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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Re:Lemonade Fast
        
(Message started by: rocklobster on Jul 18^th, 2006, 3:19pm)

Title: Re:Lemonade Fast
Post by rocklobster on Jul 18^th, 2006, 3:19pm

Alright folks, here are the results of the lemonade fast.
For those who did not read my earlier post, I began a 10 day fast on lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne red pepper in 10 oz. of pure or spring water. 6-12 glasses a day, also as much water as I wanted, but no food. This was a last resort, having nothing to lose besides a few pounds, and everything to gain. I began on Thursday July 6. The first day was the hardest, since I had never fasted even for a day, but after that, it really was quite easy. My wife fasted with me for support, which was a help. Saturday the 8th I had 2 CH in less than 2 hours and was ready to sell my soul for relief from the pain. On Monday July 10, I had 5 headaches, my worst day ever, in 40 years. I wasn't warned that during and immediately after the fast, the CH can get worse before they get better, since your system is clearing out all the crap in there.
I saw my nutritionist on Wednesday July 12, and she had me break the fast early, since she felt that the toxins had been removed. . For the rest of the day until Thursday evening, we drank water and orange juice. Thursday July 13, we had fruit and vegetables, and Friday we had our first real meal in 8 days, chicken stir fry. I lost 8 pounds, have since gained about half of it back, but I wasn't overweight anyay. Friday AM the 14th I had a killer in my office, and was really disheartened. Another cure that didn't work. However, that was the last CH. I've had shadows, but none have broken out. I'm only 3 and a half weeks into my cycle, and should be having 2-3 a day for another 2 plus months. It appears that the CH cycle has been broken. I will be fasting 3-4 times a year for 2-3 days, just to clean out the old body. Kind of like preventive maintenance. I'm also on a restricted diet for a few weeks. No dairy,except plain yogurt, no sugar, wheat or white flower (whole wheat is fine), no nightshades.
Plenty of water, lots of fruit and vegetables, fish, chicken, etc.
I know that others have advocated fasting on this site and have been belittled, but don't knock it if you haven't tried it. It sure beats injecting yourself with a needle 3-5 times a day, for months on end, and worrying if you'll run out of imitrex. Or where you'll be when the next one hits.
Ask your Dr. if you are healthy enough to try a fast before you attempt it. The lemonade fast might not work for you, but then again, maybe it will, or at least slow the cycle down.
I didn't think it would work for me, but when you're at the your wits end, you'll try anything.
Larry from Pa. (USA)

Title: Re: Re:Lemonade Fast
Post by Charlotte on Jul 18^th, 2006, 3:27pm

The lemonaide fast probably can't hurt you and I am glad it helped break your cycle. I think that many things can help or make this worse, at different times.

We are an opinionated & passionate bunch of individuals. Sometimes that means we rub each other wrong, but we still have a bond that you won't find anywhere else.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Re:Lemonade Fast
Post by rocklobster on Jul 18^th, 2006, 3:36pm

If just one person tries it and it helps them, I'll be a happy guy.

Title: Re: Re:Lemonade Fast
Post by jmorgan52 on Jul 19^th, 2006, 2:41am

Well done Larry!

As you know I have been advocating my own version of the detox/cleansing diet here as both a method of breaking the CH cycle, and as a 6 monthly preventative, for several years to no avail. My method is nowhere near as intense as your fast, and your way may be the answer to the problem for those who only tried the fruit/veg/water diet along with the Detox Drink that I proposed that always works for me but maybe not for others.

Those few who tried it probably did not stick it out because initially the pain gets much, much worse before it gets better 5-7 days later, and they see this as a sign that it is not working. It also takes immense willpower!

I have been totally CH free for 3 years so far which is my longest period of remission ever, and since my first detox back in 2002 when I was at the end of my rope I have had only 1 very short CH cycle which I broke just a week after it started with the detox diet. I had got lazy about doing the 6 monthly diet after being PF for so long time - it can happen :o It was my shortest ever cycle.

I feel totally vindicated by your positive results and wish you well and enjoy lots of PF time in the future.

John

Title: Re: Re:Lemonade Fast
Post by rocklobster on Jul 19^th, 2006, 8:22am

Thanks John, especially for all of your encouragement during and after my fast. I was never a proponent of fasting before, but I will be fasting for 2-3 days quarterly from now on. I just hope more folks will give this a try, if they are healthy enough to do so. I wish I would have known about this years ago, but now I can go forward pain free. It's now 6 days pain free, when I should be on the floor in tears, cursing, sleeplessness, etc. Plus I have more energy than before the fast.
Three years in remission is amazing, and I hope that I can have the same results. It now makes sense why my cycles were every 18 months like clockwork.
By the way, in case anyone is wondering, I rarely ate junk food, and never fast food, I did have a healthy diet, but most of the food we eat has so much other stuff in it that it's no wonder people are getting ill.
Larry