Needing some help here

[CJB]

OK...so started raw yesterday and am facing some challenges. First is the caffeine withdrawal...blinding headache. I should preface all this by saying that I've over the years discovered that I'm not the type of person who has success making gradual shifts in diet. I've tried to "taper off" caffeine and it just never happens. I'm better off going cold turkey and dealing with the detox because otherwise it just doesn't happen. My caffeine consumption was about a cup or two a day of coffee so I'm feeling this. I've also decided to go 100% raw rather than trying to gradually adjust...I've tried that and it just doesn't work for me.

And here I'm risking being an announcer for radio station W-TMI (Too Much Information), but I've also just started my period today which is making matters, and this headache, worse. Any suggestions to help? I've decaffeinated before and the headache tends to last one to two days. I'm just worried that on top of the other issues I might be having a tough row to hoe. Thanks for the help!!!

[Doe]

Sure wish I knew something to help CJB. The only thing I can think of is something Dr Norman Walker said. If you are ever really sick - don't eat anything until it passes. Just drink water. Seems like he said 4 oz every 20 min or something like that. A 12 oz glass once an hour should do the same thing. His reasoning was that it freed the body to work on the problem rather than having to expend energy digesting.

Hope this helps.
Teri

[CJB]

thanks for the support. I've been trying to keep up on the water. I'm not eating much...just having a glass of orange juice as my blood sugar seems to be a bit low.

Any remedies for cramps??? :(

[Doe]

Shazzie said something in her journals when she was going raw about doing certain yoga poses. She was amazed at how the cramps just disappeared. Something about opening up the areas we tend to close protectively. Her site is www.shazzie.com (http://www.shazzie.com/) - You might look through the first year or so. It isn't that much reading, it's by the month not daily.

Teri

[CJB]

Thanks Teri...I actually have her book and I appreciate the reminder. I will be looking that up for later. My problem is with the splitting headache I don't think I could assume any yoga pose without extreme nausea. Just wondering if there's something simple and herbal or food related that might help...or perhaps a lobotomy for a day or something. ;)

[Rawkinlocs]

If you're not opposed to them, doing a short series of enemas always helped/helps me when battling headaches.

[Doe]

Some people have success with relaxation exercises. Make the room as quiet as possible. Turn off the lights. Get in the most comfortable position you can under the circumstances, perhaps a recliner chair. Close your eyes and breathe in through the nose for a slow count of six, let it out through your mouth for a count of six. Repeat. Visualize that you are the ocean, drawing the water up into your body then releasing it out toward the shore. Let your breath come in and out like waves. One after the other. In and out.

I used to do this years ago when I had cramps too, by the way. Had forgotten about that.

Teri

[solarliving]

Hi CJB,

Way to go full force! You can drink Ginger tea or also peppermint tea is said to be soothing for mentstrual cramps. I like to apply peppermint oil to my belly, low back, and temples (if I have a headache.) The mintiness is soothing. A shower sometimes helps and also putting a cold cloth on the back of the neck to draw the blood away from the head. I guess this helps with the constricting vessels. I had also read Apple cider vinegar for migraines, but I am not sure if it is raw.

Best wishes

[CJB]

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! I appreciate the support. The headache as eased up a bit so hopefully it's on the way out. I appreciate all the help... Solar, thanks for reminding me about the mint and ginger, both of which I love. I'll try that.

Now for some sleep....

[levamssg]

ooooh, I can relate to that headache. I drank 4-5 cups of very strong coffee daily, then went 100% cold turkey like you are doing. I wished I could remove my head for a day or two.

I know that rubbing a bruised mint leaf across the forehead (or in back of your head) helps a regular headache go away. Don't know if it would touch a caffeine one tho.

Hang in there.

[CJB]

Thanks Terry,

Fortunately, today the headache is gone. Thank God! What a difference a day makes, eh? I appreciate everyone's help with this. Your suggestions were timely and good! It's nice to have support.

I'm meeting with a local raw foods consultant later this week. Looking forward to the chance to talk face to face with someone.

Take care and thanks again!

CJB

[Mike]

Good luck with your transition!

Dr. Richard Schulze said that if you drink coffee daily, and then quit, you will be constipated. If this happens to you, do some research on how to prevent this problem! www.herbdoc.com has some good herbs that helped me.

[CJB]

Thanks Mike,

I'm actually already using those products so am prepared for that. I appreciate the info, though.

CJB