30 days raw - then the flu...argh

[Lightspirited1]

Hi...

I have done pretty well with keeping raw for the last 30 days, then on day 31 - I got the flu. (That was last Thursday)

Didn't have terrific days mostly during the 30 days, but I definitely could see some improvements (ie; no migraines!~!~) Didn't lose a lot of weight, and didn't always feel high energy, but I was beginning to get short bursts of it now and then. I felt like my body was detoxing quite a bit (I expected that), and now...wham!

I can't face eating cold, raw food at all (even bananas), and was wondering what people do when they are this sick.

I've had the fever, the majorly swollen glands, congestion, scratchy throat...the whole enchilada (so to speak...ahem).

All I crave is soup and crackers. Can't even drink water.

Would really appreciate some help/suggestions. I did so well up until now...

I still feel 'icky' and don't want to get stuck again in the SAD food regime.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!!!

[Revvell]

There is no such thing as "flu". This is a major detox. If you want to assist it, lemon juice in warm water will do so. If you eat you'll be stopping the detox and maybe adding more stuff TO eliminate.

The thing with detox is, it takes as long as it takes. Rounds of hot/cold showers, especially on the top of the head, neck, spine and chest will alleviate some symptoms temporarily.

In the meantime, maybe you can revel in the fact that your body is doing what it's designed to do ~ eliminate toxins. :)

Revvell

[zig_zag]

Oh I compeltely know how you feel... Cooked food can be such a tempting comfort when you are sick/detoxing! I suggest you drink lots of tea and herbs, brew ginger and add raw honey and lemon, perhaps try sprouting some grains (???), and maybe even venturing into making a soup out of very LIGHTLY/briefly steamed sweet potato or potato or something w/ added kale and cayenne, than blending it quickly. Or use this time to let your body rest, and juice/tea feast!! Good luck... it'll be over soon;)

[Lightspirited1]

I thought that it might be detox, but so many folks around me are sick too.

Thanks for the suggestions....

I've already eaten some cooked food, but I'll get back on track....

This is awful...thought I'd be feeling better - not worse. :rolleyes:

Will do my best to stay away from the cooked food and try other things. Can't even THINK of kale...had two big bowls massaged with a little EVOO, pine nuts and red bell pepper within hours before I fell ill...not so good association...LOL

I do appreciate your quick responses and support.

It was easier to resist the cooked food urges when I wasn't feeling sick ...

[Clare]

Okay, I totally believe in the flu :-) and don't think everything is detox. Actually, it IS detox but I think you are detoxing from your immune reaction to the flu...

The best thing is not to eat solids when you don't feel like eating healthy foods. Believe me, you will get hungry enough for raw when you are ready for it. In the meantime all you really need is fluids, so try to get the water down when you can with some flavor, like lemon or orange juice in the water, even grated ginger and stevia in warm water is good. When you start getting hungry you might want juicy fruits before something like kale :-)

I hope you feel better soon. A hot bath with a couple cups of epsom salts in it is very soothing and supposed to be healing as well...

[LNdolls]

Sometimes detox comes in waves. A number of years ago, long before I discovered raw I went totally macrobiotic with my food. I had some major benefits.. but within two months I developed flu like symptoms and they hung on for a month and a half. Emotionally I was fine, but physically, I could not work, slept a lot, drank and ate very little and when it passed I felt better than I had in years, decades!!
Illness often leaves me feeling much worse, wobbly and kinda weak. Detox always leaves me feeling better, stronger and happier than before.
If you cannot eat anything but soup.. then have soup. Lots of any kind of liquids you will tolerate and rest, rest, rest. It will pass and then you will know what it was by how you feel.
I hope it passes quickly.

[Revvell]

Illness often leaves me feeling much worse, wobbly and kinda weak. Detox always leaves me feeling better, stronger and happier than before.


That's the truth of it. You are talking about after it's over, eh? Cuz during...

[Carlsbad]

I completely sympathize with you. I always get the toughest cravings for cooked food when I'm sick or really sleep deprived. Orange juice helps me, as does warm herbal tea. Stick with raw and it will pass. One thing I've learned is that the habit of eating particular cooked foods when you're sick is deeply ingrained. And it takes a while to reset your body to the new raw habit. Eating cooked will only keep you stuck in that habit. So if you can, stick to raw foods or juices, and they will speed up the healing process.

Also, weird as it sounds, an enema can really help too.

