So Sick--Liver Problem

[newyearspromise]

Hello everyone.

I haven't been here for a while. I fell off the raw wagon over a month ago, and in my cooked shame I avoided you all. :p

I am now back (I knew I would come back!!) But the reason for coming back is not so good. I have been feeling the sickest I have in my entire life. I finally gave in and went to the doc last week. They ran some blood tests and figured out that I have sky-high liver function levels (the higher the more sick your liver is).

I am only 27 and am a maybe two glasses of wine per week drinker. Never have taken tons of acetaminophen.

However, I have tested positive for Hep C antibodies (but never the actual virus) from when I was first tested for this disease when I was in college about 8 years ago.

I have an ultrasound scheduled for Thursday and the hep c blood test will take another week to come back from the lab.

I am so ill that I have to take 1,000 mg of ibuprofen just to get out of bed in the morning. I usually end up taking about 4,000 mg total a day.

My husband and I are both AF officers, and he is deployed to Djibouti (Africa) right now, so I am home alone when not at work with our 13-month old. Tonight while she was playing in the floor I just laid there in the floor and cried. I have no energy (MAJOR fatigue), I am in constant pain (body/muscle aches), I can barely eat, my head just pounds, I have hot flashes and then I'll be freezing...this is horrible, and to top it all off I am a single mother until mid-July.

Tomorrow I am going back raw, and this time it's not for weight loss, pretty skin, etc. It's because I have no option. I can barely eat, but what I do eat should at least be raw...those are my thoughts. I need to purge the toxins from my liver, so I am only going to eat what I can find organic, which will limit options.

I have some green food supplement and enzymes, and also some nori rolls, raw organic oats, and can buy tomatos, apples, spinach and other common fruits and veggies (but limited options) at the store here...it's really hard to find organic foods in south GA...

Anyone have any liver-cleansing suggestions? I think that the reason I feel so absultely horrible is the toxin build-up...if I could cleanse my liver I might at LEAST feel better...and it might make this survivable until I get a diagnosis and everything.

I was told that if this is not hep c, then SOMETHING is attacking my liver.

Has anyone heard anything about curing hep c or other liver problems through eating raw?

Any advice, info and/or support would be so cherished.

I'm glad to be back!

-Catherine

[cranberrypineapplebanana]

I don't have any answers for you, but I do want to let you know that you are in my thoughts and I am sorry that you are suffering. Know that I care, and that I will be believing postive thoughts about you getting better and getting thru this. Big hug from over this way!


Here is a link about Ibuprofen and liver damage:

http://www.arthritis-pain-cure.com/article_info.php/articles_id/209

I would try and find some sort of natural pain reliever.

[newyearspromise]

I read the article.

OMG. Thank you.

The thing is, I was taking Tylenol before they figured out it was my liver. The doc said no more Tylenol, no asprin.

I begged for Motrin...so he did a kidney test and said ok, but he seemed reluctant.

Then, yesterday I was taking to my aunt, who is a PhD RN. She also seemed very concerned about the Motrin.

I just honestly don't know what to do. I don't think I will be able to even get to work tomorrow without it, let alone get through the day.

And it's not like I just push papers all day--I supervise 2 seperate HR offices...lots of stress and no time to just sit around and be sick.

I can't believe this. I don't know what I am going to do.

Do you know of any natural pain relievers?

I cringe every time I pop the Motrin, but I don't know what else to do!

I seriously think I am going to start crying here in a minute. :(

[cranberrypineapplebanana]

What body parts are hurting? Is is sore muscles all over? Is your liver hurting?

I don't have any answers right now, but I can try to find an answer for you.

Does anyone else on here know of any natural pain killers for someone with her problem?

Don't cry right now, everything will be ok, It WILL. :)

[Shan]

Newyearspromise I feel so badly for you! I can't imagine what you're going through. I wish I could give you a hug- instead I'll just have to send some positive energy your way. Keep us updated on how you're feeling.

[cranberrypineapplebanana]

I chatted with someone at a health food store, to see if they had any natural pain killers, and I told them about your situation, possible hep C and sky high liver function, and they reccomended to see a physician, due to not wanting to recomened something that would not be good for you. They did mention that Acetaminophen was bad because the liver has to detox it. Can you go see a naturopath? They would be able to provide you with the best information for YOUR situation, and I am sure help you find a much natural way to deal with the pain. I am so sorry! Just think postive. Try to relax and focus on pampering yourself right now.

[mattsonfamily]

I have had some of the same symptoms on and off during my life.. Yuck. It got so bad that I could hardly brush my hair. Just trying to raise my arms took so much out of me. My liver enzymes were very elevated also, my thyroid not functioning and they ran every Hep test under the sun. I didn't know there were so many types. One Dr. thought I had lupis, one thought it was an auto-immune disease, etc. I even went to an arthritis specialist because all the blood indicators were off the chart. Did the same with the MRI - which found nothing. Finally they wanted to do a biopsy of my liver, at which point I decided to stop going to the Dr. and try to heal myself. I started with some Chinese Herbs and changed my diet. I think you are on the right track with the raw diet. Make sure to get lots of carrot juice. Other combinations would be Carrot, Beet & Cucumber or Carrot/Spinach. I still don't take any medications unless absolutely necessary. For pain relief I use aspirin sparingly. I have had these symptions 3 times in my life. Each time things got better - usually within 6 months. I haven't had a empisode for more than 6 years! Get lots of rest (as you can----I have 4 children) Don't worry about house work etc., just get better. Hope you feel better soon. If I can help in any way, please let me know.

