Fear of cadmium poisoning

[Pamplemousse]

Well, I don't know if this belongs here or elsewhere, but yesterday I managed to stab myself in the eye with a screwdriver that I'd just undone a screw, fuzzy with cadmium fur with. I don't know if it was the eye itself I hit, or the lower eye lid but I've been worried ever since - I'm worried I'll have got enough in my eye to be fatal.

I really am struggling at the moment with just about everything, and tired too. Stuff like this just makes it worse.

Does it ever stop, or is death the only way out?

[Carys]

A quick google tells me its 'inhaling fumes' that is the issue, not contact.


Cadmium is a naturally occurring metal. It is usually present in the environment as a mineral combined with other elements like oxygen, chlorine, or sulfur.

Urrrg and Ewwwww about the eye !!

[Pamplemousse]

Pretty much what I've determined over my twenty year obsession with this metal, and thinking about it the points of contact on a screwdriver would be tiny, I suppose. Doesn't stop me worrying though.

It happened of course because I was trying to move my overly-long hair away from my eyes and forgot I had the screwdriver in my hand (seriously). I mentioned it to a colleague (the stabbing, not the cadmium) and she said "that's a bit... morbid?".

She thought I did it deliberately.

[Carys]

Pretty much what I've determined over my twenty year obsession with this metal

Then....you already know LOL and after a 20 year obsession and no poisoning I guess there is evidence it aint gonna happen.

[Pamplemousse]

First time I've stuck it in my eye though.

Thing is... every day's a struggle. What's going to kill me today? It seems never ending, and I just want it to stop but I am getting worried that death is the only way out.

I feel a bit cold today, and my nasal passage feels irritated. That'd be commensurate with poisoning, but at the same time I was exposed to a lot of dust yesterday and it's cold where I work - and I can't separate these out.

[BlueIris]

Please keep yourself safe, PM?

Do you think you maybe need a little extra help right now?

[Pamplemousse]

In an ideal world, I'd go to bed and sleep it off - but this world isn't ideal.

[BlueIris]

Hang in there, okay? Anxiety is evil but we're thinking of you.

[Pamplemousse]

Thanks. I'm almost in tears at the moment, but even work isn't providing enough of a distraction.

I need a different, safer hobby.

[pulisa]

You are very knowledgeable about so much, PM. Have you got any ideas for a new project? Renovations etc?

You're coming off long term antidepressants..The last bit is the worst bit and you'll be tested.

Would you be up to talking to your new GP if you found things were just too overwhelming? He sounded clued up and not just interested in doling out meds liberally.

[Scass]

Sorry about the eye stabbing and the upset.
On the positive side, look at all the days & mishaps recently that you HAVE got through. It might have seemed tough at the time but you got through them and that should show you that you are stronger than you think you are.

But yes also, speak to your nice doctor. Is he putting you on different medication?


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[pulisa]

It's such a bonus to find a GP who is actually interested in sorting out a dodgy meds regime and taking care of his patient..and who actually has time to try to understand his patient's needs, both mental and physical. He sounds very approachable.

[fishman65]

Thanks. I'm almost in tears at the moment, but even work isn't providing enough of a distraction.

I need a different, safer hobby.PM, I'm sorry you're struggling buddy. If its any consolation, I am too but that's for a different thread. OK hobbies. You have a garden I seem to remember. Gardening is so rewarding and I don't mean mowing the lawn and raking leaves. I mean growing plants from seed, nurturing them and seeing them respond to your care. Then seeing bees thanking you for providing pollen and knowing you're helping the natural world.

Whatever you choose to do, hang in there mate and know you're not alone.

[Pamplemousse]

Just a quick reply to all you lovely people.

I'm feeling better at the moment and am shortly off to bed - I have to be up at 5 for my commute down south.

Funnily enough, last summer I got back into the garden and started to enjoy it again: the garden was Mrs. PM's 'thing' so I thought it'd be a nice (and visible) way to keep her memory alive.

I'm planning on speaking to the new GP in the next month or so as a follow-up to the recent changes; the blood pressure has settled down to a consistent, if somewhat high figure (135/75) but it's this non-stop cycle of anxiety I need to break; as soon as I've got past one thing, I seem to find another :weep:

It was one of these that caused the problem, by the way: I found it had a bit of woodworm in it so in an effort to treat it properly, I had to dismantle it...

5342

[pulisa]

I imagine that you thoroughly enjoy dismantling and fixing stuff though? It must give you a huge sense of achievement?

My dad kept up his garden in memory of my mum. He was never keen on gardening before but wanted the upkeep to be a tribute to her. Maybe you might enjoy some peaceful and reflective times in your garden again this Spring and Summer? I know how hard it is to manage constant anxiety and a restless mind though.

Hope your day at work is a better one today.

[Pamplemousse]

So far, ticking over nicely - sausage bap has been consumed, coffee is being drunk. Long day ahead though...

[Pamplemousse]

Of course, with gardening there's the fear of poisonous plants/cuttings (Laurel comes to mind, there's a few of those) or tetanus...

[fishman65]

Foxgloves too PM, along with delphiniums, hellebores and aquilegias. However two of the heavyweights of the plant toxicity ratings are deadly nightshade (atropa belladonna) and monkshood (aconitum). The latter was used on the tips of arrowheads where it got its name 'wolfsbane'.

[Logarn]

Can you get a blood test done for this? At least then you can know if there is any in your system