I have been mostly raw (most days 95%-100%, a few days 50% or so) for about a month now, and I am having my first period since I changed my diet. I am experiencing a LOT of pain and cramping. Before starting to eat like this I never had such bad cramping or pain (except years ago, when I was still a teenager). So, a couple of questions... How come now I am experiencing such pain? Can it be part of detox? What can I take for the pain? I am using heat on my lower back and it helps somewhat, but I am seriously tempted to take a motrin (and I avoid and hate taking meds)... it hurts that much!
Have any of you experienced something similar (hopefully not!)? What have you done if so?
Skymn
Comments
I'm an acupuncture practitioner. It seems to be cold in your lower abdomen. you need absolutely to eat ligthly warm food, and put on your abdomen sth that will reheat it, essential oil of cloves is very recomended as application of few drops under navel zone, and take a few cups per day of fennel decoction, it warms up lower abdomen
good luck
Karolina
Thanks for all your replies! The day is almost over and I made it without taking any meds, even though the pain was sometimes really unbearable.
emptdmom, thanks for the link.
Karolina, I tried the clove oil (I have a lot of different essential oils, I am addicted to them, but usually use them on a vaporizer) and it worked too.
trouble, the heating pad helped, and so did the warm tea. I sure hope it doesnt last three periods for me... I will get chamomile tea just in case though.
luxdivon, I thought it could be detox, but I didn't get why it would hurt like it did when I was younger, so thanks for explaining! I have no idea what I took back then, just what the school nurse/my mom gave me. But I havent taken anything for period pain in ages (just for back pain). What will be interesting will be to see how long my period lasts, when I was a teenager with painful periods, they would last at least 5 days. The past years (ahem, like 10-15) just 3. If now it lasts 5, it will really be my body going through earlier stages. I just never thought detox would be so much, especially since I am not 100% raw and have really "bad" days.
Anyway, somehow knowing it is detox makes it more bearable though! I might be weird and crazy, but I actually enjoy detox because I know my body is getting rid of all the toxic stuff I have put into it and getting healthier (It's still a pain in the butt though!)