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What Causes Dizziness And Weakness In Arms Post Cocaine Intake?

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Posted on Fri, 6 Feb 2015
Question: On Monday I used cocaine.....I began to overheat, the only thing that would make me feel better was pouring cold water over my head & neck repeatedly for about an hour...then I went thru a stage where I was cold then hot then cold again then hot and some shortening of breath.....Tuesday the day after I felt very light headed all day and some dizziness and weaknesses in my arms and legs & heavy eyes...same for Wednesday just a little better but not by much still felt dizzy especially if I looked down or made any quick menuevers....today Thursday I feel better in regards to the dizziness but still not a hundred percent...but Im still weak in the arms & I have a mild irritation in my chest....according to what I have read online this Is most likely an overdose...it's been three days should I goto the ER?? Should I take anything like aspirin since I've been feeling irritation in my chest near my heart???
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
its better to visit ER and seek medical care

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome here.

Cocaine toxicity is an medical emergency.
But your symptoms donot indicate toxicity.

It can be an overdose or it can be due to a first time use or if you have co-existing another medical condition/disorder.

I must tell you two important things:
1. There is no antidote for cocaine overdose.
2. The rise in blood pressure and body temperature are two important clinical features which have to be managed aggressively.

I would suggest you to visit emergency. Its better to be on safer side then to procrastinate.
Get your blood pressure checked and confirm that its not high. Because a persistently raised BP can be dangerous. Also get an ECG done to know cardiac status.

If you feel your body temperature is still high, take another cold water bath and tablet paracetamol.

Donot take any drug on your own.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to ask further.

Kindly close discussion if you are satisfied with response and give your valuable feedback.
I wish you good health.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, M.D.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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What Causes Dizziness And Weakness In Arms Post Cocaine Intake?

Brief Answer: its better to visit ER and seek medical care Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome here. Cocaine toxicity is an medical emergency. But your symptoms donot indicate toxicity. It can be an overdose or it can be due to a first time use or if you have co-existing another medical condition/disorder. I must tell you two important things: 1. There is no antidote for cocaine overdose. 2. The rise in blood pressure and body temperature are two important clinical features which have to be managed aggressively. I would suggest you to visit emergency. Its better to be on safer side then to procrastinate. Get your blood pressure checked and confirm that its not high. Because a persistently raised BP can be dangerous. Also get an ECG done to know cardiac status. If you feel your body temperature is still high, take another cold water bath and tablet paracetamol. Donot take any drug on your own. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further. Kindly close discussion if you are satisfied with response and give your valuable feedback. I wish you good health. Thanks. Dr. Shubham Mehta, M.D.