Energy drinks and teens coming to ER with chest pain

shamrokks, ADN, ASN, RN · Sep 1, 2012

I shudder every time I hear that quote. "it's all natural so it must be good for you" to which I respond, so is snakebite venom. Doesn't mean I want it in me.

So true!!! Lol

JasBSN · Sep 1, 2012

Long time lurker here, making my first post! I agree something needs to be done about the energy drink craze. As an ER nurse I saw several teens coming in with chest pain, tachycardia, and anxiety because they thought it would be cool to drink several cans of energy drinks in a short amount of time. The parents excuse for buying it for them and letting them drink that much? "but it's all natural, it can't really hurt them can it?"hmmmm. you tell me. You're the one with your 15 y.o. child in the ER at 2am getting a full cardiac work up. Also on the topic of energy drinks, does the 5 hour energy commercial saying doctors recomend it bother anyone else? They say they asked 3000 doctors and most would recommend 5 hour energy "to those who drink energy drinks", but what do those 3000 doctors say about energy drinks in general?

pnut8377 · Sep 1, 2012

Someone I went to school with who was a sports star and then went on to be a high school coach died because he drank a couple of Red Bulls before a marathon. He died from a major heart attack. I steer clear of those drinks!

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 1, 2012

Wow. How did I survive college doing Jager Bombs, Vegas bombs and Vodka and Red Bull. Amazing my heart didnt explode in my chest.

gummi bear · Sep 2, 2012

Uhh I see several nurses and cnas drinking this stuff. Especially on third shift. I wonder what the long term effects are

Cold Stethoscope · Sep 2, 2012

Wow. How did I survive college doing Jager Bombs, Vegas bombs and Vodka and Red Bull. Amazing my heart didnt explode in my chest.

That regime is highly recommended for all students who would like to succeed, while minimizing cardiovascular risk.

simonemyheart · Sep 2, 2012

I was one of those pts.

I had been drinking red bull and vodka for almost 4 years. I had chest pain for almost 2 years but never connected the dots. I went to the doctor for pain in my shoulder and we were just discussing everything and I mentioned how I was having chest pain all the time. Dr. ordered an EKG which showed an abnormal rhythm.

I was referred to a cardiologist. I was found to have a blockage due to a substance "can't remember the name" that is similar to furaldehyde. When red bull and vodka are mixed together this substance develops. If you don't drink them often it is able to be secreted from the body, but if you drink them as often as I did 3-5x a wk, it becomes dangerous.

Thank God my shoulder hurt that day or I might not be here today. Many ppl are dying or developing long-term complications from these drinks It's like you can drink alcohol all night and never be tired.

But the companies put on the label "do not consume with alcohol" so they are not liable.

simonemyheart · Sep 2, 2012

Helped my ADHD too

AngelicDarkness · Sep 2, 2012

Opps... I am one of those patients:) Well sorta... I stop when I get the heart palpatations but my enery drinks are what allows me to keep up with my nursing. I have weened myself off considerably from the times that I used to drink up to 3 a day/night.

In a related note, has anyone seen the new ad for 5 hour energy shots in which the marketer describes a study given to 3000 medical MDs in which 73% gave 100% support to giving a 5 hour energy shot to their patients?

amoLucia · Sep 2, 2012

Opps... I am one of those patients:) Well sorta... I stop when I get the heart palpatations but my enery drinks are what allows me to keep up with my nursing. I have weened myself off considerably from the times that I used to drink up to 3 a day/night.
In a related note, has anyone seen the new ad for 5 hour energy shots in which the marketer describes a study given to 3000 medical MDs in which 73% gave 100% support to giving a 5 hour energy shot to their patients?

Wonder where the study is published? National Enquirer? So much for truthful advartising.

duskyjewel · Sep 2, 2012

.
But the companies put on the label "do not consume with alcohol" so they are not liable.

And upon what basis would you like the companies held liable because stupid people refuse to follow directions?

I too think these drinks are horrible, but they are legal to make and sell, and if people use them in ways they are instructed not to, then how can one hold the manufacturer liable? That would be like suing Reynolds because people smoke their drugs off of tinfoil.

EarthwormRN · Sep 2, 2012

Its not that the company should be held liable for people not following the warning label. I think there needs to be a clear reason for people. For instance "do not consume alcohol while pregnant, fetal defects may occur" - even if a bottle of alcohol doesn't say that, the general public knows. Why? because it has been publicized and drilled into our brains. The general public does not know that energy drinks are dangerous. In fact, I didn't even know it had harmful effects until I came upon this topic today. Thankfully I don't drink the stuff anyway.

Its like the big businesses in food (for example: the documentary "food inc"). They make tons and tons of money, and the head honchos for the FDA used to be a big part of these food industries. So obviously its fishy.. and it makes you think the FDA gets a big cut for saying the food is safe even if it may not be. Whats to say this isn't happening with the drinks as well?

And upon what basis would you like the companies held liable because stupid people refuse to follow directions?
I too think these drinks are horrible, but they are legal to make and sell, and if people use them in ways they are instructed not to, then how can one hold the manufacturer liable? That would be like suing Reynolds because people smoke their drugs off of tinfoil.