Bad Diarrhea

(Niall) #1

Hi,

I have recently been posting in the “Newbies” section about problems I have been having but wonder if anyone else can offer some advice.

I have been doing Keto for almost 2 months now. However last week (8 days ago now) I started to have headaches, feel faint, feel sick, upset stomach and diarrhea.

Since then the diarrhea has only gotten worse and I am now becoming really worried about it. To the point I think I might have to give up Keto (I really dont want to…).

I had been taking MCT Oil (2 Tablespoons per day) however decided a couple of days ago to stop and see if this was a cause.

Today I ate a handful of almonds (which I have every morning) and within half hour I had bad diarrhea again.

I don’t each much vegetables mainly just bacon, sausage, pork chops and steaks.

Can anyone help?

(Duncan Kerridge) #2

Are you taking any supplements? How many / how much?

You really don’t need the MCT.

(Niall) #3

I was taking a Magnesium supplement (one tea spoons per day) but stopped this a week ago as I thought that might be the cause - still the same.

I did buy a potassium supplement but I only tried it once and didn’t bother again (that was a few weeks ago).

I have started drinking a pint of Beef Broth too in the last 2-3 weeks. Again I wondered if that was a cause so stopped that 2 days ago. Things only seem to be getting worse and I am really worried.

#4

do you think you might have an actual virus? you could just be sick with something.

(Niall) #5

I wondered about that but it has been 8 days now. It feels like it is definitely Keto relates.

I went to the doctors a week ago and my Blood Pressure was fine - they have taken blood tests which I haven’t had results for yet.

(14965ae231070091ace8) #6

I had similar issues and determined it was too much coconut oil in my Bullitt proof coffee. I reduced it a little and it went away. I’m back up to my high amount of coconut oil with no problems. Maybe your body just needs time to adjust.

#7

wait for those blood results or go to emergency, you might get dehydrated.

(Duncan Kerridge) #8

i might try fasting for 24-36 hrs and let everything settle down and then try eating individual foods to see what might be causing a reaction.

(Duncan Kerridge) #9

This does sound like quite a lot depending on the makeup of the supplement? Two tablespoons of MCT is a lot of MCT. A pint of broth is a lot of broth. Just stick with actual food for a bit …

(Allan L) #10

Things that cause bowel issues for me since starting keto:

MCT / Coconut Oil
Nuts & seeds
Coffee!! Yes, had to drink tea for a month
Dairy
Eggs
Avocado’s
Magnesium
Too much salt

People doing Zero Carb also report stomach issues whilst the gut bacteria adjust.

I had to go through a food / elimination process. After spending a few months abstaining I have managed to re-introduce most irritants without further issues.

Consider everything.

Things that really helped me stabilise the diarrhoea other than removing the above mentioned items were glutamine powder, 10g every 2 hrs or after every loose movement. psyllium husk powder, 5g twice a day to bulk up. Imodium (or cheap generic) to shut things down for a day or 2.

Its all a personal experiment. Good luck.

(Allan L) #11

Oh, and also fasting gives me bad diarrhoea! Can only fast for 23 hours without issue.

(Miss E) #12

8 days is concerning. I would increase water and salt and the stools may have dehydrated you. Also would take digestive enzymes and probiotics to help your gut flora adjust.

(Allan L) #13

I agree, both have helped me in the past.

(Chris W) #14

I would say 8 days is a lot now and consider seeking more professional medical advice first or check back in with your doctor.

Both bone broth and MCT in excess have caused me issues like this but only for one day. Typically I was overloading either in addition to other fats mostly animal fats. I have never done both in the same day, I would agree that MCT is not needed, I only have a couple tables spoons of frozen bone broth normally.

(Niall) #15

THanks for all the advice.

Without being too graphic my backside is in so much pain that I am terrified to eat anything at the moment…

I have had my blood tests back and apparently there are no issues other than my “Serum Lipids”. Apparently this is linked to high cholesterol and the nurse wants to speak to me about it.

So clearly it is something to do with my diet.

Does anybody have any experience of not really eating vegetables and just basically meats?

At the start of Keto I was making myself eat some greens a day although I am not really a fan. But then over the last few weeks I have hardly been eating any at all.

I have 4 fried bacon for lunch every day with 4 eggs (usually fried or scrambled).

(Allan L) #16

This is called “Zero Carb” meaning no food from plants, only meat. The first few times I tried this I got chronic diarrhoea as my gut bacteria adapted. Imodium was my best friend for a few weeks.

(Niall) #17

Thanks, I have bought some Imodium now and just taken two tablets. I also have some dioralyte which I may try drinking too.

Is it safe to take Imodium for a long period of time?

(Adrienne P.) #18

See if you can get ahold of Amber O’Hearn on Twitter. Maybe DM her and see what she says. She’s a notable carnivore / zero carber

(Allan L) #19

I’ve always been anti-imodium over the years, believing that I should naturally let whatever wants to get out, get out.

But at times on a keto / zero carb diet its been the only thing keeping me functional.

Usually the bowel is fairly empty when I take it so not going for a few days whilst things firm up does not worry me. The packet states do not take longer than 24hrs before consulting a doctor but I personally will exceed this at times.

For me personally, I find that once diarrhoea sets in I need to shut everything down with Imodium for 24 hrs, if I don’t do this any food will set it off again. But this is my personal experience.

(Allan L) #20

There is also a Zero Carb thread on here and /r/zerocarb/ on redit. Lots of people report bathroom issues in the beginning, its fairly common.