Well, hello there.
So nice to be here.
Such tales to tell, of where I have been, I'll try to keep it short.
Let me begin by saying, in the last few weeks, my studio looked like an elfin workshop.
Paintings, clay, wee faces, sparkle, fluff, ruffles, so much.
Just ready to be finished up for the holidays.
It was exciting, it was time for cuties galore.
Winter frolic and goodness was in the air.
Decorating for holidays, and more.
And then…
I got sick.Really sick.
Around December 4th.
It started with my stomach.
And then just got worse.
So much worse.
Such constant pain.
I was scared.
And just when I thought I was getting better, I got even worse.
The symptoms changed.
If I can describe it, it was much like the anaphylactic shock from this summer.
But without the massive hives.
Just red and splotchy neck and face.
And then unending stomach pains.
With so much belly anxiety I was going insane.
Trouble breathing etc.
Which caused me much anxiety and distress and panic.
To the point where, I just couldn't take it anymore.
So, after 13 days of the netherworld…
I ended up in an urgent care.
If anyone knows me, they know, I don't go to doctors unless it's dire.
The nurse checked me out.
Took my temp.
I had a fever.
And I was all red and splotchy.
The anxiety and stomach pains were killing me.
She thought, infection or something of that sort, for sure.
I was happy to find out, and just wanted to be cured.
Interesting enough.
I had the same breathing problems as I had with the anaphylactic shock.
I had recently made a log.
When I would feel worse.
Times, days – what I had eaten.
It wasn't much.
Just soup, if that, for almost 2 weeks.
I couldn't figure out what it was.
I just couldn't think straight, my mind was blurry and fast and flashing and worry.
Just not me.
Finally, the doc came in, we talked.
He was lovely.
And kind.
He listened to me, through a jittery freezing feverish voice.
I told him everything.
As best as I could.
He asked if this was common, for me to feel like this?
If I had suffered from this other times in my life?
No no, I said.
Lovee chimed in and told the doc this was so unusual, it was bizarre.
Which was true.
Then I showed the doc a B vitamin I had been taking for about 1 month.
My mom took it too, and told me about how great it made her feel.
The doc said, you have a fever and we need to do tests.
After lots of blood tests and other tests.
Which I thought would reveal awful things, why, I don't know?
And so much waiting I almost went mad.
(with oodles of praying)
Turns out, I am one healthy girl.
Blood work and tests looked really great he said.
But, he said…
I was having an allergic reaction to the B vitamin I was taking.
He had done some research on it, and was sure this was it.
I never take vitamins.
I can't even handle caffeine, or even sugar very well.
I can't drink alcohol without getting sick.
Basically, my body doesn't like anything of that sort.
Even multi-vitamins make me puke.
But, this B vitamin was making me feel great.
Until it wasn't.
The doc came back and said, you are being poisoned by this.
Your body is rebelling.
And, you are having a severe allergic reaction to it.
Time to toss them in the trash.
And, it will take at least a week to flush the system.
Then he prescribed an antihistamine.
(the same stuff they gave me this summer for the hives, can you believe it?)
Phew.
Thank God.
I really thought it was the end for me.
That I was going insane.
Which oddly enough, is how I felt when I had the anaphylactic shock.
Then, snap, it all made sense.
Yes yes, I had felt this before, this summer.
Of course, we still don't know 100% what gave me hives this summer.
As I was not taking those vitamins then.
(although I think it was scrubbing buggy sunflower leaves back and forth with dishwashing soap, with no gloves on)
But at least now I know how my body reacts when it is having an allergy or being poisoned.
What a way to find out.
So…
When I feel that way, I need to analyze my intake and surroundings.
And realize, I might be having an allergic reaction to something.
It's important to be aware that, even things you think are good, can make you sick.
Lots of folks think you can't get sick from water soluble vitamins, but you can.
Not everyone is built the same.
We all react differently to things, and we have to be aware of what works for us.
It's all new to me.
Since in my life, I never really get sick or anything.
Except for a cold or the flu every 5 years.
So, I am a bit slow in learning about these things, it seems.
But when you are so sick, it's hard to get your bearings, and make sense of things.
Anyhow.
Today I feel good.
Yesterday I felt great.
Thank God for Mister Lovee, who held my hand through it all.
Have you ever had anything happen to you as such, with a vitamin or medicine??
As for now, that I am feeling better bit by bit…
I am working on a few of those wee faces I meant to have done for Christmas.
In fact…
I might be back today to share them, and/or pop them in my shop.
No, they might not arrive before Christmas.
But, an elfin treat for after Christmas blues, always hits the spot 😉
Good way to go into the New Year, me thinks.
However…
Apparently if you ship priority in the US by Friday (21st), you can still have your parcel in time for Christmas.
So, we can try.
I'll be back later today if all works out.
😉
Time to get back into the holiday groove.
