenosis. **EEG (30-minute awake and drowsy recording):** - Results were abnormal with localized sharp waves or spike activity observed in the left frontal area of the brain. I am scheduled for an MRA, a comprehensive EEG, and a VNG/BAER test within the next month, but I find myself anxious about what steps to take while awaiting these appointments. I've seen online discussions linking stenosis to atherosclerosis, which troubles me given my age of 25, alongside a lack of significant personal medical history or hereditary factors that I am aware of. The only pertinent background information I can recall is my history of e-cigarette usage spanning approximately seven years. I successfully ceased vaping two months ago, following the fainting incident, yet I cannot help but speculate whether this could be a contributing factor to my arterial issues. Any insights or recommendations would be immensely valued! While I am committed to following my healthcare provider's guidance, I would appreciate any thoughts as I bide my time until my next consultation.
Feeling Overlooked
At 28 years old, I am a woman currently managing obsessive-compulsive disorder with Prozac as my sole medication. Otherwise, I consider myself to be in good health, apart from the concerns I’m about to outline. Last year, I endured severe tingling, numbness, and a burning sensation in my feet, accompanied by a pins-and-needles feeling. This issue made flexing my right foot impossible, resulting in several falls. After an EMG test yielded normal results, my doctor dismissed my complaints. Although the intense sensations diminished after a few months, I continue to experience diminished feeling in my feet and legs, along with persistent tingling and weakness. Furthermore, I am plagued by constant fatigue that feels unending. My vision remains persistently blurry, regardless of how many eye care specialists I consult or prescriptions I try; the clarity I seek remains elusive. During one check-up, an eye doctor casually suggested it could be multiple sclerosis before leaving the room without providing any further insight. To complicate matters, I’ve noticed significant memory issues, which I initially attributed to having a busy mind as a mother, but now it seems far beyond that explanation. I feel exhausted from this situation and can’t help wondering: Could it truly be MS?
Do Symptoms of Viral Meningitis Fluctuate?
Female in her 40s Approximately nine days ago, I awoke feeling unwell, experiencing a sore throat, a notably stiff neck, and a headache. Initially, I thought I had just slept awkwardly on my neck. As the day progressed, I started to feel better and enjoyed a pleasant weekend. However, come Monday, I was struck with intense pain that radiated from my neck to the back of my head. While I did not have a fever, the discomfort spread to my shoulders and presented a burning sensation. Although the pain was quite severe, it would subside slightly over time. After about six days, I began to notice a gradual improvement. Just yesterday, I felt fantastic—no neck pain, no headache, and my energy returned. Today, however, I have taken a step back; my neck is aching again (although not nearly as intensely as before), and my stomach feels off. Is this typical behavior for viral meningitis? I no longer have a sore throat and there is still no fever.