Re: Son with mono-should I start the diet?

[Guest guest]

Sherry,I had mono at 17( actually continued over my 18th birthday)! All I wanted to do was sleep for about 3 weeks. If I could manage a shower, that was it and I would collapse dripping wet into bed again. My mother, an absolute health freak, resorted to Haagen Das ice cream to get me to eat! ; ) If it were me and it was my son I would be doing something anti-viral like sambucol (illegal as a syrup but a consideration - it is an elderberry or blackberry extract can't remember which at the moment), oil of oregano, olive leaf extract, coconut oil or similar for the viral part. I hear milk thistle is good for the liver. I would make loads of very nourishing chicken broth for when he does want something and add pureed veggies and meat as he starts to overcome the

illness. Smoothies might be good as well -- bananas, ice, a bit of honey, and unsalted butter (for some good fat). I know that at 3 weeks, I was considered well enough by my mother, but I still wasn't 100%. I got so used to not eating that it was hard to start eating again, but once I did, I felt stronger and better. Mine was a 'short' recovery by most standards, as well. I am sure that they told you to watch his spleen as it gets really inflammed and if he by chance exerts himself, it can rupture and he could bleed to death in a very short amount of time (I was told like 15 minutes, but that may have just been a scare tactic!).You both are in my prayers.AmeliaTo: BTVC-SCD Sent: Sat, May 22, 2010 6:20:49 AMSubject: Son with mono-should I start the diet?

Hi everyone,

I posted quite awhile about my 17yo(now 18)who has Crohn's and was not quite ready to commit to the diet. He has been on 6MP to control symptoms since Aug.'09. He felt ok for about 2 weeks(when the 6MP finally started to work) then he got mono. He has been miserable for 2 weeks now and has elevated liver enzymes. Now that the med has been stopped, his Crohn's symptoms have returned. All that to say, if he is willing, is this a good time to try the diet again? I ask because his body is already trying to fight this virus and I'm a bit worried about introducing something into the mix that could make him feel worse, i.e. die off. On the other hand, I think the intro would help control things and ultimately help him to feel better. He doesn't have much of an appetite and nothing tastes good to him (good for me-then he can't say it my cooking-ha ha).

I have stayed connected to the site reading the posts and trying to continue to learn what I can. I would appreciate your input.

Thanks so much,

Sherry

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry

I don't really have any answers for you, I just wanted to offer my support. My son had mono at 15 and it was really rough. My son was also on 6MP for 3 years afterwards (for leukemia). Somehow the combination of mono and compromised immune system caused some major viral overgrowth issues that we are still dealing with 3 years later. My son still has constant fatigue issues and just can't keep up with his peers. Epstein Barr and cytomegalovirus have tested very high. We tried the acyclovir route but that made feel awful.

I wish I had known more about natural antivirals 3 years ago. If I'd have known then what I know now, I would have given him lots of coconut oil, grape seed extract, oil of oregano, raw or slightly roasted garlic, fresh carrot and garlic juice and anything else I could find that is antiviral / antibacterial / antifungal. But, unfortunately I didn't hear about all of those natural approaches until I joined this group 5 months ago and, as you know, at 18 we mom's don't have as much control as we did when they were 15.

My son was very strict with SCD for the first 3 months of this year to address his general gut issues, and he saw lots of benefits (we didn't do the stages, just followed BTVC with intro and legal food choices). But he lives in a college dorm, eats at the cafeteria, travels a lot, and he's only home maybe one weekend per month. He found it too difficult and socially isolating to continue with strict SCD past that 3 month point. Although he's not strict with his food choices any more, his view of "healthy food" has changed drastically. He never eats anything with sugar now, and only occasionally has a little gluten or bread. Keep in mind that my son doesn't have any diagnosed digestive issues, like crohn's, etc., but in his case SCD has had dramatic benefits and still continues to benefit him even though he occassiionally strays from the 100% legal list.

I hope your son gets his strength and energy back soon.. It sounds like SCD would be an awesome way to support his body's healing process if he's willing to try it. If he does experience die-off, I'd see that as a positive because he'll come out stronger on the other side.

Hugs

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Sat, May 22, 2010 12:20:49 AMSubject: Son with mono-should I start the diet?

Hi everyone,I posted quite awhile about my 17yo(now 18)who has Crohn's and was not quite ready to commit to the diet. He has been on 6MP to control symptoms since Aug.'09. He felt ok for about 2 weeks(when the 6MP finally started to work) then he got mono. He has been miserable for 2 weeks now and has elevated liver enzymes. Now that the med has been stopped, his Crohn's symptoms have returned. All that to say, if he is willing, is this a good time to try the diet again? I ask because his body is already trying to fight this virus and I'm a bit worried about introducing something into the mix that could make him feel worse, i.e. die off. On the other hand, I think the intro would help control things and ultimately help him to feel better. He doesn't have much of an appetite and nothing tastes good to him (good for me-then he can't say it my cooking-ha ha). I have stayed connected to the site reading the posts and trying to continue to

learn what I can. I would appreciate your input.Thanks so much,Sherry