Mindi

[rawdelight]

Alissa's husband healed himself of Hep C
http://www.alissacohen.com/dennisjourney.html

Read the update in the upper right corner as well.

[sosiesmom]

Going raw has helped heal me from Hep. I had a liver enzyme screen done recently after 1 month raw (and 6 months vegan prior to that) and I was testing lower than ever since diagnosis. I've been seeing a non-traditional integrative practicioner MD. After my diagnosis, the doc put me on something called "Detox Kit" made by a company called "-Heel". These are drops that I put in my water for several months. This stimulated the release of toxins from my system given all the build up caused by Hep. I would ask your doctor about it. Their website is www.heelusa.com

I totally understand the fatigue. I too went thru the bulk of my liver problems while taking care of a toddler. It's awful and I am so sorry you are going thru this.

I have to tell you though that I've never experienced anything so healing as this raw diet, and like others on the board might say, it doesn't work unless you are 100% (at least not for me).

Good luck to you. It will get better!

[misslinda]

I would encourage you to do a wholistic approach. I fyou are revamping your liver, keep in mind that it will create more work for the kidneys as well etc. So make sure you are hydrating,clenasing and rejuvenating to repair.

LIver friendly stuff:

lemon juice dilluted

Greens/juices are lovers friends

Red clover herb is a great for liver/lymphatic system

Yellow dock root/bitters

Plenty of exercise

Avoid fats until you can handle the digestion.

Dandelion greens

Cucumbers/juice

Carrot juice

topical treatment used for decades: castor oil packs


Make sure your bowels are consistent! :)

[Sunshine9]

We are all sending you so much love, healing, and prayers to gently heal your body. Breathe deeply..

Ok, to cleanse the liver-- everything that MissLinda said is right on.

Here is what I know about liver cleaning:
--Camu Camu Berry (powder)
--Milk Thistle and the extract (lots!)
--SELENIUM supplement
--Dandelion greens
--Chlorophyll in general
--LEMONS, limes, LEMONS, limes
--Low sugar diet
--Low nuts (or none)
--liver flushing (if that appeals to you. There are books about it)

If you would like to talk further please email me. Also there is a study being conducted right now about Natural Cellular Defense and Hepatitis C (duke university), and the results are pretty cool. If you want to hear about that I can send you info.

Lots of love and healing!!
~*~Sunshine~*~

[kiddies]

I found this article about Hep C and Natural Cellular Defense. I found it surfing the internet.

http://RadicalHealth.com/issues/2006-01-15:ncd-story-article.txt

I hope you start feeling better soon!

[newyearspromise]

You love and suggestions have been wonderful. I was too sick to get on the board yesterday, so I am trying to go through and read everything.

I went to the doc yesterday--GOOD NEWS: Not Hep!!

Bad news...no diagnoses, so we are back at square 1.

I have decided to stay 100% raw and see if maybe I can detox the liver that way.

I also need to read the info on the link about Allissa's husband healing himself from Hep C, because even though that is not specifically what is attacking my liver, SOMETHING is, and I am willing to bet that what worked for him will work for me.

Maybe this was the kick in the butt I needed to STAY 100% raw!!!! I am always on and off....so pathetic...but now I have no choice.

I will be back soon after I read all of the info you all so lovingly provided me.

Thanks 100 times over!!! I am so glad to be back here in this wonderful community!!

[newyearspromise]

Found this info by searching the internet:
http://www.aim4health.com/liver.htm

What Do We Do About a Toxic Liver?

On a "self-help" basis, perhaps the best thing you can do is change your diet: Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; lemon is especially good for the liver, as it contains diluted hydrochloric acid needed for protein digestion.
Steam foods and eat little, light, and early in the day. This means less work for the liver.

Avoid processed foods, fatty foods, alcohol, margarine, and caffeine. All of these substances add toxins to the body, making it more difficult to cleanse the liver.

Walk after meals.

You can also consider taking any number of herbal supplements; there are many herbs that are valuable to the liver and detoxification. Humbart Santillo, in Natural Healing with Herbs lists, among others, cascara sagrada, licorice, dandelion, and beets, as well as carrot juice, as good for the liver. Milk thistle is a more recent addition as a liver-promoting herb, and in Japan and Asia, a particular type of clam, the corbicula clam, is said to be good for the liver.

Other herbalists, no doubt, have their own favorites. Many health practitioners recommend a juice fast, although, if you choose to fast you should consult a health practitioner.



Looks like I am on the right track with things. I drank some lemon juice I juiced this morning, ate a cucumber, and I am going to go juice some carrots when I am done writing this.

I also had some green food supplement and some of Alissa's enzymes...

Need to look for milk thistle and the others listed above. I bet the health food store has it.

Nursing my liver back to health...I am exhausted but pumped about it!!!
:D

[chilove]

Eat a lot of ripe fruit, some tender greens and stay away from fats, get lots of rest. You will feel better soon!!!

[beelzebubble]

do you have digestion issues? anemia? vitamin deficiencies? any autoimmune problems like thyroid disease or arthritis? i ask because it is common for people with celiac disease to have elevated liver enzymes. you might want to mention that to your doc.

also, chronic fatigue syndrome sometimes presents itself that way.

i really hope you feel better soon.

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