Master Cleanse...Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

[Melissa]

Hi all. I'm wrapping up day 3 of my first-ever Master Cleanse fast. I'm having pretty significant detox and I'm wondering if it will keep up for the whole time...or whether I'll break through the detox and get a burst of well-being by the end. I'm weighing 5 days vs. the recommended 10 days. I know it's hard to answer a "Should I continue?" question for someone else...I guess what I need is advice from seasoned Master Cleansers. Did you do 10 days? Did your detox last the whole time? I'm not really hungry (just a little) but I'm really dealing with some uncomfortable stuff...headaches, "detox cold" and muscle cramps to name a few. Anticipating a question: Yes, bathroom trips are moving along fine. I've got pretty strong resolve and I know I need to welcome detox. It's just been a loooooooonnnnng day!
Thanks in advance for any helpful hints for a newbie :rolleyes:

[askcassyfirst]

Melissa:

I have done the cleanse many times: a full 10 days once, and a 6-7 day span on the other times. The reason I broke early had to do with my state of mind around day 5-6. I wasn't hungry at all, just really "HIGH" or drunk like from the sugar fed candida or low calorie intake. I haven't determined specifically why it hits me at day 5 this way. My assumption is that it is detox and I just can't seem to break thru that barrier. I guess that is my plateau to shatter, isn't it? :)

In terms of the detoxy feelings you are experiencing, it is hard to say when they will end. It has a lot to do with the state of your constitution. I can say that from my experience the minute I break the fast the floaty drunk feeling I was experiencing would go away. I attribute that to stopping the process. I would guess that if you stopped earlier than the orthodox 10 days you will not have achieved the full benefit. But like I said, I have only been able to make it thru the 10 days once. (and even then, I did have some fresh juices in the middle, so it wasn't just the lemonade.)

I think it is kinda like raw...it is a journey, and slow and steady wins the race. I would say that if you honestly ask yourself if you want to stop, and you come to the conclusion that it is time to do so, than stop. And then next time you goal yourself with a longer period, and so on. But, remember that if you stop, the toxins are still there, and you will likely feel just as bad the next time you try this...You can help minimize this chance by nourishing your liver to help it cleanse...

I wish you nothing but the best as you get thru this trial of detoxification. Believe me, I have been there. The first time I did a cleanse I was locked in my room for three days with the lights out. (Even strong scents bothered me.)

Cassy :)

[Joopie]

Hey, Melissa!

It's so great you are doing the cleanse, it is awesome! I stayed on it for 15 days starting January 1st- and the only reason I broke it is because I slacked off and didn't prepare my juice. I let myself get hungry, and by that time my mind kicked in ("You haven't eaten for over two weeks...blah blah blah) and in a weak moment I ate a salad. It wasn't even that good when I ate it, which tells me that my body wasn't done detoxing. I wish I would have kept with it a little longer. I didn't set myself up to succeed and paid for it! :o

As for detox, there was a LOT of it in the first week and it started letting up on the second. There was one day where I felt like I was floating on air, I felt so good. Then detox started again. I know I broke the fast too early to to be cleaned out as much as I was aiming for, but when the fast was going on, even through the detox, it was like it was the best gift I ever received. The only advice I can give to make it through detox is to keep doing your flushes and whatever else you are doing to keep yourself pooing. The more bad stuff you can get out in a timely manner, the better. You will feel better and lose weight more effectively that way too. Drink a lot of water and take it hour by hour if you have to. I had to do that when I was detoxing so badly I wanted to quit- but then I thought about how much I wanted to be healthy and thin and happy... and detox then became SO FUN and so rewarding, I wanted to feel like crap all the time if I knew it was clearing the stuff out of me. (Is that masochistic? :rolleyes: ) Dry skin brushing and mustard seed detox baths are great too.

