After going to the doctor for one exam, I was shocked when the doctor called me a few days later with the blood test results. “Vitamin D levels are dangerously low,” he said. “I’m putting you on a prescription for a very high dose of vitamin D. Your only other choices should be at the hospital.” I dutifully drove to the pharmacy and picked up my prescription. Two little blue liquid-filled vials that keep me out of the hospital. I am one today and exactly one week from today. I had never heard of low vitamin D and was skeptical. I gave the pill a try and within two weeks I felt so much better, I didn’t even realize how sick I was until I felt better.
bright light
Suddenly I felt everything, for weeks I had been driving my family nuts by turning off every light in the house and leaving them burning brightly all day and sometimes late at night I felt nervous and scared if I didn’t have the lights on. the darker the day, the more I turned on the lights. My family thought it was rather odd and turned off the lights if he left the room. He didn’t stop me when I walked into the room and turned back. The body longed for light. I am tired, irritable and easily fatigued. Things got worse when I couldn’t go to bed without bright lights. I was pacing the floor at all hours and if the lights were off, I would often cry until I turned them back on.
When I was able to work, I had to take a lamp with me to put on my table. I also added a 100 watt light bulb to the lamp. I knew something was wrong and I was afraid of losing my mind. It was the middle of winter and still dark when I left for work and I was literally shaking all the way to the car and then to the office. I was tempted to turn off the lights with the turtleneck but I knew I could get pulled over and I was afraid of what the officer would do with a neurotic woman freaking out about it being outside dark. It was hard enough to get into a car in broad daylight (I felt closed off and nervous) and I forced myself to get into a dark car. I am rapidly losing control of my life and the only solution I seem to find is bright lights.
I was unsure of who to talk to about my problem, I was afraid I would be thought crazy. I didn’t know why I felt so obsessed with bright light, but I was slowly increasing my body’s vitamin D levels by taking in as much light as I could. Of course, the light bulb wasn’t helping my vitamin D, but the sun was. The afternoon sun was the only time for me to escape.
Vitamin Therapy
A few weeks after I started taking the vitamin D supplements I went back to my doctor for some blood work. He called me again two days later and told me that my levels were slowly getting worse but that I should stay on the prescription vitamin D supplements for at least 6 months.
Refining
Little by little my symptoms started to improve. I was forced to turn on all the lights that eventually failed. I could sit in the room without all the light burning again. When the sun came out, I would go outside and soak in some delicious gold and get extra vitamin D coursing through my veins. I feel so happy and excited when I see the sun peak through the clouds that I almost want to dance.
Maintenance Therapy
Today, after several years, I go off the prescription vitamin D and just take a daily vitamin D supplement over the counter. If I start needing all the lights again or feeling ridiculously nervous, I know I need to get too low on my vitamin D and increase my dose by a day or so and spend more time outside in the sun until the obsession calms down.
Since all Obsessive Compulsive Disorders are not easily treated, I am grateful. My electric bill has improved and I feel much healthier and more energetic. I no longer have to worry about getting into the car during the day and at night. My family and friends tell me I look much happier. I know the vitamin D levels in my body and now I realize that I have failed since this year. Vitamin D deficiency will ruin my life and make my whole family miserable.
