I want to talk about my Coke Habit.

[ExCharlieBucket]

I feel like I cant bring this up because I won't want it on my medical records.

Basically between 2002-2007, I had an extensive cocaine habit, I'm talking probably 1-5 wraps a week. One night i snorted six and almost collapsed. I was working as a lawyer and got sucked into every cliche going.

I moved home to the UK specifically to sort myself out (had been living abroad) and havent touched it since. Also ghosted my coke mates because I had to. Changed profession. Everything is different now.

Ten years on, happily married, three kids, absolutely petrified about the state of my heart. Also coming up to 40....which is making me paranoid as well.

just want to know if any medics could tell me if I've cause long term/permanent damage or not, and what i can do to mitigate that? I dont smoke, drink or eat fried foods but am living in fear of dropping dead as my family has a history of heart problems. And i was drinking and smoking like mad during this time which horrifies me - I dont have any liver problems though - this has been borne out by ultrasound scans for an unrelated issue.

No.

Drinking and smoking will likely be responsible for any long term damage.

Yes coke causes heart attacks- it induces a spasm in the muscle that mimics an MI. Once the drug is out your system the spasm goes back to normal.

Coke is very short term. Once it's out your system it's out.

Could you phone frank or another anonymous drugs helpline to talk it through? Or visit your gp and talk through your family history and anxiety? Honestly though remember there's patient:dr comfidentiality do unless you're putting yourself or others at risk it won't go any further.

OK, thankyou - that's a relief!

I'd really like a heart scan or something to put my mind at rest, but that's no possible, is it?

It's unlikely you'd be able to access investigations with no current symptoms as an NHS patient but you could probably have something done privately if you wished

If you had done any damage you would have symptoms by now. Anxiety won't do you any good. Try to believe you're ok, I'm sure you are. Congratulations on turning life around, it can't have been easy. Now relax and enjoy the rewards

You could see a private gp, they won't tell you're nhs doctor anything without permission, so nothing on your medical records.

Your not you're stupid autocorrect /fat fingers

Are you working yourself up because of guilt? You've changed your life around be kind to yourself. I had a friend who fell down the stairs in her home and died. Just forget about the past its done with