Questioning My Overdose Experience with Fentanyl: A Surprising Survival
I'm a 37-year-old woman, weighing 125 pounds and standing 5'2". I have no known allergies, don’t smoke, and generally consider myself to be in good health. My reason for sharing this is rooted in a medical inquiry, particularly since two months ago, my partner took his life, prompting me to engage in some risky behavior. In a moment of desperation, I managed to obtain fentanyl, intending to end my own life. Surprisingly, I woke up alive after two separate attempts. I am aware that even a minuscule quantity of fentanyl can be lethal. During my attempts, I snorted a small amount, roughly a third to a half of what you might call a line of cocaine. My plan was to start with a low dose to help me relax, hoping to take more later. It’s worth noting that fentanyl is often mixed with other substances, which may have lowered its concentration in this case. Almost immediately after my first use, I lost consciousness within one to two minutes. My vision and hearing disappeared before I completely blacked out. After about three hours, I regained consciousness with a racing heart, severe nausea (which made me vomit roughly every ten minutes), elevated blood pressure, and an intense headache. My pupils were constricted, and my entire body was shaking. After calling for help, I ended up in the hospital, where tests confirmed the presence of fentanyl in my system. On my second attempt, using the same batch of fentanyl, the experience mirrored the first. I again blacked out quickly and woke up alone three hours later, this time feeling slightly better. I had taken Gravol beforehand to mitigate the nausea, resulting in less severe symptoms overall, including no headache and a steadier heart rate and blood pressure. I did, however, feel extremely intoxicated and shaky. For this attempt, I had also taken tramadol and zopiclone, thinking they would help keep me down. Both incidents occurred while I was by myself, and I had no access to naloxone. The first time I went to the hospital, I genuinely believed I might be having a stroke. This leads me to ponder: why did I survive? What caused me to wake up? Was it even a true overdose? Although I consider my experiences to be mild overdoses, I’ve heard many accounts of individuals succumbing to considerably lesser amounts of fentanyl. Is there a chance I possess a higher genetic tolerance?
Answers (1)
3/4/2026, 6:50:45 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear about the distressing experiences you've been through, especially with the loss of your partner. It's important to take these feelings seriously and to prioritize your well-being. The experiences you described involving fentanyl are concerning, but I’m glad you survived. Let’s break this down to address your questions and ensure you feel supported.
Key Points:
- Understanding Overdose and Recovery: Your experiences may not fit the typical definition of an overdose, partly due to the small amount of fentanyl used and individual differences in drug effects.
- Individual Responses: Factors like body weight, metabolic rate, and potentially prior drug exposure can influence how substances affect you.
- Importance of Safety: Moving forward, it’s crucial to focus on your safety and mental health.
Explanation:
Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid, and even small amounts can lead to life-threatening respiratory depression. Your quick loss of consciousness followed by waking up after a few hours indicates that your breathing may have slowed significantly, but your body was able to recover after the effects wore off. The fact that you experienced severe nausea and vomiting is not uncommon after exposure to potent opioids and possibly indicates your body was trying to expel the substance.
Survival can stem from various factors, including:
- Body’s Tolerance: While not everyone has the same tolerance, previous opioid exposure might contribute to varying responses.
- Mixed Substances: If the fentanyl was less concentrated or mixed with other substances, it may have reduced its potency.
- Timing of Help: Though you were alone, if your body began to recover naturally after wearing off the effects, that could explain why you woke up.
Next Steps:
- Seek Immediate Support: Please connect with a mental health professional who can help you process your grief and feelings of desperation. They can provide supportive therapy and coping strategies.
- Consider Substance Safety: If you're tempted to use substances again, please keep naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) on hand to increase your safety.
- Join Support Groups: Connecting with groups focusing on grief, loss, or substance use can provide community support and understanding as you navigate these challenges.
- Monitor Your Health: Watch for any recurring physical or mental health concerns. Keeping in touch with healthcare providers can help ensure you have a safe plan moving forward.
Remember, you are not alone in this, and it's imperative to reach out for help. Your health and safety are the most important priorities right now.
Related Questions
Understanding Low Testosterone Levels in a 20-Year-Old Man
Greetings everyone, I’m sharing this on behalf of my partner, a 20-year-old man who has recently been diagnosed with hypogonadism, revealing a total testosterone level of just 151 ng/dL. Additionally, he has a vitamin D concentration of 14.2 and an HDL cholesterol measurement of 37. Standing tall at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 275 pounds, he has been following a moderate calorie deficit for weight loss, having shed some pounds from around 300 a few months ago. He reports experiencing low libido, fatigue, diminished strength, and longer recovery times after his workouts, particularly in weightlifting. Other concerns include a noticeable increase in body fat around his chest, decreased cognitive focus, and issues with insomnia. Despite being active, engaging in light exercises like basketball and walking daily, he rarely participates in strength training sessions. When he does, the intensity and frequency are minimal, especially considering his stature. I have a couple of inquiries: 1. As a medical scribe, I’ve noticed that testosterone tests are typically scheduled for early morning appointments. However, his testosterone level was recorded in the afternoon at 2 PM. Could this timing significantly alter his test results? 2. Are we likely to face challenges in the future regarding fertility as a result of his low testosterone levels? Thank you for your insight!