Phew, I almost missed this most magical time of the year!!
Elfin tales to follow sooooon.
Love, Vanessa
Now you make me worry Vanessa ……….hubby just found out he is B12 deficient so he will start taking B12 vitamins….geesh if its not one thing its another huh? So glad you feel better and better yet found out what the cause may be this time around….enjoying getting back to Christmas! Hugs! deb
Miss V, I’m so glad to hear you are feeling better and so sorry to hear that you have been so sick. Being sick is horrible! (Believe me, I know…looonng story but I’ve been sick for several years now with no cause found yet) I so hope you continue to improve and am happy you have Lovee to help you and take care of you.
love & blessings
~*~
I took a B vitamin called Biotin. Horrible thing. It is in the
hair skin and nail section of the health food store, which is why my mom bought
it, as she read it is good. Now we are both horrified that it is being
sold at all, and at 5000mcg. Crazy insane. Come to find out, no one
really needs it unless their doc tells them, and anything above 300mcg a
daymight turn you into what happened to me, or worse…..
As long as he is being monitored by his doc, all should be
well.
Oh no! Poor Miss V. You have been through a lot this year it seems. I am glad you are starting to feel better. And let me tell you something that makes me happy and just happened today. I was on pinterest and noticed that one of my friends from back home in Oregon pinned one of your photos! But not from your site, just re-pinned it from someone else who had pinned it from a tumblr who had gotten it from somewhere. Anyway it made me happy to see you lovely photos permeating the interwebs! I left a comment on it with your blog link and told her your blog was one of my favorites, so that she could see more if she wanted. Yay!
Oh Laura, that sounds pretty rotten. I so hope you find a cause soon,
I do with all my heart!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/19/2012 1:19:25 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Glad you are on the mend. It is scary what things can do to us! I never take vitamins or anything. The only medicines I take are the occasional ibuprofen. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year and stay well! x
Well, it was an interesting year I suppose 🙂 It had lots of good,
with some weird things thrown in for bizarre measure I suppose 😉
I know – twice with an allergy.
Yesterday I was in my garden, and I was thinking about how we take things
for granted in nature. And how we arent as cautious as we should
be. How we need to respect our bodies and nature more.
I mean, here I was taking a B vitamin, thinking all was well – and I was
poisoning myself really.
How absurd is that?
Or there I was, washing the sunflowers with my bare hands and Dawn dish
soap, and then I was covered in hives.
But, then when you really think about it – it makes perfect sense – how you
can get poisoned from things you never thought.
Like – the oils from the sunflower leaves, were being pulled out with the
agent in the soap that cuts through grease, and being absorbed through my skin,
which as you know, is our biggest organ. Making my body react
horribly.
And there I was taking a vitamin, I didnt need – I already have decent
hair and nails and skin- but over and over you hear how good Biotin can be
for you.
Until you really do research and find out all the people who get sick from
it.
You read that it is water soluble, so anything your body doesnt need
should pass through. But, what when it doesnt? What about those
people who react like me?
And then you realize, wait, I have to be careful.
Really careful.
Even with plants and vitamins.
The things we think are harmless.
I learned in such a hard way.
I wouldnt wish how I felt on anyone.
Anyhow, there is my soapbox for the day 😉
I’m glad you are feeling much better. It’s crazy how you can be allergic to things that you never even thought you would be.
Sarah, normally I am like you. An ibuprofen very rarely. I took
vitamins for 1 month, and I almost killed myself. My goodness. I
learned a hard lesson.
Shell, I know, right? Its odd. But the other thing, is how you
find out how vitamins and such are not really tested as they should be.
They can be just as dangerous as narcotics really. If taken wrong, in
wrong dosages, without a doctor supervising. Depending on the
person.
Oh also, fillers in vitamins can make people sooo sick too.
Its safer to just eat right and exercise, and get good sleep.
O gosh you poor thing, thank goodness they found out what the problem was! Wishing you a good and speedy recovery Vanessa.
Mercy me oh my, poor you!! Thankfully, you had a wonderful doctor to help sift through all the possibilities to come to a good conclusion and your wonderful Mister Lovee and furry love too to help you through. It is totally way no fun dealing with health yuck. The Delicious and I are sending healing thoughts and prayers to you for total recovery well in time for a very Merry Christmas!
This is the 1st week I’ve been back at it after having surgery on the 4th so I can fully understand the scramble for whipping up elfin holiday cheer, Take very good care!
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Oh Queeeenie!! How are you after your surgery???
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/19/2012 2:10:00 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
My mom gave me a bottle of Vitamin B, said she loved it. I tried it once and had such bad anxiety- not just emotional- but physical anxiety, like every cell in my body was nervous. I wanted to jump out of my skin! It was awful. And once you take something, there’s no in un-taking it. You have ride it out. I gave the bottle back to my mom. I’m so sorry you had that experience. I’m glad you figured it out, especially before Christmas! Happy Holidays!
