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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AMD on March 12, 2005, at 19:42:38
How much coke does one have to do to damage the membrane inside one's nose?
I had a habit two years ago and did cocaine on weekends for probably, let's say, a year. Actually, more like 9 months. So I assume, say, at most 48 times. Never had a nose bleed or anything like that.
In the past two weeks I've stumbled and used twice. Suddenly I have anxiety over getting nose bleeds, having severe nose damage, etc.
Is this likely? Should I visit my doctor? God I am being hard on myself for two times in two years. Still, I feel very guilty and "dirty" and expect the worst: brain damage, permanent depression, nose bleeding, and a life long sense of dread. It's been 72 hours, and I still feel terrible.
amd
Posted by AMD on March 13, 2005, at 3:59:27
In reply to Cocaine and nose lining, posted by AMD on March 12, 2005, at 19:42:38
Following up on this:
What are the symptoms of a perforated septum? My nose has been slightly tingly. Is this allergies or something to worry about? I feel more sensitive to air, particular on the less stuffy side, in the posterior of the nose.
Perhaps I'm being paranoid. I don't know.
amd
Posted by mynamehere on March 13, 2005, at 13:09:30
In reply to Cocaine and nose lining, posted by AMD on March 12, 2005, at 19:42:38
Hello AMD. When you use, how much do you use? A gram or two? An ounce? Cocaine is a powerful drug and in my opinion causes serious impairment to thought processes, especially in the short-term. Because it has only been a few days since you last used, I would give it some time before scaring yourself into phobia about what damage has been done. On a slightly different note, also consider the possibility that damage to your nose lining is very highly likely with heavy long-term use. fyi, I was a binge user for a couple of years. It has been about 2 years since I last used. Hang in there.. cocaine is rough to recover from!
My two cents.
> How much coke does one have to do to damage the membrane inside one's nose?
>
> I had a habit two years ago and did cocaine on weekends for probably, let's say, a year. Actually, more like 9 months. So I assume, say, at most 48 times. Never had a nose bleed or anything like that.
>
> In the past two weeks I've stumbled and used twice. Suddenly I have anxiety over getting nose bleeds, having severe nose damage, etc.
>
> Is this likely? Should I visit my doctor? God I am being hard on myself for two times in two years. Still, I feel very guilty and "dirty" and expect the worst: brain damage, permanent depression, nose bleeding, and a life long sense of dread. It's been 72 hours, and I still feel terrible.
>
> amd
Posted by thinkfast on March 13, 2005, at 22:21:11
In reply to Re: Cocaine and nose lining, posted by mynamehere on March 13, 2005, at 13:09:30
I hear that coke is worse on the nose than meth, but I did that crap every weekend for about as long as you did, and with nasal problems too. Good advice above...give it a few days and that paranoia(or whatever you want to call it) about being seriously ill will fade. I've "quit" speed a million times, but completely stopping comes in time if it's something you really want to do. Best of luck & peace.
Posted by AMD on March 29, 2005, at 23:15:06
In reply to Re: Cocaine and nose lining, posted by mynamehere on March 13, 2005, at 13:09:30
I used again last weekend -- that's three times in two months. I'm going to my first NA meeting tomorrow.
I am worried I /have/ done cognitive damage, but it's only been about 60 hours, and I probably did a gram or more. So perhaps I need more time before I feel back to "normal." I am just worried now that I ruptured a brain cell or something. I have that spaced-out feeling. Will this pass?
Does one recover from cocaine? I've heard it's more forgiving than methamphetamines, and that over time one can recover. But then I read these alarmist web sites that say every use permanently kills brain cells. I just want to shake this spaced out feeling, then I'll be less paranoid.
Also, will exercise, etc. repair and blood vessel damage I may have done. I've been congested for a few days, which is probably from the cocaine.
Here's something I've pondered. I often read about "chronic heavy use" vs. "recreational use." What is the difference? What is "chronic"? Are we talking weeks, months, years? What is a binge? A few hours, or days? Because although I definitely take a lot when I'm on, it's typically in the course of only a few hours, sitting around a table with a bunch of folks, drinking heavily (yes, I know that prolongs the half-life and increases the effect of the cocaine), and doing lines. I probably did 5 - 10 lines the other night, in addition to a few key bumps. My roommate did some too, but she feels fine down, whereas I still feel miserable. Perhaps my bipolar has something to do with that.
Although I'm obviously addicted (I can't say no), does the frequency of my binges (three in two years, total, all last month) classify me as a heavy user subject to permanent effects? Or would that amount be more or less mild to recover from as long as I stop now?
My lips are dry too, and I'm breaking out. Related? Stress?
I feel like a mess!
amd
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