25 replies to this topic

[pinkangel]

Hello,

hope you dont mind me Joining you here my names cat and im 22 from west sussex in the UK

In February 2005 my life changed beyond all recognision. after a night out with "friends", my drink was spiked which put me into a 25 minute seizure and ended up spending 2 weeks in hospital, and spent most of 2005 and 2006 due to having potenolly fatal epistatus (contiuing seizures needed emergency treatmenrt) and out of hospial. 3 seizures nearly killed me also realising my left side was paralysed, having to learn to talk, eat and walk again..i left hospital ust about walking on crutches...by the end of that year (2005) my drs told me i had to go into a wheelchair

I have been diagnosed with Left hemiplegia & hemisensory disturbance, seizures which they arnt conclusive on the cause so being treated for epilepsy and non epileptic attack disorder, i am on daily anti convulant medication seizures are contolled to a degree at 1 every week they to 2 weeks with help from medication.

i was able to walk only aided with help from crutches and a special walking frame (kaye walker) on short distances only, i also wear a splints on my left arm & left leg but was mostly reliant on my wheelchair to get around.

that all changed 3 weeks ago, after my spine locked into spasm and was taken to hospital, i started losing sensation in my right side, i was given some strong drugs to stop the spasms,
during a back exam the drs could feel some kind of pressure of the low right side of spine and they now think my body is fighting my spine allignment

im now awaiting to be seen at the spinal clinic on 26th september to await further diagnosis & treamtment, but its highly possible its progression to double hemiplegia

tonight i had a sudden weakness in my right arm and dropped my dinner so feeling very very scared at the moment

on top of this i suffer woth post traumatic stress disorder & social phobia as a reult of the spiking - im still awaiting mental health treatment - have been fighting since 2005 for that

over the last 3 weeks my life has changed so so much, i cant psyhcially do things for myself - i had a profilling hospital bed fitted into my flat by the community neurological team
ive been housebound for 5 weeks now after my elecric wheelchair broke and fighting funding for a new one - i dont meet nhs guildlines for one on nhs so got to fund it myself, so right now just need some getaway with people who have some kind of understanding with all this.

with me deterioting i just dont know any more

sorry it sounds so much like a moan, i just wanted to get it all out,

love to you all

cat

Edited by pinkangel, 05 August 2008 - 09:14 PM.

[Dave Bishopstone]

pinkangel, on Aug 5 2008, 10:14 PM, said:

Hello,

hope you dont mind me Joining you here my names cat and im 22 from west sussex in the UK

In February 2005 my life changed beyond all recognision. after a night out with "friends", my drink was spiked which put me into a 25 minute seizure and ended up spending 2 weeks in hospital, and spent most of 2005 and 2006 due to having potenolly fatal epistatus (contiuing seizures needed emergency treatmenrt) and out of hospial. 3 seizures nearly killed me also realising my left side was paralysed, having to learn to talk, eat and walk again..i left hospital ust about walking on crutches...by the end of that year (2005) my drs told me i had to go into a wheelchair

I have been diagnosed with Left hemiplegia & hemisensory disturbance, seizures which they arnt conclusive on the cause so being treated for epilepsy and non epileptic attack disorder, i am on daily anti convulant medication seizures are contolled to a degree at 1 every week they to 2 weeks with help from medication.

i was able to walk only aided with help from crutches and a special walking frame (kaye walker) on short distances only, i also wear a splints on my left arm & left leg but was mostly reliant on my wheelchair to get around.

