Carbon monoxide poisoning
Four kinds of survivors
After carbon monoxide poisoning many survivors make a full recovery however, others experience
a range of symptoms and health problems. The percentage affected is not accurately known.
CO poisoning can cause a wide range of "additional" symptoms and effects that cannot be reliably predicted or
explained by oxygen deprivation alone. It can take time time and a level of awareness to begin to understand the
real impact.
The symptoms and after effects of poisoning may be obvious or they may be subtle. Never-the-less, they can
impact a survivor in many ways.
It is easier to notice some symptoms than it is others. For example, difficulties with memory, concentration or
keeping track of things can be more obvious than mood swings, food and chemical sensitivies.
Some survivors know they have symptoms and effects
These are people that are aware carbon monoxide poisoning has impacted their health, functioning and life. They
acknowledge that they have been affected.
They are open to feedback and the observations of others, especially from those close to them. Over time they
become increasingly aware of how the effects of poisoning are influencing their life.
As they recognize the impact of their carbon monoxide poisoning, they usually work [hard] to recover and heal.
Over time these survivors become aware that poisoning has been influencing their life. As they look back they
come to understand that the effects of poisoning have been following them like silent stalker.
The shift to acknowledging the impact of poisoning may only occur after, or because of, [significant] life
changes. Once they "get it", they usually work to recover and heal.
These survivors are unaware the effects of poisoning are influencing their life.
Some in this group do not know they were poisoned by carbon monoxide because they were never diagnosed or they
were misdiagnosed.
Even those that were properly diagnosed and think
they have recovered may have been impacted in ways they are unable to recognise.
A survivor may [steadfastly] refuse to admit they have been affected. They may be troubled by [new or ongoing]
health issues that they are aware of but never think them to be related to their poisoning.
As time goes on, observant friends, family and coworkers may notice minor, moderate or possibly even significant
differences but almost always the connection to poisoning as the underlying cause of symptoms is missed.
The survivor may never recognize or admit to the effects of their poisoning even though their life may have been
[significantly] altered.
As they do not believe anything is wrong, they may never do anything to recover from poisoning.
A diminished ability to see oneself and circumstances/behavior in a balanced way can be due to brain damage or brain injury.
These survivors do not seem to have been affected by their poisoning. Their health, mental functioning, family
life, friendships, work and financial situation are not impacted.
Their poisoning was a "scarey accident", "a wake up call", they are "lucky to be alive" but their lives move
forward without any major long term impact.
The percentage of survivors in each group is unknown as carbon monoxide poisoning statistics are wrong.
Return to Short to mid term symptoms and effects of
carbon monoxide poisoning or top of After
carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can reveal themselves in several ways (four kinds of survivors)
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I had anger issues from the fifth grade on. Then I had headaches from junior high school all the way into my mid thirtys. Terrible headaches that would last for days. They would travel all over the right side of my head and into my neck. It also affected my ability to swallow. I have to gulp liquids and chew my foods real well. The damage also effected my teath. I have 8 teath left.
Now I'm in my late 50's and the effects are even greater then I could have imagined. I have a hard time writing, I place the second letter first and have to add the first. I have the shakes all the time inside and out. Sometimes it's so bad I can't write or dial the phone. I suffer from PTSD and Bi-Polar 1, depression and mania.
The progression was slow and I didn't realize the amount of damage I had received. I get waves of numbness over my head like when you bump your elbow. My ability to work has been dramatically decreased.
I also have the endless ringing in my ears. I don't know when it started but it has never stopped. It's like voices in my head. The only time I don't hear the ringing is when I take a shower or I'm sleeping. I'm afraid to ride a bycycle because the ringing goes into an episode of intense deafness and loud ringing and I never know when it is going to happen. I have to stop and depressurize my ears for it to stop.
I'm afraid for my life now. I am trying to get disability. I had to find out all this information all out on my own. I've been to the the therapist and doctors and now they are starting to listen to me. I could have been saved years ago if someone would have researched my symptoms. Everyone thought I was just messed up as a kid, and now as an adult.
I have found this site very helpful and the recovery link is great for video information. If you're interested please contact me at: venzar@hotmail.com
ventura
It sucks really bad. I feel the same way as your brother but I've learned to pretend.
That's pretty much all I can do...just pretend it isn't as bad as it is.
