By Bill Haggard

Originally published in the July/August 2013 issue of Truly Alive magazine

Dear Bill;

I’m confused and concerned. I have cleaned up my act so much. I am eating mostly plant based foods, taking good, high quality supplements and probiotics. However, some days I feel so bad. I have headaches, low level nausea and body pain. I feel worse than before I started cleansing. There have been times when I feel like something is terribly wrong and I get highly irritated or weepy. It seems the better I do, the more constipated I get. WHY DO I FEEL SO BAD WHEN I’M DOING SO MANY GOOD THINGS?

– Confused and Concerned

Dear Confused & Concerned;

I can empathize with you. I have been cleansing, working on myself and healing for about 28 years and I’ve learned a lot along the way. My health began its decline soon after leaving Viet Nam. Being exposed to Agent Orange was killing me…slowly. I was discharged in 1975 and by 1985 I was barely able to work. At 37, I couldn’t blame my extreme exhaustion, chronic fatigue, body aches, heart palpitations, etc., on old age. I got on my knees and surrendered – it was a powerful come to “Jesus” moment. I turned my life over to Him asking Him to “take control”.

Seeking help (in the traditional way first), I went to the VA Hospital and received the usual battery of tests. They couldn’t find anything wrong with me (this was before the diagnoses of Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Epstein Barr Syndrome, Lyme’s disease and Agent Orange poisoning were commonly recognized and treatment protocols in place). Since I insisted that something was wrong and since they could not confirm anything through diagnostic testing, I was referred to a psychiatrist. It was at this point, that I said, “exit western medicine, stage right!” and never looked back.

My journey from dysfunction and despair to discovery and wellness through spirituality and natural medicine began. I was in Tucson at the time and they had a significant and lovely natural health community, as we do in Albuquerque. Since that moment of surrender to Jesus, and for the past 28 years, I have felt guided, directed and protected. I made basic dietary changes and was happy to be feeling pretty good again. From there, I sensed I could feel even better. I started reading and made the commitment to fully restore my health. I started doing “good things” for myself; juicing, exercising, herbal cleanses, massage, chiropractic, acupuncture and mercury removal from my teeth; emotional healing work and fasting. Then, I crashed. My energy and vitality flat lined. The more “good things” I did for myself, the worse I felt. Combining the commitment to restore my health with the healing momentum created by the “good things” created a tidal wave of a healing crisis – stirring up layers of toxins that had been stored in my body and stimulating my body to release them. My organs and elimination system became overloaded, hence the “feeling so bad.”

We accumulate toxins a day at a time…breathing in polluted air, drinking less than pure water, eating chemical-laden foods, ingesting harmful substances. Generating negative thoughts, which create negative emotions, also create a toxic internal environment. Over a lifetime, the accumulation will usually (at one point or another) cause a break down. That’s why cleaning up the mess isn’t always easy (or quick). Take a good look at your history of diet, mental and emotional states and your environment. This will give you a glimpse of what you are working with to recover your health.

Then chart a course for return to vitality. Slow and steady wins the race. Try backing off of some of the “good things”. Take things more slowly. And continue with colonics and consider supplementing with enemas. You will help your body eliminate the overload and eventually – experience the radiant health you desire. Trust me. This works!

Bill Haggard owns All About Health where colon hydrotherapy and cleansing is a specialty. Our five highly trained therapists have combined experience of more than 50 years in colon hygiene, natural therapeutics, and nutrition. All are very passionate about helping you on your cleansing journey and are willing to counsel you along the way. We offer weekend and evening hours for your convenience. Give us a call and let us help you make your cleansing journey easier and more successful: 505-888-5858, www.allabouthealthinc.com.