that all changed 3 weeks ago, after my spine locked into spasm and was taken to hospital, i started losing sensation in my right side, i was given some strong drugs to stop the spasms,
during a back exam the drs could feel some kind of pressure of the low right side of spine and they now think my body is fighting my spine allignment

im now awaiting to be seen at the spinal clinic on 26th september to await further diagnosis & treamtment, but its highly possible its progression to double hemiplegia

tonight i had a sudden weakness in my right arm and dropped my dinner so feeling very very scared at the moment

on top of this i suffer woth post traumatic stress disorder & social phobia as a reult of the spiking - im still awaiting mental health treatment - have been fighting since 2005 for that

over the last 3 weeks my life has changed so so much, i cant psyhcially do things for myself - i had a profilling hospital bed fitted into my flat by the community neurological team
ive been housebound for 5 weeks now after my elecric wheelchair broke and fighting funding for a new one - i dont meet nhs guildlines for one on nhs so got to fund it myself, so right now just need some getaway with people who have some kind of understanding with all this.

with me deterioting i just dont know any more

sorry it sounds so much like a moan, i just wanted to get it all out,

love to you all

cat

Hi,

Welcome - you are having a rough time - sorry - you will find the folk on this website fantastic.

Hope your situation improves and that you get the help and support you need!!!!

Dave

[Trinity]

Hi Cat

Welcome to the forum!

I don't think anyone will mind you joining, just because you haven't suffered a spinal cord injury per say, your symptoms and problems are definitely similar. There is a lot of useful advice and people here, read as much as you can.
You have obviously been through a harrowing and traumatic time, I sincerly hope things improve for you

Good luck and all the best

Trinity

[Lucydog]

Welcome Welcome Welcome.... We are mostly a good bunch here so feel free to ask questions, add an opinion or stop by for a chat.

cheers
L

[E-DOG]

Cat,
What was your drink spiked with that caused all that physical damage? And has anyone found out who did this to you?
E-dog

[KarenFerguson]

Glad you've found the site! I'm with E-Dog on the question of ... what the heck was in that drink?!?

[StellaLAtella]

Welcome Cat!
Sounds as though you've had a tough time lately. I am sending positive vibes your way in hopes that things turn around for the better for you. Hang in there....you've arrived at a great site where there are plenty of great people who not only understand, but have great advice too.
Take Care,
Stella

[pinkangel]

E-DOG, on Aug 6 2008, 03:21 AM, said:

Cat,
What was your drink spiked with that caused all that physical damage? And has anyone found out who did this to you?
E-dog

KarenFerguson, on Aug 6 2008, 05:42 AM, said:

Glad you've found the site! I'm with E-Dog on the question of ... what the heck was in that drink?!?

Hello, thanks so much for your lovely welcome messages,

its suspected to be GHB - Gamma hydroxy butyrate - basically it is degreasing solvent or floor stripper mixed with drain cleaner
do not have 100% proof due to drugs tests not being done, the drug is only in the bloody streem up to 12 hours max, and i was seizing for 1 hour and was fighting for my life in resus for 6 hours until i was stabailised,
the only people that cn do these tests are police forensics - which at the time wasnt called upon as no connection was made

evidence from that night and medical opinions from my hospital - national hospital for neurology in lodnon finally concluded i was spiked and that was the cause of my disability now that was made in 2007 - 2 years later

im 99.9% sure of the person who done it - a friend of a friend i was with that night- a girl, but not having proof - i cant prove it was her neither can i take it court so just left picking up the pieces for the rest of my life

cat

[doublelibra]

Cat,

I'm glad you found this site, and thanks for sharing your story. My heart goes out to you. Life can be hard at times, and there's no need to go through it alone. There's no question you "belong" here. It really is ridiculous that you can't get mental health counseling. All you other guys from the UK, isn't there some sort of advocate who could help Cat with that? Maybe a local university could help. Here in the US when I was getting my Master's Degree in Counseling, we got part of our training at the Community Counseling Clinic at our university. We saw clients from the community for a tiny fee, which we would waive if the client could not pay. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

doublelibra

[pinkangel]

doublelibra, on Aug 6 2008, 11:36 AM, said:

