CAMPYLOBACTER: Anyone else had it?

[Sheilaz]

I don't care what people think to be honest never have

That's something I really admire about you, Louise. LSH is like that too, but I just haven't got the hang of it yet.

Funny, I give that advice to my daughters, but don't quite manage it myself, worry, worry!

OK, July resolution (I don't make them in January) "I shall just be me, and not mind (or even try & imagine) what others think!"

How many times do you think I'll have to repeat that, to believe it?

Why on earth it's taken me nearly *0 years to work it out, I don't know!

[Guest]

I think you are yourself on here Sheila - and people admire you for it and are supported and encouraged by the things you say. Why would it be any different in real life? Be yourself!

[Louise]

I wasn't always like that Sheila but then I started to think about it and if the world doesn't like how I look/dress/etc they are the ones with the problem

 

Society is far too obsessed with the appearance of others that we are becoming a shallow society I like to be different

[Guest]

I agree with you Louise. I was always an individual thinker but have become more 'honest' as I get older. I am prepared to say what I think, with my name attached, so to speak! I try not to worry how I look, but there are times when I can still feel nervous or uncomfortable. As you get older though, it just doesn't matter what other people think. When you're younger, I think it does more.

[The Dogmother]

Me too! must be our age.. we'll be wearing purple soon

 

I don't care about going down the road in shorts and wellies - other people might, but stuff them

[Sheilaz]

I already do wear purple! And wear shorts & wellies!

I suppose I meant that I don't like to be misunderstood, my ideas misinterpreted. Perhaps I should explain them better.

E.G. If I told someone about the non shampooing, and they thought, eurgh, yuk, she doesn't wash, I'd hate that. But, I should be able to think, I know why I'm doing it, so it really doesn't matter if they don't get it, their problem not mine.

Believe me, that's just a small example of what happens! Thanks for kind words, Ginette!

[Happymama]

Sad ondividual that I am, I have just read the entire 60 odd pages and am fascinated. Will have to make a start on the cleaning sometime

 

Have always shampooed every day, sometimes twice as hair greasy and scalp itchy.

 

I will start by perhaps just water rinsing every other day to see how I feel and take it from there.

 

One question though. No one has mentioned hairspray. I clip my hair up for work and as there are short bits I need to spray or it goes all over. Would this stop me just water rinsing?

 

I still use it occasionally, Elnett unscented, and it comes out ok with just water. They're right, though. Frizzy hair doesn't exist for me anymore.

[Happymama]

Good to hear from you Anne. I feel like that too - like I'm back in week 5. (Did I say that before?) I too keep thinking about Claret's black water, which has made me more aware of how dirty my hair is. I didn't see any dirt today, but didn't look either in case I got bicarb in my eyes! But my hair is a different colour now!

 

HappyMama, it is good to hear from you too. I was thinking of sending you a PM asking for more individual guidance. But I can do it here and hope you read this soon!

 

In weeks 8-12, I settled into doing a vinegar rinse (followed by egg conditioner) twice a week. This was fine and I was quite happy with it. When I reached 13 weeks I decided I had to move on from this in order to achieve what you have. So for the last 12 days I have only rinsed in water. My hair has just got dirtier and dirtier to the point where it looked awful.

 

Did I do too much too soon? Perhaps I should cut down to one vinegar rinse a week first? What do you think?

 

And why does our hair look worse after rinsing with water than it did before?

It's so long ago now that I can't really remember the diarised details - I used vinegar once a week (washing once a week) for about 6 months, I think, then ran out and never quite got around to getting more. My hair is steady as a rock now. Never used bicarb or oatmeal or egg.

 

There's no doubt that you will all arrive where you want to be more quickly if you don't use anything at all, never mind just water. But you have to be able to live with yourself while your doing it, so you may have to stretch it out a bit with the odd 'treatment'.

 

My hubby worked away, so he didn't see how I had to wash the pillow slips three times a week for a while. (probably about weeks 5 - 10).

 

And my hair was long enough to keep tied up. He literally never noticed. But then again, this is him we're talking about.

 

Sorry I'm not here as much, feel free to pm me, but i've started a parallel thread on It's Not Easy Being Green, currenly only 10 pages and 3000 reads, but much interest and a few people have embarked on their particular sartorial journey, so I've got to prop them up too. On this forum, there have been some notable successes!

