[skateari]

I have the most horrific sore throat ever, cannot even drink water without extreme pain. fever is 103f,just got back from the doctor and he said I have mono. He couldn't give me anything but some pain killers. Anyone have any suggestions? Im on zinc, taking multiple viatamines and drinking lots of water.. on a raw foods diet. any suggestions, please, it would help. thanks

[eric_b]

Yeah. You need large quantities of vitamin 'C' AKA ascorbic acid.

Gram quantities spread throughout the day.

Don't waste your time on pills - purchase powdered ascorbic acid in bulk. At least half
a pound at a time. (NOW markets it in 8 oz sizes, found at many local pharms).

I recommend you start by trying to get at least 10 grams into your system per day.
The stuff is completely harmless - the worse side effect is you'll get the shits if you have to much.
Usually at that point you should get some relief from your symtoms too.

There's a lot of evidence that large quantities of vitamin C slow down viral reproduction
and help to keep the bodies immune response from going crazy. Because of a genetic
defect humans have lost the ability to create their own vitamin C. Most mammals, if scaled
to the weight of a human, would produce between 2-10 grams of vitamin C daily. The
US RDA of 60 mg is way too low -- in times of stress your body could use much more.
Vitamin C is also great for preventative medicine - a lot of stuff will never get
you if you take enough vitamin C

Remember, you need large quantities. I've taken up to 30 grams a day. It works for colds.
It really reduces the symtoms and speeds recovery. Since mono is viral it should help.

10 grams is not a lot. In pure powder form, 1/2 teaspoon is over 2 grams. Make certain to stir
well, until dissolved (mix in water or fruit jucies - makes them tart).

See this excellent paper, where the venerable doc Klenner lucidly articulates the benefits
of vitamin C:
http://www.orthomed.com/klenner.htm

See this too, as a cold cure:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
') Cold/Flu Cure #1: 8 g every 20 minutes

At first sign of cold or flu, begin taking at least 8 g (8000 mg) of vitamin C as ascorbic acid every twenty minutes for 3 to 4 hours until bowel tolerance, and then smaller dosages of 2-4 g every 4-6 hours for ten days to prevent recurrence.

The 'trick' is achieving almost I.V. blood serum levels by mouth as described in the Hickey/Roberts book ASCORBATE: The Science of Vitamin C. Begin protocol at the first sign of a runny nose, tickle in the throat, etc. If not caught at the beginning, the infection can't be stopped, but you can lessen its severity and duration.

Note: Any other form of the vitamin, e.g. mineral ascorbates, will be half as effective for this purpose.

Note: Avoid sugars/simple carbs, which compete with the vitamin for cellular uptake during therapy.

Note: 8 grams equals sixteen - 500 mg pills, or eight - 1000 mg pills.

[eric_b]

This from the Klenner paper (link in my first post):

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Mononucleosis aided by ascorbic acid.

After studying hundreds of college students, Yale researchers have evidence
that strengthens the link between mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus, a
herpes-like agent also associated with Burkitt lymphoma.[49] Large doses of
intravenous "C" has a striking influence on the course of mononucleosis. In
one patient who was given the last rites of her church, the girls mother took
things into her own hands when the attending physician refused to give
ascorbic acid. In each bottle of intravenous fluids she would quickly "tap in"
20 to 30 grams vitamin C. The patient made an uneventful recovery. Her
mother has her B.S. in Nursing and has been a long time advocate of massive
"C" therapy.

[dissimulo]

Just take it easy and be prepared to go back to the hospital if you feel you need it. I got Mono last year and it was the sickest I have ever been. I was seriously ill for three weeks and took four trips to the hospital. Each time I went to the hospital, the doctors hooked me up to an IV and rehydrated me. I was drinking as much water and electrolyte as I could, but I just couldn't get enough down with that sore throat. Each time I went to the hospital, the doctors said it was a good judgement call.

They can also hook you up with perscription anti-inflammatory shots (can't remember what it was) and vicodin, both of which were some help when I went through periods where I could not sleep for several days.

Hopefully you'll have an easier time of it. I was recovering from treatment for a brain tumor at the time, which left my immune system compromised, so my experience may have been somewhat worse that most.

[jato]

I had it in 1998. I missed 2 weeks of work. I didn't take anything for it and it gradually got better.

[katkinkate]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('eric_b', 'Y')eah. You need large quantities of vitamin 'C' AKA ascorbic acid.

Gram quantities spread throughout the day.

Don't waste your time on pills - purchase powdered ascorbic acid in bulk. At least half
a pound at a time. (NOW markets it in 8 oz sizes, found at many local pharms).

I recommend you start by trying to get at least 10 grams into your system per day.
The stuff is completely harmless - the worse side effect is you'll get the shits if you have to much.......

Note - I'm not a doc, but vitamin C is harmless, so go crazy.

[Kooka]

I suggest ascorbate versus ascorbic. That should come in powder form as well, but the pills are fine.

If you are taking a general multi vitamin, you might want to research what it has in it. Many are laced with sugars and not so good synthetic sources of the actual vitamin. Take it easy on the zinc.

Rest, water, rest, water........

[lowem]

Hiaks. I was about to suggest that you ditch anything related to .Net ...

[skateari]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he Vit C can crystalise in the kidneys and cause kidney failure... So if you can't get the fluids down to give your kidneys lots of water to work with, I'd not go too crazy.

[NeoLotus]

Also, try Chloraseptic spray or Sucrets lozenges for the sore throat to help get the water down. Take small sips if that's not already obvious. Make sure you also have enough of the other vitamins in your diet or pills. They work synergistically with vitC to beef up cell wall integrity.

I have heard also that Echinecia (sp?) is also supposed to help the immune system, but I'm not familiar with dosage.

Mostly, get as much rest as possible.

[eric_b]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('katkinkate', '
')I'd like to add a small note of caution. Yes there is some evidence that high dose VitC has benefits and I agree the official recommended daily dose is a joke. However there is also evidence that high doses can be dangerous if you've got kidney troubles. The Vit C can crystalise in the kidneys and cause kidney failure... So if you can't get the fluids down to give your kidneys lots of water to work with, I'd not go too crazy.

[Kooka]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')m on a smoothie diet (all fruit, some soy milk and OJ)

[eric_b]

Kooka,

The 'doctoryourself.com' link pretty much confirms what I've thought all along - large amounts
of vitamin C are good for the kidneys. I've been consuming 1-10 grams of 'C' daily for the
past 3-4 years, and my health has never been better.

So, Skate, I wouldn't worry about large amounts of vitamin C damaging your remaining kidney - though
obviously you should be cautious and concerned. The balance of the evidence points the opposite
direction, IMO - 'C' is good for the kidneys.

Klenner would dose people with up to half a gram of 'C' per Kg of body weight several times a day
(via IV) in extreme cases (severe burn victims). Hundreds of grams of 'C' a day. There's no way
he would have done this if it was going to blow out peoples kidneys.

In fact, I'd be more worried about the pain killers the doc gave you as far as kidney health
than ascorbic acid. Ibuprofen and Tylenol are known to cause renal failure in high doses,
and opiates are not much better for the old kidneys. Don't worry about 2-15 grams of daily
'C' impacting your kidneys.