But by the same logic it is highly likely that some people here actually do have medical issues that have shown themselves coincidentally around the time we were taking MDMA. I think we blame MDMA too much for sure. But I also think telling people not to go to medical professionals is very silly. Most of us are late teens to early twenties, this is exactly when most health issues rear their ugly head. For example, if you started developing something like multiple sclerosis on a comedown (independently of drug abuse) then you would probably blame the MDMA and find yourself in this thread.
These are facts:
- Stimulant abuse of any kind can trigger heart troubles, from minor arrhythmia to major problems
- Stimulant abuse can trigger anxiety disorders
- Stimulant abuse and the associated lifestyle generally leads to malnutrition, problems like anemia can develop with long term use
- Problems like hypo/hyper thyroid, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease and other genetic disorders tend to show in the early twenties
That being said I think the majority of people in these threads are suffering from an anxiety disorder. The hormonal effects are likely a symptom of chronic anxiety not a cause. SSRIs are great because they can block the anxiety for a temporary period of time allowing the adrenal system to rest and return to homeostasis. Exercise, diet, good nutrition and making yourself active will have a huge effect here too. If you are worried something is medically wrong in my experience that worry will never go away until you've seen a professional that has told you you're OK.
What you're saying is correct. However, the fact remains that the chances of giving yourself an actual medical condition from too much MDMA use is very small, if not minimal. I don't think I've seen a single person come on this thread and say they've been diagnosed with a medical condition, bar the hormonal issues. But that again, is more likely a result of the stress rather than a root cause on it's own, like you've said.
I don't think it's wise to throw words like multiple sclerosis around on this thread. Nor is it correct in the vast, 99% if not more of cases.
Given my own experience, at one time I was experiencing:
1) Huge adrenaline rushes and brain zaps as I was falling asleep. These would jolt me out of bed and throw my heart up to close to 200 bpm
2) Shakes in my hands, arms, legs. Random twitches. These tended to occur in the left side of my body. I was scared that it would be noticed in public and I'd look like a nervous wreck.
3) Almost constant anxiety and numbing depression, frequent angry outbursts and mood swings. Contemplated suicide numerous times, even wrote a note out.
4) Almost constant palpitations. Almost constant awareness of my pulse, could feel it all over my body. Would physically move objects I was holding. Felt like my blood pressure was like 300/200 or something. (it wasn't)
5) Zero sex drive. Even morning wood wasn't quite firm. Looking at girls was like looking at an interesting rock.
I'm about 80% recovered now. And that's a conservative estimate. To be fair, the only thing that isn't quite 100% is the sex drive, but due to how I've been for the past few months I've not really had the chance to test it. I have a zest for life that I haven't felt in months.
I had all the tests. Everything was fine from a medical point of view. I haven't used any medication apart from a few supplements, the rest has been lifestyle change and patience.
I first became sick in August last year when I took 5g of MDMA in 3 days. I continued usage as I recovered quite quickly initially. Then a week after 0.5g was consumed in October, I had huge anxiety when I was with a girl and it sent me on a downward spiral.
I agree with you that seeing a doctor may help alleviate anxiety, but that's standard practice for anxiety sufferers, whether drug induced or not. Your standard GP should be able to check you out. If the heart is fine and your hormones aren't completely whacked, the rest is just up to you. Anti-depressants/anxiety may help take the edge off, but the rest is entirely up to you and I fully believe everyone has the potential to recover.
I can say from my own experience, that it's not so much a recovery as a rebirth. Given the lifestyle changes I've made, I can see myself being more a 2.0 version of myself. That being said, I'm not fully 100% yet. Though at the current rate, I'd imagine by the end of the summer at the latest I will be.
Though that said I would offer my support and encouragement to anyone experiencing problems....I don't blame most MDMA users as like I said there is a lot of misinformation people are lead to believe that MDMA is safe.....Please,Please,Please for your own sake never use MDMA again it just isn't worth it in terms of damage to the brain I think were yet to see a more harmful recreational drug use for use......MDMA/Ecstasy fully deserves it's class A status and should never be considered for reclassification...
MDMA, when used responsibly, is fine. In fact, I can imagine it's therapeutic potential is enormous. ABUSE of MDMA, however, will fuck you up harder than most, as this thread indicates. it's all about baby steps. Taking a tiny bit of rock. Don't touch shitty pills. Taking only enough to get a slight buzz, not rushing like a maniac. Ensuring it's good quality material. Ensuring you are a healthy individual, you stay well hydrated, and all of the harm reduction information that is all over this forum.
That being said, I doubt I'll ever touch it again. Purely because I have no doubt made myself extremely sensitive to it's nasty side effects, when if I hadn't have been such a careless twat in the first place would have never have happened.
Fortunately, God is merciful and I (almost) have my life back. Lesson learned.
