Having a really hard time the past few days.

[chickentender]

I had to start taking vitamin A to correct a deficiency. I don't know why I have this deficiency, it's apparently extremely rare in healthy people in my country. And in trying to research why I have it, I found a bunch of scary info on why I might be deficient, I read about symptoms, which I have been having and dangers of vitamin A supplements.

Per doctor's orders, I'm on the maximum daily dose for adults, even though I'm a small adult, and have to have my blood rechecked in 3 months.

I am upset because one of my eyes has been extremely dry for a few years and starting a year ago, the white of that eye in the outside corner got wrinkly and baggy. I saw an eye doctor about it a year ago and they said it was probably from allergies and it would go away. It never went away, so I mentioned it to my PCP at a visit and that along with other symptoms made my him suspect a vitamin A deficiency and he was right. It looks extra wrinkly today (the severity comes and goes). Lately, I have seen small, lifted little veins showing in that area of my eye also and when I wake up my eye is bone dry.

I am going through moments of extreme panic. Panicking that I am going to die of my deficiency, panicking that the supplements are going to kill me or send me into liver failure, panicking over my eye, panicking about blindness which can be caused by this deficiency, panicking over the increased rate of death that I read occurs with this deficiency, panicking because I have had a headache since last night, etc. My fear peaks at times and I'm having panic attacks for the first time in I can't even remember how long. Then I'll be fine and able to calm down for 12 or so hours. Then it peaks again.

Then, because I live in a major city, I am following what's going on with the corona virus. I was ok just keeping tabs and not freaking out until this vitamin A deficiency diagnosis and subsequent panic. Now I am having a hard time keeping everything in perspective and talking myself down. Apparently, a vitamin A deficiency also leaves you very open to catching respiratory infections and corona virus aside, it's flu season and I have a history of asthma. Face masks are sold out everywhere where I live, so if I need one, there aren't any and stores have said that all suppliers are on backorder.

I'm having a really hard time being logical and staying calm about the amount of danger I'm in.

 

[MakUSA]

I am really sorry that you are going through all of that, and I hope you get better very soon. Try to stay positive and remember, Anxiety try to play games with us, don't let it too much to affect your life (easy said than done, I know). We are all here for you, and you will win this over.

 

[chickentender]

I am really sorry that you are going through all of that, and I hope you get better very soon. Try to stay positive and remember, Anxiety try to play games with us, don't let it too much to affect your life (easy said than done, I know). We are all here for you, and you will win this over.

Thank you so much. I am finding that doing hobbies that require my whole attention when I'm not working are the only things guaranteed to keep me calm for a set amount of time.