Hi Doctor, I Wanted To Commit Suicide So I Swallowed

Posted on Sat, 5 Oct 2019

Question: Hi doctor, I wanted to commit suicide so I swallowed harpic. I squeezed what I could drink. It must have been 30 ml. The local Dr say I need a surgery. I did it 45 days back. I am unable to eat and drink for this time. Will I die or live. The record says I have strictures. I had endoscopy twice without entering duodendum and the first time showed ulcers, they healed by the second endoscopy after a week but nothing, not even fluids go into the digestive system and or they stay for long in upper stomach. I vomit everything. Sometimes I do induced vomit because I believe it will clean the toxins inside. Is induced vomiting OK? Also can you let me know about they details of what surgery might be. There was a mention of gastric bypass. I did not tell anyone about drinking harpic for 30 days and no one noticed me vomit all that I have been eating and drinking. I must have eaten only five times. I don't have parents. My elder brother took me to a hospital from our village only recently. Thanks

Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Long term sequels of harpic poisoning

Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

Harpic causes chemical injury due to its acid content and oropharynx,esophagus and stomach are involved.
Severity of injury in the upper gastrointestinal tract depends on concentration of harpic ,amount ingested, length of time of tissue contact, pH,whether ingested empty stomach or full stomach and time of intervention.
Esophagus strictures,narrowing of esophagus, gastric burns and gastric outlet syndrome are the late complications.
This usually peaks at 8 weeks and patient is not able to ingest even liquids thus causing malnutrition and weight loss.
This is not good for you to induce vomitings.
After such a time gap,there are no toxins left in your gut.
Rather it can be counterproductive and would cause malnutrition and severe nutrient deficiencies.

These complications are usually managed by
1.Repeated endoscopic dilatations.
2.Endoscopic stents(to keep the esophagus patent)
3.Or ultimately a surgical procedure called partial esophagectomy and gastric pull through.

Keep your mood elated.
Suicide is not a solution for problems in life.
Keep yourself positive.
Obviously you are going to live but you have to modify your life from now on.
You will need a lot of medical support and care.
Get psychological counselling and behavioural therapy too.

Hope that I have answered your query.
If you have any doubts,please let me know.

Stay blessed.
Regards.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T