Posted by Larry Hoover on March 14, 2005, at 11:10:21
In reply to Re: Oops! I Did it Again, posted by AMD on March 13, 2005, at 20:06:17
> I just suddenly have this fear of a perforated septum. Where does that happen anyhow? Anterior part of the nose (near the front)? Can you actually see if there's damage? I look and it looks mostly healthy (light pink) as far as I can tell. I'm hoping I'm OK. I have a doctor appointment this week to tell for sure.
>
> [perforated!]The perforation occurs because cocaine constricts blood vessels. Repetitive use of cocaine causes the death of the tissues supported by those blood vessels. The cartilage and supportive tissues wither and die, and a hole between your nostrils results. Seeing pink is a good thing.
It is a little known fact that most emergency rooms keep pure cocaine on hand to stop unstoppable nose bleeds. They blow a good dose up the nose, and the bleeding stops. Cocaine derivatives are used to control surgical bleeding. Rebound nosebleeds from coke use are due to damage to the epithelial (skin) layers in the nose. Restoration of blood flow sometimes precedes tissue healing, and blood vessel ruptures occur.
About your fears of brain damage.....the brain is hugely resilient organ. Occasional slips into drug intoxication may not feel very good, but true injury is seldom the result.
As others have suggested, perhaps a supportive atmosphere and rejigging of your cognitive schemae may be in order. A 12-step affiliation? An addictions counsellor? A cognitive therapist?
I'm not saying this to brag. It's merely a fact of my life. I purposely OD'd daily, as a teen. For periods covering years. I think my brain works OK today. I'll never know what the non-druggie Lar would be like today, but I'm not overly disappointed by where I've ended up.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:469924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050312/msgs/470840.html