Keto with Medical issues

#1

My wife has not only been watching/following my progress switching over to a Keto Lifestyle over the past 8+ weeks, but has been speaking to me about if its something she could do with all her medical issues? The main reason she hasn’t tried yet, is that she wanted to speak with her Doctor about it first, which happened today at her appointment. The Doctor (who is also our neighbor) said she should be able to give it a shot, but admitted she didn’t have a lot of knowledge with it. So along with doing some research myself, I still wanted to reach out to all you good folks here and see if anyone else might have any experience with similar issues.

She got hurt back in 1996, when a large 300 lb. crate fell and hit her in the back of her neck and shoulders. She hasn’t worked since, and eventually had neck surgery to fuse the C-5/C-6 disc in her neck. (Titanium plate with 4 screws now) So she has a lot of pain issues that at times can cause her a lot of problems. Besides that, she’s been rushed to the hospital 3 times with blood clots. Once in the leg, but twice in the lungs, and the last time with massive clotting on both lungs. So she is not only lucky, she is now on blood thinners for life.

So one of the problems she was fearing was having to eat anytime she has to take her meds, either the regularly scheduled ones, or when pain/s just gets too bad. (She gets sick when she doesn’t) Which I think can be handled by timing them with her meals, but just for the scheduled doses. (The others we will have to play by ear) … But she also wasn’t sure if the diet itself might change things that she has to be aware of with these issues?

Personally, I don’t think it will create any major issues that I can think of, and I know her history quite well. (We’ve been together since 1983 :wink: ) I actually believe she will be so much better off once she makes the change over. And any weight loss I would think should help her deal with the pains she sometimes gets, and maybe even relieve some for her?

So thanks in advance for any information or advice anyone might have. :slight_smile:

(Anne) #2

Hey! I have rheumatoid arthritis and take meds twice a day (and one which I take a large dose of weekly) so I’ve never been able to do the long term fasting thing. But keto still makes me feel much better, and is working for me! I will say a generous splash of heavy cream in morning coffee is enough to take morning pills with, not sure if she needs to eat something more substantial!

For me, personally, my joint pain improves when I’m strictly keto. But my pain stems from inflammation (massive over simplification but still) so your wife, who was injured, may not experience that.

Basically, what works for her is what she should do! Dont get too caught up in all the intermittent or long term fasting talk, and actually nice folks here told me eating two meals a day can be considered IF for the purposes of keto!

I’m sure she doesn’t need to be told this, but she needs to be very careful supplementing with minerals and electrolytes and such. For example, if she takes an nsaid regularly, taking potassium on top of that could lead to too much potassium in the blood, NSAIDs can increase potassium levels all on their own.

#3

Thanks, Lilyanne. - And your mention of the NSAIDs is kind-of what I was referring to, as far as anything possibly interacting with any meds she’s taking presently. Including the actual change your body goes through when switching over to this WOE. (I don’t know of anything personally, and don’t recall hearing anyone mentioning anything about this. But I just want to be sure because you never know?) Oh, and I should have mentioned above, that she usually gets sick whether she eats something or not with some of her meds. But it’s much worse when she doesn’t eat. Mostly when she taking something like Percocet)

As for fasting, I just spoke with her last night about that and told her she could start with 3 or 2 meals, it’s entirely up to her. But I don’t think she will ever do more then the 24 hr, utilizing the OMAD (One Meal A Day). - And her doctor pretty much said the very same thing when they spoke. (Maybe some day, down the road? who knows?) But I would just like to get her switched over to eating strictly Keto friendly foods, and that would be the first goal. (She already helps me with putting my stuff together and has even eaten some of the dishes with me and enjoyed it. Or she will just measure all the stuff out for me, which she seems to like too.) - (And I should have mentioned above, that she usually gets sick whether she eats something or not. But it’s much worse when she doesn’t. Mostly when she has to take Percocet)

But again, we have changed some things recently that should help with this For instance, she was on Warfarin for 10+ years? And she had to watch anything high in Vitamin K, as well as other stuff, because it would affect her blood levels, etc… But she has now switched over to Xarelto, which doesn’t make her have to watch for those things anymore. … … I just can’t get her to eat stuff like that anyway! :roll_eyes: (Did I mention she’s also extremely picky? But I’m working on her! :slight_smile:

Thanks again.

#4

If it helps with anyone who might read this, I will add her meds below.

Regular daily meds are;
Folbic Tablet 2.5 mg
Xarelto 20 mg
Vitamin D3 (5,00 units)
Montelukast 10 mg
Stiolto Respimat (2 puffs evening)
Pro Air Inhaler (1-2 puffs every 6 hours)

Meds when needed;
Nebulizer (up to 3 times a day, when needed)
Xanax (for Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
Percocet (For Pain)
Flexural (Muscle Relaxer)
Gabapentine (Pain - new)

And uses a C-Pap for sleep apnea

(Retta Stephenson) #5

@Digital_Dave

Hello Dave. I don’t know all the details about your wife like you do, so if some of what I say does not fit, please excuse and just ignore it. :slight_smile:

Context: I have multiple medical issues, and Keto has done nothing but helped. I have tailored it to fit ME. Ignore hardcore black and white advice (ie, oh but that’s not a “real” fast because you changed it with…). Just go with what works for you and your wife.

