QUESTION
I hope you can answer this and hopefully others will benefit too.
I have been wondering a long while what my approach should be towards pain relief medications. For example whilst these substances are obviously not ideal, for someone who is not yet optimally “clean”, what happens if I get a bad flu with very strong headaches? Or as what has just happened, an infection sets in after dental surgery. The pain was simply not bearable and I found myself running for pain relief.
What are the alternatives? Are pain relief medications an absolute no-no? Are some less destructive than others? I understand that if my system was stronger, I would not get the flu or an infection after dental treatment. However, I am not “there” yet and I have to concern myself with the body that I have now which does get into trouble every so often.
Another issue is that of antibiotics. Whilst this dental infection may be the first time in a few years that I have been prescribed antibiotics, (In the past when I got sick the dr was my first port of call and he would give me what he knew to work…) I wonder if there is an alternative. If I clearly have an infection how long would you recommend I wait to see if my body will sort it out or if antibiotics are necessary?
Very gratefully,
Gittele
ANSWER
Hi Gittele,
Thank you for your email, these are wonderful questions. I would like to address pharmaceuticals as a general category. As always, this is not meant to replace the advice of your Doctor, I am not a physician.
Here is what we know: medications are toxic and extremely harmful to the equilibrium of the body and the planet. We also know that a clean body that has been effectively detoxing for some time will be able to beautifully regulate all systems and functions of the body.
The reality is that there are circumstances and illnesses where medication may play a role. All I ask of myself and my clients is that drugs be approached with the highest intelligence and discretion. I am often shocked to talk to people who don’t know the full name of their prescription, nor their prescribed dosage. Please proceed wisely:
1. Do not leave you Doctor’s office without getting all of your questions answered. Take careful notes, and do not allow yourself to be bulldozed or brow-beaten. Make sure you fully understand what he or she is recommending and why.
2. Do your research. You should know the generic name of the prescription, all possible side effects and complications, what it has been prescribed for in the past (many medications are used to treat multiple issues) and your exact dosage. You should know exactly what you are getting into and take responsibility for being fully informed.
3. Figure out where your body is on the transitional “bridge”. How long have you been aggressively detoxing? This will tell you your body’s ability to regulate itself. A highly alkaline system can fight infection better than an acidic system, and a long-time mostly raw and juice-filled lifestyle allows you to handle deeply emotional situations with more strength and intuition.
4. Gauge you level of discomfort. If you can easily bear it while you give your system a chance to do its work, you may not decide to interfere. If you are in constant pain that makes life unbearable you may decide to try medication.
5. Exhaust all other options. Have you tried acupuncture, therapy, physical therapy, rolfing, and guided meditation? Medication does not have to be a first resort. The internet is a great resource for finding others who have been in similar situations and tried other recourse.
6. Make sure you understand the length of time you are dealing with. Is this a long-term chronic pain, or something quick and commonly treated? The longer the medication is taken, the more it accumulates in the system.
7. Do not make any snap decisions. I often have clients meet with me for the first time and decide to go right off their anti-depressants. This could be a devastating decision. Slow and gradual moves, with a doctor’s guidance, are the way to go. We detox slowly and safely, making friends with where we are on the transitional bridge each step of the way.
8. Boosting your alkalinity with additional green juice and taking high-quality probiotics will help your body to stay strong during a cycle of medication. Avoiding all starches and sweeteners other than stevia until all medication has left the system is also essential, so that additional yeast and fungal growth does not take place during the process.
I hope this helps you to make a very personal decision. I am heartened to have so many emails from detoxers who are gathering all the information they can before going forward. Please remember, there are no gold stars for pain and suffering, and no guilt for any choices that are well researched, and made with the highest good in mind.
Love,
Ana