Struggles with Running and Breathing Issues: Seeking Advice
**Personal Background** - **Age:** 23 - **Height:** 185 cm (72.8 inches or 6.1 ft) - **Gender:** Male - **Weight:** Approximately 80 kg - **Country:** Sweden - **Medications:** SSRI (Sertraline - 100 mg daily) - **Smoking:** None - **Alcohol Consumption:** None - **Recreational Drugs:** Daily energy drink intake - **Supplements:** One Omega-3 capsule and one calcium plus magnesium tablet each day - **Medical Background:** No asbestos detected in lung X-ray, diagnosed with ADHD, asthma tests returned negative results - **Activity Level:** Since childhood, I have been very active. Started skating at 12 and run at least weekly. **Initial Symptoms** The year 2022 marked the beginning of my struggles while running. During my regular runs, I began to experience abrupt difficulties in breathing. However, once I paused, I could take a deep breath, and my breathing would return to normal. Fortunately, my heart rate remained steady during this initial episode. **Developing Concerns** In 2023, I noticed that I would start overheating and sweating much sooner than I ever had during both moderate and intense physical activities. *(I attributed this to possibly gaining weight as I have grown older.)* **Increased Strain** I pushed myself to train harder, convinced that my struggles were merely due to a lack of motivation on my part. Yet, I observed that my legs were increasingly fatigued and seemed to lack the blood flow or oxygen they needed, which hindered their performance. **Bizarre Breathing Experience** One of the most perplexing sensations is that, while running, I find it easier to breathe through my nose than my mouth. Nasal breathing allows me to draw deep breaths and fully exhale residual carbon dioxide, whereas mouth breathing leaves me feeling like my lungs can't expand adequately, creating a sense of discomfort. **Cognitive Effects** My cognitive functions seem to have slowed down; I frequently experience headaches, along with confusion and dizziness. *(I suspect this may be connected to reduced oxygen flow to the brain?)* **Conclusion** My ability to run has been deteriorating steadily, making each run increasingly difficult. I'm not one to quit in challenging situations; I battle through inclement weather to maintain my runs. I continuously strive for self-improvement and explore resources regarding breathing techniques, nutritional strategies for runners, and fitness exercises, but to no avail. Running has been my emotional outlet since I was ten, but as it becomes more challenging, I feel like a part of my identity is being lost. Currently, I am in consultation with a physician and have a PET scan of my lungs scheduled soon. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or insights that I could share with my doctor to help address these issues
Seeking Advice After Taking Emergency Contraception
I find it a bit humiliating to share this, but I took a Plan B pill around 3:00 PM yesterday. This morning at 6:00 AM, I unfortunately engaged in unprotected intercourse. Should I consider purchasing another dose? Just as a bit of background, I’m 19 years old, and I feel certain that I am not currently ovulating.
Should I Consider Getting the Rabies Vaccine?
Yesterday, I took my dog for a walk in a wooded area where he typically runs free. However, when he failed to return promptly, I became concerned and went to find him. To my dismay, I discovered him eating what appeared to be a dead animal, likely a raccoon based on its fur. I quickly put him on a leash to prevent further exposure. Later that evening, I fondly kissed him goodnight, and to my surprise, he licked my lips, something he rarely does. His wet nose touched mine as well. I rinsed my mouth with water and thought little of it at the time. However, about twenty minutes later, it dawned on me that he had been in contact with something potentially dangerous, and I panicked about possible exposure to rabies or other infectious agents. I immediately used a facial cleanser and scrubbed my face vigorously, feeling a profound sense of anxiety. For context, I am a 19-year-old female, weighing 140 pounds and standing 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Understanding Testosterone Injections
As a transgender man, I have been receiving testosterone therapy for 5 and a half years. Initially, my prescribing physician provided me with 25 gauge, 5/8 inch needles. To save money, I've switched to ordering them online, which has proven to be more economical. However, I never received a comprehensive guide on how to properly administer the injections. At that time, my anxiety was quite high, so I hesitated to ask for further instructions and just made do with what I knew. I administer my shots weekly into my thigh. While I recognize that one could use different needles for drawing up the testosterone and for the injection itself, I personally find it more convenient to use the same needle for both tasks. It doesn’t cause much discomfort and it reduces both cost and waste, which I appreciate. A question that has been on my mind is the length of the needle I’m using. Although my testosterone vials indicate they are for intramuscular (IM) use, most sources suggest that such injections typically require a longer needle. After 5.5 years of this routine, I am uncertain whether to continue as I have been, given that my current method seems effective. Am I actually performing a subcutaneous (subq) injection? If that’s the case, might I need to switch to longer needles for IM injections? Could this potentially alter my dosage? Or, is it better to simply maintain my current approach? I am about to reorder needles, and since a box lasts me two years, I want to clarify this situation before making my purchase.