Cat,

I'm glad you found this site, and thanks for sharing your story. My heart goes out to you. Life can be hard at times, and there's no need to go through it alone. There's no question you "belong" here. It really is ridiculous that you can't get mental health counseling. All you other guys from the UK, isn't there some sort of advocate who could help Cat with that? Maybe a local university could help. Here in the US when I was getting my Master's Degree in Counseling, we got part of our training at the Community Counseling Clinic at our university. We saw clients from the community for a tiny fee, which we would waive if the client could not pay. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

doublelibra

hey, the matter has been a difficult fight, my area within NHS has been frozen really for the last 2 years following 3 hospitals at risk from downgrade - which finally happened in june - one remained major general hospital 1 got downgraded to local hospital the othger a community

my neuro care was moved to london late 2005 and the battle has been to get me into a place called the tavistock, but they wouldnt accept me unili had an assesment in my area for them to have on paper that they couldnt treat me...they wouldnt give it to me, arguemnts involving my socail worker and other drs came in and i got it early this year, but by this time the tavistock kicked me of the referal list as they couldnt wait - dont blame them either as it would still remain a fight against the PCT to get funding moved to london which wasnt going to happen

so ive stuck it out really on my own, im currently undergoing assesments for group therpay at a day psych unit, no treatment yet "assesments" stage is still going, im yet to reamin optamistic until i actually see it all happen

[fatdave]

wow, in my party daze, i used GHB alot, usally mixed with X or meth. i never knew about those side effects. if i did, i might have thought twice about it.

I am so sorry to hear this. and welcome to the site, everyone here has really helped my progress. i hope you find this site as helpful as i have.

Dave

[evilmac64]

man thats crazey wrong spiken some ones drink. i to have done ghb makes me think what people are flirting with.Wish you all the best welcome aboard

[pinkangel]

evilmac64, on Aug 7 2008, 04:50 AM, said:

man thats crazey wrong spiken some ones drink. i to have done ghb makes me think what people are flirting with.Wish you all the best welcome aboard

heya, wasnt sure what you ment by flirting..weather that me people or drug wise,

drink spiking is very very common now - i work for roofie.com who support surviours of drink spike and drug rape, increasly the number of people being spiked for a joke is shockingly high

i to know this myself as my closest mate went to a house party for new years couple of years ago, he phoned me new years day in a right state, something ive never heard from him before,...his mates throught it was funny to stick exctasy in his lager and watch him trip out, - he only found out coz his mates were laughing about it the next day...with him been at my side since day 1...he certinaly didnt see it funny

some people do find this a joke, mine was one, and people are in the mind set it it wont happen to them, ..it happened to me

[rmorgan]

It's nice to hear you're working somewhere that can help or prevent these things for happening in the future! I love when people have the spirit to help others with the information that they've learned, whether it being from a traumatic incident, like yourself, or just daily happenings!

I mean, that's what this forum is here to do as well! To help! Kudos to you, and hope things are working at for you, as you've had such a hard time recently.

I'm sure I can speak for everyone here when I say good luck and best of wishes!

[pinkangel]

thanks so much, yeah i try and use my experince to help others either that have gone through it or to stop peoples actions, its very hard emotionaly but its worth it, im hopefully getting my experince national as a national magazine is publishing my story next month


saw my neuro team physios yesterday, been banned from my crutches for about 2 weeks by the OT's after my emergency trip to hospital and wanted to wait till physio had seen me, and sure enough was told i wasnt allowed to carry on using them as they put pressure on the spine - which is already under pressure from something - cause we dont know, but its causing my spine to spasm so using crutches is now longer an option,

its left me very upset as i spent months of weekly & daily physio to get on them, and just feels a realy big set back, as i had a little bit of "freedom" when using them wasnt so restricted access & transport wise
i am allowed to use my kaye walker on short distance and depending on pain levels, will push myself on that one, thank goodness i got my headgaurd when i did, feel im def going to need that protection more than ever now.