Me: Cancer, RA, Limited Sclerosis (scleroderma), chronic pain, prediabetic before Keto, Lymphedema, AFib, Sleep apnea (cpap with oxygen), etc etc etc. Live in a powerchair. Bottomline: chronic pain.

I take lots of supplements and prescriptions, including Warfarin. Used to take lots of painkillers.

Since I stopped eating sugar (and starches, carbs, etc) in 2008, the overall effect has been much less inflammation, which affects EVERYthing, every condition. I was able to go from meds like Percocet and Vicodin, down to Hydrocodone, then down to Tramadol. And now it’s an unusual month when I take much Tramadol (only when need to go get painful tests done, then I use it and get off asap in a day or so).

I’m able to reduce the pain meds and all their side effects because of Keto, and including LOTS of anti-inflammatory supplements. Things like curcumin, ginger, boswellia, krill oil, etc. Since my cancer diagnosis, I also include CBD and THCA sublingual oils.

Thing is, these are gentle and take awhile to “saturate” and have an effect. It’s tough to switch. We hurt! We need relief now, not in 5 or 6 weeks! I get it. Been there, done that. But in the long run it’s worth a try. And everyone is different and needs to tinker around and find the right combination for them.

I haven’t figured out how to fast multiple days, but can easily do IF with OMAD. I time the pills that need food with that one meal. You said she has timed meds that wouldn’t coincide with that one meal. And I do like Anne does, taking morning pills with coffee and heavy whipping cream (and cocoa powder and stevia… yumm).

I remember listening to a podcast with Megan Ramos (from Dr Jason Fung, https://idmprogram.com/blog/ ). She said something about this and recommended taking meds with gelled chia seeds, or water with psyllium seeds (which also gel up). But danged if I can find that interview now. Maybe someone else will remember.

But going Keto is a very powerful first step. Being ruthless in throwing out the inflammation causing sugar, and finding a version of Keto that is healthiest for you (your wife).

I wrote all this just hoping to encourage your Sweetie. Even if she changes nothing else, I just know that later she will be so happy she went Keto. And then SHE will be writing her testimonial as to how much it helped her!

My best to you and your wife.

#6

Lilyanne, my wife just said that she really appreciates all the info you provided and she will definitely be speaking with her Doctor some more about the NSAIDs information you spoke of. But that she looks forward to starting the Keto Lifestyle soon!

Thanks again!

#7

Thank you, Retta. My wife and I were just reading through the posts that you and Lilyanne provided, and she said she is very appreciative for the two of you taking the time to comment and provide such wonderful feedback. She said she will also be researching some of the links and information you have provided.

PS - She also said that SHE will indeed be writing some stuff on here soon! :+1: :smiley:

(Terence Dean) #8

Hey Dave,
I’ll refrain from giving you any medical advice because its beyond my experience, Anne and Retta have done a great job. Its nice to see a doctor willing to admit they don’t know much about Ketogenics but still advising your wife that its worth a shot. Good for you guys and all the best. KCKO. :keto:

#9

Thank you, Terrence. And I agree, she was very honest in letting her know that she had heard of the Ketogenic Diet recently, but did not know much about it. … But that she is definitely supportive in this, and already knows what I’ve been able to do in just 8 weeks. She said she is happy to help in anything we will need. :slight_smile:

As I said above, she’s also our neighbor who lives just three houses down from us, so we do speak quite often around our neighborhood when she’s out for her walks, or stops by the see our dogs, or just to chat. So we will be keeping her informed throughout the journey.

Thanks again

(Anne) #10

Hey Dave! Please let your wife know she can send me a message any time! Obviously we dont have the same health issues but I do get chronic illness and can at least commiserate. Either through your account or her own once she’s on the forum!

#11

Thanks, Anne. I will certainly let her know, and it’s very much appreciated.

She was going to go ahead and create an account for herself last night, but it was getting a little late and she was watching some youtube videos I pulled up for her about Keto. So she said she will create one today.

Thanks again. :slight_smile:

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #12

For what it’s worth, my experience has been that the residual back pain from my spinal fusion (L-4 and L-5 to S-1) fifteen years ago has disappeared since I went keto.

On the other hand, I broke both arms pretty badly in 2016. The distal right radius and the replaced tendon healed right up and haven’t bothered me, since before I went keto. The distal left humerus was a worse break, but it is pretty much pain-free, especially since I went keto. The proximal left humerus is still quite painful, and keto hasn’t seemed to make any difference whatsoever. I don’t know whether it will always hurt, or whether it will eventually go the way of my back pain. The back was quite sore for several years after the operation, and by the time I went keto it would really trouble me only if I really overdid things.