 

Everyone here who's had a go has something to add for those about to have a go themselves.

[Guest]

HappyMama, thank you. It is so reassuring to hear you saying you think you used vinegar once a week for 6 months. I don't really mind how long it takes as long as I know what to expect!

 

I am going to persevere with vinegar once a week now. In fact, on Wednesday (6 days after last vinegar) my hair was too dirty so I rubbed it with oatmeal. It came up really shiny and clean looking so I haven't bothered with vinegar today. I am hoping to get through till Monday, making it 11 days. However, things can change quickly, so I may do it tomorrow if it needs it. The point is it's longer than a week and I'm pleased about that.

 

One question unanswered though: Why does our hair look worse after rinsing with just water?

[sarahjm]

hello ladies! Right it's day 9, and my hair feels OK!

 

Well, it looks OK, just feels a little weird, like sheep wool (while on the sheep... ) But I think that's normal from what I read.

 

It definately feels thicker and calmer, no problem with tying up, reassurance for Muppet81, you really, really won't need hairspray - even if your hair is wispy now, it won't be when you join the trail!

 

I've not tried any vinegar, bicarb or oatmeal yet, just sticking with water as long as I can. One thing though, I've just noticed my comb was looking a bit manky (yes I know I should clean it more often...) anyway, I gave it a real good clean, its a black comb so you can see any dirt at all. So it's shiny clean and black all over, until I comb my hair, and the comb has gone all grey / white and looks really yuck, like no-one would borrow it in a million years... is this normal ? (I've never had dry or flaky scalp)

 

Getting there...

 

S x

[Sheilaz]

You're doing well, Sarah! Yes I had to clean my hairbrush far more frequently in the early stages, not so bad now. I think it's good, the yuk is brushed out instead of just rinsed out. That's why I think brushing (or combing I mean) is an essential healthy part of this.

I used mild vin. yesterday & hair looked dull all day. But, better today. Odd how that happens.

Sarah, your descriptions were great, keep it going.

[Guest]

On 'This morning' this morning they featured a girl who hasn't washed her hair for 4 weeks. She talked about her experiences and then a trichologist came on and said that it was total rubbish that hair cleans itself and that everyone should use shampoo frequently. People with dandruff are just not shampooing enough I'm merrily dismissing him as an idiot, but he is a professional.

 

Anne - we haven't heard from you for a while. Are you OK?

[Sheilaz]

Echo, echo!! I just caught it too, Ginette, but have also discounted it for 2 reasons;

They still perpetuated the myth that it's not washing! For me, giving up means shampoo is replaced with plain water & also bicarb & vinegar to lift the dirt. They are not damaging, but do cleanse!

Secondly, some specialists, concentrate on a fixed view & won't look around it. I disagreed with just about everything he said...he doesn't like hair brushing either. Well, I know more about my hair & scalp than he does!

The subject was only touched on briefly, it's a magazine programme & that's what you get. Shame, because there must be some positive stories around.

Like us? My main problem now is growing out fringe, A fringe always looks on me, but I can't stand this in between stage, oily hair in my eyes! If it wasn't for that, I'd think my hair was doing OK but the short bits are getting me down...Hair clips? Look very silly on me.

I was thinking same about Anne.....where are you?

Aylana, Merryn, Sarahjm, how's things?

Ginette, I'm so glad you posted!

[Guest]

Glad you saw it too Sheila! I agree, they didn't mention alternative, healthier methods of cleansing nor that it would take much longer than a month. I looked on the internet to see if I could email a response (though I was a bit nervous of being invited in to show off my locks!) telling them about our experiences and particularly how we feel we haven't got there yet, but have learnt how to manage it. But I couldn't find any way of doing this.

 

I've said this before, but I have clipped my fringe (well half of it) back for a year now. At first, I did feel a little silly, but being me, once I found it was working, I didn't care anymore! You could try a hairband or Alice band instead until it's a bit longer. Once the clips are further back, it's easier. Or you could try kirby grips in your hair colour so they don't show so much. Or buy some purple ones and just go for it!