now as i dont have crutches im unable to walk ..anywhere! as i cant walk unaided - and im still without an electric wheelchair, so having to rely on my manual one and obviusly need carers to be able to go out as i cant push myself,
also got told of yet again for "furniture walking" - walking holding onto furniture, but without crutches i cant do nothing!!

physio is coming back next tuesday to try me out with a tripod - its like a walking stick with 3 or 4 little legs on the bottom of it to see if i can use that to get around the flat and may a bit outdoors, not sure yet

all a bit of a set back as cant really do anything until the cause of my spinal problems are found with spinal unit - 26th september so its a waiting game now

on the wheelchair front, got sunrise medical - makers of the wheelchairs coming to me next week to demo the chair i like and to see if it fits and price it etc, ive still got to find at least £4,000 to fund it as i dont meet criteria for NHS funding, and fighting to get charity finding as they dont cover specialised chairs - becuase of my size i need a peadiacric one! ..heading towards getting a bank loan which will leave me in debt for 3yrs but i cant be with out a wheelchair..its my legs!

[china]

hi, and welcome, you gotta fight it, there's got to be some kind of funding you are entitled to. have you got a social worker?

[sits2much]

Welcome!! It sounds like you have been through hell!! I hope that you find this forum useful.. I feel for you and am here for anything you may need...
Cheers and heres hoping to the best possible outcome for you..

[pinkangel]

china, on Aug 8 2008, 07:35 PM, said:

hi, and welcome, you gotta fight it, there's got to be some kind of funding you are entitled to. have you got a social worker?

Yeah i have social worker, shes brilliant, been through every avenue we can think of with funding, been through community care grant, elizabeth finn care - awaiting the result of private OT assesment , but was told not to be hpeful as i need a peadiatric size which comes under specialised, which they dont offer, i dont qualify for nhs, tried lions & variety clubs, and a local disabled assosiation group
if anyone knows anymore feel free to say so

[kate]

cat, have you tried the criminal injuries compensation http://www.cica.gov.uk/ ? I'm not sure you'd be elligible in their eyes, although you are in mine! I don't suppose you've got any close relatives in HMAF? If you do, try SSAFA - they're normally very good. Fingers crossed for you

[pinkangel]

kate, on Aug 8 2008, 08:29 PM, said:

cat, have you tried the criminal injuries compensation http://www.cica.gov.uk/ ? I'm not sure you'd be elligible in their eyes, although you are in mine! I don't suppose you've got any close relatives in HMAF? If you do, try SSAFA - they're normally very good. Fingers crossed for you

cant seem to get on the website, wont load??

unfortunaly i dont have family in HMAF or SSAFA, i did seek legal advice against all this but becuase of having no prrof it wont stand in a court of law, i have back up from the drs etc but to have any chance of going to court i need it winin my blood tests to show that the tox screen showed it presnt in the blood streem and also cctv evidence againt the girl who done it - unfortunaly drugs tests were not done and the bar which i belived it to happen at has since been taken over so any chance of cctv tapes is 0 so it literally end up as my word against anyones despite the drs confirming the spiking cuased it but its not 100% in the laws eyes as its not enough

also the way the law treats victims of this crime is absolutly disgusting, i speak with many survivours of this and drug rape who have been demoralised by the justice system as it makes you out to be "asking for it", exactly why i never involved the police with mine, just couldnt face the humiliation

[Trinity]

I think it's wonderful the way you have turned such a devestating event into something positive by helping others who have gone through such an ordeal.

If I had a hat I would take it off to you!

