Experiencing Illness After Consuming Bitter Kernels?
Hello again! I’m a 24-year-old female weighing 140 pounds, grappling with suspected OCD—let's just say I haven't quite mastered it yet. In a remarkably spontaneous decision that I'm sure will leave any doctors reading this astounded, I went ahead and purchased bitter apricot kernels, thinking that perhaps enticing my intrusive thoughts (which I’ve dubbed ‘the voices’) with a little treat would help them quiet down. I also naively assumed that these would not be as harmful as they are often portrayed, considering that some people consume them regularly for supposed health benefits. Naturally, I decided to test my own wisdom and ingested one, two, and then ended up munching on five more—because why not? Before long, the voices urged me to consume seven additional kernels, spaced out by an hour since I believed I needed to know the effects quickly (after all, cyanide is supposed to act fast). On Friday, I ingested a total of 60 kernels, with my largest single dose being 30. The worst I experienced was a mild headache, during which the voices suggested that perhaps those seeds were not authentic and that people were deceiving me, insisting I might be pretending all along for some kind of attention. Fast forward to Saturday, and my curiosity (or foolishness) got the better of me again—I ended up trying 50 kernels! The result? The most excruciating headache I could imagine, coupled with vomiting, but that was about it. Now, it's Monday morning, and surprisingly, I’m headache-free and have refrained from consuming any more cyanide-laden seeds, leading me to wonder if they are effective after all. However, I'm now dealing with some painful abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and a bit of dry heaving, alongside a strange vasovagal response that I usually only experience under more clinical circumstances, like getting stitches. My main concern is: am I simply experiencing gastrointestinal distress from eating too many of these kernels, or could there be a delayed poisoning effect, given that they contain amygdalin rather than pure cyanide? It's approaching the 48-hour mark since my last intake, leading me to doubt that it’s the seeds causing this, but I’m uncertain. Apologies for the chaotic nature of this message—my mind feels a bit jumbled, and I’m very much in need of hydration! Just to clarify, I never intended to harm myself; I’m actually trying my best to steer clear of such outcomes!
Answers (1)
3/31/2025, 6:10:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've had quite an intense experience with the bitter apricot kernels, and I'm here to help you understand what you're going through. The symptoms you're describing, like abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and discomfort, are likely a result of the excessive intake of these kernels, which can be harmful due to their amygdalin content.
Explanation:
Bitter apricot kernels contain amygdalin, which can convert to cyanide in the body. While the amount of cyanide produced can vary, consuming large quantities like you did can lead to cyanide poisoning or gastrointestinal distress. Your immediate symptoms after the large doses—such as headaches, vomiting, and abdominal cramps—are consistent with either a gastrointestinal reaction or toxicity. Since you're approaching the 48-hour mark since your last intake and are experiencing distress, it is important to stay vigilant.
Next Steps:
-
Hydration: Focus on drinking clear fluids (water, broth, herbal teas) to stay hydrated, especially if you are experiencing diarrhea and nausea.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your symptoms. If they worsen or you develop new symptoms such as confusion, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, these could be signs of more serious issues.
-
Dietary Care: For the next few days, choose bland foods if you’re able to eat—such as toast, rice, or bananas—to help your stomach recover.
-
Rest: Make sure you allow your body to rest and recover. Stress can complicate your symptoms, so try to find a calm environment.
-
Seek Help: If any of your symptoms escalate or you have concerns about poisoning or severe gastrointestinal distress, please seek urgent medical attention as they can perform necessary evaluations.
It's commendable that you are trying to manage your thoughts and impulses, but please remember that safety is paramount. If these kernels caused you distress, it might be better to explore other methods of managing your OCD under guidance from a healthcare professional. Be kind to yourself, and take the time you need to recover!
Related Questions
Braved the Cold Without Gloves at -20
19-year-old from Toronto here. After being outside in frigid temperatures, I've returned home feeling quite cold. My right hand is experiencing numbness and tingling in the fingertips. What steps should I take? It's been around 7 to 8 hours since I was outdoors.
Managing Early Appendicitis: Antibiotics vs. Surgery
I’m a 21-year-old who recently had a CT scan revealing mild inflammation in my appendix and lymph nodes. My doctor informed me that surgery might not be necessary if the antibiotics effectively alleviate my discomfort by tomorrow. However, I can’t shake my fears about a potential recurrence of the inflammation. The thought of going through a post-surgery recovery terrifies me, so I really want to steer clear of that option. Has anyone opted for antibiotics rather than surgical intervention? What was your experience like?
Severe Abdominal Discomfort
An 18-year-old male, with no history of smoking or current medications, finds himself at home, surrounded by his sleeping family. He stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs around 220 pounds. Lately, he has been experiencing persistent discomfort in the lower left side of his abdomen. This sensation has intensified recently, culminating in a bout of vomiting, which was notably different this time, presenting more solid material rather than the usual liquid with some fragments. The level of pain has escalated significantly, leaving him uncertain about seeking medical assistance at this moment. What steps should he take?
Concerns Over My Partner's Persistent Pain and Resistance to Seek Medical Help
I’m facing a worrying situation with my partner, a 40-year-old man who stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 19 stone. Here's a brief overview of his medical background: Twenty years ago, he experienced two instances of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his left shoulder. Following the second incident, doctors discovered an abnormal growth of a rib that was pressing against a vein, which was the cause of those DVTs. More recently, he dealt with a blood clot in his calf last year. Fortunately, that was successfully treated, and he returned to his normal health. Although he was advised to continue taking apixaban for the long term, he has, unfortunately, chosen not to follow through with this guidance. He also has a history of elevated blood pressure. For the past couple of days, he has been experiencing two concerning symptoms that emerged simultaneously: a persistent cough with no accompanying cold or flu signs, and a severe pain located on the right side of his torso. He describes this discomfort as being mostly in his stomach yet extending slightly to his back. I would pinpoint the troubled area as the lower part of his ribs along the side of his body. It's unusual for him to express discomfort or complain about his health, so his recent grievances signal to me that the pain is likely quite significant. Despite my repeated suggestions for him to visit a doctor, he insists that he may have simply pulled a muscle. To manage the pain, he's been applying an ibuprofen cream (voltarol) and taking naproxen, but neither seems to provide relief. What might be the underlying issue here? I hope that some medical professionals who see this post can offer their insights, which might persuade him to consider making a doctor’s appointment. I’m open to providing any additional information you might require for a more informed perspective. Thank you for your help!
Normal MRI and EMG Reveal Nerve Slowdown
Greetings, I’m a 23-year-old female seeking guidance about some health issues I’ve been experiencing. Recently, I've noticed weakness in both my hand and arm, particularly in my dominant hand where grip strength has been notably diminished. After undergoing an EMG, the results indicated that my nerves are exhibiting a slowdown. However, my MRI results were unremarkable. To address some swelling I experienced, I was prescribed a course of steroids (4mg for a few months), which alleviated some of the issues, yet I still experience residual swelling in my hand. Often, my hand feels cold, and I notice a popping sensation when I move my fingers. Despite these sensations, I do not have any numbness or tingling, and the swelling appears sporadic. The pain I endure is quite severe, described as a hammering sensation throughout my hand. On occasion, I take ibuprofen (600mg) for relief, but it proves to be somewhat ineffective. My wrist itself seems fine, but my orthopedic specialist is considering a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), even though my symptoms don’t align with typical CTS indicators. I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights you may offer!