Is is detox or really the flu?

[jkrfla]

I have read many posts about experiencing "flu-like" symptoms. I am on day 40 and something is going on with me. Until now I have felt invincible. However, yesterday the left side of my head felt like it was going to explode. There was severe pressure and pain-but only on my left side. My nose is running and I am coughing (dry cough). There is a flu bug going around. I don't want to go to the doctor anymore. I ended up taking an Aleve even though I didn't want to.

How do you know when it's detox or really something to go to the doctor with. I have been off all meds for 4 weeks and feeling great. I made a vow that I am going to stay away from doctors, but I have to work every day so what do it do?

Joyce :confused:

[RawGranny]

It's been awhile since I have had the flu but if I remember right you will run a fever with the flu and detox you do not. :confused: I think that's right.

[Rawkinlocs]

In reality, aside from what we've been taught, when one gets the flu or common cold, it's usually the body's way of cleaning house whether they are eating "cleanly" or not. In other words, if you are eating raw or fasting, etc. you MAY develop the "flu" or a "cold" as a form of detox. If one is NOT eating raw or fasting but eating a SAD, then they will get a cold or flu mainly due to their body being SO very overburdened with toxins that it just has to do what it has to do to get some relief...to clean out as the other forms of elimination channels are overtaxed.

BUT...if you believe in germs and viruses causing illness, then you "may" have what you think...I lean more towards NH (natural hygiene) in my personal beliefs about disease and illness. For more on that, please feel free to check out: http://www.neohygiene.com/excerpt.html It's a LONG, but very interesting read.

[RawNaturale]

With pain on one side of your head, it almost sounds migraine-ish. I haven't had a cold since going on a healthy eating plan, but I remember the difference in how one feels vs. detox. If you feel comfortable with it, try some echinacea and extra vitamin C to boost your immune system. Olive leaf is also supposed to help with viral maladies.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Joyce,


I run a fever with detox..and with migraines. I agree with Rawkinlocks that it is probably all detox.... and that taking drugs to alleviate the symptoms only serves to interfere with the process.

I am feeling the beginnings of a migraine and have some coffee simmering for a coffee enema..and I just drank some celery juice. I'm getting ready to take m alternating hot/cold shower to help also. I need to remember this feeling the next time I have a craving for something I Know is not good for me. :(

I hope you feel better soon... :)

[Pailani]

Whether it's flu or detox, it will run its course, I wouldn't think you'd need to see a doctor.

I guess when it's gone, you'll know better. I've heard that, when it's cleaning house, it's followed by a time of feeling better than before, like a health high.

[vegangelist]

i am getting over the flu myself now. i would say that if you are running fever and your head is hurting that could be it. i did not see the doctor, tho i did take a few days off of work. basically, if you see the doctor, they will give you meds that may push some of the mucus and gunk back in you to "cure" the symptoms.

this is what i have been doing to take care of myself. first: rest, and lots of it. if you can't take days of work then see if you can at least leave an hour or two early every day for a week, then, go home and go to bed REALLY REALLY EARLY (like 7 pm). Try to take it easy as much as possible at work (as much as possible). Try a juice fast for at least a day or so, lots of citrus fruit too. If you can't bear to fast (which i couldn't do b/c i had just started my period and was fighting illnes ALONG with menstrual cravings--GREAT!) then at least eat very lightly. I was juicing oranges/grapefruit and tangerines like mad...still am. Take warm baths, with about 1/3 cup of garlic powder in it and soak for about 20 minutes....do this every other day. Medicinally, this is what I took/am taking: Feverfew (1 dropperful 2-3 times a day) to reduce fever; OSHA, Echinacea/Goldenseal, Astragalus, Pau D'Arco (1 dropperful of each 3 times a day....but no astragalus unless/until you have no fever). Osha and Astragalus are both anti-viral; Echinacea/Goldenseal will boost immune system. Also, 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract 3x per day and Nutribiotic's nasal spray which also contains grapefruit seed extract. I also did a face steam and added a few drops of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil (which helped me breath better and had the added bonus of opening my pores, so i stuck a mud mask on after that while they were open :) all of this stuff should be available at whole foods...so, one stop shopping. Oh, also: if your throat is sore try some slippery elm and cloves in a tea, or you can make some throat syrup by warming some honey gently for about 20 minutes with some slippery elm powder (soothing and breaks up mucus) and cloves (for pain) and let cool and take by the teaspoon as needed. you can add some cinnamon or ginger too. another thing that i have been taking is some hot water (not boiling) with the juice of one lemon added, some ginger powder, raw honey to taste and a pinch or two of cayenne (this will really help release the congestion)....drink that liberally throughout the day along with echinacea/elder tea, or Herbatussin tea.

um....so, that should give you a shopping list that is plenty long :) (these are just things that i happen to have stocked up on and keep on hand)

kristi

[jkrfla]

Thanks so much to everyone for the replies...I am still "down for the count" right now...I left work early yesterday and came home and zonked out. It's weird because only the left side of my head is affected. My left eye is watering, my left nostril is draining and the left side of my head is full of pressure..We have very crazy weather here..one day it is 29 and the next day it is 70..and so forth...

I have to confess that on my way home yesterday I broke down and stopped at McDonald's and got 2 chicken strips. I felt as if I was going to have a nervous breakdown if I couldn't get something warm in my tummy. They were really delicious. Later I ate a few tortilla chips and some cookies. I just went crazy for one day. However, this morning I do not have the desire to eat them anymore. This was my first "slip" since I started on Jan. 2. I am feeling pretty disappointed in myself but at the time I was weak physically and mentally.

I work 50 hours a week and I just cannot figure out how to adjust to eating raw all of the time. If I just had the food ready I wouldn't have a problem. I am stuck on fruit, salads, nuts and almond butter and honey. I feel like I must eat about a million calories every day. And I really really miss warm foods such as soups. I don't want to give up. I was thinking about doing something like raw during the day and maybe some brown rice or baked sweet potato in the evening or some lite soup or something.

Why does life have to be so danged difficult for most of us? I guess you can see I am on a real pity party right now. I must be really at one of those crossroads. I am 56 and I have fought this battle all of my life and I was really hoping that this time I had found the answer to my prayers.

If there is anything someone could say to get through to me right now I would really appreciate it. I feel so all alone...no one in my family around here "get's me".

Joyce :( :eek:

[tracyinfo]

What helps me is having a supply of prepared dishes in the refrigerator. I pack them into smaller containers for lunch (I carry a playmate igloo to work) along with lots of fresh fruit. I always try to save at least one fruit for the trip home, so I am not starving when I walk in the door.

There are lots of salads you can create and have on hand. If you have a recipe book, find a few recipes you like and after making them, store in a big bowl or several smaller containers in the refrigerator.

As far as soups go, you can warm them slightly. Use one of those thermometers that reach down to the bottom of the pan and warm to about 105.

Also, though it in technically raw, on the coldest of days, I indulge in some hot tea. It warms me up, and then I feel better eating room temp foods.

Hope this helps. Tracy

[Pailani]

Joyce, how are you doing today? Still feeling flu-ish? If the chicken strips didn't help, then it may be flu rather than detox, I've read that eating cooked food will slow down detox symptoms.

Some people do eat mostly raw and then have rice or baked potato at times. It wouldn't be the end of the world if you felt like you needed to do that to get through your first raw winter, you'd still be way healthier than if you gave up the diet and went back to a SAD. Or, you could see if hot tea could get you through most days so that you didn't feel compelled to give in to cooked food so often.