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Original poster

Massive overdose of Benzos and Alcohol, what to expect

52 replies

theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:06

A family member of Dp is in a coma following this. They were breathing when found, who h I believe is positive. Currently in coma witn assistance breathing. Hospital saying they don't know what will happen, but surely fact they were breathing when found is positive?

What do we expect please?

OP posts:
Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:16

Anyone?

OP posts:
determinedtomakethiswork · 15/10/2023 12:19

Just bumping this for you. I really hope his relative is okay. 💐

AnnaMagnani · 15/10/2023 12:20

I hope your relative is OK.

I would expect the hospital to give it a couple of days and then try to wean off respiratory support. Unfortunately they can't predict what will happen then, obviously will be hoping that the person will just wake up but there are no guarantees.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 15/10/2023 12:21

I’m sorry, this must be very hard. Unfortunately don’t think anybody on here can tell you what will happen, especially if the hospital are unsure of outcome, although I can understand why you are searching for answers. It is a horrible limbo having a relative in intensive care and not knowing what the outcome will be. I hope that they are able to make a positive recovery.

Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:23

Thank you both

How will they wean off respiratory support please? Does the fact she was breathing make it more likely she'll wake up? When will there be some certainty? Does the fact that she already had a tolerance to the Benzos help. @AnnaMagnani

OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 15/10/2023 12:23

If they are in a coma you should hope for the best but really prepare for the worst.

The family members should ask the doctor to be honest with them about the person's chances of recovery.

Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:25

Thanks again

How likely are they to come out of coma? Fact she was breathing when found is good isn't it?

I really need some certainty around this please or at least something like certainty

OP posts:
Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:25

The doctors are saying they don't know. It's like it's on a precipice and could go either way.

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Howmanynamechangesistoomany · 15/10/2023 12:26

It basically comes down to whether there breathing was effective enough to keep the brain oxygenated.

if it was, they should start to improve as the drugs wear off.

if not, they may have brain damage to an unknown extent.

unfortunately, until the drugs start to wear off no one, probably not even the doctors, can tell you which it was.

supercalifragilistic123 · 15/10/2023 12:27

The fact that your relative was breathing is a massive positive as they were found before it was too late. Unfortunately the damage caused by the overdose can continue once the person is in hospital care.
It can take a while to see what the damage to the person's organs has been. That is why the hospital cannot give you anymore information at the moment.

Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:28

Thank you

@Howmanynamechangesistoomany doesn't the fact she was breathing mean she was getting oxygen?

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TwinsTrollsAndHunz · 15/10/2023 12:28

I’m really sorry, OP. You sound very shocked, understandably. I would prepare yourselves for the worst and hope for the best. No one here can tell you the outcome for certain, only time will tell, as the medical team have said.

titchy · 15/10/2023 12:28

I really need some certainty around this please or at least something like certainty

That really doesn't seem possible at the moment I'm afraid. So sorry.Flowers

Wishingwell57 · 15/10/2023 12:29

I hope your relative will recover. Do you have any idea why he took the pills and alcohol?
It sounds as if they will need support after recovery.

MILLYmo0se · 15/10/2023 12:30

theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:25

Thanks again

How likely are they to come out of coma? Fact she was breathing when found is good isn't it?

I really need some certainty around this please or at least something like certainty

There is no certainty, there is no way for anyone to have anything like certainty even if they were certain exactly how many pills and how much alcohol she d taken and at what time. Being found breathing is better than having being without oxygen and needing resuscitation but its a question of time and wait and see.
Im so sorry you are all going through this, and completely understand you looking for certainty, will keep you all in my thoughts for whatever that is worth

Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:30

Thank you

Has anyone experienced this? How did it go? What was the process. Sorry if this drags up trauma . I would like some certainty please.

We were meant to take dc to zoo today but just sat at home looking things up endlessly

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Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:34

Thank you

Relative receiving ongoing mental health support for a long time. Seemed stable recently in that way though.

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DyslexicPoster · 15/10/2023 12:35

No one can tell you unfortunately. Even if there was no brain damage their are other organs that could be damaged by the drugs. I'm really sorry. You just need to go day by day. There is no other way.

Pinkpinkplonk · 15/10/2023 12:35

Go to the zoo, sitting at home worrying won’t change anything. She’s in the best possible hands, having all the care that is available. It will help keep your mind off it at least a little for at least a little while

Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:37

Ok, we might go. DS getting over croup and we said we'd go today if he seemed better and does. Croup seems quite small compared to this.

I'm massively pissed off at relative now but want certainty

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Asiama · 15/10/2023 12:38

I'm so sorry that you are going through this and I completely get how helpless you must be feeling and wanting to get clarity.

I have had one family member who was in an induced coma, needed assisted breathing, but was unable to manage on her own when they tried to wean her off assisted breathing. It was a matter of waiting and hoping for about 4 weeks as she would improve, then deteriorate, then improve again etc until finally she gave up.

A friend's sister was in a similar position but managed to wake up successfully and recovered. It was a week of touch and go.

In both cases the doctors said they can't tell what might happen.

Wishing you lots of strength Flowers

Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 15/10/2023 12:40

Thank you @Asiama

That's amazing xx

OP posts:
pollytee · 15/10/2023 12:41

I'm not a medic but the combination of benzos and alcohol are not that toxic per se but the lack of oxygen if that was prolonged, maybe. If they were breathing when found and have continued to do so then that is a good sign. Fingers crossed they will come out of this and then take a good hard look at their life and move on to somewhere better.

Pinkpinkplonk · 15/10/2023 12:45

Dealing with MH problems is tough. Get some relief where you can. Take your little one to the zoo, it won’t change anything for your relative, but it might make you feel a little lighter. You still care, but you don’t have to sit at home fretting to show that.

Pinkpinkplonk · 15/10/2023 12:46

Remember you have to look after you too

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