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  • Case of recurrent cerebral haemorrhage in an older adult man who uses dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for self-management of low mood and pain

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Case report
Case of recurrent cerebral haemorrhage in an older adult man who uses dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for self-management of low mood and pain
  1. Jonathan Olds1,
  2. Mohamed Yousif2,
  3. Oladotun Abidakun3 and
  4. Abigail Cannon4
  1. 1Later Life Liaison Psychiatry, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
  2. 2Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
  3. 3Department of Stroke Medicine, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
  4. 4Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Jonathan Olds; jonathan.olds{at}nhs.net

Abstract

We present the case of a man in his 70s who had suffered two separate frontal lobe haemorrhages in the context of using dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to manage his low mood. The known pathophysiology of DMSO renders it a likely causative agent of the recurrent intracerebral haemorrhages. This case highlights the need for clinicians to robustly enquire about a patient’s use of over-the-counter medications, of non-prescribed supplements and other substances, as part of the history. In addition, the case highlights the potential for highly debilitating adverse effects from using DMSO.

  • psychiatry (drugs and medicines)
  • neurology (drugs and medicines)
  • stroke
  • drugs misuse (including addiction)
  • safety

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2020-240371

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @ABIDOTUN

    • Contributors JO and MY contributed equally to this paper and were involved in the conception and created first draft of the case report. OA and AC provided input with regard to differential diagnoses and the background to the report as well as ammending the first draft. All authors contributed to, and are satisfied with the final submission.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Next of kin consent obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.