Help, possible strong negative reaction to MDMA experience?

[Sue Donym]

Hey, my apologies for posting anonymously, I signed up by my account hasn't been approved yet but I'm very worried.

I am very naive and inexperienced when it comes to drug experiences, having only previously ever smoked weed with friends half a dozen times.

On a night out a week ago, I ingested MDMA powder for the first time, with a friend who had done it a few times previously and is much more experienced with these matters. I asked him afterwards and he said he gave me '150mg'.

Took about an hour for it too kick, I had all the experiences typical of it, increased empathy and ease at socialising, large dilated pupils, felt fine, drank only beer, came home and slept. The following day I felt rough and had a poorly stomach but not especially more than after any drinking session. Also had a gentle kind of afterglow, felt elevated.

However as the week progressed, my symptoms got worse and more bizarre. Initially being unable to consume solid foods and passing any meals as liquid diarrhoea I'm now somewhat constipated. I've all but lost my appetite and eating any sizeable meal causes severe stomach distress; bloated, in pain, like I can feel my digesting food moving through my gut. The acid-reflux like symptoms make me cough hoarsely. I often feel nauseous.

I've had bursting, radiating tingling sensations primarily in my arms but also my legs and most joints and other often used muscles. My jaw either feels doughy and bloated or impossibly tight like lockjaw. I've had those tingling bursting feelings in my head too, as well as periods of intense pressure and tension. I've also suffered severe neck ache and stiffness and my head wobbles slightly when I move it. Regulating my temperature has been difficult too, sometimes feeling far colder or warmer than is appropriate.

I've slept very intermittently and now am essentially unable to. My brain seems to ache when trying to recall recent information quickly, abstract or fanciful thought seems very hard, like I can't make my mind wander even if I want to. As a writer, this is worrying to me.

I live with my family, I've told my father who is optimistic I'll recuperate in time. I feel ashamed and embarrassed of having put myself in such a potentially precarious position. The friend who I took it with, has been fine.

Can anyone offer any potential advice? This post marks a week since I took it, if there's no improvement by mid next week I may go to the doctor. I've tried to eat normally and exercise and be positive but it is starting to really worry me now.

May I recover? What should I do to help the process along? I'm obviously shit scared this has caused some sort of early onset MS, as the symptoms are so similar.

Thank you in advance.

 

[T. Calderone]

Moving to MDMA & Empathogenic Drugs

 

[Clocktower]

Don't freak yourself out. Permanent damage caused by a single dose of MDMA is rare (though you should have reagent tested to make sure it was MDMA). 150 mg is a rather large dose for a beginner, and it's not hugely surprising that you've had some unwanted side effects.

It's good that you've told your family, having them on your side will be a great help for your recovery. Your plan for seeing a doctor if symptoms persist is also good.

To get better, all you have to do is avoid drugs, get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and eat healthy. Others have gone through what you're going through, or worse, and made a full recovery.

 

[JWills20]

To me it honestly sounds like you got ravers flu then freaked out about it causing anxiety. Certainly not uncommon to get sick after MDMA since it reduces your immune system while you're around lots of other people. A haven for viruses to spread basically. The sickness and body temperature could simply be a result of a feverish illness that will fade over time just like any other.

Don't overthink the whole situation putting yourself into a constant state of worry and anxiety. It's likely that everything will fade within a week or at maximum a few weeks.

 

[suedonym]

Hey I can post now.

Thanks for the replies and reassurances guys.

I finally told all my family members. My sister came with me to the doctors today. After an expected lecture he said the chance of doing permanent damage to major organs after one 150mg dose was very rare, and not to worry in that regard.

He was more concerned about the hot flushes and pins and needles like sensations in my arms and hands. He asked how my memory was, I told him the truth, initially poor but has generally improved over the week. That seemed to put his mind at rest.

He gave me some stomach-acid suppressant tablets for my still unsettled stomach. I still have very little appetite.

I also still can't sleep for shit, after a couple of nights of decentish sleep last night was dreadful, woke up again with sweating and twitches and feeling terrible, and couldn't get off again. It's odd. It's not flu any more.

The doctor listed these as 'side effects' which will hopefully heal in time, as you both suggested. I have met with a lot of anxiety, and I do have a history of anxiety disorders, but I'm certain this isn't 'entirely' related to that.

Guess we'll have to wait and see, I just hope none of this is permanent.