Not So Hopeful

[Pailani]

I saw my doctor yesterday for chest/lung pain that seems to pop up every time I get a virus, and she reminded me that I have mitral valve prolapse (where a heart valve doesn't close all the way). I remember when they did the EKG or whatever a few years ago and found it, but at that time, the doctor said it was no big deal and they could prescribe drugs if the symptoms bothered me, but that would probably be overkill. I declined drugs and left and totally forgot about it.

Yesterday she reminded about it and gave me a sheet that lists some issues that go along with it (chest pain, for instance), and I looked it up online for more information. Apparently it affects the nervous system and creates all kinds of problems you'd never think were heart-related - fatigue, preoccupation with fear of death, migraines, neck pain, digestive problems, depression, social anxiety, agoraphobia . . . panic attacks are a classic tendency, but thankfully, that's a symptom I've never experienced. It doesn't go away or heal itself, although drinking enough, avoiding caffeine and sugar and getting some excersize can help help manage some of the problems that go along with it.

What this tells me is that, no matter how pure my raw diet is, I may always be tired and have low energy. I keep waiting for my raw diet to fix that problem, but that might never happen. I wasn't depressed before, but I sort of am now. I don't plan to give up my raw diet, since it does help with everything else, but the one golden ring I was after--more energy--might never be a reality for me. I no longer have neck pain, bad skin, digestive trouble, hives--but I may always be tired.

[Veganforlife]

Pailani - how long have you been raw? Don't give up your raw diet. It IS so good for you. Maybe some "seasoned" raw foodists will pipe in here and offer suggestions as to energy boosting foods for you. I feel you are doing the right thing by eating the way you do and please don't give it up.

[Pailani]

I've been serious about it for 4 months. I'm not giving it up - but I'm accepting that higher energy levels might not be one of the benefits that I personally experience.

[Ginger]

You said: although drinking enough (water?), avoiding caffeine and sugar and getting some excersize can help help manage some of the problems that go along with it.

To me that sounds like for normal SAD eaters to do a little better they can overcome some of the symptoms. Well... being raw has the power to actually heal things even if it may take time! The power of your mind alone can heal it if you want to bad enough. All day everyday whenever you can, say to yourself that you are thankful that your body is now totally healed. Combining a raw diet with some visualisation techniques sounds very powerful to me.. Have you watched The Secret yet? It showed people who healed from cancer & from a plane crash just by believing they were healed. The one guy was supposed to be a vegetable & was so messed up he was told he could never breath on his own again. But he decided not only was he going to breathe on his own, but that he would walk out of the hospital on Christmas by himself.. he did. Your body is mostly water, water responds to thoughts.. the raw foods you eat are mostly water, water responds to thoughts.. I have NO DOUBT you can heal this if you want to!

[DavidZaneMason]

-I hear you. Four months is still a very short time. My experience is that those that take drugs / obese / unhealthy eaters might take longer to transition and experience greater benefits (in my case..about 1-2 years).

-In any event....YOU have to decide what are the right things....dietary and otherwise....and do them forever...or until you don't need them anymore....or find something better for you. Don't settle for second best.

-David Mason

[luckitri]

Yes I have heard rumor of the body healing unbelievable things and regenerating but I don't know where to find information on it. I like the two websites that were posted here yesterday by our British friend (under Oil Pulling) www.curezone.com and earthclinic.com but haven't had chance to fully explore them yet - there may be a link on there that will help you. At worst - if you remain raw you can get the rest of your body functioning so well that it will be able to compensate.

[misslinda]

Pailani, I'm sorry about that "hopeless" feeling when you are faced with a news from doctors about what you are dealing with..........

the whole essence in a doctor's office, instills that.

The reality,you have come along way.........from where you were at...........right?


Where you are going and only with RAW, healing healing and more healing. I know it does feel impossible at times but truly, I read some sites on this condition and they often say it is associated with fibromyalgia,connective tissue, or spinal issues..............nothing that says you will stay this way.

