So, in the last few days, I have been surprisingly reminded of how bad I could feel. In fact, I had made significant progress in the past few months since the mercury amalgam was removed. I was on the road to recovery and enjoyed the benefits. I could do activities that used to be too much for me to even think about. That was until today! Boy, how rude to wake up. Last night I went to sleep with a headache. He could hardly think or do anything. I was watching a movie, not really watching, like it was mesmerizing. I couldn’t work. My head hurt and I was extremely tired. I fell asleep right when I went to bed that night. During the night I would wake up 5 or 6 times to go to the bathroom. Every time my head hurt, I was dizzy and dry. I probably drank 1/4 gallon just at night. His cotton mouth was like you couldn’t believe it. I felt my heart beating out of my chest. Just walking to the bathroom took my breath away. Every time I woke up I found myself covered in sweat with a dull roar of nausea. Several times I swear to you that I was about to blow pieces. I was in and out of my strange sleeping state every 2 hours or so. It was horrible. I had the craziest dreams / nightmares, and not just one, but a few. It was just weird. The next morning I woke up with a severe headache and a dizzy feeling. I did my daily routine and started eating breakfast. Halfway through I was nauseous and stopped eating. I felt bad. I headed to work. When I came in I was breathing like I had just run a marathon. During the morning I peed almost 6 times. I didn’t do any work. It was hell on earth once again. Back to my old ways.

I started thinking “what could have triggered such a sudden onset of feeling so bad?” So then I fallen in reason. I had just started a regiment of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE) 3 days earlier to improve my skin and eliminate some Candida that I had stopped taking while loosening up my low carb diet. diet (I love potatoes). “Duhh …” I thought. I was having a herxheimer, death, or herx reaction. And it was a bad one. I haven’t had one in a long time so I guess I was on the verge. I started taking too much MSM (0 grams per day to 2 grams per day). I didn’t even think about going gradually. I got a little arrogant I guess. Anyway, I am writing this to share the effects of death and the symptoms they produce, so you know what to expect when introducing new natural supplements into your daily regimen.

The Herxheimer reaction is the release of endotoxins after the death of a large number of bacterial, fungal or parasitic organisms. During a herx. the amount of endotoxins released far exceeds the body’s detoxification capabilities producing “fever, chills, stiffness, hypotension, headache, tachycardia, hyperventilation, flushing vasodilation, myalgia (muscle pain) and exacerbation of skin lesions.” This sounds so familiar, especially the tachycardia that was really freaking me out. My heart was probably 120 BPM while I was sleeping!

When you start to experience a herx. reaction should immediately begin a detox protocol. Actually, if you plan correctly, you may be able to completely eliminate herx. reaction to your healing process. If you start detoxifying before adding a new supplement, that could kill a host of pathogens, which may be safe from a herx. reaction. If you gradually increase the dosage of your new supplement, you may also be safe from a herx. Personally, I feel that feeling the herx. sometimes it’s good, reminding you that the new supplement is really doing what it’s supposed to do. It is a blessing in disguise.

You can expect a herx. To last from a couple of days to a few weeks. They should not be felt for more than 2 weeks, however in some extreme cases this can happen. I’ve only had a few that lasted longer than 3 days. Usually, when you start to feel a death reaction, you should decrease the dose to a lesser amount until the symptoms are more manageable. Once the symptoms start to go away, you can increase the dose and take more of the supplement, eventually reaching your target dose.

Sweat, water, and vitamin C are a good way to help your body eliminate endotoxins. Make sure you drink about a gallon of water a day. Take a detox bath at night before going to bed. This bath includes 2 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda. You can add a little lemon or lavender if you feel the need for aromatherapy (it always helps). Do not heat it too much because this will add more load to your body. Soak in this solution for 30 minutes. When you go out, drink plenty of fluids and then go straight to bed. In most cases, you will be so fatigued that it will seem difficult to get to bed. Also, be sure to get plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants throughout the day. It is a good idea to take 1 gram of vitamin C every few hours. This will help your liver flush out toxins. Don’t forget to take your daily dose of milk thistle to help your natural biological filters. Remember to eat healthy and avoid sugars and caffeine. Breathe a lot of natural air. Go for a walk; try not to think about the symptoms. Thinking about it only makes it worse. I would not suggest any pain relievers or over the counter medications during a herx. These just plug up your natural detoxes and make things worse.

All in all, a Herx reaction can be very painful and discouraging, especially if it comes out of nowhere like the last one did. It can make you feel really bad for several days and make numbers on your emotions and mental progress. Please note that it is only temporary and there is light at the end of the tunnel. When you get there, the bluest of blue skies will be revealed. You will feel clearer and pain free. It is a pleasant surprise. Your energy will improve, your brain fog will decrease, and your overall sense of well-being will greatly improve.