It is ironic that the same weekend this blog went live is the weekend I developed my first ever migraine and symptoms of an internal infection. Despite my best efforts, these eventually lead to hospitalisation and intravenous antibiotics.
I have always viewed antibiotics as a gut-ruining over-prescribed evil of modern medicine, but this was an experience to view antibiotics from the perspective of a potentially lifesaving necessity. It was my first time admitted to hospital and, living alone and on the other side of the world from my family, it also taught me to rely on the resources and friends I have here.
But emergency-packing AIP food without any preparation or refrigeration facilities? EEK!
My Experience
Symptoms
It started with a migraine over the weekend, then during the beginning of the week my temperature rose until my whole body was a heat pack. I had a love/hate relationship with cold showers, was drinking about twice my usual amount of fluids and smothering my forehead in peppermint essential oil for the come-and-go (but more come) migraine. I had muscle soreness everywhere and some tenderness in my right side above my hip. I was a mess, in probably the worst state I had ever been in my life, but still I went to work for an important meeting in the morning (idiot points there).
Self-diagnosis and treatment
I was considering my issue to be one of two things: either a serious amount of inflammation after what I thought was a successful reintroduction of eggs, or an infection somewhere in my urinary tract that began with typical UTI symptoms two weeks ago and which I thought I had healed naturally. However, I had no identifiable symptoms of a UTI now.
As a result, I was treating myself with the following: oregano oil as a natural antibiotic, loads of vitamin C and zinc to boost my immune system, extra magnesium to relieve inflammation, extra glutathione for detoxing, cranberry juice for a UTI, colloidal silver for healing, and loads of fluids to help flush things through. For the headache I was relying on peppermint essential oil, a damp cloth, ice blocks, and diffusing lavender and rosemary essential oils.
Early Thursday morning I briefly woke and felt sensitivity in my back where I supposed my kidney was. This was alarming as I knew a kidney infection was no laughing matter! Later that morning it had disappeared and I was actually feeling better, but I called my GP’s surgery anyway to book an urgent appointment.
Hospitalisation
The GP detected blood in my urine as well as high temperature and low blood pressure. She suspected a UTI in my kidney – pyelonephritis. It was borderline ‘home’ or ‘hospital’ with antibiotics, but as I live alone she went with the latter.
I packed myself a bag with AIP food and supplements (detailed below), and caught a taxi to the hospital. Seven untreated but quite comfortable hours later, the doctor at the Acute Medical Unit agreed with the diagnosis and started me intravenous antibiotics for a 24 hour stay.
The next day, the new doctor on the ward had other thoughts. Apparently the original urine sample I gave to the GP only had a little bit of blood in it and not enough to convince him of a UTI. He suspected kidney stones or an infection in my appendix.
More blood tests, an ultrasound and a visit from the surgical team later, these were ruled out. The ultrasound specialist did tell me that the sensitivity I had been feeling on my right side for days was located directly on my kidney. Everyone else doing the ‘I’m going to feel your tummy now’ never even touched that spot, so thank you for the confirmation! The next day my white blood cell count was looking much better. Despite still not confirming the exact location of the infection, I was sent home with oral antibiotics (and a self-made program to look after my gut while taking the antibiotics – for more, read my post Loving your Gut While on Antibiotics).
Medicinal Lessons
The anomalies in this medical tale are that I did not have much blood in my urine, I only had mild discomfort when I moved rather than pain and I had no other UTI symptoms. The symptoms I did have were from my bodyβs response to an infection, but the infection itself was almost mild by the time I saw my GP and was sent to hospital.
What I hope explains this is that the natural treatments I was taking for a UTI were working and reducing the severity of the infection. In fact, the day I sent to see the GP I was actually feeling better and I felt fine albeit weak while waiting in hospital before the antibiotics started, so perhaps I was getting control of the infection through my natural remedies? I hope so! Hence…
Lesson 1 – Natural remedies work, even if it’s just to reduce severity
But I was fighting a serious infection and if there was a chance I couldn’t tackle it 100%, with natural remedies, it could have caused permanent kidney damage or developed into sepsis (blood poisoning) which is potentially fatal. Either way, I would much rather take a course of antibiotics (while doing my best to protect my gut) than risk permanent damage or death! And so…
Lesson 2 – Antibiotics do have their place in maintaining good health
And this is the obvious one, for idiots like me…
Lesson 3 – When fighting a typical UTI towards the lower end of the urinary tract, don’t stop taking natural treatments when the symptoms disappear!!!
