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What Causes Fatigue After Completion Of A Detox Diet?

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Posted on Sat, 3 May 2014
Question: One week ago I completed a 21 day "Cleanse" based on the book Clean by XXXXXXX Junger. I finished the class, but didn't actually start reintroducing non-cleanse foods when this started happening. This was basically an elimination diet removing gluten, dairy, eggs, caffiene, red meat, pork, night shade vegetables, oranges, bananas...eating a smoothie for breakfast, snacks and lunch during the day, and a blended soup at night. All made with fresh whole foods, lots of food to eat. I did eat meat during this cleanse - chicken/turkey/fish. Upon completing the program I was feeling AMAZING, best I've ever felt in my life. However, for almost one week SINCE then, I have experienced extreme fatigue, feeling low to mid back pain/nauseous/headache after eating (but not every single meal), which improves after about 1-2 hours. Some episodes have been severe where I had to lay down and I considered going to the ER, others were tolerable where I could still sit and do my job. The most severe instance was when I drank fresh pineapple juice, the pain was very severe. I am also ALWAYS thirsty. I'm drinking well over a gallon of water daily, but still feel dry mouth/thirst. Went to the doctor, tested for liver/gallbladder/pancreas issues, everything came back within normal range. I am also not anemic. Prior to this hitting I was feeling SO good, full of energy and well. Now I feel terrible. My primary care doc is at a loss; is referring me to a GI specialist, but I'd rather not be poked and prodded unnecessarily if someone has ever heard of this before and can provide some guidance as to what might be causing this. I am F, 38, 5'8 138 lbs, eat a well rounded healthy diet full of fresh veggies, fruits/chicken/turkey/fish/eggs/beans/grains (mostly organic), drink fresh spring water from a local spring, and before this was in very good health, walking daily, and doing hot yoga 3+ days a week. Please advise.
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Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (5 hours later)
Brief Answer: Hypoglycemia Detailed Answer: Hi You had given an extra ordinary detail of the situation and explained the symptoms well. However the basic clinical detail were lacking. You had not mentioned about your bowels and sleep. Your GP should ask you to record blood sugar details and monitor them frequently for next three days and report him. So is the BP, temperature, respiration and pulse are also important. No mention about kidney functions. This is especially after a 21 day diet program that you went. The Pancreas is confused whether to release insulin and Glucagon now. The fatigue and general malaise that you have could be because of the cells do not have access to instant glucose. This is evident when you said you feel good after two hours of meal. I suggest a urine routine, serum creatinine and blood urea I suggest you to continue your normal diet a mix of whole veg, fruit and other organic diet. When you feel low and tired, I suggest a glass of instant glucose in a glass of water. If you are running temperature and your acute phase reactants rise in the blood the diagnosis goes in favor of inflammatory process. Otherwise you will take time for the new diet to adopt and start delivering your glucose and essentials. At this time I would refer to an Endocrinologist and Nephrologist first than a GI specialist. Meanwhile start interacting with other people who underwent this CLEANSE program and understand their experiences. Hope this helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
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Follow up: Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (8 hours later)
Thank you for your detailed answer and the directive to check with an Endocrinologist and to have my kidneys evaluated. Makes total sense that my body has not adjusted to the new diet, although I find it very strange that I was feeling so great on it up until the symptoms started last week. One thing I realized yesterday (did not realize this during my initial message) is my thirst has significantly increased over the past week as well; normally I drink water often, but I've been drinking more than a gallon + a day, feeling thirsty and dry mouth all the time. Urine is almost clear; no issues with going. I would call bowels "normal" - I'm going about 3-4 times a day, soft but not loose, light in color, I would say pretty healthy in that area. Sleep was signifiantly improved during the cleanse. Whereas I used to have difficulty falling asleep and staying there PRIOR to the cleanse, during the cleanse I was falling asleep easily, staying there and waking up refreshed. Since the symptoms started, I've been having disrupted sleep and waking up feeling tired and worn out. No temperature. I do have a history of low blood pressure, but during the episodes (my husband took my BP -he is a phlebotomist), it did drop during those times to 90/60 at one point, 86/60 another. HR was about 64 resting at those times. Normal BP for me is in the 105/84 range. Others in the group have not had any similar experiences; I did reach out to the "Clean" online support community for insight but have not heard back yet. If you have any further ideas after reviewing the additional information, please let me know.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (11 hours later)
Brief Answer: Excess thirst and dry mouth requires investigation Detailed Answer: Kidney function should not be left out. Electrolyte imbalances are commonly seen after detoxifying therapies. Since the blood pressures are low to normal range and not moved greatly they need monitoring. Such therapies have not proved effective in average population and hence were not recommended by experts greatly. Every person reacts differently. If there is such a variation they will not be approved by medical community. I think you just have to stick to what you are doing but do not neglect the function of other organs that may be involved in the process. I suggest an eye examination as well by your primary.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
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Answered by
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Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2242 Questions

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What Causes Fatigue After Completion Of A Detox Diet?

Brief Answer: Hypoglycemia Detailed Answer: Hi You had given an extra ordinary detail of the situation and explained the symptoms well. However the basic clinical detail were lacking. You had not mentioned about your bowels and sleep. Your GP should ask you to record blood sugar details and monitor them frequently for next three days and report him. So is the BP, temperature, respiration and pulse are also important. No mention about kidney functions. This is especially after a 21 day diet program that you went. The Pancreas is confused whether to release insulin and Glucagon now. The fatigue and general malaise that you have could be because of the cells do not have access to instant glucose. This is evident when you said you feel good after two hours of meal. I suggest a urine routine, serum creatinine and blood urea I suggest you to continue your normal diet a mix of whole veg, fruit and other organic diet. When you feel low and tired, I suggest a glass of instant glucose in a glass of water. If you are running temperature and your acute phase reactants rise in the blood the diagnosis goes in favor of inflammatory process. Otherwise you will take time for the new diet to adopt and start delivering your glucose and essentials. At this time I would refer to an Endocrinologist and Nephrologist first than a GI specialist. Meanwhile start interacting with other people who underwent this CLEANSE program and understand their experiences. Hope this helps.