I need advise/help. I think I may have poisoned myself.

[kdogstew]

Okay, here is what happened in a nutshell. Please do not respond unless you are seriously wanting to help. I have “beat myself” up enough over this. I accidentally ingested a solution from a dirty test tube that I believed to be only distilled water. I know for a fact that it came out of my distilled water container that had been sitting there for close to a year. When I grabbed the test tube and put the water into it, I did not notice any solids/powder/etc but there may have been a small amount of solid in the bottom which was unnoticed. No other student came into contact with the test tube. It was not “sabotaged”. I did not intend on drinking it. I made a grave error in judgment. I realize how stupid it was to take a drink, but I did! If you want to know why, it is a long story but I do this “bit” on DHMO (di hydrogen monoxide) where I give them all this misleading info about how dangerous it is and how all chemicals should be handled with care. Then I pour some on my arm, but I have a small red mark they can not see. I then act as if, I have burned myself by rubbing vigorously. The spot turns red. Then some believe. It should stop there. My M/O is to tell them it is just water but they wouldn’t know… it could have been NaOH. We run a PH on both and they see the difference. Well, a student challenged me to drink in my 4th class. Before even thinking about any trace chemicals… I was just thinking it was simply water…. So I ingested some. I was dizzy within 3 minutes. Nausea followed. Had blood work done. Metabolic panel all clean. Heavy metal tox. All clean. It has been 16 days now. I still have symptoms. I wake during the night dizzy. If I do manage to sleep all night, I wake up even more dizzy. Taking ambien to help sleep. Other symptoms include. Occasional stinging in stomach (seems like the outside of the stomach) and Chest pain (pressure). Dizziness and nausea are the most concerning to me.

 

I am scared and embarrassed. It was a reckless think to do and I am disappointed in myself.

 

If you have any perspective that might be helpful, I would appreciate your thoughts. You may also email me off list at kdogstew@yahoo.com

 

Keith

[YT2095]

I suggest you make efforts to get this test tube back and then head to the Doctors/Hospital without delay.

[Sayonara]

Seek medical attention again and tell them about those symptoms. Don't waste your time posting on internet forums.

[kdogstew]

I have already seen an interanal diagnostic specialist. He is the one that authorized my test. He also did a physical exam. I don't know what else I would ask of him? I do have the test tube in question (there are actually 2 possibilities) I have them stopered and saved in a safe place.

 

I mean, I just don't know to tell him I want done?

 

keith

[Sayonara]

Assume he's the expert on what needs to be done, and tell him about any persistent or new symptoms.

[DrP]

If it had been sitting there for a year then it could have been biological contamination. You may have injested some nasty bugs which made you ill. Again, to echo the above - tell the doctor exactly what happened.

[hermanntrude]

and make sure you give the doctor the test-tubes so they can be examined

[YT2095]

I wonder if we should change his nick to Typhoid Mary

[dirtyamerica]

Do you have any ringing in your ears?

How are your ankles, are they sore?

 

Respond back. If you have these symptoms then I know what you have.

[Flashman]

I might have gone home, ate half a loaf of burnt toast, then put myself on 1000mg vitamin C 3 times a day... that'd take care of a lot of potentials.

[YT2095]

half a loaf of Burnt Toast and all the lovely polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons it contains, all washed down with a cool glass of benzene, Yummy!

[DrP]

Well - he hasn't responded for a couple of weeks:eek:! I wonder if he's alright - otherwise we might here about him in the Darwin awards next year.

[Flashman]

Benzene, no, but a shot of mineral oil to move it all through probably works good.

[YT2095]

so I guess Cadmium pie and a Mercury milkshake are out the question too huh