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.