Health - Intense Neck Pain after Crack Hit??

[Noob77]

Last 2-3 times SWIM has been smoking, he has got a HUGE pain in the back on the neck while the blast was just starting to hit - really kills the high ! The pain lasts like 30 min or so after too, but gradually lessens.

Anyone ever have something like this happen?? It's happened to SWIM on small and large hits - maybe it's something in the coke?

[BoxStar]

SWIM recommends to immediately stop using cocaine (and all stimulant substances); such intense pain in the back of the neck could be a symptom of dangerous cerebrovascular and/or cardiovascular problems which might become life-threatening at any moment.

SWIY requires prompt medical examination from a physician and he needs to be honest with the doctor and explain his drug use.

[Gradient]

Noob77,

BoxStar is indeed correct, this isn't a good sign. This can also be caused by over-excitation of the reticular activating system (RAS), which is right in the back of the brainstem - it runs up and down the middle of the brainstem. This very commonly causes neck strain that radiates down the neck, and isn't generally a positive or benign sign.



Also, the serotonin-producing neurons in the raphe nucleus are located towards the upper region of the brainstem, just parallel to the cerebellum. Over-excitation of serotonergic activity from potent acute doses of cocaine in the form of smoked crack might be expected to strain the neurons in this region, generating generalized pain in the area of the neck. This also generally isn't considered benign.



Neck pain is a reasonably common side-effect of higher doses of cocaine, but this does not translate to it being a safe dynamic when crack is smoked. It would likely be prudent to slow down on the dosing to avoid the pain; massaging will likely expedite the alleviation of pain. I know pictures and schematics help me to imagine where these parts of the brain are, so I hope they aren't useless and help you too!

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Good post with backing information relative to the OP. Good attempt at harm reduction.
	Good post with very interesting information

[Noob77]

Thanks, the input is appreciated, very informative.

SWIM has been a regular cocaine user for about 8 years, but has only recently begun smoking it regularly (well, SWIM had a brief stint a few years ago, but only for a few weeks).

The next neck pain actually wound up lasting 24 hours - SWIM agrees with Gradient, it's when he was taking a really big hit (SWIM cooks up a half gram of weak powder, and puts about 2/3 of that cook in at once). When he takes smaller hits, he gets a little twinge, but it goes away in a few seconds.

SWIM was definitely a little worried, but thinks he knows his tolerances now, and will go with Gradient's advice of lesser dosage.

As far as seeking medical attention, SWIM thinks there would be little point now - the doc would say you need to stop, which we all know is true, but won't likely happen :P