Doctors 'don't know' if teen who inhaled laughing gas will ever walk without help again

A teenager has been left unable to walk without help after inhaling nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, his mother has warned.

Long-term or chronic use of the drug can lead to a condition called subacute combined degeneration (SACD) of the spinal cord.

It interferes with the body's ability to process vitamin B12, which then can leave nerves unprotected and exposed to damage.

Symptoms include difficulty with balance and coordination and numbness in hands and feet.

Nitrous oxide is typically inhaled from canisters or balloons to produce a short-term high.

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It does have a legitimate use for pain relief in medical and dental settings, but an RTÉ report from late last year uncovered a major link to organised crime gangs.

The teenager's mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, told The Journal that her son was diagnosed with SACD after losing feeling in his hands and feet and his walk becoming "floppy."

"It’s a long road to recovery. They don’t know if he’ll ever be 100%," she said. 

Floppy leg syndrome is the name for severe weakness, paralysis, or the inability to walk and is caused by abusing nitrous oxide.

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The teenager is now able to walk with help, but not on his own; something his mother is struggling to come to terms with as it's unkown if he will ever be able to walk alone again. 

"We all fear cocaine and grass and hash. We all fear all that, but this is another fear that should be highlighted," the mother said.

Over 1,000 large canisters of the gas are being seized in Ireland every week, mostly at Dublin and Rosslare ports.

The HSE’s Drugs and Alcohol Helpline can be reached from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, on 1800 459 459 or via helpline@hse.ie.