So, I popped a Niacin today with my regular B12 vitamin, as I've been looking for ways to break my nasty prescription drug habit for my migraine headaches. As anyone who knows me knows, that I suffer from intense days-long-lasting migraine headaches. Some have even witnessed me writhing in pain, vomiting, crying hysterically, clutching my head in absolute agony until I pass out from exhaustion. Well, I read up about it and decided to introduce B3 (Niacin) for the first time with plans to introduce a magnesium supplement as well as B2 (riboflavin) eventually.
In my research about Niacin I discovered that it may cause what was described as a "flush." I picture rosy cheeks and perhaps a feeling of warmth to the point of uncomfortable. But this description was TOTALLY inaccurate.
I thought I was dying, being burned from the inside out. As if there was a miniature hot-red burning sun somewhere inside my body, giving me a sunburn from the inside out.
I walked into my apartment, threw my keys on the table, dropped my pocketbook and took off my jacket. I felt a little warm, but thought it was just my roommate who turns the heat on 80 like that's normal. The thermostat was set at its normal 75, so i began to strip down. Suddenly my lips started burning, as if I was very dehydrated. They felt like they were on fire, then my face started to become stiff and swell slightly. My jaw went totally numb. I reached up to touch my face and the skin on my arm hurt to stretch. It was tight and painful to move. Suddenly, I was hot all over, and ITCHY. So intensely itchy all over. Only it HURT, HURT to touch myself, let alone I dare scratch.
So here I am, pacing my apartment watching this happen. I decide to take a shower. The hot water feels good. I get out and begin to dry off, and realize that it's too painful. I have pins and needles over my entire body, and leave the bathroom soaking wet. I throw on a t-shirt and crawl into bed. I grab my laptop and google this to make sure I'm not dying. I start drinking water. The pain begins to subside in my face after a few minutes. My arms become free again. Only now my legs burn and itch.
When the worst is finally over, my body is a little sore to touch, and the redness on my face has taken up residency in rectangular squares on each cheek below my eyes. Quite interesting.
I'm now detoxified.
A little frightened yet definitely ready to take it again. It was quite the adrenaline rush...
In my research, this "flush" or "crazy, scary pins and needles burning my entire body" feeling, is caused by the niacin expanding all of my blood vessels to allow 2 or 3 cells to pass through, thus eliminating any blockages.
I should have known better. I'm full of roadblocks.
