Need Help

[victorlegge]

I am new to this forum. I am 55. I have been on raw food for 3 months. I started because I have been having health problems for 4 years. I have attacks where I throw up every 15 minutes for about 4 hours and I am extremely dizzy. These attacks were occurring every few days when I was at my worst. My first attempt to cure myself (I do not like western medicine) was to go on a high protein diet as I was diagnosed as low in protein. I have been vegetarian/ semi-vegetarian since I was 19. This actually worked for a while. Then I started pushing myself by going on 5 mile runs and sleeping less - I have a tendency to not listen to my body. I had another attack. I decided to go 100% raw. I ams orry this is a little long. Bare with me I am getting to a point.
I do not have a buddy right now. My wife said she would be my buddy but she is not raw and she wants me to come off it because she sees no improvement and I must admit she has a point. I feel better in some ways, less energy swings, better skin, clearer headed, but in other ways things have not improved at least in my opinion. First I have lost 14 pounds in weight. I am not sure this is a good thing. I have gone from 132 to 118 pounds. I am a man by the way. Secondly, I feel weak much of the time. Running half a mile is exhausting. I have run 10K with ease in the past. Thirdly, about 1 month ago I had another dizzy/vomiting attack. Every day since I feel slightly dizzy some days better than others. Fourth I am very irritable more so than normal (I am pretty irritable anyway). Fifth I do not enjoy the food that much. Some of it is OK but much of it is weird. Over the last 2 days I find myself feeling nauseous while eating the food. I am starting to dream of hamburgers, french fries etc.
Logically this diet makes a lot of sense but if I am not getting better what is the point. By the way I have a 6 year old daughter and staying healthy for her is my biggest motivation.
Somebody help me. PLEASE!!!

[cinnamon panda]

i'm not a fan of doctors either, but if you knew what your 'attacks' are or at least a general idea of what is causing you to be ill, then you could have a better starting place.

i'm not a raw expert, but it seems that most people healing themselves with raw food usually are under the guidance of a naturepath. (at least those with serious illnesses and throwing up for 4 hours seems very serious :( ) have you consulted with a someone that specializes in alternative medicine?

good luck to you.

[Revvell]

Hi Victor,

If you give us more information, maybe someone here can give you some assistance...

First, what's an average week's menu for you?
Do you smoke, drink, drugs ~ otc, prescribed or otherwise?
What foods are you avoiding if any? Avos, bananas, nuts, etc? If so, why?
Are you familiar with green smoothies? Are you preparing/drinking them?
When you start vomiting, what did you eat/drink just before?
How's your work/family situation? Supportive? do you enjoy your work?
Are you surrounded by toxic chemicals? Power lines? Do you use the computer a lot? Cell phone?

Revvell

[alicemagooey]

Victor..

i really and sincerely hope you find some kind of Doctor and get under his care.. Naturopaths, Homeopaths.. there are many other kinds of protocols other than traditional western medicine..

One thing which Traditional Western medicine has is ways to test the body, test the blood,etc etc.They can be done in any hospital.
There are also some alternative medical clinics in the USA which specialise in testing.. you will need to do some searching.
i do not know of any off the bat, but i have seen them.

At least get a full medical check up from some source or other, then you will be much more ready and able to tackle whatever is the problem.
Try to find a good Naturopath, after you have gotten the tests..

then you can come to a forum such as this one and talk everything over with people who have experienced the same things as you.

At least those are my thoughts.
Others here may be different.

hoping the best for you.
alice

[RowanC]

If I were you, before I did anything else, I'd go to a naturopath or a doctor and have a test done to see if you have intestinal parasites or an inner ear problem.

Please do this right away!

There is something seriously wrong.

There IS a time for doctors.
To me, this is one of them.

[Maria]

Victor,

please see a doctor for a diagnosis! My mom had severe attacks of dizziness and vomiting for years and she found out she has Meniere's Disease, inner ear/ balance problem. I'm not saying you have that, but if you did, you'd want to catch it before you lose your hearing.

You also really need to educate yourself more about how to feed yourself on raw. Education is power!

Maria

[Rawlicious]

Victor,

Doctors are very important in your process to heal yourself. First of all, they can do tests which are important because you must be sure that you do not have a serious illness. The tests will indicate or contraindicate methods of healing. First, you must know what you are dealing with.

RowanC is right, this seems like the time for a doctor.

[victorlegge]

It seems you want more information. I have seen several alternative doctors - none of them did anything for me. So I am reluctant to see another. When I had one of my attacks for the first time I went to the emergency as I was scared. They did a lot of tests and at the end of it they said and I am not kidding "Dont move your head so fast". That little adventure cost me $4000 even with insurance. The only thing that worked was going on a high protein diet - lots of meat - sorry you vegans out there but I was scared. I also had my ears tested my an ENT specialist and she said there was nothing wrong with my ears.
The attacks come on after stress such as intense physical activity which fits in with the protein deficiency theorem. They also come on after lack of sleep.
My diet right now is as follows: a large bowl of soaked oak groats (3 cups) a handful of nuts, a handful of raisins, a handful of seeds, 2 or 3 fruit servings.
Lunch is a salad with dehydrated crackers - seeds and nuts in them and raw cheese. Dinner is usually a snack - more crackers, a chewy bar from Whole Foods and maybe some fruit.
Anyway I am going to take 3 drinks of hemp protein a day and see what happens.