Emergency AIP Packing – Meals and Supplements
Usually trips away from home involve careful planning up to a week in advance so I can pack enough AIP food with me. But when you live/cook alone and you’re suddenly being sent to hospital (and being offered an ambulance to take you!) there’s definitely no time for preparation. Fortunately, I had some leftovers from bulk-cooking and a stocked cupboard, so here’s an outline of what I threw together. I was expecting a 24hr stay so I packed accordingly, but it stretched to 48+hrs and I had to call in backup.
Food
Keeping in mind I only had a tiny cooler bag, I had to try go with shelf-stable foods as much as possible. The salad was a dry coleslaw that I’ve previously put through it’s paces, so I knew it could survive relatively okay outside the fridge.
- Lunch #1 – salad, baked sweet potato and compliant jerky
- Dinner #1 – leftover soup, eaten cold
- Breakfast #1 – fresh fruit, nuts (if reintroduced) and Wild Zora meat bar
- Lunch #2 – salad and baked sweet potato
- Snacks – fresh fruit (hospital ones, not organic), coconut water
- Dinner #2 – half a Wild Zora dehydrated meal
- Breakfast #2 – fresh fruit, nuts, organic berries, tinned mackerel
- Lunch #3 – salad, sweet-potato chips
- Snacks – organic berries, coconut water
And I was home by dinnertime!
I cannot rave enough about Wild Zora’s AIP range of products (this comment is not sponsored, but a heart-felt review). Yes, they are pricey. Yes, they are from the US and the postage is expensive. But to have shelf-stable, nutritious, delicious food ready to go in difficult conditions has saved me in three situations now! Their meals are enough for two moderate serves, if you add in some baked sweet potato or avocado on the side to make them stretch a bit further. Then all you need is hot water! They are amazing.
Supplements
In addition to my daily supplements I made sure to pack the following:
- Glutathione to help with detoxing
- Vitamin C and zinc to fuel my immune system
- Saccharomyces boulardii supplement which is a yeast probiotic and hence is not destroyed by antibiotics
- Magnesium to help with inflammation and muscle pain
Plus essential oils including peppermint for my headache and lavender for soothing.
Personal Lessons
Of course I had to take some sick leave during this whole experience, and when I got back to work my wonderful colleagues were asking me how I was. My answer was invariably “much better – antibiotics did the trick – but I really enjoyed being in hospital!”. That received a few weird looks, but…
Lesson 1 – Attitude is a big factor
While I did have a moment of being completely overwhelmed (and some tears were shed on the phone to my Mum), during the rest of this experience all I could do was surrender. Most importantly, in hospital I was forced to abandon all obligations and just rest. This was an experience I haven’t had in years and it was amazing! I felt safe despite the lack of control, comfortable once my migraine diminished, and completely peaceful, hence…
Lesson 2 – I really really need to learn how to rest and relax, and do it often
Also, living a long way from my family has certain scare-factors during your first ever hospital admittance. At first, I wanted them with me, but that’s just wildly impractical! Instead, I took it one moment at a time relying on my own strength and, after my initial panic, I quickly felt quite okay by myself.
However, I didn’t have to go-it-alone for long. During my very short hospital stay I had visits from two friends who brought some soothing every-day conversation and gifts to brighten my day. I also received plenty of phone calls from my parents and well-wishes through group chats and social media. Honestly, the support was fantastic! I was also able to call on one of my friends to pick up some supplies from my flat when my stay was extended a day, and she took me food shopping the day after I got out while I was still quite weak. I really couldn’t want for more! This taught me…
Lesson 3 – I can stand on my own two feet, but I don’t need to. I have so much support and friends here to help me in a tight spot
What lessons, medicinal or personal, have you learned during an acute medical issue?