[Theogirl]

I woke up with a thick feeling in my throat and feel a little tired. My husband was violently sick with a cold/flu all last week and I SOOO hope that this is detox and not the other.
This is what I am trying. I did sesame oil pulling for 20 minutes, waited a few minutes and gargled with oil of oregano. Hot hot bath with epsom salts, dressed warmly then five minutes of light bouncing on the rebounder, then 15 on the elliptical with fresh air blowing in from the window. Lots of water, just oranges for breakfast. I'll try to get my kiddies to lay down with me for a nap this afternoon.
Am I on the right track?? Please send any other advice my way!!

[Lightspirited1]

Thank you all for your suggestions and support. I totally love this forum!!!
I can FEEL the caring pouring through the computer.....aaaahhhhh....

I am having warm lemon water with raw agave and a pince of cayenne today.
Today will be fasting and (hopefully) some much-needed healing~~~~

And Clare....you were bang on with the juicy fruits! I wanted them since the second day of feeling ill. I had some oranges, mangos, and pears.

Any suggestions for clogged ears and sinuses???? VERY hard to get adequate rest.

Thanks again for all of your responses! This has been more helpful than I can express....

[Revvell]

Any suggestions for clogged ears and sinuses???? VERY hard to get adequate rest.


Get a neti pot and wash out your sinuses and/or, get put about 1-2 drop of gse in a half cup of water and snort. You'll dance a bit but it wont last long.

Another would be to snort some cayenne pepper or some snuff made with it.

Revvell

[Lightspirited1]

Revvell,

Thanks! You have some great ideas.

I'm a strange duck with neti pots, etc. I have tried on numerous occasions and also have a grossman nasal irrigation system. I totally can't do these. Just feel to dang panicky.

I also don't know how to get water to flow through clogged sinus passages. (If I DID try it again...:eek: )

Would a facial (steamer) work similarly?

Thanks for the assistance!

Still feeling pretty wonky. The hot/cold shower idea may be something I'll try once I feel like I'm not so achey.

[Revvell]

I also don't know how to get water to flow through clogged sinus passages. (If I DID try it again...:eek: )

Just snort what you can. They'll open up little by little.


Would a facial (steamer) work similarly?

Might be a way to get started if you put some mint/menthol essential oils in it.



Thanks for the assistance!

You're welcome.


Still feeling pretty wonky. The hot/cold shower idea may be something I'll try once I feel like I'm not so achey.

I don't understand. This is a remedy for that. I'm confused.

[Lightspirited1]

Revvell,

Oh, I didn't realize the hot/cold shower was a remedy for an achey body. Please let me know how to do it properly, and I will certainly give it a go!

Thanks for breaking down all of the info for me too.

What is the salt ratio that you would suggest for the neti pot?

Much appreciation!

[Revvell]

I don't know about the neti pot. I know someone who's done it.

Hot cold showers ~ start as usual with hot; turn that off, turn up the cold. Head, neck, chest, spine; turn that down, turn up the heat. 7-10 rounds. Enjoy!



Revvell,

Oh, I didn't realize the hot/cold shower was a remedy for an achey body. Please let me know how to do it properly, and I will certainly give it a go!

Thanks for breaking down all of the info for me too.

What is the salt ratio that you would suggest for the neti pot?

Much appreciation!

[Sugar Snap Pea]

Revvell, with all due respect, snort cayenne pepper? You get that in your lungs and you can have some major problems!

[Revvell]

Tell that to Richard Schulze aka Professor Cayenne and the late Dr. Christopher. I've not had any problems with it.





Revvell, with all due respect, snort cayenne pepper? You get that in your lungs and you can have some major problems!

[Eva]

Hot cold showers ~ start as usual with hot; turn that off, turn up the cold. Head, neck, chest, spine; turn that down, turn up the heat. 7-10 rounds. Enjoy!

It was really invigorating then felt peaceful afterwards. I just posted about this being great. I could definitely see how this would help a sore body!

[Lightspirited1]

Thanks for all of your suggestions and validations. I'll definitely try the hot/cold shower regime.

Not staying all raw right now (some soups and rice), but that is truly what my body wants and right now I just want to feel soothed.

I did all warm lemon water and oranges yesterday until the early evening. Then this dang bug/detox settled into my chest and I just really needed some hot liquids with nourishment. Okay...I know it's not fully nourishing when it's cooked, but I'm just trying to be sensible and easy on myself at the moment.

I know raw is the way to go...I just need to get back to 100% at my own pace.

I appreciate this forum greatly, and all of your support and suggestions.