Watching TV and being around people that were eating was hard for me, so I planned my life around avoiding those things. Commercials are so bad to watch when you want to chew (you don't even really want food, you just want something to gnaw on... it's funny). :rolleyes:

Rest all that you can (that is HUGE), drink your juice when you are hungry, and be oh so gentle on yourself. Do nice things for yourself that might not normally do- it makes you feel more worthwhile in your own eyes, and it's easier to keep your goal in mind if you are loving yourself. Fasting is a big deal and takes guts and determination. The first five days are pretty strong on detox- but if you keep your focus and your goal in mind, you will be able to do it. If you decide to break your fast, that's ok too! Eating raw detoxes us, just a little more slowly. I know whatever you decide to do will be right for you. ;)

We are all cheering you on, you are doing great!!!
WooooooooHoooooooooo rah rah rah, Melissa!!! :D :D :D

[Melissa]

Cassy and Joopie,
Thank you so much for coming to my aid with great advice. Joopie, hearing about your experience made me more determined to keep going. I have had a few blissful moments too, dancing around the kitchen, feeling that energy flowing. And then POW! Detox! So it's up and down this first week.
Thanks for the rah rah rah! I know I need this so...I'm off to mix up my first glass of the day! Love, Melissa
P.S. for C. and J. : How did you break the MC fast? What foods I mean? Did you maintain the weight loss after you started eating raw again? Did you make any changes in the way you ate raw after starting on food again?

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Melissa,

I just started the MC this morning. The longest I have gone is 9 days. I love the "high/light" feeling I have when I'm on it.

My detox has always been very little on the MC, usually a couple of zits, white tongue and bad breath. That's about it. I'm thinking maybe it's not real bad as the MC is not all raw (Maple syrup is cooked) and because I've been eating 100% Raw or high raw for the past 5 years and my body has detoxed slowly over this time.

I was eating 100% RAW most of January and most of February, but my percentage of cooked seemed to be getting higher and higher, so I'm doing the MC to get back on track. If I was still 100% raw, I wouldn't do the MC, but a juice fast so that I would still be 100% raw.

I feel as good on the MC as I do when I eat 100% Raw. I have that "light" feeling with absolutely so pain in my joints, muscles or head. I don't have the bloated feeling (like I have right now - hence the reason I'm doing the MC).

I hope your detox starts to slow down so that you can enjoy the "high/light" feeling. It's wonderful!!!!!

I don't know how long I'll be doing mine. I just do it until I feel like I'm ready to start to eat again. This is the hardest part for me as I dive right back into food and it wasn't always raw. So I hope to come off of it the right way this time.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Melissa]

Helen,
I'm going to try for ten days but, as you said, we'll see how that goes. I'll keep an eye on how you're doing (are you journaling?) and we can try to help each other over the rough spots. So far, today is off to a good start. Nose running like crazy! Funny how sometimes I'm all stuffed up and then I have moments where I take a clean clear breath and it feels like the best breath I've ever taken...do you know what I mean? I guess there's a lifetime of sinus gunk to clear out of there :o Well, let it flow I say! Day Four well under way ;)

[Joopie]

Melissssssssssa!
Day 4, awesome! :D

I didn't break the fast the way that Stanley Burroughs says to- I got caught in a weak moment and ate a salad. Then I broke and ate some cooked along with a lot of raw. My stomach didn't bother me a bit and here's the cool part- I lost 15 lbs. on the MC and EVERY POUND HAS STAYED OFF! I ate raw stuff every day but there were a few (ok, more than a few) that I was predominantly cooked. (We are talking about really bad for you cooked, too- it was Christmas and didn't have a lot of support, I caved.):rolleyes: :o

I haven't gained any weight back and now that I have been 100% raw again for the last week, I've lost another two lbs. My fire is back! One crazy thing is that I am completely confident telling people that this is my year to lose 100 lbs (I only tell them that when they ask about my food.) Usually when I would tell anyone something drastic like that I would get a tinge in my stomach, like I was going to let them down and not be able to do it- but this year I don't feel that way! I am so confident I can do this (with God's help). I have gotten a lot of negativity and flack for my "decision" and a lot of "Well, don't hurt yourself..." (yeah, I'm going to hurt myself with a carrot- quick, give me a prescription pill to stop the pain...ugh! :rolleyes: ) but I know that my living testimony of health and skinniness will shut these people up in a big way. So I'm smiling on the inside when they are insulting me and putting me down on the outside. I accept their challenges with grace and ease and I WILL have the last laugh. muah ha ha ha ha ha ha ! Sorry for the rant. lol :D

I have been reading about PCOS, fibro, and chronic fatigue syndrome on here lately, and I know I have a combo of those. I tend to agree more with cutting out the fat instead of sugar for candida (which I think has caused a lot of these conditions in me) so I'm working on a low fat diet. The green smoothie fast looks like a good avenue for me, but I need to eat what I have in the house first.

