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What Causes Tightness And Dull Pain In Lower Abdomen And Back?
Question: Hi, I'm using this platform as a preliminary step in hopes of diagnosing my current health issue. The reason I chose this method is so that I can guarantee anonymity and counsel without judgment.
I have been using cocaine as a recreational drug for the past 6 months now. I have never had any major health concerns prior to this. My concerns have to do with a tightness I have been feeling in the lower left quadrant abdominal area along with some intermittent dull pain in the lower left back area. It seems that my blood pressure has already increased from being in the optimal range to 141/96 now. I do feel some heart palpitations as well, however this is infrequently and I'm not sure whether this has to do directly with the drug abuse or the anxiety from these others symptoms. I am in my late 30's and otherwise a healthy fit person. Now, I would like to consult a specialist who has background in this area and who can give me an idea of what is taking place, what I should do, what I can expect long term consequences of this to be, and or anything else related to this matter. I have now stopped and do not plan to indulge again. Your counsel would be much appreciated. Thank you.
I have been using cocaine as a recreational drug for the past 6 months now. I have never had any major health concerns prior to this. My concerns have to do with a tightness I have been feeling in the lower left quadrant abdominal area along with some intermittent dull pain in the lower left back area. It seems that my blood pressure has already increased from being in the optimal range to 141/96 now. I do feel some heart palpitations as well, however this is infrequently and I'm not sure whether this has to do directly with the drug abuse or the anxiety from these others symptoms. I am in my late 30's and otherwise a healthy fit person. Now, I would like to consult a specialist who has background in this area and who can give me an idea of what is taking place, what I should do, what I can expect long term consequences of this to be, and or anything else related to this matter. I have now stopped and do not plan to indulge again. Your counsel would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Cocaine is the evil here.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
The answers to your question lies in your question. Tightness and dull pains in lower abdomen and back with palpitations and blood pressure variation are all sequelaes of cocaine. Vasospasm leads to hypertension and bowel movements get super slow due to inhibition by cocaine and this leads to this tightness and pain.
Also the anxiety and palpitations and chest tightness result from this.
Nutshell, nobody is here judging but guiding and helping you and advising you as a friend to quit this habit of cocaine recreation or it will lead to very drastic effects upto MI and heart failures.
Some other worse effects cocaine may result into are
Anxiety
Apprehension
Restlessness
Nervousness
Disorientation
Excitement
Confusion
Restlessness
Tremors, and possibly clonic-tonic convulsions
Respiratory arrest
Nausea
Vomiting
Chills
Miosis
Tinnitus
Myocardial depression
Bradycardia
Cardiac arrhythmias
Hypotension
Cardiovascular collapse
Cardiac arrest
Palpitation
Tachycardia
Anginal pain
Hypertension (epinephrine-containing solutions)
Sloughing of corneal epithelium (eg, pitting, clouding, corneal ulceration)
Serious toxic effects (eg, seizures, cardiac death) have been described following topical cocaine application used to anesthetize minor skin lacerations, especially on the face or scalp (eg, TAC [tetracaine 0.5%, epinephrine (Adrenalin) 1:2000, and cocaine 11.8%]); this risk is greater in pediatrics
Coronary arteriosclerosis
Tachyarrhythmia
Seizure
Edema
Status asthmaticus
Anaphylactoid reactions (sometimes fatal)
Its never too late. Just get an addiction medicine specialist and let them wean you off this bad habit. You will be good as new.
I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
may the odds be ever in your favour.
Regards
Khan
Cocaine is the evil here.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
The answers to your question lies in your question. Tightness and dull pains in lower abdomen and back with palpitations and blood pressure variation are all sequelaes of cocaine. Vasospasm leads to hypertension and bowel movements get super slow due to inhibition by cocaine and this leads to this tightness and pain.
Also the anxiety and palpitations and chest tightness result from this.
Nutshell, nobody is here judging but guiding and helping you and advising you as a friend to quit this habit of cocaine recreation or it will lead to very drastic effects upto MI and heart failures.
Some other worse effects cocaine may result into are
Anxiety
Apprehension
Restlessness
Nervousness
Disorientation
Excitement
Confusion
Restlessness
Tremors, and possibly clonic-tonic convulsions
Respiratory arrest
Nausea
Vomiting
Chills
Miosis
Tinnitus
Myocardial depression
Bradycardia
Cardiac arrhythmias
Hypotension
Cardiovascular collapse
Cardiac arrest
Palpitation
Tachycardia
Anginal pain
Hypertension (epinephrine-containing solutions)
Sloughing of corneal epithelium (eg, pitting, clouding, corneal ulceration)
Serious toxic effects (eg, seizures, cardiac death) have been described following topical cocaine application used to anesthetize minor skin lacerations, especially on the face or scalp (eg, TAC [tetracaine 0.5%, epinephrine (Adrenalin) 1:2000, and cocaine 11.8%]); this risk is greater in pediatrics
Coronary arteriosclerosis
Tachyarrhythmia
Seizure
Edema
Status asthmaticus
Anaphylactoid reactions (sometimes fatal)
Its never too late. Just get an addiction medicine specialist and let them wean you off this bad habit. You will be good as new.
