How do I communicate my concerns about my overdose to my doctor?

Posted by kcmesserli @kcmesserli, Sep 29 2:02pm

I am a 23yo Transgender Male, 5’4” 135lbs and white. I do not smoke nicotine, but I used to be a habitual synthetic marijuana user (quit in March).

Nine days ago, I overdosed on a synthetic marijuana vape.

Don’t judge me for taking some with medications- I figured a few hits wouldn’t hurt, and I lost count of how many hits I took. I am on olanzapine, methylphenidate, fluoxetine, glyccopyrolate, and propranolol.

The day I overdosed, I went to the ER as I was experiencing intense pain and disorientation. I went in the evening, was given morphine and an IV, and sent home after a few hours. The following night, I couldn’t sleep due to the pain, so I returned to the hospital in the morning and was given more pain medication. I then felt fine for a week.

Then, two nights ago, the symptoms returned. Though not as intense as that first night, it was still intense enough to warrant me heading to the ER again. My heart rate was skyrocketing and my head was pounding. I was given morphine and an IV, was told that my issue was psychiatric (it wasn’t) and told to follow up with my primary care provider. This morning I had an appointment with my primary care provider and she seemed convinced my pain was caused by anxiety.

I’m worried about potential brain damage here. I’ve felt off for the past two days. I can function like usual but I’m scared of the pain returning. I am not a habitual user of synthetic marijuana, this was my first indulgence in several months after quitting my habitual use in March. I see a different primary care provider on Thursday, and I want to reiterate the intensity of my physical pain and my concern about cardio toxicity and brain damage.

What should I do today? What should I say? How can I get doctors to take my concerns seriously? Am I overreacting? I had a nosebleed and a few waves of pain this morning, but have felt mostly fine, just a bit weird all day. I’m worried about the pain returning.

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Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Sep 29 3:08pm

@kcmesserli
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I understand your anxiety. A few months ago, I had multiple visits to the ER and was sent home with Oxy for pain. But I was having GI issues, so I could not keep pills down. After checking with my primary, I was told to go back; I was admitted to find the cause of pain.

During my follow-up visits, I wanted to make sure my provider understood the situation. I outlined the symptoms, treatment, and results on paper to share with them. Document dates, what happened, providers you have seen, your concerns, etc. I think if you prepare and present the facts on paper to a provider, they pay closer attention. Also, if you prepare in advance, you're less likely to forget key questions.

And above all, advocate for yourself. If you do not agree with their treatment plan, speak up.

Hope all goes well Thursday; please let us know the outcome.

frouke | @frouke | Sep 29 3:20pm

I’m definitely not going to judge you because you’re a human being with medical issues and you need help with that. I’m not sure what type of pain you’re experiencing, but I definitely feel you have a lot of stress and anxiety, it’s a good thing that you went to the hospital because it’s safer than ignoring your symptoms. As for vaping marijuana it can definitely turn on you, I’ve had bad reactions with cannabis interacting with medication, I used THC edibles for relaxation but stopped now because it just doesn’t help anymore, I do know that synthetic cannabis is much more potent so it can really affect you badly if you use too much. I’m sure that the doctor will take you seriously because you’re suffering and asking for help, if not then look for another doctor that is listening to you. I hope that you will get some help soon and start feeling better, best wishes.

kcmesserli | @kcmesserli | Sep 29 5:00pm

Thank you so much for your kind words. I am going to join a Marijuana Anonymous support group.

Melissa | @milojax75 | Sep 29 7:19pm

All I want to say to you is fight for yourself very hard and don't feel that you have to put it any certain way about why you did what you did you did it and that's it you know people get on with their life and the doctors not perfect either no doctor is believe that.
So if your doctor is located in a hospital do you know that any clinic or Hospital especially hospitals I do know you can go in and before you even like go to the ER or have your appointment you can ask for Advocates Advocates work as most places and they're there to make sure doctors do take you seriously so I would do that I'd call ahead of time and get an advocate there to go to your appointment with you.
And if not you know I there's ways to find advocates I don't know where you live but I could give you a number I work with a Carol at the Wisconsin Brain injury association I mean sort of I've talked to her a couple times and she's a nurse with quite a few credentials behind her but I've been alone you know fighting for myself also for someone to believe me over a year now a little over a year and I'm recovering alcoholic and I've been relapsing lately like a flopping fish that I'm not proud of it bring me I know what it does and I'm sober today you know but I mean you know if you want toward her number I mean it's just a clinic she works and so I can give you her number I can get it to you maybe she can explain to you where you live and how you can get an advocate to go with you to your appointment at least the first time you know and seriously I know I mean everybody a lot of people care about what other people think especially doctors I mean they're in charge of our health but I've learned really they're not they're in charge of our own least I am and you know I mean what you don't think about the worst possible thing that you think actually going to happen and then put a percentage on it and think about you know it's actually probably not going to happen any doctors heard all of this before all of this so they're not new to it and if they judge you they're an asshole.
If you want to talk I'm around

jenatsky | @jenatsky | 3 days ago

Here is a primer on synthetic cannabis for your benefit. It’s pretty nasty stuff according to these scholarly publications. May account for your pain symptoms?
https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/synthetic-cannabinoids/;
https://healthywithpardee.com/synthetic-cannabinoids-can-cause-serious-side-effects/;
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6398358/
I personally don’t think you OD’d but just used too much and had bad side effects of which there are many. If I may ask why do you want your doctors to know you OD’d? If you’re seeing a mental health professional I can see sharing it with them and your PCP if you have a good relationship.