[victorlegge]

I do live close to power lines. They run down 2 sides of my garden. I do use the computer a lot - 3 hours a day. I dont smoke, use any kind of drug whatsoever including coffee and alcohol with this exception: I occasionally use a pain killer when I get headaches which sometimes come on after the attacks. I did drink coffee up until 3 months ago and I occasionally drank a beer and a glass of wine. I have a 6 yr old and our relationship is sensational. And I am not known for being terribly related to people. My relationship with my wife is up and down. We still have fun but we do get very mad at each other sometimes. My work situation is pretty good. I am a teacher at a college. I do not socialize much preferring to play video games.

[victorlegge]

I avoid beans because I am scared about sprouting them. Thats silly huh? I will sprout some tonight. Apart from that there is nothing I am avoiding. I dont make green smoothies.

[Revvell]

O.k., that answers some of what I asked but not all.

In your OP you say you went 100% raw... that's not what you actually are from what you say here ~ unless the "chewy bar" from WF's is raw.

I agree with you about doctors. I've been mis-diagnosed twice. Ridiculous.

So, you say you went on a high meat (not the same as high protein btw although they will tell you it is) diet and it "worked". So, what's the problem other than you're really not getting digestible protein and you're killing yourself?

Suggestion... if you've not gotten them, two books I would recommend ~ Alissa's and Victoria Boutenko's Green for Life. Both these books will explain to you why/how it is you are not getting the protein you think you are and causing yourself severe damage. I would also suggest you listen to my inteviews with other raw food advocates including Alissa, Victoria and Storm Talifero amongst others here: http://rawfood.revvell.com/.

Final suggestion: More greens in the form of green smoothies. This is a post you may want to read:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showpost.php?p=263191&postcount=1

Revvell



It seems you want more information. I have seen several alternative doctors - none of them did anything for me. So I am reluctant to see another. When I had one of my attacks for the first time I went to the emergency as I was scared. They did a lot of tests and at the end of it they said and I am not kidding "Dont move your head so fast". That little adventure cost me $4000 even with insurance. The only thing that worked was going on a high protein diet - lots of meat - sorry you vegans out there but I was scared. I also had my ears tested my an ENT specialist and she said there was nothing wrong with my ears.
The attacks come on after stress such as intense physical activity which fits in with the protein deficiency theorem. They also come on after lack of sleep.
My diet right now is as follows: a large bowl of soaked oak groats (3 cups) a handful of nuts, a handful of raisins, a handful of seeds, 2 or 3 fruit servings.
Lunch is a salad with dehydrated crackers - seeds and nuts in them and raw cheese. Dinner is usually a snack - more crackers, a chewy bar from Whole Foods and maybe some fruit.
Anyway I am going to take 3 drinks of hemp protein a day and see what happens.

[Revvell]

O.k., we were typing at the same time. The computer almost killed me at one point. I couldn't even complete a sentence. If it's more than 2 years old, get a screen to put in front of it to block the rays or whatever the heck they are called.

I suggest you find some way to get away from those power lines. If you can afford to do so, PLEASE do so!!! Google the affects those lines have on people. They are deadly!!!!




I do live close to power lines. They run down 2 sides of my garden. I do use the computer a lot - 3 hours a day. I dont smoke, use any kind of drug whatsoever including coffee and alcohol with this exception: I occasionally use a pain killer when I get headaches which sometimes come on after the attacks. I did drink coffee up until 3 months ago and I occasionally drank a beer and a glass of wine. I have a 6 yr old and our relationship is sensational. And I am not known for being terribly related to people. My relationship with my wife is up and down. We still have fun but we do get very mad at each other sometimes. My work situation is pretty good. I am a teacher at a college. I do not socialize much preferring to play video games.

[Revvell]

I avoid beans because I am scared about sprouting them. Thats silly huh? I will sprout some tonight. Apart from that there is nothing I am avoiding.

Well, it's not silly. I see no reason to do so. I've not eaten beans in YEARS... yet, if you want to...



I dont make green smoothies.

Waaaaaay more important and easier than sprouting beans, I'll tell ya!

[luckitri]

Well green smoothies are easier if you have good equipment. Don't shortchange yourself on that if at all possible.

I also came to raw due to illness. I have gotten worse and unable to work but still raw as much as possible. Still have faith in raw. Don't have access to naturopaths but the allopaths have found some severe nutritional deficiencies in me and I am glad that they look at that kind of stuff now. However the cause of the nutritional deficiencies has yet to be determined.

I have had dizzyness, nausea, memory problems and tipsy - almost fall over alot and can barely walk sometimes or for very long. Apparently this is all due to a B1 deficiency which is common in alchoholics. I am not an alchoholic. Some of the sites I went to said that this happens with fibromyalgia which I do have.