You are doing SO great! The first few days are the hardest, and you are doing so well. We are still cheering for you, rah rah rah! :) :) :)

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Melissa,

Today was my transition day (seems to happen everytime I start the MC). I did the salt flush and had 3 bottles (20 oz each) of the MC, but I did have some food. Tomorrow should be food free.

So glad to see you have made it to day 4. You're doing great. I hope the detox slows down a little so that you can have some time feeling "wonderful"!!!

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Melissa]

Thanks everyone. What a fascinating experience! I feel like I have a new tool in my bag of tricks with the Master Cleanse. Not easy at first though. Helen I hope all is going well with you! Good luck.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Melissa,

I tried to do the MC for 2 days and failed both days, so I guess it wasn't meant for me to do it at this time. So I'm back, trying to do all raw again (which isn't going as well I would like, but I'm not giving up!!!!).

Thanks so much for thinking about me.

I hope you're doing well at this time with the MC.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[zoetastic]

Hi all. I'm wrapping up day 3 of my first-ever Master Cleanse fast. I'm having pretty significant detox and I'm wondering if it will keep up for the whole time...or whether I'll break through the detox and get a burst of well-being by the end. I'm weighing 5 days vs. the recommended 10 days. I know it's hard to answer a "Should I continue?" question for someone else...I guess what I need is advice from seasoned Master Cleansers. Did you do 10 days? Did your detox last the whole time? I'm not really hungry (just a little) but I'm really dealing with some uncomfortable stuff...headaches, "detox cold" and muscle cramps to name a few. Anticipating a question: Yes, bathroom trips are moving along fine. I've got pretty strong resolve and I know I need to welcome detox. It's just been a loooooooonnnnng day!
Thanks in advance for any helpful hints for a newbie :rolleyes:


Hey there,
I'm actually on the first day of my second MC. Last time I went until the morning of my 11th day. I didn't have too much detox (I got an occasional headache that went away if I drank water or lemonade... I got a rash on my face but it is still undetermined if that was detox or an allergic reaction to some lotion I had used.. the most detox-y I was happend on my tongue. I got the white coating on it and my poor boyfriend had to put up with my detoxarific breath, yikes.

The biggest advice I can give is to remind you to drink your water and lemonade. The worst days I had on the MC were the days I didn't drink nearly enough.

Good luck!:)
Zoë

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Zoe,

I had the same detox as you. 2-3 zits and white tongue and some mild headaches. I went 9 days. I was having major headaches before, so I'm not sure if the mild headaches was detox or if it was me just coming off of my bad headaches.

Anyway in that 9 days my headaches went away, all joint and muscle pain. I lost 11 pounds (only put 2 or 3 back on after going off of the MC). I felt light and clear headed.

I just tried, for 2 days, to start the MC cleanse again, and have failed. I'll have to try again later.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[zoetastic]

Hi Zoe,

I had the same detox as you. 2-3 zits and white tongue and some mild headaches. I went 9 days. I was having major headaches before, so I'm not sure if the mild headaches was detox or if it was me just coming off of my bad headaches.

Anyway in that 9 days my headaches went away, all joint and muscle pain. I lost 11 pounds (only put 2 or 3 back on after going off of the MC). I felt light and clear headed.

I just tried, for 2 days, to start the MC cleanse again, and have failed. I'll have to try again later.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

Hi Helen,
I think you really have to be ready to start again. For me, I lost 10 pounds the first time around, I gained 5 back (although to be honest I am a bit concnered about losing muscle mass ;( ).

The worst thing for me is that when I went back to eating, I ended up eating WORSE than I did before the MC! EEEEKS! I feel like I have lost control and it's snowballed into terrible eating habits. This is my way of saying "STOP! RESET!"

The hardest thing is the lack of support. My friends worry the MC being "anorexic-ish." I just have to remind them that I'm a smart girl and have researched it.

Good luck on starting again sometime in the future. Psych yourself up ;) I just spent some time remembered how awesome I felt on it ! :)

Zoe

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Zoe,

Everytime that I have done the MC, I have failed coming off of it. I think I'll start the first day off just eating oranges, but instead I find myself stuffing myself with a little of this, a little of that. It's almost like I feel that I was deprived (although while on the MC I didn't feel deprived at all).

I going to guess if my body needs a MC, I'll be ready to start it.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[tglasco4]

I did the MC with the salt flush for 10 days. I had detox symptoms for about 3 or 4 days. About day 8 there was a tremendous sense of health and vigor in my being. It was then I decided to continue it with just juices after the 10 days. If you get thru the detox barrier, wonderful blessings await you.