We just found that the senior apartment my mother lives in has a furnace that was blowing carbon monoxide back into the room. It is a 30 year old furnace and of course, the housing owners won't replace anything until they get a grant to do it. It has probably been like this for at least 2 years or more and guess what? Mom developed a brain damage condition a couple years ago that is progressive and has been getting worse as time goes by, causing loss of speech and speech understanding, memory loss, confusion, weakness walking, breathing problems, other signs of brain damage, all symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. We went to neurologists and specialists galore and no one had an explanation and just said she has dysphasia (inability to speak or understand speech) and they knew people sometimes had this happen, but they did not know the cause. She did not show stroke history on the MRI. Wonder if they ever tested for carbon monoxide poisoning? I was always puzzled that her condition seemed worse in Winter. GET YOUR OLD FURNACES REPLACED WITH ONES THAT BLOW THE SOOT AND CARBON MONOXIDE OUT INSTEAD OF LETTING THE SOOT BUILD UP AND BLOCK THE CARBON MONOXIDE FROM GETTING OUT THE FLUE. CHECK EVERY YEAR. HERS WAS BURNING YELLOW WHICH IS NOT RIGHT. IT IS MORE COMMON THAN ANYONE REALIZES!
I woke up 7 hrs later he was dead and I was in bad shape. I had a miocardial infarction (heart attack) and who knows how much brain damage and organ damage.
I climbed out of the car and my ears were ringing so bad I couldn't keep my balance, kept falling down. Made it to a fence by the interstate and climbed over. A passing vehicle saw me and took me to a wayside where we were met by an officer. He took me to a town and called an ambulance. I was in 3 hospitals that day and nobody knew what to do.
I was in intensive care for 10 days and then released. I have mitral valve prolapse(not sure if it was from poisoning) memory loss, anxiety attacks, severe debilitating migraines, severe fatigue , psychic dreams and happenings. It scared me to the point that I never slept. I was too afraid to close my eyes because of the things I would see. That led to insomnia and what I will call people issues.
I couldn't stay with anyone to long because I would wait for them to die. Once I get that feeling I have to move on. I relate better to animals than people.
I have a son, he was 9 mo at the time. I gave him to his Dad (we weren't together) and walked away. No feelings-just needed to keep going and I haven't stopped since. We have a good relationship now but his life has been messed up severely because of this. I have been married too many times and can walk away feeling nothing. My family gave me absolutely no support. I have been on my own ever since.
I have good friends that have helped me survive. Without them I don't know where I would be. Doctors could give a damn if you tell them what has happened, they don't believe it has any bearing on your long term health. It does, so don't buy that diagnosis for a second.
I ended up finding a homeopathic doctor from Egypt that finally helped me. With the right detox supplements and a long term vitamin program I feel alot stronger. I will never be a 100% but just knowing I am not imagining this really helps. Nothing worse than having people/doctors say they don't believe you or that you are exaggerating how weak and helpless you feel.
Don't give up, keep trying to find someone who will listen. Usually chiropractor and homeopathic practitioners will offer you some advice. Doctors just don't listen.
I don't know how much Carbon Monoxide I had inhaled, but I was told by the hospital staff that I was "extremely lucky to be alive".
Apart from having an impaired lung, which has resulted in Asthma, I didn't have any symptoms. I returned to University and completed my degree with Honours.
Apart from marrying my soul mate 3 years ago and giving birth to my daughter last year, I havn't been very successful in keeping a job, friends come and go and I'm constantly frustrated with life.
I find it hard to relax, I get angry easily, Im always blaming my parents for my lack of success through their lack of support in everything I do.
My memory is getting worse and I feel anxious most days. Im not sure whether these are common side effects from CO poisioning or just me.
Can anyone enlighten me or advise me on where I can get tested?
They aren't even going to know that it is from the CM that did it to them. Years ago you always saw commercials about it. Now they are far and few they need to be back on TV and out there informing people that yes this is a killer and those who get exposed are at a serious risk as well.
I am adding this carbon monoxide poisoning site to my email signature. It needs to be out there.
I have numerous health problems. The first doctor I had would't do anything he just said there is no after effects from carbon monoxide. I am sick all the time and in pain. Never gets any better just worse. I now have a heart condition I didn\'t have, seizures, fibromyalgia, memory problems etc.. almost all the symptoms that are on the page.
My hubby and my family especially my Mom is my rock. It is very hard to deal with let alone survive. No one understands what you are going though.
I am glad to have survived but it is a daily struggle.
We tried to sue the seller but she never showed up in court. She knew about the problem otherwise she would have shown up and faced the music. Instead she decided sell a home that had a serious problem and let a family suffer.
Are these affects permanent?
Her moods, behavior, personality and a lot of other things changed but she refused to even admit she was different. Her spending went out of control and she was so impulsive and reactive. She couldn't explain why she was doing many of the things she was doing.
We had to get other family members involved to let her know that she was acting differently. Basically we did an intervention. It was a nasty situation.