A man’s life was changed forever with ‘dinosaur hands’ after he abused nitrous oxide, inhaling up to 500 laughing gas balloons a week.
Connor Wilton, a 27-year-old from Derbyshire, UK, has shared a harrowing account of how his life was irreversibly changed by the abuse of nitrous oxide. He is commonly known for using laughing gas.
Wilton’s health risks associated with inhaling nitrous oxide serve as a stark warning.
The impact of nitrous oxide abuse to Wilton’ s health
Wilton’s ordeal began in November 2022, when his father discovered him collapsed on the floor.
Wilton was diagnosed with severe nerve damage and vitamin B12 deficiency after years of inhaling up to 500 laughing gas balloons a week.
While, he also suffered from subacute degeneration of the spinal cord.
These conditions left him paralyzed and in need of extensive medical care.
At the hospital, Wilton experienced significant muscle control loss.
As a result, his hands resembled ‘dinosaur hands’ due to their severe deformity.
He was bedridden for three months and spent an additional four months in a neuro rehabilitation unit.
During this time, he was also forced to wear a nappy for five months and used a catheter for the same period.
Previously, Wilton had a history of abuse
Wilton’s misuse of nitrous oxide began at 18 during a holiday.
His consumption escalated to nearly 480 balloons every weekend.
Despite initially using the drug socially, Wilton’s intake became more frequent and severe.
He said: “I was abusing it for years. Not badly. I did it socially at weekends and when I went to Kavos and stuff like that.
“During October 2022 I was smashing it every weekend and started to be sick all the time. I didn’t think it was to do with nitrous oxide to be honest. I was quite naive.
By October 2022, he was consuming nitrous oxide regularly. This led to frequent illness and physical deterioration.
“I didn’t realize how serious it was,” Wilton admitted. “I started to feel tingling in my feet and collapsed one day from the abuse.”
Additionally, he struggled with paralysis, an inability to urinate, and severe pain. Initially, he did not connect these symptoms to his nitrous oxide use.
The effects of nitrous oxide use on Wilton’s health
The nitrous oxide depleted Wilton’s vitamin B12 levels, crucial for nerve health, and starved his body of oxygen.
He underwent vitamin B12 injections every two days for three months and now receives them quarterly.
Despite ongoing treatment, Wilton’s condition has left him with permanent damage.
He uses a wheelchair and crutches and experiences frequent muscle spasms and pain.
“My legs spasm a lot, and I experience severe pain in the mornings,” he explained. “I still have issues with my bowels and live in constant uncertainty about my condition.”
He confessed: “It was absolutely horrible. I couldn’t control my muscles. My hands were starting to bend like little dinosaur hands. I couldn’t pick up my phone properly.
“My bowels failed and I kept sh***ing myself. I was really psychotic for 10 days.
Then,Wilton now urges others to avoid the misuse of nitrous oxide. “It’s not worth ending up like this,” he said.
His case highlights the dangers of nitrous oxide abuse and the irreversible damage it can cause.
Connor Wilton’s story is a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of misusing substances like nitrous oxide.
“Wilton’s experience underscores the importance of understanding the risks and effects of nitrous oxide on human health.