Hi Casey,
A virus can lay dormant for periods of time, become active for a time, then go dormant again. And so on. I would guess this is what you have been experiencing in the "ups and downs" you have described. Being depressed and not feeling well are common symptoms of a virus. Anxiety is also common.
A virus that is oral in nature tends to have an affinity for the heart sac. The rapid heart beat you speak of may have to do with the viruses effect on the heart sac.
Let's see if we can try and pin point the root of the problem so that you can get some relief. I would like you to answer the following two or three questions.
1. Have you had any dental work, dental problems or dental disorders? If so, when? The most common viruses I have found are linked to oral problems. Let's start here and eliminate possibilities as we go.
2. What are the three biggest food cravings you have?
The liver flushes are good, no doubt. However; instead of flushing these toxins over and over again, let's find out what's causing the problem to begin with and see if we can eliminate the problem once and for all. If we can get to the source of the problem the next time you cleanse your liver the results won't be temporary but long lasting.
This may be a little time consuming but if you want to get feeling better it will be well worth the effort. You have suffered long enough.
Your diet is a great foundation to build on. You have a healthy start. My suggestions and comments:
Do you use a lot of spices? If so which ones? All the spices I mentioned in my last post are anti-viral or digestive aids. Always fresh garlic. Oregano is an anti-biotic, dill weed is a digestive aid... It is so important for you to have a good mixture of spices. You don't want to eat a strictly bland diet.
Do you eat leafy dark green vegetables? Do you eat bitter green vegetables? Bitters are collards, kale, dandelion, etc... Do you eat spinach, chard, mustard greens, broccoli, red beats, carrots, celery, cucumber etc...
Make your pasta sauce with fresh garlic, oregano, parsley, onions, and finely diced carrots. Use whole wheat pasta. Do the same with your chicken, in other words spice up your meals.
Do you like to cook? If so, get creative and try some of the spices in different ways! On veggies, chicken, turkey, pasta. Have fun with this! If you are new to cooking or don't have a lot of experience, I suggest you look up healthy recipes on Foodtv.com or Dr. Gourmet.com
Whole grains. Try a good whole grain dark bread instead of white. Do you have a Trader Joe's in your area? I love TJ's! The prices are great and the food is wonderful.
These suggestions might satisfy your body's craving for the nutrition it's looking for and maybe you won't be so hungry. It's not normal to be hungry after a meal!
Good food always comes first!! Start adding some of these things to your diet. I know you don't want to use supplements but I would recommend you at least supplement your diet with FOS to aid in digestion.
Start your day with the juice of one lemon in warm water. This is before you do anything else, like brushing your teeth, drinking water or eating. Wait about 20 minutes and then begin your day. Lemon juice is a great liver tonic and the warm water will help to get your colon moving.
I don't think you have ruined your body so don't be so hard on yourself! You are taking great steps to educate yourself and to treat your body the best you know how. You are young and I'm sure you will be just fine.
Where do you think people like me (forum owners/health experts) come from? Most of us have one or more stories involving our health or the health of a loved one that has been a turning point in our lives. Who knows, with the knowledge and experience you are gaining today, maybe you will be helping others one day as well. You are showing a lot of love and respect for your body and your well being, you should be proud of yourself.
I am looking forward to hearing from you and I hope you start feeling better soon.
Namaste,
Ask Kelley