Notes on a Battle with Acute Radiation Poisoning

Prologue

Mid-December 2007, I was awakened at about 3:30 a.m., surrounded by an eerie amber-yellow glow, unable to move – feeling as if I were weighted down, and with big red sparks flying out of my body all over. This lasted for less than 30 seconds while I was awake; I do not know how long it had been going on before I awoke. Since I didn’t feel any ill effects at that time, I went back to sleep. Two weeks later, however, I was very, very tired. I had lost 20 pounds and couldn’t stand the sight of food. I do not know what kind of radiation I was exposed to – only that it was “radioactive.” The material that follows is presented in the hopes that it may be of some assistance to others dealing with radiation sickness.

Excerpts from Articles in Two Publications on Radiation Poisoning

“Life Savers,” from New Scientist magazine, 12 January 2008, p. 4:

High does of radiation kill by damaging the DNA of fast-dividing cells in the gut and bone marrow. If victims survive the diarrhea, intestinal bleeding and loss of water caused by damage to their gut lining, they may succumb to fatal infections in the following weeks as their bone marrow struggles to produce enough white blood cells.

“U.S. Government Still Refuses to Admit Health Dangers Posed by Widespread Use of Banned Uranium Weapons,” by Pat Shannan, American Free Press, May 26, p. 13:

A study by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Long Island University in New York found that uranium dust may do permanent damage to the lungs, resulting in chronic respiratory problems, and that uranium exposure also affects neurological function. … 1991 Gulf War veterans who were excreting high levels of uranium in their urine showed impairment of cognitive function. More minor health effects from lesser exposure may also include skin rashes, headaches, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and sound, localized numbness and urinary symptoms, such as kidney stones, increased urine volume and blood in the urine.

Notes from a Personal Battle

Symptoms

At 2 to 3 weeks postexposure, I had lost 20 pounds and I was very tired. My skin was gray and I had deep vertical creases on my face and big black circles under my eyes. I was very thin, and the veins in my arms were too thin to allow the entry of a needle for a diagnostic test. Urine was a reddish-rust color.

Subsequent symptoms: Skin would develop a rash (copious tiny red raised dots) when slightly heated. Gums became inflamed, and a couple of teeth loosened and one broke. Complete loss of smell, impaired hearing, blurred vision, difficulty remembering words when speaking, short-term memory loss. Couldn’t stand eating – indigestion and feelings of nausea. For over 3 months, had copious discharge of light-green thin mucus from lungs and sinuses, as though linings were sloughing off. During the early months, I got food poisoning and flu, but these conditions didn’t last much longer than they would have otherwise.

Remedial Measures

• Digestion

  Early on, when still unable to eat, on a whim I mixed some instant mashed potatoes with warm water and swallowed several tablespoonfuls. The effect surprised me – almost instantly the discomfort in my gut disappeared. Over the next few days, I ate more doses of instant mashed potatoes; and while I still had to be careful, I could eat once again. I used pineapple enzymes (bromelain) to assist digestion. Also, I found that I felt better if I didn’t eat a heavy meal closer to bedtime than about 4 hours, to give time to digest food before sleeping.

• Respiratory

  I helped ease the mucus discharge by gargling and rinsing my sinuses with salt water. Also, breathing hot air was helpful.

• Sleep

  Adequate sleep appears to be a critical factor in healing from radiation sickness. The body appears to need more sleep than before the radiation exposure; otherwise, the ability to heal may be impaired.

• Scurvy

  Some months after exposure, I realized that some of the symptoms indicated scurvy – an acute vitamin C deficiency – despite eating lots of oranges plus 500 to 1000 IU of vitamin C supplements daily. These symptoms were the gray skin, the inflamed gums, and tooth loss. While the lower vitamin C dosage had returned most of my skin to normal color, I had to raise the dosage to 2000 mg/day plus oranges to improve in the mouth problems.

• General Anti-Infective Measures

  In addition to the vitamin C, I took a tablespoon or two full of garlic powder per day. (Garlic was used by the Russians during World War II to treat battlefield infections – before the advent of modern antibiotics.) Also used cod liver oil capsules (vitamin A 1250 IU; vitamin D 130 IU) at least once daily. Sat in sunshine on sunny days.

