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Oct 19 2003 | |
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By Emma Cox And Grant Hodgson | |
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MAGICIAN David Blaine has been banned from having sex during his first three days of freedom - because it could kill him. The food-starved illusionist will leave his glass box tonight after his 44-day stunt. But medics have told him that he could suffer a fatal heart attack if he has sex with girlfriend Manon von Gerkan before Thursday. A Blaine team insider said: "The first three days are crucial because the body is so weak and lacking in energy. We've been taking lots of medical advice and we've been told that, although he may feel fine when he first comes out, the smallest thing could kill him. "That includes eating the wrong thing or too much physical exertion, especially sex. "I'd hate to be the person who tells him that as he's been for 44 days without even touching his girlfriend, who is stunning." Blaine, who has lost nearly three stone from his 14 stone frame, will be taken straight to hospital after leaving the box at Tower Bridge, London, at 9.30 this evening. Ambulances will take him to an undisclosed private hospital for tests. The 30-year-old will also be fed a special diet to replace a lack of salts in his body, possibly through a nasal tube. He will be fed a formula consisting of 42 per cent dried skimmed milk, 32 per cent edible oil, and 25 per cent sucrose, plus vitamin and mineral supplements. After three days he will be allowed to move on to liquidised foods and soups, and by the end of the week he may be able to eat small amounts of solid food. Yesterday Blaine told his medical team: "I'm hurting, my skin has rashes all over it, but that's it. My mind is still intact. The hospital's the most dangerous part, supposedly. But God is on my side." Catherine Collins, clinical dietician at St George's Hospital in London, said: "David could be suffering palpitations. He will also be disorientated and have trouble walking and talking. His ankles and wrists are likely to be swollen. He will also be prone to infection." Blaine has spoken of his extreme hunger during his time in the box. After 28 days, he shouted: "I'd like a plain omelette, boiled potatoes, tomatoes, and a coffee, wheat toast." A spokesman for Sky, which has been televising the stunt, said: "David hasn't put in any special requests for food as he doesn't know how he'll be feeling." Blaine will have to take 5,000 calories a day - double the usual recommended amount for a man - until he has regained his weight. More than 250,000 people will have visited the site by the time the stunt ends, including Chris Burton, 37, of Redcar, Cleveland, who has been every day. He makes banners with positive messages to cheer up Blaine, including a quote from Dolly Parton saying: "If you want to see the rainbow, you've got to have the rain." Chris said: "I spend eight hours here every day. David loves the signs." -BLAINE'S exit will be shown live on Sky One tonight and on Channel 4 tomorrow at 9pm. [EMAIL PROTECTED] HOW HIS BODY HAS BEEN HIT BREATH: Will smell because of ketone bodies - the body's emergency fuel source - expiring through his lungs. LIPS: Likely to be cracked because of a lack of B group vitamins. BONES: Loss of calcium and collagens will make bones more brittle. The inactivity will put him at risk of getting severe osteoporosis later in life. LIVER: May have shrunk by as much as a quarter because of the loss of proteins and the lack of food passing through his system. KIDNEYS: Will have wasted and reduced in size. Shouldn't be too damaged - it is possible to survive on one third of one kidney. MUSCLES: Wastage will be high as the body starves them of proteins to boost his immune system. and his arms, legs and chest will be most affected. It will be difficult for him to walk or stand. BRAIN: Likely to have swollen by up to six per cent as salt is pulled elsewhere. Extra pressure may cause him delusions and disorientation. EYES: Will have blurred vision through low blood pressure and the swelling of his brain may have put stress on optic nerves. HEART: Will have shrunk by five-10 per cent as the body begins to "eat" itself to hunt for vital proteins. Irregular heartbeat too. STOMACH: Will have shrunk, and he'll feel full on much less food more quickly. But it is elastic and should stretch again. INTESTINES: No digestive juices will have been produced so enzymes in gut wall will have disappeared. Diarrhoea and food poisoning are likely. |
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