If you have come this far healing, IMAGINE the even deeper healing. Remember Alissa's husband and sister and their health battle??? How bout the 54 yr old man who had two types of cancer and went home to die---living and runs 5 miles a day! :eek:

These testimonies and stories we don't get to hear about enough, is happening............and TRULY is happening to you...........this smaller picture is part of your ongoing healing for the bigger picture. Believe and Accept the healing first! :)

Perhaps it's time to modify your raw and take it up a notch......what has it been like now?


Hugs for "Possible Pailani" :) ;) :)

[Pailani]

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement - after reading these posts, I feel less hopeless. If I've always had this condition, and I haven't always been tired my whole life, then it stands to reason that having it and not being tired is a possibility. Four months really isn't that long. And, to be honest, I slipped a little the last three weeks because I was sooooo tired and thought adding something to my diet might help, but it hasn't helped at all; I don't feel any less tired. If I'm going to be dead tired anyway whether I'm all raw or not, I might as well be raw and have some deeper internal going on at the same time.

I'm going to try less fruit, more water and regular exercise. I order the Cousens' Rainbow Green Diet and it arrived in the mail today - the timing couldn't have been any more perfect!

[Veganforlife]

Tiredness could also be a couple of other reasons aside from the fact that your body is trying to be raw and you're throwing some junk back in it.
It could be your thyroid. Or liver problems. Or being anemic. Just a thought. I feel it's that you haven't given it enough time (being raw) and you're not totally detoxed.
Hang in there!!!

[misslinda]

I order the Cousens' Rainbow Green Diet and it arrived in the mail today - the timing couldn't have been any more perfect!


...... glad to hear you gaining your healing powers! ;)

[jaurequi]

I'm glad your spirits are lifting! Don't despair; that, in itself, causes lethargy.

Have you considered supplements? Something keeping within the allowances of raw, if that is important to you? Perhaps maca? Other green concentrates, such as chlorella, spirulina, Thor's Raw Protein, etc.? Or semi-raw, like Vega, or gelatinized maca?

All the best,

[Pailani]

Actually, from some more reading about mitral valve prolapse, I found out that lots of people are helped with magnesium supplements, so I'm going to try that - along with no more slips from my raw diet. I also have some hemp protein, and I'll try adding that to smoothies.

[misslinda]

Actually, from some more reading about mitral valve prolapse, I found out that lots of people are helped with magnesium supplements, so I'm going to try that - along with no more slips from my raw diet. I also have some hemp protein, and I'll try adding that to smoothies.

Hey Pailani, if you want to try a magnesium supplement. I would highly reccomend Dr Giliham's CALM--most HFS have it now. I have not met one person who didn't like it.

:)

[Lay-Lay]

Pailani, I hear ya loud and clear! I have/had mitral valve prolapse with ALL the above symptoms you listed. Being on raw foods, I NO LONGER have ANY of these symptoms. Keep on plugging away at it. I am hopeful you will find the same benefits as I have with raw foods in regards to mitral valve prolapse.

[Pailani]

Pailani, I hear ya loud and clear! I have/had mitral valve prolapse with ALL the above symptoms you listed. Being on raw foods, I NO LONGER have ANY of these symptoms. Keep on plugging away at it.

I had a follow-up visit today to discuss the results of an ultrasound - and my MVP has actually improved! I went from mild/moderate to mild/trace. My doctor said, 'Whatever you're doing seems to be helpjng!'

I've been feeling much better the last two days. I'm pretty convinced I had some kind of weird virus that's been draining me and making my heart work harder. It's taken a month to shake, but I seem to be feeling more normal.

[Lay-Lay]

So happy to hear your doing better. That is awesome news. I know the passed couple times I have had a EKG they said are you sure you were diagnosed with MVP. I said yes, for years they been telling me that. Puzzled, they say hmmm, well everything sounds good, no traces of it right now. Oh yeah.....!