That Time I Thought I Was Dying...

Last month I had a little reunion with some friends I met in Croatia in 2019 (one of who reads my blog, so shout out to gorgeous "Spartan Girl" for your support, encouraging me to keep writing, and getting me that guy's number...even though I did nothing with it).  These guys were in Colorado to hike a 14er and check out the scenery (huge props to anyone coming from Arizona elevation and hitting a 14er in Colorado right off the bat).  We drank a few beers and said some cheers to our two year anniversary of THE most epic trip I've ever taken.  We sat at The Avery and talked and laughed and shared some fun times + secrets about the trip.  It's definitely on my "writing list" to outline this Croatia Multi-Sport trip for my readers.

But, actually what I wanted to share today happened two years ago as well.  I had actually just returned from that amazing overseas travel experience to bring in my 40th birthday...and was feeling on top of th world.  I was working at a great new job where I was performing legal research and analysis from home (a natural skillset).  Suddenly, out of nowhere I was getting really debilitating headaches, dizziness, intense ear drum pressure and motion sickness.  I had never suffered from migraines before, so I wasn't really sure what was going on with me.  To make things worse, my headaches were coupled with intense nausea and vertigo.  At times, I literally would stand up from my sofa and fall right back down.  Any time I would look in the mirror, I had this grimace on my face from the chronic headaches.  I couldn't engage in any vigorous workouts or ride my bike for fear of falling down.  I thought I was dying.  And, I lived alone, so I was a little scared of falling asleep and not waking up.

I went to my neighborhood Walgreens and asked the pharmacist what I should do (she would later tell me she as super worried and that no one should suffer headaches for over a week).  She recommended some over the counter headache medicine (the most extra strength you could get without a prescription!)  I took them and they didn't even begin to touch my symptoms.  

So, then I did what you NEVER should never ever ever ever do.  I went online to Web MD to research "what it could be."  HOLY COW!  That was not a comforting research project.  I was 100% convinced I was fated to die at 40.  I contacted my neighbor down the hallway and asked him to check in on me every couple of days to make sure I was still alive.  I called my mom.  I didn't want her to worry about me so I told her I was feeling "under the weather," but didn't want to share that I thought I was dying.  Everyone I talked to asked me if I was eating differently, using any different hygiene products, or doing anything different I could think of.  No, nothing was different!

And, then it hit me!  I was on an afternoon walk to get some fresh air.  I listened to podcasts and motional YouTube videos on my lunch breaks.  I had recently purchased some Apple air buds and had been wearing them at my desk, to take phone calls and be able to walk around my apartment, to work out, for my daily walks...I was wearing them all the time.  When I got back home, I immediately went to the computer to look up air pod sickness or side effects.  I was astonished at how many others had experienced the same symptoms...and yet, these still stayed on the market.  Seriously, a quick Google search yields so many articles on people complaining about these little boogers.  

SIDE NOTE: I'm super curious to see if Apple starts posting ads on my blog since I've mentioned them.  So far, I'm highly entertained by the choice of ads on my blog.  And, no, I do not choose these...they choose me.

Anyways...there were a couple schools of though on why these air pods affected people so negatively to make them THAT sick:

High levels of radiation (although the critics against the science will argue that the airpods meet the requirements falling just under the maximum radiation allowed to the head.

Perhaps the shape of size of my ear canals had something to do with it??  And, the vibrations were just too much for me to handle.

Empaths apparently had several issues with the blue tooth radiation emitted from the air pods!  Look up HSP’s to learn about these cool people (I’m one of ‘em)...

I still am not sure which of these led to my sickness.  However as soon as I discontinued use, I felt immediately better!  This is why in most photographs, you will see me wearing the old school earphones plugged into my phone or even the ones that fit over my ears (on airplanes).  Oh, and did I mention how much I've enjoyed these past two years and am so grateful I'm not dying (okay, okay, I realize we are all dying a little wee bit on the daily, but still)!  I was also glad that Verizon took the product back and gave me a fully money back refund.  I'm bummed because they had their own charging case, and they were so much easier than tying into a phone.  But, nothing is worse feeling terrible all the time.  Finally, with far reaching deductibles with single member insurance policies, I'm so glad I didn't spend a ton of money trying to find out if I had some life threatening illness.

There is so much to be thankful for, no?

Leave me a comment if you got super sick from Apple air pods or blue tooth technology.  What is your take on 5G?  I don't really know much about it, but I've heard it's causing health issues.

Thanks for stopping in!

Love, 

Kimmie