Carbon Monoxide
Saturday | December 20th, 2008 | 45 Comments 
Remember how we had our carbon monoxide detectors go off last Sunday? That day I spent at least 6 hours in the carbon monoxide filling room without knowing. All day I had a horrible headache and jaw pain that would not go away even after 5 Motrin. After we aired out the house I began having severe panic attacks that Monday morning. They were horrible. Followed by a sudden on come of severe depression symptoms. Then the next day, & the next…. I have carbon monoxide poisoning. There’s not much that can be done except waiting it out. The carbon is slowly cycled through and replaced by healthy oxygen in your red blood cells but it can take up to weeks for your system to return back to normal. Even meds for depression don’t work in this case. 
It comes and goes and has gotten slightly less severe compared to Monday’s first attack. It’s just so awful. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. Full blown depression and anxiety, plus fatigue and inability to focus. There’s no “cheering up” the symptoms either because it’s all chemical. There’s not much I can do except wait for it to be 100% out of my system. It doesn’t make it any easier that 2 new neighbors are still moving in and interrupting my sleep pattern and making me feel so stressed out trying to re adapt to “city life” where, yes, you have neighbor noise like TVs & foot fall noise & it’s a part of life. I got spoiled with the months upon months of silence in our home.
I wasn’t sure about posting this. Today wasn’t a good day. I’ve been having an anxiety attack for about 6 hours now. I just hate the hopelessness that comes with it. The urgency to change my life. To quit my job and move for no reason. It’s like an elephant is sitting on my chest my heart feels so heavy and full all the time. It cane take weeks. WEEKS. I’ve already had 1 week 
I want to thank everyone who wrote down what makes them happy. When my symptoms were gone reading them really made me so, so happy. And even when the anxiety of depression was present reading them helped me hold on to reality as much as I possibly could.
Mike’s been amazing with this whole thing. Taking me out, watching what I eat (sugars and caffeine make the symptoms extremely worse.) He’s been making me detox tea and holding me when I need it. If it weren’t for him who’s to say WHAT this carbon monoxide poisoning would have had me do.
Honestly, I can’t believe I have carbon monoxide poisoning. Thank god for those detectors or something far worse could have happened.
Also, Mike’s fine. The carbon monoxide doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. He just had headaches thank god.
posted Saturday (2 weeks ago) at 6:56 pm [url]
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December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 7:02 pm
So that’s what it was! Argh, I hope you get well soon Jenny ♥ So sorry about all of this. Mike is a wonderful man. I have never had a chemically caused depression but man any depression sucks hard. Just keep fighting it.
Keeping you in my thoughts~ ♥
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 7:15 pm
Aw girl, I’m so sorry. Internet hug!
I totally know how you feel about the anxiety.
Sometimes I’m doing great, then suddenly just want to burn everything I’ve ever painted and sink into a depressing rut.
It’ll all work out - Eat lots of fruit, drink tons of water!
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 7:29 pm
Ohh wow…im so happy that nothing else happened. I hope you are feeling a little better by the time your read this Jen~~~~~ Everything will be alright. We are here as well, so don’t be sad!!!! I’m glad Mike is doing well too~ Everything is going to be okay
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 7:35 pm
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 8:45 pm
wow, i’m so sorry to hear that. I had read it on your twitter but didn’t really know much about it. I hope & pray that it comes out of your system really quickly. and kudos to your husband, that’s a good man right there to take care of you like that.
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 8:50 pm
The treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is 100% oxygen. Try to step outside and get lots of air.
I hope the symptoms go away soon, they don’t sound so nice; and I know the feeling of hopelessness and anxiety (I get it all the time). Talk it out and take deep breathes.
Take care sweetie.
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 8:59 pm
god, I’m so happy that the both of you are okay, in spite of what you’re going through right now
I can’t even imagine, & hopefully the cm will get completely out of your system soon.
I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be better before Christmas. Take care, bb ♥
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 9:06 pm
I’m glad you found out what was wrong :/ carbon monoxide leakage is quite dangerous, but i’m really glad you’re okay and nothing more serious happened!
spend more time outside and breathe in the fresh air~
ah and i’m sorry i didn’t see the post on the side… my cat and lolcats make me happy
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 10:32 pm
GET WELL SOON BB D:
Carbon Monoxide’s a bitch.
December 20, 2008 (2 weeks ago) @ 11:43 pm
がんばって! You’ll make it through Jen. Get well soon♥ ♥
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 12:02 am
That sounds horrible. I had no idea carbon monoxide does that. I hope you feel better and hang in there!
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 12:47 am
aww I’m sorry to hear that, hope you get better!! I’m sure its a hassle. feel better!
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 1:26 am
I hope you feel better soon! It sound so painful and stressful. =(
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 1:45 am
awwwww TT-TT
get better soon~~~
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 1:46 am
get better soon!
im sure you will
so is the house clear of CO now?
sigh =_= we learned it in chem class
and we weren’t allowed to close windows during labs due to stuff like this
i didnt know it could get so serious
but anyways
please get better soon
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 3:54 am
Oh my goodness D:
I hope that clears up asap for you!
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 5:45 am
I feel so sorry for you ;_;. Thats a terrible thing to happen. I hope it goes away very fast and doesn’t leave you with any complaints
. I can relate to what your feeling I have those symptoms everyday all the time without the carbon monoxide poisoning. Hope you get better very quick
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 5:53 am
That is really scary. I hope you are feeling better soon, and don’t worry because everything will be fine.
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 10:06 am
Oh my god! Readin that just made me so worry! I never knew something like that could happen and i’m so sorry! I want you to recover soon, seriosly. I know its the first time I comment here but I been reading your blog for some time now and… Oh, dear, you just look so..! I dont know what to think!