Peace.

Todd

[Melissa]

Hi everyone (and welcome Zoe!)
Not to plug my journal (really! ;) ) but I wrote about this deprivation issue with MC and how it led me to some worse choices than I make when eating raw. It's 100% mental for me because I wasn't feeling much physical hunger at all. I woke up this morning and--so far--am feeling like forging ahead with the MC. Once you give yourself permission to quit, sometimes you go the other direction.

Helen, I agree that it has to be the right time for MC. I start a new job soon and wanted to do this while I'm still at home and have more free time.

Zoe, I had a few bad moments when I forgot to keep drinking...shaky and weak, almost fainted. So thanks for that reminder. I'm finding that making some of the lemonades into a tea is nice too, especially in the morning. I'm not much of a cold drink person, esp. early in the day. (I'm reversing a fibro/chronic fatigue/IBS situation and cold can set off tummy problems.)

Anyway, thanks and good luck to us all on our journeys!
Melissa

[Anemicgal]

I am new to the whole Raw universerse.

I decided to try the diet when I happened upon an article about Annette Larkens, and then visited her website.

Her story amazed and inspired me as she is just the picture of health, beauty and radiance.

But frankly, a lot of focus on colon irrigation and pictures and discussions about impacted fecal matter---seemed, well, bizarre to me.

I understand the need to have a healthy mind and body and my family has always made sure to impress upon me to have plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and roughage in the diet.

Especially being female---a well working colon is essential!

So, I have been exploring the subject on the Web by using the links given here and then doing further exploration to medical websites to see what they have to say about "impacted fecal matter."

Frankly, it has never been an issue with me or anyone I know. I had never heard of such a phenomenon until I started visiting the Raw Community.

I went to this site. I hope that nobody is offended. I just thought that since this is such a diverse group that we should be able to share and discuss information that we have found. Like I stated before, I am a newbie to Raw.

I really don't plan on doing the colonics. I've been feeling good from the get-go on this diet. That is just my choice. If I should find any problems then I may find an interest in them.

In the meantime, I found this site:

http://www.infomercialwatch.org/tran/7dmc.shtml

[Melissa]

Hi Anemicgal,
I think healthy skepticism is, well, healthy...so I have no problem with your questioning things. (I think that's what your post is about.) But I'm just confused because I didn't mention "impacted fecal matter" at all. Are you doing the MC fast? Or interested in it? I started this thread to talk about the Master Cleanse approach to fasting and to get tips from experienced MCers. Fasting is an age-old approach to improving one's health and recovering from illness. I am in the process of getting rid of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, no small thing believe me. I think digestion and colon health are involved in my illness. Raw food and periodic fasting are definitely helping. I think a thread called "I'm skeptical...Are you?" or something like that would be interesting if you want to start one, by the way!

[Pailani]

I did a MC fast for ten days once and did okay, I don't remember any specific detox symptoms. I do remember that I lost a few pounds, and when I came off the fast, my body craved carbs like mad until I gained back every single one of those pounds. I've never had cravings like that before in my life!

I tried the fast again a couple years later but I guess my heart wasn't in it and on the third day I was at the health food store and ate a banana, and that ended the fast. I didn't have cravings after that fast.

[FEELIN'GOOD]

HI all- I was just at a health food store today, and when I turned the corner, the bright yellow Master Cleanse book was right in my face- literally in my face. I just about flipped the rack over because the place is so da*ned small. Anyway, I bought it because I thought it was a 'sign'. Then I came home and checked the new posts... and this one was on the main page... weird :D So now, I feel a NEED to do this- like it is my answer.... I'm so corky like that. So I may be doing this soon, I want to read these posts and read the book and then I think I will try it :D

Melissa- it looks like you are doing well with this! I need to update myself on your journal and get the scoop :D Good luck- I may start this tomorrow if I can read enough about it and I have everything to do it.... :D Have you lost any weight with it?

I'll be back...

[Melissa]

Funny story about the MC coincidences popping up today...As I get older I pay more attention to these little "signs" too! Yes, I have lost weight, about a pound a day I would say (I'm on day 9 but starting to add food back in.)
I know exactly what you mean Pailani...I'm craving carbs more now than before MCing. But I think some of it is psychological in my case, which I'm going to write about a little bit in my journal tonight.

