HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lajara-Nanson, W A Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lajara-Nanson, W A

Cocaine induced hypokalaemic periodic paralysis

Texas Tech University, HSC, Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science, 3601 4th Street #4A126, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr W A Lajara-Nanson;
walter.lajara-nanson@ttmc.ttuhsc.edu

Keywords: cocaine; hypokalaemia; paralysis

The use of cocaine has been associated with a number of psychiatric, medical, and neurological complications. This is the second reported case of a patient who suffered three distinct episodes of paralysis after engaging in a cocaine binge.

Case report
A 33 year old male horse breeder with no significant medical history was evaluated at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center after the abrupt onset of ascending generalised weakness. He reported not being able to walk or lift his arms or legs, much less climb up or get down the stairs of his home. He reported no bowel or bladder incontinence, loss of sensation, headache, nausea, or vomiting. The patient did report mild chest pain at the time. Ten days before his initial evaluation he had suffered a very similar episode but had not sought medical attention. At the time of his evaluation the patient stated that he would be better in . . . [Full text of this article]