This takes alot of research and understanding, especially when you are ill. Many people here have seen great results with the green smoothies and there are ways to gain weight with them. I recall someone saying recently that she lost weight when she added virgin coconut oil but gained or maintained when she added the coconut butter.

Somewhere here there is a thread about how to gain weight.

[dhallartist]

Victor,

I agree with seeing someone another doctor of whatever kind you choose. I have an acupuncturist that works with an MD and that is a great combo. I know what it is like to see person after person, and no one knows how to help you. But learn from each one, what to look for in the next and be tenacious. Interview them before you ever pay to visit them. I did that. I can tell you many did not like it. But I finally found one who was not intimidated by my proactivity and he did the trick for me. No small feat.

Also, as a hypnotherapist, I have seen many people have physical symptoms that can be addressed through hypnosis. Look for an Omni graduate. If you want to let me know where you live I can check and see if there is a grad nearby. Hypnosis is highly effective and relatively painless when it is practiced by someone well trained and skilled.

Denise

[CaliRaw]

Several years ago, my mother was having unexplained dizzy spells. She was finally diagnosed after having an MRI. She had a viral infection on the nerve of her ear. I can't remember the specific official diagnosis, but ear nerve infection by a virus is what I remember. There was no medication or anything to take. She was off work for about 6 months because she could not walk normally. She would lose her balance. She was given some exercises involving her eyes, balance, etc to do.

[victorlegge]

I am moved by all your responses. I have tears in my eyes right now. A special thanks to Revvell who has taken the time to write many responses. By the way the bars were raw. I will look into green smoothies. I do not know if these power lines are particularly high voltage. There are 3 cables strung between telegraph poles and then lines come into the houses from the poles. I believe there is a machine that can measure the EMF. Anybody know what that is and what is too much EMF? I have ordered the 2 books that Revvell suggested. OK. I will keep you posted. Thanks for all your love.
Victor

[Revvell]

You're welcome Victor. I hope something one of us has said makes a difference for you. I wish you the best.

Revvell

[victorlegge]

OK, I actually went outside and looked closely at the poles holding the cables near my house and they say high voltage on the poles. I never read that before. My health problem developed after coming to this new house. I should mention that my wife also developed a precancerous condition after moving here. She has had part of her breast removed (a couple of lumps). Of course this could be just because we are both getting older.
Victor

[Revvell]

Hey Victor,

I'm reading what you are saying to my husband... he's saying Radon. It's a radioactive gas coming from the earth. Check Radon.com... there are test kits there for $9.95 (don't know how good/accurate these are). Check out radon.org as well.

As far as breast cancer, no, it's not from getting old. Please don't accept ill health as due to aging. One of my clients is 85 and in great health. One of my best friends is 82 and I'll see her in class this evening.

Radon second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

Also, check out the Minn. Dept. of Health website.

Hoping this helps you some... maybe that's not the problem but, it sounds environmental from what you're saying at this time.

If it is, at least you may be able to move from it..

[luckitri]

Yes it bears looking into. A few years ago I was ill with all the symptoms of mold but we could find none in the house. We sold the house and a team inspected it for the new buyers. The team also found no mold. When we were moving out we found the mold.

[victorlegge]

I have found out something else that gives some explanation to my weight loss. I have assumed that the oat groats from Whole Foods were raw. I have been eating them most breakfasts during the last 3 months I was (or so I thought) 100% raw. I just tried to sprout them. NOTHING. I will try again. Maybe I am a poor sprouter but I am now pretty suspicious of their rawness.
So if they are not raw then I have not been 100% raw which means I have not lost much of my mucoid plaque which means I am still absorbing next to nothing and eating a low calorie diet. Does what I am saying make sense?
I have ordered some oat groats from the sprout house.
Victor

[victorlegge]

Revvell,
You have made a huge difference for me. Thanks.
I will look into the radon.

[FloridaPatty]

How much water are you drinking a day?

Your diet seems a little heavy on the fruits. I suggest more veggies. And look at the super foods. Raw chocolate, goji berries, maca, and of course the hemp. Green juices are good - cucumbers, celery - delicious. Carrots juiced. Chocolate smoothies with lots of maca, hemp, goji berries. And anything with lots of minerals in them.

[belleadonna]

First of all, it doesn't sound like you handle stress well. This could be a large part of the problem. Try and find some way to relieve your stress.
Secondly, being raw for only 3 months isn't that long. You body is probably still making major adjustments and throwing off toxins. Give it more time.
It's not uncommon for some people to lose alot of weight when they go raw and then when their body is cleansed they put weight back on.

[Vivafree2]

Hello Victor - dizziness might be a medical condition i would go and exclude allergies and ear/balance problems, but most of all - did you consider to rest? Running less for a while? Raw is good - but you need to find what is good for you and what you miss in your diet. What about hair analysis? and acupuncture?
It seems that your body is tired. Resting might be a start, having more proteins in your diet could help too.