[Anemicgal]

I'm sure that I did not mention anyone by name specifically or anyone's specific problems. Gee, I thought I was having a discussion with maybe several person's here.

Was just mentioning the topics of fasting and that I had followed lots of links posted at this site regarding different kinds. Some of the drinks that accompany them are meant to flush out the system and remove matter in from the colon.

I did say that I am a newbie; a seedling. I posted here to get further input and information. Sorry that you think that I should move on elsewhere, Melissa. Everyone else here has been very pleasant and open. As a newbie, just trying to gather more information as a way of better understanding the community.

Everyone else, thank you for your support and openness. I welcome the mature diversity of many intelligent and reasoned discussions.

[Anemicgal]

Well, I did my own research and found this information:

Fasting for 1-2 days a month on this drink can be very cleansing and rejuvenating.

The Master Cleanser drink has no fiber, so it is necessary to use a herbal laxative twice a day. This will help to remove the waste as it is being shed from the colon wall. Otherwise, the waste will stay in the body leading to tiredness and other problems. We suggest using a herbal laxative tea or Nutri Cleanse, which is an all natural, gentle, herbal colon cleanser.

So to answer my own question, a Master Cleanse can be used as an herbal colon cleanser.

Thanks all. I'll be moving on. Take care.

[askcassyfirst]

Anemicgal: I just thought I would throw in with regard to the idea of impacted fecal matter being something put forth only by the raw community:

I work in the digestive care industry. I applaud you for your willingness to investigate and research what you believe to be an intreguing if not bizzare thought. I would encourage you to continue to look. Up untill the early part of the 1900s, colon hydrotherapy and colonics were part and parcel to hospitals and medical establishements all over the world. Aroudn that time they were run out of the community by proponents of the AMA who prescribed to the germ theory of disease. THere are some great books about this, one called "Back to Eden" rings a bell. Around the middle part of the 1900s a man named Bernad Jensen, along with others worked hard to bring back this topic to the mainstream. His book "Tissue Cleansing thru Bowel Management" is a classic.

But still, nowadays, if we see a physician, instead of being offered something that will stregthen or cleanse our terrains, we are encouraged to do other things. Some are good, some are bad...(No judgement here...I believe in integrative medicine.) Modern medical doctors have a hard time dealing with chronic disease and pain managment for example...Alternative therapies including colon and tissue cleansing can bring answers...That is what Melissa is achieving with Raw and the MC.

I would agree with Melissa, that your post may have been placed in the wrong thread, as the MC although it can help with bowel cleansing, is meant as a cleanse which gives your body rest from digestion such that it can focus on healing and repair. Although Stanley Burroughs designed the MC to be done with a laxative tea, he did not believe in colon hydrotherapy or colonics. So there is a whole lot involved with this topic that isn't in the thread itself.

Personally, as a digestive care educator and consultant, I do not believe in stimulant laxatives unelss they are a last resort. (In my opinion there are quite a few other things one can do to get moving without using a simulant such as senna or cascara tea.) So, when I do the MC, and I have done it many times, I use hydrotherapy, magnesium flushes or flax tea. So that makes my MC unorthodox to some. But I am not sure if this thread is the right place to mention such...I hope you see what I mean.

I think posting a thread seperatly such as "skeptical of colon hydrotherapy or mucioid plaque" possibly in the HEALTH board, we could get a good discussion going. I think that is what Melissa was refering to. She didn't mean move on from here, but just from this thread. It's a contextual thing...

Cassy :)

[Melissa]

Hi again Anemicgal,
I'm sorry. Cyberspace is hard to pull off right sometimes. I wasn't upset with your post and didn't mean to run you off, truly. I think --in looking at it again--my response wasn't worded in the best way to convey my sincerity. (For instance I was not at all being sarcastic about starting a thread on skeptical inquiry.) I think I just wanted to say "I started this thread because I'm doing the MC and it's hard and I need like-minded help and support" and I wanted to put a little protection around that purpose. So you wandered into me in that mood on day eight of my fast...Again I'm sorry if I offended. Hope you see this post! Best wishes, Melissa

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Anemicgal- I too agree with Melissa's last post. I know sometimes when you read things they come off wrong- don't take it that way- we all are here and busy and reading and typing quickly- and the words just don't flow like they should sometimes.

I hope you feel better about the situation now :) We are all trying hard here to heal our bodies and keep up with busy lives...and frustration gets to us too :D

Have a great evening!
Melissa in CA