Keep up the good work

Trin x

[pinkangel]

Im hoping you see this ok, thought i would upload my exerpience that went into my local papers to what happened to me

Attached Thumbnails

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[pinkangel]

hello,

thought to give an update...my new wheelchair is being made :-)

after a 7 week fight, a charity called elizabeth finn care are giving me a grant of £2,500 towards the £3,000 cost of my new electric wheelchair, which i cant tell you is so much relief, its been horrible having to prove i need a wheelchair full time
going to be having a samba2 kid from sunrise medical, should have it in 2-3 weeks, its being made to fit so really excited about getting it

my epilespy is now causing problems as my speech is getting worse, for the week recovery stage im bearly understandable and now its affecting daily life in just not being able to express myself
have just applied for a PECS assesment - the communication system used for special needs - has anyone here had experience with using it?

mums has now had to quit jobs and move to nights to care for me full time, and to make sure 1 family meber is around at all times which is putting added stress onto the family

but apart from that im doing ok, just want my wheels now! 7 weeks of being pushed in my manual one is really starting to get annoying!

[cate]

Hi Cat.You certainly had a rough time, and things do not sound as if they are improving very much. Have you tried your MP and also local councillors, I think you need more help. Also the friends that you were out with. esp[ecially the one that spiked your drink. I think they should try some fund raising for you, Suggest it to them and the bar you were in,perhaps the paper that did your story would promote it, Worth a try. All the best. thoughts with you
Cate

[panrubius]

pinkangel, on Aug 28 2008, 11:10 PM, said:

My epilespy is now causing problems as my speech is getting worse, for the week recovery stage im bearly understandable and now its affecting daily life in just not being able to express myself
have just applied for a PECS assesment - the communication system used for special needs - has anyone here had experience with using it?

Firstly, let me just say how sorry I am that somebody has done that to you. It's terrible that you can't prove who did it, they really should be in prison.

Secondly, expressing your feelings about in your situation is not moaning, it's just explaining what's going on in your life. And anyway, if you can't do that here, you can't do it anywhere :-)

Lastly, what assistive technology are you using at the moment to use the Internet etc, maybe we could make some suggestions to help you.

Stuart

[pinkangel]

cate, on Aug 29 2008, 12:42 PM, said:

Hi Cat.You certainly had a rough time, and things do not sound as if they are improving very much. Have you tried your MP and also local councillors, I think you need more help. Also the friends that you were out with. esp[ecially the one that spiked your drink. I think they should try some fund raising for you, Suggest it to them and the bar you were in,perhaps the paper that did your story would promote it, Worth a try. All the best. thoughts with you
Cate

hey cate,

yeah i actually on close grounds with the local MP's and councillors here as i work on a hospital campaign to stop them being closed, so they have been with me for quite a while, my local MP is amazing i have to say, he fought my medical care from the beggining after my ex neurologist refused tests and treatment and told me i was "faking it" no joke - and he forced an investigation with the hospital,
hes also currently investigation my lack of health care after my hospital trip in july..the on call dr refused to come out, told me to practially kill myself as he told me to take paracetamol when i told him i was allergic to it...and to increase my painkillers when i told him i was taking the highest dose medically allowed...thats hwen we called 999...paramedics said if i had not known the info i had, i would be dead of liver failure from ODing so thats in process at the moment

about the media - for those in the UK - i will be in the weekly magazine - pick me up - 4th september 2008

panrubius, on Aug 29 2008, 02:58 PM, said:

pinkangel, on Aug 28 2008, 11:10 PM, said:

My epilespy is now causing problems as my speech is getting worse, for the week recovery stage im bearly understandable and now its affecting daily life in just not being able to express myself
have just applied for a PECS assesment - the communication system used for special needs - has anyone here had experience with using it?

Firstly, let me just say how sorry I am that somebody has done that to you. It's terrible that you can't prove who did it, they really should be in prison.

Secondly, expressing your feelings about in your situation is not moaning, it's just explaining what's going on in your life. And anyway, if you can't do that here, you can't do it anywhere :-)

Lastly, what assistive technology are you using at the moment to use the Internet etc, maybe we could make some suggestions to help you.

Stuart

thanks so much stuart, yeah i have the suspect in mind but cant prove it, many people want the cow dead thats for sure

i dont have any assistive technology at the moment, ive been looking at voice recogition as i have to type one handed, not sure of what else is out there as ive never looked to be honest