I have been trying to be a ketovangelist to my friend at work for a couple of weeks since she was just diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
Today I was attempting my longest fast so far and was at hour 60 when I started experiencing dizziness. I tried salt on my tongue several times with no help. I tried more water too. I didn’t have any food with me and we only have vending machines at work. I bought a small bag of almonds which also did not help.
At this point I was afraid to drive myself to get something to eat. I explained what was going on to my friend and she drove me to get food. When I told her how long I had been fasting she commented that it isn’t good for me.
Well, guess what? The food didn’t help! It turns out that I am experiencing vertigo due to a recurring inner ear problem 
I explained to my friend that it wasn’t the fasting but I feel like she doesn’t believe me and thinks this Woe is harmful.
She is in constant pain and fatigued all the time. I wanted so much to help her and feel like I ruined my chance. 
Thanks for listening
Feeling like I failed my friend
ugh - that stinks! But I’m pretty sure that if/when folks are ready, they can hear you or find a way to the information they need somehow (and if they’re not ready, there’s pretty much nothing you can do about it).
Glad you figured out the vertigo! That must have been frustrating to have it mixed up with the fasting, and I hope there’s a good solution.
I know it’s hard sometimes to convince the people we love that this woe is healthy and not harmful. But you can try to show her the science, maybe it’ll convince her. Also you can tell her she doesn’t have to fast, she can go keto to get rid of her pre-diabetes. I hope she’ll listen to you. Good luck.
Thanks! It has been years since I’ve had an issue with this problem which is why I didn’t think of it first.
Not much helps me with it. I usually take benadryl and sleep it off.
Maybe being keto will help me get over it more quickly. I’ve been down for a week with it before.
I haven’t had much luck in the past. Do you know of any specifics regarding treatments?
Have you heard about the Epley maneuver? If your vertigo is caused by small particles in that are messing with your inner ear, that maneuver is supposed to move them out. It’s pretty simple and quick, and you can do it with someone guiding you or probably even on your own. If you’re nauseous it might make it worse during the maneuver (though I think that’s a good sign - generally then the whole episode passes quickly).
My mother suffered from vertigo for a long time. She was sent to see an ENT specialist who did some physio movements on her and it helped greatly. It took many sessions, but she doesn’t have vertigo anymore.
This! I’ve had bad positional vertigo several times and did a variation of this exercise by a doctor who had it herself. Took three or four times, but it worked every time. Miraculous!
Also, as far as your friend, be patient – you’ll have other chances to show her how wonderful this way of life is. I have to do that myself with my friends, just take baby steps.
Ironically, keto and fasting lower insulin, and insulin is one cause of vertigo. High insulin can damage the tiny blood vessels in the inner ear. Hope these episodes become less troublesome for you in the future and then you can tell your friend you fixed it. 
Thanks for that info! It probably explains why I’m feeling better already. Usually, I’m down on the couch for at least 2 days. This time, I was feeling better (not 100%) but better when I woke the next day.
Depending on which semicircular canal the otolith is messing with, the Epley maneuver may not work. There are other maneuvers, like the Semont, that target different canals. If it comes back, you might wish to find a physical therapist who is trained in vertigo treatment. When I had BPV, I went to a PT, who put these blackout goggles w/ night vision cameras facing inward on me. Then he watched which way my eyes bounced, which told him what canal was affected, and gave me the proper maneuver to use. It cost me about $180, but it was worth every penny to stop falling in the shower.
Sorry about your dizziness. That is not fun. Also, sorry about your friend. Perhaps all is not lost. Some folks come around after a long time. Some never do. Don’t allow to destroy your friendship.
My sister refuses to do it and is now on insulin. Last night we hosted a keto party at the house and about 10 people showed up and we had a good time and ate awesome food, talked about the diet, the science and all that. We can’t force anyone to do it but we can help those who are willing.
So sorry to hear about vertigo. I know you feel like you failed with your friend, but I see you as one who is brave to reach out and share with others. She will eventually see your success by your example of continuing your fasting and Keto lifestyle. You deserve a badge.
The Epley maneuver seems to help but the vertigo has been returning. I may have to seek more help. In the past I was seeing a chiropractor /functional medicine doctor. He did something where he watched my eye movements while slowly lowering me backward with my head turned toward the affected ear. I may need to go back to him.