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I feel sick 4 days into my planned 3 week stay. At first, I thought it was merely the effects of the daily dose of laxatives, bundle massages, and the lack of unbroken sleep. A night of shivers made me realise that I probably had a fever. And I had somehow picked up a cough as well.
Not the best of starts.
The sleep was a real issue. I was sleeping in 90 min – two hour cycles — waking up after every cycle for a 10-30 mins. This went on for the first week until they stopped putting head oil every afternoon for me, as they thought that might be causing the problem. When I did finally sleep through the night, it was refreshing and restful to say the least. I understand why sleep deprivation is not only used to break people down mentally, but how it can lead madness.
The issue of laxatives is deserving of its own story — there is definitely an obsession with motions in so many traditional medicines! Everyday the doctor told me — “two watery motions” — and I learned quickly to agree if only to avoid having your medications made stronger for ‘better results’. And laxatives really take it out of you – wherever you intend to or not.
The bundle massages are quite enjoyable – even thought I do feel like I am being marinated for extra flavour.
So between the lack of sleep, and the requirement for twice daily watery submissions, I managed to pick up cough and acquire a fever. Initially, I assumed that it was a side effect of the detox – you know toxins escaping and the such. After a second night of shivers and not sleeping, I called the doctor to cancel the 7am bundle massage as I honestly was not firing on all cylinders. After taking my temperature — it was 101.5F — all treatment was cancelled until my fever went away. This included the laxatives which was ironically a relief. I was put on allopathic medications for the weekend, and eventually seen by an allopathic doctor. He prescribed me a decongestant, antibiotics, and cough syrup.
Three days later, the fever was gone and the Ayurvedic treatment resumed. This meant that instead of a 21 day treatment stay, my stay would have to be extended by 3 days to make up for the days I was sick. Given I was already struggling at that point, I had to decide — finish the current regime (which was another 6 days) and end it early, or stay for another 16 days.
(As you probably already know, I decided to finish the current regime and end the treatment early, but if you want details, watch for the next post)