Prolonged and violent vomiting episode in 2007 - longer-term damage?

[20GoingOn]

In 2007 I was a student with no notable health issues. One evening after dinner and drinks I was violently sick – I thought from drinking too much – but with effects that lasted far longer than a hangover. I think my drink was spiked, and I'm worried that the symptoms I experienced after point to longer-term damage brought on by violent vomiting.

I drank around 14 units of alcohol, at home, a restaurant (w/large meal) and a bar. Once home I tried to sleep, but every time I lay down I felt extrememly nauseous. This culminated in my getting up and vomiting, which began a cycle of vomiting, recovering, laying down, feeling nauseous, vomiting again. After the 3rd or 4th time I was experiencing very painful wrenching heaves producing nothing. Each heave caused what felt like a blood pressure surge especially in my head. This cycle continued for an hour or two.

In the morning I felt unusually faint, even once my headache subsided - this continued beyond the day. I felt unwell for at least 2 weeks – unsteady and light-headed. I had exams a week later and suffered through them with light-headedness, sweating and a feeling that I wasn't mentally performing at my usual level.

For 2 or 3 months afterwards I continued to feel something was wrong. I would get light-headed quite easily, even when speaking energetically. I also felt that something was wrong with my eyes. It seemed that my ability to take in a whole scene at a glance had diminished. I found myself focusing on details of letters inside words instead of being able to easily glance at and read a whole line. I seemed to find it harder to take in details in peripheral vision, and to track objects moving close to me.

Since then I have felt "slower" with reduced cognitive function, loss of focus, and forgetfulness.

Almost 7 years later I'm wondering what really happened and whether the symptoms were coincidence or evidence of actual damage. I would be hugely grateful for any thoughts or advice on the above.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I can understand your apprehensions regarding an episode about 7 years back. However, alcoholic hepatitis or gastritis usually recovers if you stop drinking alcohol. So if you remained off alcohol for a few months then, you would have recovered from any lingering side effects even if your drinks were spiked. However, yes, gastritis can persist but it unlikely to cause the problems you are facing. You could however get blood tests to rule out anemia, thyroid problems and vitamin B12 deficiency as cause of your symptoms.

Pancreatitis post alcohol binge can however continue for months together and take a chronic route. However, you would then continue to suffer from bouts of stomach pain and stool problems. So, in all probability, you do not suffer from pancreatitis. However, only blood tests and imaging studies can conclude this for sure or a detailed clinical evaluation by a doctor.

If you still continue to drink then you may be allergic to some types of alcohol mainly because of their ingredients. So, you need to test for allergy or intolerance to these. It is quite possible that you have developed a fear psychosis because of the bad time you had then. Eat healthy, practice deep breathing, drink 6-8 glasses of water everyday and take up some exercise—walking, cycling, jogging etc.

If symptoms persist you may need a more detailed neuro-psychiatric evaluation to find out the cause of your symptoms. In all probability it is stress. But nothing can be said for sure unless you undergo this evaluation.  Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

[20GoingOn]

I also wanted to add that I went to my doctor a few months after the incident and attempted to describe my symptoms, but as far as I remember didn’t get any positive diagnosis. I also saw an opthalmologist who tested my peripheral vision and found nothing wrong, although my glasses prescription was increased.