I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
may the odds be ever in your favour.
Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you for your professional counsel and friendly manners. I just have a few more queries.
I have stopped the use at this point. It has been a total of 2 weeks. Based on your experiences, how long do you believe it will "approximately" take for these symptoms to subside, particularly the high blood pressure, heart palpitations, tightness in lower abdomen and dull infrequent pain in lower back.
Additionally if they do not subside, when should I seek medical attention and what specialist should I consult with?
Last, do you think I can still partake in vigorous physical activity?
Please be reminded that I have only been using this drug for the last 6 months.
Again, any advice you can share would be much appreciated.
Kind Regards,
XXXXXXXX
Thank you for your professional counsel and friendly manners. I just have a few more queries.
I have stopped the use at this point. It has been a total of 2 weeks. Based on your experiences, how long do you believe it will "approximately" take for these symptoms to subside, particularly the high blood pressure, heart palpitations, tightness in lower abdomen and dull infrequent pain in lower back.
Additionally if they do not subside, when should I seek medical attention and what specialist should I consult with?
Last, do you think I can still partake in vigorous physical activity?
Please be reminded that I have only been using this drug for the last 6 months.
Again, any advice you can share would be much appreciated.
Kind Regards,
XXXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Get assessed one step at a time
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back
You should not wait for the symptoms to resolve and get evaluated for the palpitations and hypertension at least. these are cocaine with drawal symptoms and they remain for at least 4 weeks. so two more to go. You may feel mood swings or sleep disturbances or cravings for the drug.
You need an addiction medicine specialist first to be the last nail in the coffin of cocaine. Once addiction symptoms go away, then will come psychiatrist for mood swings and psychological rehab. After that if any more symptom remains like Hypertension etc, that would be assessed by a GP or a cardiologist etc.
As far as physical activity is concerned, i would not advise for at least 2 more weeks to indulge in any strenuous work up, but you many do jogging or brisk walking for fitness, it will help the mood and physiology of the body.
One step at a time. Start from addiction medicine facility and let them clear your system from this poison.
Take care
Khan
Get assessed one step at a time
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back
You should not wait for the symptoms to resolve and get evaluated for the palpitations and hypertension at least. these are cocaine with drawal symptoms and they remain for at least 4 weeks. so two more to go. You may feel mood swings or sleep disturbances or cravings for the drug.
You need an addiction medicine specialist first to be the last nail in the coffin of cocaine. Once addiction symptoms go away, then will come psychiatrist for mood swings and psychological rehab. After that if any more symptom remains like Hypertension etc, that would be assessed by a GP or a cardiologist etc.
As far as physical activity is concerned, i would not advise for at least 2 more weeks to indulge in any strenuous work up, but you many do jogging or brisk walking for fitness, it will help the mood and physiology of the body.
One step at a time. Start from addiction medicine facility and let them clear your system from this poison.
Take care
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you for your reply.
At this point, I believe it would be best to wait another 2 weeks prior to seeking any medical help. My concern is that if I go now, they will diagnose me immediately with hypertension and as I am in the west, they will prescribe me medication for this. From my understanding once you start taking BP medication, you cannot stop.
I will wait another 2 weeks and reassess t that point. Please let me know if this is recommended.
This is the last question.
Thank you kindly.
Thank you for your reply.
At this point, I believe it would be best to wait another 2 weeks prior to seeking any medical help. My concern is that if I go now, they will diagnose me immediately with hypertension and as I am in the west, they will prescribe me medication for this. From my understanding once you start taking BP medication, you cannot stop.
I will wait another 2 weeks and reassess t that point. Please let me know if this is recommended.
This is the last question.
Thank you kindly.
Brief Answer:
it can wait, if......
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
If the symptoms are not bothering and you think you can withstand with drawal effects on your own then i am sure it can wait for 2 weeks.
As far as hypertension is concerned, it is diagnosed at two different separate occasions, and then it will be prescribed with diet and lifestyle modification with minimal salt intake , and still if not controlled then medications options are tried instead of trying at beginning.
Lets hope for the best.
Take care
it can wait, if......
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
If the symptoms are not bothering and you think you can withstand with drawal effects on your own then i am sure it can wait for 2 weeks.
As far as hypertension is concerned, it is diagnosed at two different separate occasions, and then it will be prescribed with diet and lifestyle modification with minimal salt intake , and still if not controlled then medications options are tried instead of trying at beginning.
Lets hope for the best.
Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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