overdose and charcoal treatments....

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2004
overdose and charcoal treatments....
4
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 7:34pm
Hello, my doctors suck...

A couple weeks ago I switched from prozac to zoloft. Zoloft does NOT agree with me and my depression worsened. Anyhow, I overdosed a week ago and ended up in the ER. I had to get down a tube of charcoal. None of the staff explained any side effects to me. So now, a week later, I've been feeling nauseous, dizzy, and tired on and off. Could it be from the overdose...or from the charcoal??? Or could it be because I stopped taking antidepressant cold turkey? One more question- I take birth control pills. Would they have been effective the past week? How long does the charcoal keep absorbing stuff? Sorry for all the questions, like I said- my doctors sucked. If anyone could answer any of these questions, I'd REALLY appreciate it. THANK A BUNCH!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 11:25pm
Hi---I've had charcoal after an overdose (disgusting , isn't it!?) I think your side effects are more from the overdose itself. I know that's what I get after. Plus---the fact that you stopped your anti depressants contributes to all you have mentioned. I'm not sure how long the charcoal absorbes---I don't think it is a long lasting thing---and I can't tell you about the birth control pills either. (((Hugs))) to you and I hope you feel better soon. Debbie
Avatar for markshay
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 7:24am
I agree with Debbie, number 1, it's nasty to drink, ugh! I don't think it is a very long lasting deal since it really isn't a drug that is absorbed into your system per se. I just absorbed the stuff (probably for only about 6 hours or so since alot of times they have you drink it every 6 hours until they feel that the substances you took are out of your system). I'm not real sure about it's effects on the pill, but chances are it wouldn't mess with it too badly, maybe just those couple of days around the time you had the charcoal. Your symptoms could be caused from the withdrawals of your meds and/or an electrolyte imbalance from the overdose. Sorry to hear that things had gotten that bad that you had to go thru all that. I hope you feel better soon. (This is just my opinion of information, if you are really concerned, maybe call your doctor or another hospital and ask them).

Sandra.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2004
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 10:44pm
Thank you both for your help and supports :)

And yes, charcoal is disgusting!!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-08-2004
Fri, 11-12-2004 - 1:41pm
i am sorry to hear that you had gotten to the point of overdosing....things must really be hard for you right now, but what i am about to tell you is coming from the heart and from my own life experience...i too have tried to escape this what seems to be at times cold, heartless world by overdosing, more than one time...i feel your pain, not what brought you personally to that decision but the hopeless feeling anyone feels when they try to take their life. i am sure all the "professions" lectured you on why not to do it and how lucky you are to still be alive, honey seek help. reaching out is the hardest thing to do, but it may save your life and save the people you love from heartache. find anyone when you feel that low again....in a chatroom, on the phone, there are 1-800 numbers sto call, friends, family, i also found that journaling help alot. you should never stop any medication cold turkey that you take on a daily basis without counsulting your doctor first. alot of what you are feeling could be from stopping the medication and you would be amazed at what physical problems that depression can bring on. i pray you are not alone.....but know this you are never alone wrether you believe in god or not i truely believe there is someone up there watching over us and there will be a better place for us to go when it is our time....you could call your local planned parenthood about the effectiveness of the pill throughout this, but the only medication i definetatley know that affects the pill is antibiotics....good luck and if you ever need someone to listen or just chat....email me at mommadukesliz@aol.com

mommadukesliz (liz)