Suggest Treatment For Vertigo, Amnesia And Confusion

Posted on Sun, 19 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 19 Oct 2014 Answered on

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I was given a beer at a sampling event 2 weeks ago today and have been experiencing acute vertigo ever since. Since I am 6-2 and weigh 240, and I had less than 6 beers (over 7 hours), I estimate my BAC was far less than half the legal limit. However, I have complete amnesia after accepting the drink, along with other symptoms over the next several days. Since the last thing I remember was the woman repeatedly asking me what kind of girl she could get for me, I believe the drink she gave me was laced with some for of date rape drug..but why would I still be suffering from vertigo and confusion 2 weeks later? Can anyone help?

Answered by Dr. Monish De (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
betahistine group of drugs

Detailed Answer:
Hi

The vertigo you are having could be due to some drugs that was mixed in your beer.
I will advise you to take betahistine group of drugs twice daily after food with your doctors advise.
If the vertigo still persists then you will have to do a ct scan brain.
Regards
Dr de

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (6 hours later)

I had a CT scan and blood work done last week, however the hospital said they could not test for date rape drugs. Besides the approximately 7 hours of amnesia, I suffered multiple side effects for most of the following week, of which I took notes. My symptoms included heart palpitations/tachycardiac (2-3 days), loss of appetite (1 small meal/day for 6 days), acute insomnia for 5 days, 3 days of gastrointestinal problems, and acute vertigo and periodic feelings of confusion, which persists until now, day 15. What kind of substances could cause such long-lasting side effects?

Since I have no inner ear problems and haven't experienced any head trauma, the nurse practitioner at the ER referred me to a neurologist, with whom I made an appointment for this Tuesday.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
rohypnol

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Date rape drugs such as rohypnol can cause long lasting side effects such as heart palpitations, loss of appetite, acute insomnia, confusion and acute vertigo.

I will advise you to take the drug lorazepam with your doctors advise to neutralize the effect of rohypnol.

The time taken for your symptoms to subside will be around 2 weeks.

If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.

Regards

DR De

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj