# What just happened to me? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 23, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006 "2004-03-23T22:16:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/1 "2004-03-23T22:16:33Z")
Earlier today, I was at work, doing my usual work thing. I’m under a tight deadline, but I’ve made progress and think that I can meet that deadline and I haven’t felt all that stressed. However, around 2-ish today, it’s like something just popped in my head. Like a fuse blew or something - suddenly I can’t think clearly. I’m having a flood memories come back to me, but they’re either dreams I had or hallucinations that are coming that make no sense. I tried to keep it together and keep on working, but I couldn’t think clearly. Things I usually know off the top of my head were gone and I had to look them up. I did the same thing three times in a row. When I think back on certain periods (i.e. around 3 pm), I can’t remember what happened. I have flashes of all kinds of things, but they’re mainly bizarre thoughts that were in my head and have taken on the guise of reality. I know they didn’t really happen - I know that I was just sitting at my desk working, like I usually do. It actually was getting so bad that I just decided I had to go home because I’m not getting anything done and nothing is making sense to me. It’s still there, but starting to recede just a little. What happened to me? Did I have a breakdown? I don’t even really know what that means. It’s like my logical brain shut down and was just firing randomly, not in any particular order. I just got home and I think I’m going to take a nap. Has anyone else experienced this? Are there any medical professionals who can tell me what the hell just happened to me? Did I underestimate the stress that I was feeling until it finally overtook me? Any help is greatly appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/2 "2004-03-23T22:20:15Z")
I’m NOT A DOCTOR, but if I were you, I’d go to the emergency room immediately. I really don’t want to scare you and I’m probably completely wrong, but my first thought would be a stroke. I hope someone else comes in and yells at me for overexaggerating, but if it were me, I’d be in the ER pronto. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Skipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@The\_Skipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Skipper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/3 "2004-03-23T22:20:25Z")
Sounds like a possible TIA (transient ischemic attack). In plain English, your body possibly threw a small clot to your brain; or, a small vessel spasmed. Either way, a portion of the memory cortex got cut off from oxygen. How old are you and what is your health like? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/4 "2004-03-23T22:32:21Z")
I’m a 26 year old male and my health is fine. I take Welbutrin (150 MG per day) for mild depression and Allegra (180 mg per day) for nasal allergies. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/5 "2004-03-23T22:51:09Z")
Wellbutrin is associated with a small risk of seizures (although at a smaller dosage than you’re taking. Your description actually sounds like a very minor epileptic episode to me. OTOH, IANAD. IANEANOP. ---
**Author:** ![Jojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecd19e/32.png) [@Jojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jojo)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/6 "2004-03-23T22:54:33Z")
Have you ever taken LSD or other psychotropic drugs? Sometimes you can get flashbacks years later. I think this should be moved to GQ to get the attention of Qadgop and other medical bods who may be able to suggest something. But going to see a doctor would seem to be good advice, I would think. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/7 "2004-03-23T22:59:47Z")
I was finally able to get a hold of my step-mother, who is a nurse. I described the situation to her and, due to family history, she seems to think that I might have had a hypoglycemic reaction. I’ve never really dealt with hypoglycemia, but my Dad does and I should point out that I’m a pretty skinny guy (roughly 5’9", 115 lbs or so). She suggested that I have some energy bars and the like around my desk for high-stress times like this because I don’t really have a lot reserves to draw off of and I don’t eat a whole lot. I’m feeling a lot better right now, which is nice. Hopefully I’ll continue until I’m at 100%. I’ll make sure I have a healthy dinner tonight and plenty of rest. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/8 "2004-03-24T01:05:21Z")
Ah yes, it sounds like you “bonked”. It’s a good idea to keep a some healthy protein based snax around (not the junk fatty-snax). A handful of almonds every once and a while do wonders to keep your motor running. ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/9 "2004-03-24T01:15:42Z")
IANAD either, but all those scary medical diagnosis sound rather extreme. I am however a University engineering student who regularly stays up stupidly late, engaged in all varieties of studying/homeworking. I’d say you experienced a classic case of lack-of-sleep-too-much-coffeeitis. Sadly, its not that uncommon in this situtation ☹ ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/10 "2004-03-24T01:22:07Z")
Hmmm, not to make light of the situation, but at first it sounded like a classic case of spacing out. How did you feel physically? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/11 "2004-03-24T01:40:45Z")
Physically, I felt normal. I do admit that it does sound like spacing out, but really it was like an extreme, involuntary form of it. The best I can explain it is that it felt like I was dreaming while I was awake. And not like what I’m doing is a dream, but like I was actually dreaming while I was awake. And, like a dream, it’s all fading away now and I can’t really remember much of it. I remember how it felt, but that’s about it. Oh, and to answer a previous question, I’ve never taken acid or any psychotropic drugs before. I’ve only ever been drunk once and have never done any drugs that haven’t been prescribed to me. I do agree, though - when it was happening, I thought, is this what an acid flashback must feel like? ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/12 "2004-03-24T03:37:17Z")
I get really spaced if I do too many antihistamines, or take them several days in a row. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/13 "2004-03-24T04:48:44Z")
Sounds like a nice break in the day, actually. 😃 If you find out what it was, bottle it and send me some! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/14 "2004-03-24T07:26:55Z")
> [@ccwaterback](#): > > I get really spaced if I do too many antihistamines, or take them several days in a row. YMMV. I wonder if the anihistamine might be the problem too. I can take them for a long while, then something changes (body chemisty?) and they make my head go all funny, and it’s time to try a new brand. The last time I took Sudafed before driving, I became convinced that the road was _moving_ up to try to touch the car… I can’t quite explain if it was just a conviction, or if it really looked like it was moving. Fortunately, the meeting I was on the way to was four hours long, and it had worn off before going home. Lots of drugs have interesting hallucination side effects. I’ve got a thread from last April in MPSIMS about the one and only time I took Ambien :rolleyes: Make an appointment to talk to your doctor ASAP in case it’s something else, though. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/15 "2004-03-24T08:25:36Z")
Did you start sweating? ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/16 "2004-03-24T10:43:54Z")
Did you feel weak or jittery? The reason that so many of us caution you about seeing a physician or going to an emergency room is that the symptoms you have described _can_ be something simple or they can be something more serious. A professional needs to determine that – not just someone untrained and at a distance. The first time that I had a low blood sugar problem (hypoglycemia), I didn’t know what was happening either – but I immediately knew that I craved something very sweet. I have trouble concentrating and I can’t think straight, but I don’t feel like I’m dreaming at all. I feel a little bit like I’m down in a tunnel. And I get “the weak trembles.” Did you have any trouble talking or writing? You might need your electrolytes checked. I’m not a physician. I certainly would consider seeing one. What if it happens again when you are driving and you hurt yourself or someone else? ---
**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/17 "2004-03-24T15:50:57Z")
From what you initially described, I’d agree with the TIA assessment. 26 is not too young to have a TIA. I was 24 when I had a massive stroke (threw a clot that went to my right middle cerebral artery). Just to be safe, why not start taking an aspirin a day? Aspirin thins the blood thus preventing clots. ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/18 "2004-03-24T17:05:49Z")
I really, really would NOT recommend starting an aspirin regimen on your own. See a Doctor. Daily aspirin is not for everyone, and can be dangerous to people with certain conditions and on some prescriptions. It’s not like taking a daily vitamin or something. I hope you find out what it was and feel better. I would see a Dr. too, if nothing else he/she could give you a more definitive answer. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/19 "2004-03-24T17:27:04Z")
I am not a doctor and don’t mean to scare you, but what you’re describing does sound like a mild seizure. I have epillepsy, and have experienced several of the symptoms you described just before blacking out. I’m throwing in my vote that you see a doctor, too, even if you do feel better now. While your step-mother may be correct, it never hurts to be over-cautious, and getting checked out by an MD could help you prevent any further episodes. One other suggestion - I’m not sure how you get to & from work, but if it happens again, you might ask someone to drive you home or just stay where you are until you’ve been thinking straight for a while. Driving during and after such an episode can be very, very dangerous to you and to others. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006/20 "2004-03-24T18:25:00Z")
I’m going to make a doctor’s appointment today and see what she has to say about this. If at all possible, I’d like to narrow this down as much as I can 🙂 It took a while yesterday for it all to wear off, but I ate a nice dinner and felt near 100% by about eight o’clock. This morning, I woke up for work and everything has been completely normal ever since - I’m here at work right now and am doing great. Thank you to everyone for the great advice and information - this made the $5 worth it already. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-just-happened-to-me/236006.md?page=2)