 

I still have concerns about all this from time to time. Esther's (11) hair looks quite dirty and responded well to bicarb before The Palace. She commented on how much lighter it felt. Peter failed to get his very short hair cut and it grew quite long. It looked awful (he only rinses in water) and very dark. It responded well to vinegar and he had it cut again. But my concern is that Peter has only used water for 4 months and his scalp hasn't adjusted yet. Esther is young (ish) and has only used water for longer than that and hers hasn't adjusted yet either. Andrew, who is 8, seems to do OK. His hair gets dirty after a while but looks fresh and clean after a water rinse. It is thick and must be at least 3 cms long all over, a short-back-and-sides rather than a crew-cut!

 

I feel we've yet to see an example of total success and I would really be encouraged if we could!

[Louise]

If I am having a confident day on Wednesday I may have a picture to share

 

I have a photographer coming in to take pics of me and the team at work and depending on the shots (some will be confidential) but it is a hot sweaty task so I may look awful I might ask Roxanne to get a team shot before we start

 

My scalp has not itched less in years what do the so called experts know

 

I get mad when people say you don't wash your hair excuse me but I do - I JUST USE WATER

[The Dogmother]

My hairdresser was all for it when I told him that I was mostly rinsing rather than washing with shampoo. Rosie's hair looks great and she's really anti-shampoo these days. Mine benefits from the odd shampoo now and then, but definitely less than I used to.

[myles]

Hello..All.

 

Don't worry i'm not a deserter . We've been on holiday. I'm glad to report only good news, my hair's going though a really good patch. Whilst away i went 11 days between washing and apart from being salty my hair looked great. Just a vinegar rinse and it looks nice, not dry, just nice

 

My scalp is still a little itchy but not too bad.

 

Here's what i've used so far 400g oatmeal, 400ml vinegar, 6 eggs and approx 6 teaspoons bi-carb. Not to bad in four months, must be cheaper and healthier than shampoo.

 

Anne

[Sheilaz]

Terrific news, Anne. Hope you had a great holiday. I'm thrilled about your hair.

The best thing about longterm is that you have new, undamaged hair growing through all the time.

[Guest]

Good to hear from you Anne and wonderful news about your hair! What a liberating holiday that must have been, not having to worry about when you can wash it etc.

 

I have vinegared today, after 11 days, and it is ghastly. Really thick and greasy-feeling. I'm hoping it'll feel better tomorrow when it's properly dried out, but I'm not confident that it will!

[Muppet81]

Hello all

I have been lurking in the background and reading all the posts. I had my highlights done at the hairdressers last Friday and since then have just used water each day with 1 vinegar rinse.

Having been someone who shampooed every day, sometimes twice, this is quite something for me. Hair looks surprisingly OK and scalp does not itch for the first time in months. Fringe gets a bit greasy looking by the evening though. I do tend to clip it up most of the time which helps.

I am on holiday from work this week so it was a good time to try this but I know I will succumb on Monday morning when due to go back to work

I think I will be happy if I can reduce to shampooing just once a week in the future.

I take my hat off to all of you who have made the decision to stop altogether and wish I could your perseverance.

[The Dogmother]

Just reducing the number of times you shampoo is great Muppet. I have done that and it feels better, but I just shampoo about twice a month now.

[Guest]

Well done Muppet! It's really nice to know others are still interested in this project! You could try letting your hair get really dirty over the weekend and then using some bicarb. We have all been amazed by the results. Or you could try some oatmeal, that too is a really good cleanser and might get you through.

 

Having said that, Claret only shampoos once a week now and is enjoying the benefits. You may notice the itchy scalp returning when you use shampoo though, which will make you think about it all again!

 

Sorry Clare, I have maligned you! Twice a month is brilliant!

[The Dogmother]

That's fine Ginette. That's the average - it evens out to about twice a month. Sometimes I just need to do it once a week; it's just getting your personal balance right that is the key

[Muppet81]

Thanks for the encouragement

I will try using bicarb. Is it a teaspoon mixed into a cup of warm water? I seem to remember reading this a way back. Do I just rub it into my dry hair then rinse well?

[Guest]

I think that's about right. Mine always comes out as a liquid, not a paste and I just pour it over my head, masage it in and rinse off thoroughly. If it doesn't squeak you could put a few drops of lemon juice on your hair and rinse. That will give you a squeak and should mean your hair is clean and shiny! Good Luck!