Paracetamol overdose

[babybombo]

My mum and dad split up for the second time last night, my dad is sleeping here until he finds another place to stay.

Tonight he went upstairs with a bottle of paracetamol but he is like a child, very over dramatic and a constant attention seeker so I ignored it as I thought he was just looking for attention.
But I got really worried so after 15 minutes I went upstairs and his breathing was irregular and I couldn't wake him.
The bottle of pills was open and about half were missing.
His arms were twitching and he wasn't responding so I phoned for an ambulance.

When they got here he'd come round slighty, by slightly I mean he had his eyes open and could talk but he was disorientated and slurring his words.
He told the ambulance staff he'd only taken 4 or 5 pills and he refused to go to hospital.
The ambulance staff said there was nothing they could do because he wouldn't let them take him to hospital and they believed he'd only taken 4 or 5.

But I think he's taken more than that, he wouldn't wake at all when I tried and is still disorientated and slurring his words and has just been sick.

He's asleep now upstairs but I'm worried that he's taken more than what he said, should I just leave him to sleep since he's been sick?

[weeal]

http://www.pharmweb.net/pwmirror/pwy/paracetam ol/pharmwebpic9.html

according to that ^ he should be seen immediately to due to the toxic effects

he must listen to reason

good luck, poor you

[DaisyMae]

Oh dear, you poor thing. What a rotten way to see in the New Year. I have absolutely no medical knowledge but one thing I do know is that paracetamol is toxic in large doses, it affects the liver. The fact that he was sick may be a good thing if he brought up some of the paracetamol, but I wouldn't want to take a chance. Call the NHS helpline and keep a close watch on him. Other than that I can't think what to advise. Good luck !

[Eve]

Is there any way you could get help to get him to hospital if the ambulance staff wouldn't take him or if he is that out for the count then I'd assume they would have to take him.

Did he take anything with them like alcohol which could account for the grogginess and does he have any other conditions like diabetes which could interefere with anything he has taken, including any alcohol?

It's such a horrible situation for you, can you get someone to come round and be with you both so you're not on your own with him?

Whatever happens, don't wait for any answer on here, do what you think is right at the time and keep in touch with the local hospital.

If he settles a bit, see if you can get put through to the local mental health team as they have emergency 24 hour cover in all casualty departments.

[aniani]

Poor you indeed. Maybe call NHS Direct for advice?

[Schutzengel]

Did you see the bottle before he took it upstairs? Was it full? How many are left in it. If you believe he has taken more than 4 or 5 which is too many anyway. Check on him again, then ring the emergency number for your own doctor, and tell them that you believe it was more than your dad said. Tell them his condition now. Then ask their advice as to what you should do in the given circumstances.

[Eve]

Just been reading over what you put.

15 minutes after taking say 4/5 paracetamol (or if half a bottle of 16, about 8/) seem a very short time for any reaction of that kind.

I'd be checking for any more he has taken or other substances or conditions involved especially if he hasn't been drinking.

The symptoms you describe sound very quick after, keep other things in mind like a mini stroke or similar in mind, just in case there is something else to it.

[babybombo]

Thanks for the answers, I phoned nhs24 and they told me just to keep checking on him.

My mum said he's done this before, taken a few pills and claimed it was an overdose to get sympathy but I genuinely thought he had taken more pills and when I couldn't wake him I thought he was dead.

I've just been to check on him and he's asleep but when I opened the door he woke up and seems alot better now, I think now that he did actually only take about 4 or 5 and has done this as a method to try and get my mum to let him stay here. I can't believe he put me through that.

Thank you for all your kind answers but I do feel guilty now as I think I wasted those paramedics time and was silly to post on here.

[weeal]

babybombo nobody thinks you are silly, you were worried sick and wanted help and advice, its a shame your dad put you through it, especially at this time of year which should be happy times

you take care xx

[puddicat]

Always ring NhHS/24 if not sure!!!

[aniani]

No need for you to feel silly, your reaction was perfectly understandable. Hope things calm down for you and your family. Take care

[DaisyMae]

No you were not being silly, nor were you wasting anyone's time. It is always better to be safe than sorry. The paramedics would agree with me I'm sure, you didn't know the symptoms to expect and had no way of knowing how to deal with it - the ambulance people felt it was necessary to take him in, so they didn't think you were wasting their time. Don't be afraid to share your problems, we may not have the answer but we can offer support and sometimes a pointer to where the answer may be available.

[Mamyalynne]

Oh sweet baby do take care parents should not do this to their children whatever happens do not take the burden of guilt this is his problem and you cant take care of it all.
Hope things improve.
Happy new year
Mamya xxx

[Lakitu]

How is your Dad, babybombo?

I can 100% relate to what you're going through, my parents split up a couple of years ago at Christmas and my Dad tried to take his own life too. If you need to talk to someone, I am happy to help, I know only too well how difficult it is to be on your side of the situation.

Much love and my thoughts are with you and yours xx

[tatu]

ur dad is being very selfish putting u and the rest of ur family through this,,i dont know wot age u are but im sure ur suffering very badly,i went through something similar when i was younger ..in the long run it would be better for ur dad to find his own place,believe me,it would be better all round and maybe he will get on his feet when hes away from ur mum,,i think the breakup is too hard for him to handle and im sure he loves u very very much but he shouldnt do this type of thing in front of u and let u hurt even more,as i say he is being very selfish and he cannot see through his own hurt that hes hurting everyone else,,so better he gets out and lets u and ur mum get on with ur lives untill everything is back to normal,,good luck and i hope everything works out well for u in the new yr..