6 Days. One Supplement. A Health Scare I’ll Never Forget.
Introduction
I didn’t expect to write this. Honestly, I didn’t expect any of it. What started as a simple decision to take a common supplement turned into one of the scariest experiences I’ve had in years. It wasn’t just a bad day. It was a moment that made me question everything I thought I knew about my body and my health.
“Even good things can become too much. And even wise women can be caught off guard.”
So why am I sharing all of this?
Because I know how easy it is, especially for women over 50, to feel like we always have to be doing more. More supplements. More effort. More pushing through. We want to take care of ourselves, we really do, but somewhere along the way, we start ignoring the signals our bodies are trying to send.
What happened to me was a wake-up call.
It reminded me that even good intentions can go sideways if we’re not slowing down enough to notice how our bodies respond.
And it showed me just how quickly something can shift even from something as simple as a vitamin we’re told is “essential.”
On keto? Supplementing? Here’s what I wish I knew.
- Keto affects how your body processes nutrients. Because it flushes water and electrolytes quickly, your system might be more sensitive to imbalances especially if magnesium or potassium levels are off.
More isn’t always better. Even something “good for you” can become too much if it’s not what your body actually needs.
Symptoms speak. Dizziness, anxiety, nausea, blurry vision, even slurred speech these aren’t things to push through or pray away. They’re a call to pause and reassess.
Lab tests are your friend. If something feels off, ask your provider to check your levels before supplementing especially if you’re already eating nutrient-dense or getting sun.
Here’s what happened to me
It was a Friday night, and I had spent the day doing all the things cleaning three fish tanks, doing laundry, mopping, vacuuming, and finally taking a shower, washing my hair, blow drying, and straightening it. It had been a productive day, and I went to bed feeling tired but satisfied.
But in the middle of the night, around 1 a.m., I woke up to something I’ll never forget.
My skin felt like it was crawling. I was itchy. And worst of all, my mind felt foggy and confused.
When I got out of bed that morning, I couldn’t walk straight. My balance was completely off even just going to the bathroom felt difficult. I tried to look at my phone, but I couldn’t get it to work. I couldn’t form sentences. I felt like I wasn’t in my own body.
And I was scared.
All that Saturday, I lay on the couch watching Lifetime movies, unable to eat, unable to process what was happening. My brain just wasn’t working right.
The next day, Sunday, I felt a tiny bit better enough to start putting pieces together. I hadn’t changed anything major in my life. I hadn’t eaten anything unusual. I hadn’t started any new medications. The only thing that was different?
Vitamin D.
I had taken a strong dose, daily, for just six days. And I live in Arizona. I’m in the sun. I eat a clean, protein-rich diet. Looking back, it was the only thing that had changed… and it may have been one thing too many.
“You don’t have to explain your symptoms to be believed. You only need to trust your body’s wisdom.”
The turning point came when I started to heal.
I flushed my system with fluids and eliminated everything that could be contributing every supplement, dairy, and anything that might cause Vitamin D to linger in my body. I was determined to give my system a break and let it reset.
Little by little, my brain started to respond. The dizziness eased. My words came back. I could finally speak again, and my family was so grateful, first time ever. For the first time in days, I could hold a conversation.
Today is Day 4 since stopping everything, and while I’m still not 100%, I’m getting there.
Typing is easier. Last night, I even cooked dinner. This morning, I made breakfast. And now I’m writing this blog post. It’s taken me forever… but I can do it. And that feels like a victory.
Here’s what this experience reminded me:
Healing doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes, it’s one slow step at a time one small moment of clarity, one bite of food, one sentence typed.
I’ve had to let go of pushing and striving. I’ve had to trust that my body, designed by God, knows how to heal when I stop interfering and start listening.
And I’ve had to remember that even when I couldn’t speak clearly… He still heard me.
Even when my mind was foggy… He was not confused.
Even when I felt helpless… I was still held.
So, if you’re in a moment like that where your body doesn’t feel like your own, where fear whispers loud I want to say this with all the tenderness I can:
You are not alone. You are not broken. And you will rise from this, too.
“Sometimes the greatest victory is simply showing up for your own healing.”
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