• Sauna

  The body seems to have a higher toxic burden during radiation sickness – it feels as if tissues are dying and/or body systems for digestion and repair are having a hard time. Sauna can help remove toxins through sweat. However, for those unaccustomed to high heat, medical supervision is recommended. Also, since those with some medical conditions, such as heart problems, pregnancy, those consuming too much alcohol, and others may not be safely exposed to high heat, medical advice is important before using sauna. And for those unaccustomed to saunas, it can be helpful, at least at first, to have someone else in the sauna with them to spot effects of overheating if they occur. (It should also be noted that sauna can cause toxins to exit the body faster than they entered, thus increasing the possibility of an adverse reaction.)

• Exercise

  Gentle exercise, such as walking and gentle yoga exercises, can be helpful. Also, gentle self-massage and deep breathing exercises can be useful.

• Supporting the Body’s Housecleaning Systems

  During the healing process, it appears that the body does a lot of housecleaning of damaged and dead tissues. This puts additional stress on the liver and kidneys, which may themselves have suffered due to radiation. Measures I have found helpful in assisting these organs:
  Liver: Dandelion root, milk thistle seed, decaf coffee. Also, sleeping on the left side relieves pressure and appears to help drainage and circulation in the liver area.
  Kidneys: Chickweed (Stellaria spp.) can be used to soothe distressed kidneys. For kidney stones, I have found small doses of parsley helpful (i.e., a couple of tiny leaves chewed well, swallowed with water every 20 minutes until the stones pass – about two hours altogether).

• Neurology

  Besides a generally good diet, zinc supplements helped me recover mental function. Every couple of weeks, I take a 50 mg zinc tablet. At the same time I take a 2 mg copper capsule (copper and zinc appear to work in balance with one another in the body). According to a veterinary medicine lecture I attended many years ago, copper deficiencies cause gallstones in cattle. When I have had symptoms of gallstones, I took a copper capsule at night for one or two nights – the gallstones passed in the morning.

• Notes on Diet

  What I found helpful: No processed foods, refined sugar or grains; no foods with artificial dyes or flavors. Fresh (or dried or frozen) fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, nuts, dairy products, avoiding any to which there is an allergy or sensitivity. I also avoided stimulants (including coffee and tea), energy drinks, soft drinks, alcohol. Only beverages: fruit juice (with no additives) and spring water (nonchlorinated and nonfluoridated).

• Nutritional Supplements

  Some other nutritional supplements can help facilitate healing.

• Via mouth: A high-quality multivitamin/mineral (without iron). I had good results from taking half a tablet per day of “Weil” supplement. Also, dried roasted sushi nori seaweed can provide an extra source of minerals.

• Via skin: Nutrients (like toxins) can be absorbed through the skin. Absorption can be facilitated by oils, rubbing, and heat. I rubbed the “Weil” supplement (dissolved in a bit of water) onto face, over long bones, knee, and ankle joints, and on abdomen and back over kidneys and liver – then rubbed the same areas with a lotion of coconut oil and aloe vera to facilitate absorption. I used a liquefied seaweed plant food (low phosphorus content) rubbed into the scalp, then followed by the coconut oil/aloe vera lotion – left on until hair was washed again. For the deep creases in my face, the best remedy was cooked chicken grease rubbed over the entire face.

• Cautions

  To the extent possible I believe it advisable to avoid any additional radiation exposure (including from diagnostic procedures). Also, exposure to toxic chemicals might slow recovery.

Nine Months Postexposure

While digestion is not quite normal, I have regained 15 of the lost 20 lbs; my face is back to normal; and my vision, sense of smell, and hearing are normal as well. I still have occasional bouts of short-term memory loss, but I expect these to diminish as time goes on.

Maria Abdin

PO Box 21521

Seattle, WA 98111

©2008 by Maria Abdin. May be copied in whole or in part without permission provided meaning is not altered.