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What Causes Drowsiness And Heart Burn After Overdose Of Amitriptyline And Codamols?

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Posted on Mon, 19 May 2014
Question: I took 200-300 mg of Amitriptyline and approx 12-16 co codamols just under 48 hours ago with the intent to end my life.

Instead I wandered the streets for many hours before being returned to my house by the police with a head wound that I was unaware of getting.

Yesterday I was drowsy and out of it all day with a horrendous thirst

Today the thirst is still there but not as drowsy and more with it. But very tired and have like a heart burn/ acid sensation in my throat all the way down to my stomach.

I'm not sure whether anything to worry about on the basis I am still alive or even if they could do anything.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I think you will be fine

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for posting on HCM,

I am so sorry for your troubles and I glad you came out of this unharmed (lethally).
As of now, you will be fine provided you do not go about take high doses of those drugs again. Those drugs can affect your brain so badly and can cause you to have loss of memory with mental confusion. That can explain why you could not make out most of the episodes out in the street. I will encourage you to discourage all thoughts of committing suicide as you should know that it is only a permanent solution to a temporary problem. What ever situation you are facing, just know that there is a solution for it, you just need to give it a little time/patience.
As of the symptoms you are facing right now, just take in as much fluids as possible with cold shower baths until all symptoms clear off. In a couple of days, you will feel a lot more better. If you are able to visit a psychiatrist, then right now will be the best time to do as I see clearly that you wish to stay alive. A psychiatrist will help you to keep your mind straight.
Also try talking to other close family members about your problems and maybe they can give you some moral support as you will need it at this point in time.
Also, I am available if you wish to have some one to present your problems to. Just write back and I will be more than glad to assist you.

Hope this helps and wish you the best
Dr. Nsah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Nsah Bernard (8 hours later)
Thank you for your response and reassurance that I should be ok.

I have been seeing a counsellor for the last 18 months over issues to do with my sister who died 6 years ago (who was very abusive when she was alive but whom I was her main carer over the last 9 months of her life which was horrific) and also some childhood abuse of another kind.

I had always been emotionally numb and blanked everything out until something triggered 18 months ago a lot of flashbacks. It's like I can't cope with the flashbacks and what they are, or the thoughts and memories I have with them. So often I find myself with my head spinning in a bid not to engage with thoughts. But sometimes they are there and that's why on Friday I just wanted out to get away from it all, it was the anniversary of the final night with my sister after I had agreed at the hospice to have an end of life driver fitted and I watched as her body shut down over night. None of my family stayed with us that night and so I did it alone (again).

He actually died at 1pm the next day but in my mind she died when her flesh became more solid and her skin went like wax to the touch. I didn't want her to die alone so I stayed up all night or tried to. When I dropped off I woke up scared I might have missed it and let her down.

Since starting the counselling I seem to have started to "feel" - problem is I don't know how to handle the feelings and just find myself wanting them to go.

I self harm and have done for 25 years now. I regularly take small overdoses to knock me out but this time I lost control and went for it. Was very drunk too.

Don't want to go to my GP as scared of losing control of my options and treatments. It's not like I want to die but I get to the point of not wanting to endure for any longer. Or something pushed it over the edge.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Its quite a difficult situation to handle

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX

After reading through your post, I sympathize with you and feel that this is quite a difficult situation to handle even for people that can cope with certain stressful situations. But I do believe that there is more to this life than feeling beaten by life itself. In fact, if you choose to look like from another angle, you can be rest assured that you will spend the rest of your life having some fun. Your sister is partly responsible for taking away most of your XXXXXXX but you should not spend the rest of your life cursing her over this, rather engage yourself in any activity that can distract especially after you are done with your counselor. You may even travel to other places or countries that have had a reputation of building your mind positively. Why not engage in life saving activities as out there you will see that they are more people that are in more serious situations and that might make you feel relief giving them your help.
You should try to life your spirit up, do some meditation or prayers and maybe get into yoga practice.
Also, try presenting the situation to your doctor (maybe not directly) about your attempt to take away your life. You can tell him that a nasty thought ran in your mind after taking away your life but you kind of talked yourself out of it some how or you just tell him the truth. You might loose control of your medications but I can assure you, a good doctor might find another alternative to make you better. Also, do not forget that, medications, are not the end point of a successful psychotherapy, it is only one of the means but proper counseling and reeducation can help you in ways that you can never imagine.

I wish I could help further and hopefully will help you in due time.

Dr. Nsah
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Nsah Bernard

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1704 Questions

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What Causes Drowsiness And Heart Burn After Overdose Of Amitriptyline And Codamols?

Brief Answer: I think you will be fine Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting on HCM, I am so sorry for your troubles and I glad you came out of this unharmed (lethally). As of now, you will be fine provided you do not go about take high doses of those drugs again. Those drugs can affect your brain so badly and can cause you to have loss of memory with mental confusion. That can explain why you could not make out most of the episodes out in the street. I will encourage you to discourage all thoughts of committing suicide as you should know that it is only a permanent solution to a temporary problem. What ever situation you are facing, just know that there is a solution for it, you just need to give it a little time/patience. As of the symptoms you are facing right now, just take in as much fluids as possible with cold shower baths until all symptoms clear off. In a couple of days, you will feel a lot more better. If you are able to visit a psychiatrist, then right now will be the best time to do as I see clearly that you wish to stay alive. A psychiatrist will help you to keep your mind straight. Also try talking to other close family members about your problems and maybe they can give you some moral support as you will need it at this point in time. Also, I am available if you wish to have some one to present your problems to. Just write back and I will be more than glad to assist you. Hope this helps and wish you the best Dr. Nsah