What is not likely ever to go away, apparently, is the edema in both arms, and the positional peripheral neuropathy I experience, which requires me to change my sleeping position several times a night. The surgery was so traumatic to the lymph nodes, especially in the left arm, that they will probably never be able to fully drain the fluid. I believe, however, that the edema has improved—somewhat—since I went keto.

If you want my guess, I’d say that your wife’s neck pain ought to improve on keto, but if she’s still in pain this long after the injury, I couldn’t promise complete relief. Any inflammatory pain ought to improve, as others have noted.

Also, for what it’s worth, my knee arthritis is almost completely gone on keto, whereas my neck arthritis still troubles me when I have to look behind me to reverse the car. I can’t say whether it’s any better on keto, or not–what I can say is that it’s still annoying, lol! (Although the reduction in wast size still makes turning a bit easier, thanks be to God.)

I have noticed so many other benefits from nutritional ketosis that I don’t mind the fact that it hasn’t healed everything. Though I still hope to go blond and grow another three inches taller—come on, keto, what are you waiting for? :grinning::grinning::grinning::bacon:

#13

Thanks, Paul. Also sorry to hear you’ve been dealing with quite a bit yourself. … But that’s my hope as well with her, that not only will she be overall healthier just with this WOE, but taking some weight off itself should at least relieve her issues somewhat? At least that’s what I hope.

Also glad to hear Keto has helped you with some of your issues. And hope it continues to do so! :slight_smile:

Thanks again

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #14

I’m actually doing really well, whatever that post sounds like; I was trying to give you a realistic assessment, to show that keto doesn’t make us perfect, but it can make a big improvement. As for metabolic health, my numbers were perfect at my last physical, and that’s the reason I went keto in the first place; all the other great improvements are gravy. And as for the stuff that hasn’t improved—who says it wouldn’t be even worse if I hadn’t gone keto when I did?

I’d urge your wife to give it a shot, and see what happens. Get her to join the forums, and we’ll all walk with her.

P.S.—I’m not kidding about those three extra inches of height, however, and they’d better happen soon, if keto knows what’s good for it! :grinning:

(Deb) #15

I also have titanium 360 fusion of L5/S1 and severe DDD of upper levels and take meds aswell. No problems at all with keto. I eat a pc of bacon or hb egg with meds if no meal.

#16

Thanks, Deb. Good to hear you’ve haven’t had issues with Keto. As for taking the meds, I think she could definitely do that. She loves bacon & hb eggs, but don’t think she’s ever tried taking meds with them? She will definitely have to give that a shot.

Thank you again ma’am. :slight_smile:

(Anne) #17

I find I can even do my morning med with heavy cream in coffee. The weekly one needs a full on meal, but depending on her meds your wife might find she can not eat much and it’s enough to prevent side effects.

#18

The majority of her pills are taken together around 6:00pm with Dinner. It’s more the pain pills, such as Percocet, that get her mostly. Whether she eats something small or a full meal. We’ve spoken to a few doctors in regards to this, and were informed this is actually a known side-effect of some meds, and they could only suggest to take them with meals to possibly help alleviate this. But to understand that for some folks, they will have these effects either way unfortunately.

That’s why I’m really hoping with her going Keto, that it may help her overall with a lot of things, that will hopefully require her to take less pain pills, etc. … She already tries to avoid them at all cost, and only takes them when she’s extremely hurting, because she’s worried about becoming dependent on them. (Has some family/friends that have done this, and it scares the hell out of her)

EDIT: Oh, and I forgot to mention that I did help her create an account, but when we were done, she had fallen asleep on the couch. lol … So she should be around shortly. :slight_smile:

(Deb) #19

I do have to say something else regarding keto and opioids, in my experience: since being full on kero and down into the 130’s, I don’t know if it’s because I’m so much smaller or different blood chemistry, but I used to be on some of the strongest narcotics around…now I can only use Tramadol and Tylenol 3 with codiene. I consider it a great thing. Interesting for sure. I can’t say keto has changed my pain any but being healthier has given me more options. Looking into Spinal cord stimulator now.

(Virginia ) #20

Hello everyone! :slight_smile: This is Dave’s wife Virginia, or just “V” if ya like. I want to thank you all for providing all the kind words of encouragement, helpful information and sharing your experiences with switching over to a Keto Lifestyle. I’m really looking forward to making the switch! :slight_smile:

At the same time, I’m so sorry to hear of all the issues that all of you have had to deal with, or still dealing with. I know these types of issues are not fun, and I’ve been dealing with mine for quite a while, so any relief I can get would be quite welcomed! - I have some other issues that Dave didn’t mention, such as quite a few issues with my back. From some bulging disc, bone spurs, to spondylosis. - But I’m hopeful that I might get some relief by getting healthier with Keto, and hopefully be able to be more active.

Dave’s been doing a lot of research about Keto for a few months now, and he’s been doing really great with it. And he’s been sharing that information and getting me to read up and watch some videos, so I can try to catch up. - My son is actually going to be starting on Keto tomorrow, and I will be joining next week. I have a few scheduled things coming up this week, and I want to start on the right foot. :slight_smile:

Thank you all once again! - V