But to know that you have someone takin care of you makes me less worried …Uf! That way you gonna get better right?!
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 11:18 am
O.O Oh my! I’m glad you had the detectors. I did not realize what that stuff could do.
I hope you are able to get that stuff out of your system soon. This is not the time of year to have be sick like that. I’m soo sorry for you
Mike is such a sweety too
He sounds like such a great guy. I hope you two are back to normal soon.
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 11:18 am
oh god, that sounds terrible
i’m glad nothing worse happened to you..
hope the poisoning will go away soon!
be safe & take care! ♥
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 1:53 pm
Omg, I hope you get better soon! That’s really bad!
I’m sorry that happend to you. I’ll have you in my prayers! ♥ ♥ ♥
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 4:37 pm
Poor thing! That sux!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 6:20 pm
That sounds horrible!
I hope you feel better soon!
I’ve always had this horrible fear of carbon monoxide, because I heard you can’t smell it. XD Is that true?
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 7:17 pm
Oh my gosh! That’s terrible! I hope the symptoms wear off soon and you are all right!
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 9:14 pm
This sounds serious, i really hope you get better soon.
!oh nose don’t take depressants !
People often get addicted to them
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 9:15 pm
Oh Jen! I had no idea that carbon monoxide poisoning could cause all of these problems. I wish you a speedy recovery!
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 9:30 pm
oh dear! i had no idea that carbon monoxide caused such symptoms! hope you feel better soon ~~
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 10:40 pm
Wow that’s intense! I experience a anxiety attack earlier this year and it is no fun. But I hate to think how it would feel to experience something like that over and over again. Well, hope that you feel better.
December 21, 2008 (1 weeks ago) @ 10:42 pm
sorry for not commenting lately. >_
December 22, 2008 (6 days ago) @ 12:07 am
Oh wow that sounds pretty horrible =( I’m really glad that it will end up leaving your system. It really could have been a lot worse, not like it isn’t really bad by how you are describing it.
Ack all I can say is that I hope you get better =(
December 22, 2008 (6 days ago) @ 1:25 am
it seemed really really horrible OAO;;;
I hope you’re feeling much better now, jen-sama!
Take care!
December 22, 2008 (6 days ago) @ 10:03 am
Wow, that’s really teribble. Carbon monoxide poisoning is horrible!! I hope you get better soon!
December 22, 2008 (6 days ago) @ 12:11 pm
Oh Jen ;___; I’m so glad you’re ok!!! That’s very scary. I’m glad Mike is taking care of you, get better ok?
December 22, 2008 (6 days ago) @ 2:16 pm
I’m really glad you’re safe! How awful!
I really hope you feel better soon. I suffer from anxiety, and sometimes mild depression (not caused by carbon monoxide though, haha) and I know that it can be very, very difficult. Everything seems like an effort. I understand, I really do. Just keep reminding yourself that’s just the chemicals.
Feel better!
December 22, 2008 (6 days ago) @ 2:34 pm
OMG, I hope you feel better, It’s really hard to air-up in winter.
December 22, 2008 (6 days ago) @ 3:35 pm
o wow.. i hope you feel better soon! and don’t feel too sad, you have lots to be happy about! moving is exciting and a very brave thing to do, don’t feel scared because you get to change
December 22, 2008 (6 days ago) @ 10:28 pm
Oh my gosh! That’s so horrible. And that you can’t even take an anti-depressant to help.
I hope the carbon is quickly processed away. It’s horrible having panic attacks. :’(
December 23, 2008 (5 days ago) @ 12:04 am
OMG, I suddenly researched about Carbon monoxide poisoning and I never thought that it could occur within normal circumstances.
Having headaches suck.
So, I hope you’re feeling better now. =)
GAMBARRO~!! >W
December 23, 2008 (5 days ago) @ 12:43 am
oh my! how frightening that is….
i feel paranoid now…thank god for those detectors or you’d be in a far worse position
!!
happy that you are well ^_________^
December 23, 2008 (5 days ago) @ 2:21 pm
I’ve just been a lurker, but after reading this post I *had* to comment:
I used to suffer from constant anxiety attacks daily. It wasn’t caused my carbon monoxide, so I don’t know if these tips will help you, but can’t hurt to try!
The best thing to do is step outside to get some air, but if you can’t do that , like if you’re in a meeting, then breathe deeply! Make sure your stomach inflates before your chest does. Inhale for 4 seconds, pause, exhale for 4 sec. Focus on the cool air in your nostrils on the inhale, then on the warm air on the exhale. Say positive self-talk like “I can handle whatever life throws at me”
Hope it helps!
December 23, 2008 (5 days ago) @ 8:00 pm
I didn’t think it’d be this serious when I saw your twitter. I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been having such a tough time and that it’s uncontrollable. It’s one thing being affected by it but not being able to control it is the worst
I’ll be sending all my virtual hugs your way! ♥
December 23, 2008 (5 days ago) @ 9:27 pm
Since everyone pretty much said what I was about to say, I’ll just keep this short by wishing you a speedy recovery
December 24, 2008 (4 days ago) @ 12:08 pm
Wow, that really sucks. What’s amazing, though is that you know it’ll go away. For about 3 years I had constant panic attacks because of some stuff going on in my life. I would randomly black out, start vomiting, & hallucinate. I ended up getting on sedatives and tranqulisers because it was so bad. Unfortunately in that state, you’re pretty much sleep- walking -_-
I hope it ends soon because man- it’s SUCH a drainer! ♥
December 25, 2008 (3 days ago) @ 2:36 am
I just heard about this (I just started catching up on blogs…
and I’m sorry. I’m glad that the detectors went off & caught the carbon monoxide. I truly hope that the symptoms disappear soon & that you feel better! *HUGGS*