Chelsy, that is exactly what happened to me, only on a heavier level since
i took it for a month. I wasnt just in my head anxious, my whole body was
fluttering, like shaking and trembling, and I couldnt get a hold of it. I
felt chemically poisoned, I cant believe I didnt realize it was the vitamins –
of course, they didnt make me feel that way until after a couple weeks of
taking them. Yes yes, just what you speak of. I have a little of
that still, but getting better.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/19/2012 2:41:07 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Glad you are getting better. That is scary!
Oh, Vanessa! That sounds so scary! I am so thankful that you are OK now and that you think you know what caused the terrible symptoms. That must be a big relief. I’m sorry you were sick during the holiday season, but you have a lovely festive personality all year round, and I know you can extend the celebrating one way or another!
I am glad you are able to be creating again! That will do you a world of good!
Hugs hugs hugs!
Oh my baby girl…thank goodness you are on the mend and can enjoy a blessed Christmas. All the best 🖤
Thank goodness you figured out what was wrong! Glad you’re feeling better. Merry Christmas!
This is bizarre – I saw my dermatologist today and asked her about something for hair and nails and guess what she suggested? Yep, Biotin. I am so glad I read your post before buying some. Since I see her again next week I am definitely going to tell her your story and you can be sure I won’t be buying it. Wow!!!!
I am ever so glad you are feeling better, what an ordeal you went through.
XOXO
Lisa, the more research I do on Biotin, the more it totally freaks me
out. I have learned that you have have have to be careful with any B
vitamins. And the forums of people who have taken biotin and feel like
they are dying from the anxiety and panic attacks, are staggering. Also,
there have been no studies done on the stuff, and no studies on long term
effects either. (you can google Biotin Poisoning and Biotin and Anxiety/Panic
attacks and see what you will find)
Its crazy, that vitamins are not regulated as such. My poor mom, she
read about it, and picked it up at Sprouts grocery store. Biotin by
Solaray. And why on earth, there would be 5,000 mcg in something like this
is beyond me. I also feel stupid for not doing research before taking
it. The recommended daily dosage in 150mcg, or a max of 300mcg.
Imagine, 5,000mcg is what my store tablets have in them. FREAK me
out. But, my mom was taking them, and she had no side effects. Of
course, she can drink a pot of coffee and be fine too. It all depends on
the person I guess.
I dont have hair or nail issues, so I now ask myself, why? Why did I
take it? How stupid I feel.
I dont think anyone should be taking it. Unless you have a
deficiency and your blood work shows it, and your doc is monitoring you, it
should be a no no.
The way it made me feel was horrifying, scary, indescribable – and in a
tunnel of eminent doom.
I wouldnt wish it on anyone. It has been a horrible trip.
Unlike anything I can describe.
And unlike anything I have ever experienced. Please, dont take
it.
Many doctors will tell you, its water soluble, your body with expunge what
it doesnt need.
Hogwash.
Love, V
(sorry I ranted there 😉
Oh Vanessa sweetheart! I am so glad they figured out what was causing your sickness. You must be so very sensitive and will always have to be very careful. I read your post out loud to my hubby. I am very sensitive and now I am to the point that I can’t eat sugar at all any more. It makes me ILL…really sick! Take care of yourself my friend! I’m keeping you in my prayers and I know you will enjoy the holiday season even more now. Just enjoy!
Oh, my, gosh!! I’m really glad you’re better. So sorry you had to go through such an awful thing right at Christmastime. Please get better and don’t get sick like that again. Diane
Dear Vanessa… I’m so sorry you wen thru so much before finally discovering what your body was reacting so violently to! But Thankfully they discovered the problem.
Merry Christmas… Dawn…The Bohemian
Wow, I’m so glad you are feeling better! Not good! I haven’t poisoned myself with any pills like that yet, but my body has started reacting to things it never had before. Alcohol makes me feel like I have the flu. Anything with benzoyle peroxide makes me break out into hives and it never did before. Stuff like that. I’m just starting to short circuit, but fortunately nothing like you had! Scary!
What a story and I’m so glad you had a doctor that could figure it out. How interesting what it turned out to be. You are much healther w/o any suppliments it seems. Now you know if it happens again you look to something different you took into your body.
Have a great Christmas and I’m so glad you are well.
Well, well, well. I leave you for a few weeks and look at yurself?! GEEZ, LOUISE! I’m reading this and thinking “Deja-vu all over again.” Glad you’re ok. I don’t post comments hardly ever anymore but I do stop by to “see” you. What a story. So, girly-girl. For 2013 (provided the world doesn’t end on Friday…) let’s hope it’s a better year for you. The world’s a better place with you in it. So, missy, STAY in it!! (please) Take care of you. Huge hugs from afar.
