No More Hives After 40 Days of Plants
By Success Stories
Name: Charity Hertzler
Location: Springfield, Missouri
Age: 40
Reboot: 40 days (and still counting!)
What health issues apply to you?
Autoimmune issues, obesity
Did you Reboot to lose weight? No
How did you learn about Reboot with Joe?
One day I was sitting on my couch, flipping thru Netflix, trying to find something decent to watch, when I came across a documentary called Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead. I thought to myself, probably just another movie about how food is bad for you. But, there was nothing else on, so I started watching. A few minutes into the documentary, Joe Cross mentioned that he had suffered from chronic urticaria. At that point, he had my immediate attention. Since this disease for me came out of nowhere at age 28, I have suffered for 12 years from this same disease on a daily basis, chronic urticaria (hives) with angioedema (swelling). I watched the entire documentary, then called my husband in to watch it a second time with me. Then, I watched the sequel, all in the same day!
What inspired you to do a Reboot?
After seeing how Joe was able to eradicate his hives through juicing, I thought to myself, if this guy was able to do this, and he’s just an ordinary guy (it seems), then I am willing to give it a try. If you suffer from chronic severe hives like I do, on a daily basis for 12 years, you are willing to try just about anything. Believe me when I say that it is a debilitating disease that affects your daily quality of life.
I had seen 3 regular doctors and 3 allergists, all who tried various combinations of medicines, including prednisone for my worst flare ups. The prednisone was the only medication that would fully clear up my hives, but it had awful side effects and only worked for 24 hours; then, when it would wear off I was in twice as bad shape for several days afterward, completely infested with terrible hives literally from the scalp of my head, to in between my toes. I was told by my last allergist that I could opt to take a monthly injection that may or may not work. I had given up hope of ever being free from them again. I figured, I am just going to have to suffer with these every day for the rest of my life.
How did the experience go for you?
My daughter gave me a juicer that she wasn’t using, and I started my Reboot journey on February 21st, 2015. I opted for a daily regimen of eating only nuts and fresh fruits for breakfast and lunch, and then make a Mean Green juice for dinner. I am on day 40 today April 1st. The first 3-5 days, I still had the hives about the same. But, as of today, I only have just a few hives, so few of them that I hardly notice that they are there unless I go to look for them!
The swelling that I was experiencing with them is totally and completely gone. I have not had to take a prednisone since Feb 14th, which is the day that my ‘before photo’ was taken – I was swollen up from the prednisone that day. You can see in my after photo, which was taken today, that I am not swollen up anymore! I am still on antihistimines on a daily basis, but they are OTC only and I am only using them as a backup. I have also lost 18 lbs as of today, although I like to call that the side effect of my Reboot, as I mainly set out to try and get rid of my hives naturally. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for hearing about Joe’s story on FSND. To me it is a miracle. God bless you Joe for sharing your story with others who are suffering from chronic hives. You are making a difference in the lives of others. I cannot thank you enough.
How much weight did you lose (even if that wasn’t your goal)?
18 pounds as of day 40, still going.
Did you have any notable health or physical improvements?
As I have mentioned before, dramatic improvement in my hives. I also have a problem with rosacea in my face, and I have noticed that this has greatly improved as well. My energy levels have greatly improved.
What was the toughest part about the Reboot experience?
The toughest part really was getting used to the taste of the Mean Green juice. I am used to it now though. The taste is a small price to pay for better health and quality of life.
What habits have you maintained and kept a part of your everyday life?
I am still on my Reboot journey; so as I mentioned before, I have only nuts, fresh fruits, and vegetable juice in my daily diet. I have an 8 hour a day desk job, but since I have more energy now due to the Reboot, I have also made it a point to become more active and do something every day.
Q: What was your lasting impression of the Reboot experience?
I am just so grateful that I found FSND on Netflix that day. It has changed my quality of life. I tell most everyone that I know about what I am doing. Many are curious, some skeptical, but those who know me best know that the results are undeniable. I can’t wait to see my doctor for my checkup next month so that I can share how I have been able to improve my hives and quality of life. Thank you FSND for allowing me to share my story! I hope that it can be of some inspiration to someone else who may be suffering from hives.