Kathy (in Chicago)
Gosh, so glad you had a doctor who could help you get through that. Sounds absolutely horrible. Poisoned by the vitamin. So very sorry you went through that! Be well!
I once had a similar reaction to niacin, which is a type of B vitamin. I forgot I took it and got all red and blotchy and panicked breathing. I didn’t know what the heck was happening! I called Dial-a-Nurse and she helped me to get to the bottom of it. I am so glad that your episode was nothing serious. We all love you so! Have a very happy holiday!
Oh Miss Vanessa, I feel so bad that you had a bad reaction…Yes, it is scary. I am glad that you had a good and understanding Dr. That always helps. Now is the time to be careful..take only baby steps and don’t worry about packages being sent out. Everyone will understand, you and your health is more important. I am so glad that you are feeling better. It will take time for your body to heal so please get lots of rest. I am sure that Mr. Lovee will make sure of that.
Just to let you know… You Are Loved.
Vanessa!!!
I have been off the radar for a few days, so I’m just now reading this. I was wondering in my head if you might be having an allergic reaction, and I kept meaning to bring it up to you, but kept forgetting!
So strange to think even the good things we think we are doing can sometimes not be good for everyone….like taking vitamins.
I am so so so glad that you finally broke down and went to urgent care. 🖤🖤
xoxo
Kim
I have had that feeling i’m going insane and stomach problems recently…i know i’m allergic to monosodium glutamate and steer clear…but ow i’m going to stop taking my multivitamin and see if i feel better…so, so glad your on the mend xx
Goodness gracious! I am glad the doctor found out what was causing you to not feel well, that is just crazy! I have to be careful eating anything green, as I am allergic to sitting on grass, or dirt will literally peal the skin off my fingers, so I always wear gloves while gardening. I am also allergic to anything with wool, or wool by products in them, like lanolin, dryer sheets contain lanolin and break me out in hives and cause a hot sensation on my skin. My daughter can’t eat strawberries, her mouth, tongue and throat swell up, definitely an allergic reaction. I know they say to drink milk or cream to coat your stomach if you think you are allergic to something so that it is not so readily absorbed into the body. I did have an allergic reaction to antibiotics and my stomach is still not back to normal after a year.
I have taken brewer’s yeast for the B vitamins, which is more of a natural way to absorb the B vitamins. Also, the vegetable capsules cause me concern at times as they can have soy in them,or corn which most things these days with corn in them such as dextrose comes from genetically modified grown corn which can alter DNA molecules within our body so we retain more fat molecules. They are even putting dextrose in the salt we use. Some sugar has corn starch in it (powdered sugar) And soy is not all it is cracked up to be for some people, even linked to some breast cancers.
Were you able to list any of your goodies yet or did I miss them again???
I hope this next year goes better for you health wise. Goodness!!!
love and hugs,
Miss Teresa
So sorry my favorite blogger was ill. I’m glad you’re better–and busy with elfin magic. It seems forever that I’ve been waiting for you to create some little elves–imbued with the Vanessa spirit. I’ll be watching your shop. Take your time and get well completely. I enjoy elfin magic all through the year.
I wore my dangly mismatched earrings to a recent dress-up affair–along with platform shoes and striped stockings. I was holding my breath–and they arrived in the post just in time. Thanks!
What with your lovely artwork and all, my house is slowly taking on some Vanessa magic.
I know, its all so scary, and we have to be so careful dont we? Oh,
no wee faces yet, but today for sure. Working on them now ;)))
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/20/2012 1:34:46 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I’m so sorry you were so scary sick again. But I’m glad they know what made you so allergic. I’m glad you are feeling better.
And I love your little houses. I have some that I have painted and now I am glittering. Pictures soon on my sadly neglected blog.
Oh, for heaventy sakes!
smooches on the forehead, pookie.
thank goodness that’s over!
I’m happy you’re feeling better bit by bit! Now, please, stop having allergic reactions! ^_~
Love & hugs & Happy Yule! =D
XOXO
Oh you 😉 Thanks!!! I wish I could, my goodness. My body is
finicky these days 🙂 Or is it my exposure to weird things. Poor
body 🙂
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/21/2012 7:00:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Wow! I am so glad you are feeling better. I know firsthand about being sick with hives and stomach illness, and the confusing pain it can produce. Thank goodness the doctor was able to figure it out and give you some relief.
Ironically, I had a similar incident last week – only I suffered for four to five days, instead of two weeks like you, poor thing. My honey and I went out to eat for a romantic dinner at Olive Garden. Turns out they put fish stock/paste in their “vegetarian” marinara sauce. (Soooo weird!) Anyway, I’m deathly allergic to all meat/animal product. It’s taken me over a week to feel normal and resume a healthy eating schedule. It’s like a Christmas miracle, hahaha!
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?