Upper Stomach Pain on Keto

(Samantha ) #1

I am two weeks into my Keto journey and have been having upper stomach pain the further I get into Keto. I talked with my MD and she did not seem concerned because I have a fatty liver and some minor gallstones. Her response was to “eat less fat and incorporate more fiber”…frustrating.

I am wondering if this is part of the Keto process and if it will go away soon? When I started this journey, by completely cutting out gluten, my upper stomach was in no pain and I had none of these issues, but also had not weight loss progress…I actually gained more wait following a GF lifestyle for a year.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

#2

This is a potential issue. One of the theories is that you developed gallstones from the high carb diet and then the diet change triggers it.

Here is a thread

You could consider possibly diluted ACV. Another idea is Malic Acid (found in apple juice but available as pills, note I have not tried it so proceed at your own risk, supposed to soften the stones, no idea if either work)

(Samantha ) #3

Oh I might give the malic acid a try. thank you.

#4

Start drinking a glass of water with ACV, two weeks.

#5

I would check with your doctor first, you do not want to do anything to make it worse

(Samantha ) #6

Well I have chugged apple juice in the past with some relief based on my MD’s recommendation. Let’s just say I am not getting the best advice from my current physician and am in the process of finding a new one. :slight_smile: I will reach out again to get the okay for malic acid. :slight_smile:

(Melissa Marie) #7

Somewhat new to keto also and I’d been having AM acid reflux when I don’t eat even when not hungry and intermittent gall blader pain. Had GERD prior to starting and intermittent gallblader pain prior to keto. I can’t eat nuts or peanuts especially. I avoid omaprezole for the most part unless its unbearable. It seems to stall my progress. Recently bought ACV capsules because drinking it in water really didn’t seem to help. I also have been taking glucomannan capsules in the am. I haven’t had any problems since starting them and the pain has subsided and so did the am reflux. Maybe try ACV capsules as they have malic acid…

(Jenn Monaghan) #8

I had this when I first started keto. I thought it was more in my liver area than stomach though. It went away for me after a while.

(Samantha ) #9

It feels more like my liver as well! Not really my gallbladder. Glad to know it went away.

#10

One of the things the body is experiencing is a die off of yeast, could lead to some discomfort.

Also, the body is now healing.

#11

I have had discomfort on my left side just behind the lowest rib, near the center, as I research this points towards the liver or stomach and not the gall bladder.

So I suspected a fatty liver also. Three months ago I did a 21 day fast which altered and greatly improved my physical and mental health. The pain occasionally returned after eating. I followed a remedy to flush the liver and gall bladder and something certainly moved, moved within my liver on my left not on my right. A week after the flush the pain was gone - I now suspect I had a stone within my liver that created a blockage, stone moved, liver cells healed at that spot.

My pain is now gone no matter what or how much I eat.

(Troy) #12

Apple Juice😳
Interesting, yikes

Lots of sugar
1)About 27g per 8 ounces
2)About 28 carbs as well

I’m no Dr. though

I think I would be in the process of locating a different MD as well😄

Good Luck!
And welcome

#13

That was why I mentioned malic acid. Apparently what helps in apple juice is the malic acid. While I have no pain, there are some things that make me wonder if I have some type of stone so I had previously looked up an alternative to apple juice and found some web sites claiming malic acid pills may help but I am no expert

(Candy Lind) #14

If the pain is liver-based, be encouraged! My friend who got me to go keto was put on keto specifically to heal calcification & the beginnings of NAFLD. She’s lost 75 pounds and is doing great. (Her liver ailment was discovered while having an emergency appendectomy. Quite a nasty surprise!)

(Canadian Beauty) #15

Not sure how you can deduce that it is not your gallbladder. This pain radiates and can be felt in the back and up towards your ribs(I have had my gallbladder removed and suffered the pains). Liver pain? never heard of this. If you have gall stones chances are you will need it removed. I eat keto and just keep an eye on how much fat I eat per meal so as not to have any stomach pain.

(Annalee Haley) #16

I am going to go ahead and jump in here because I have no gall bladder and fully believe I would have mine today were it not for the SAD. I began keto after much research as I question everything. I have been in the medical profession for 24 years and understand how to evaluate research studies. I expected pain and nausea as I started and I also expected my body to adapt which it has.

When I began keto I was sick after nearly every meal. I began adding digestive enzymes prior to any meal that was significant. I also fasted and stopped breaking my fast with the highest fat foods. Nuts in particular a painful experience, yet I could eat them after breaking my fast with other foods such as olives, cheese and something pickled. Over time I was able to tolerate a fatty dinner without enzymes and I only have troubles when I eat past satiety. I now keep to a pretty strict less than 20 carbs daily and low end moderate protein so I consume plenty of fat. I find that I tolerate some fats better than others. I am on a fat fast right now and taking enzymes to get through it. I am determined to get through a plateau.

Once you are fat adapted you will probably feel better. I don’t recommend cheat days as that will inhibit fat adaptation. I hop this helps.

(Samantha ) #17

Good to know! thank you!

(Samantha ) #18

The pain is different than the gallbladder pain that I have had in the past. I consulted a surgeon who gave me the option to have it removed or not. They are not causing blockages and there were not many. I chose to not have surgery, because it doesn’t impact my life enough to justify surgery.

(Samantha ) #19

Update: Got the go ahead from my MD and ordered malic acid and headed right to the store same day. I started taking it yesterday and it has been amazing. Drastic reduction in pain! thanks for the info!

(Karen) #20

Are you a doctor? Just wondering as I have the same issues as you do and am looking for a solution. I am fat adapted and have no gall bladder. I had stomach pain for about 3 weeks when I first started and then it went away for about 6 weeks and now it is back again! So you found digestive enzymes helped? Did you have any side effects from them? Some people recommend Ox bile too - I haven’t tried any of it yet as I didn’t want to have to take a pill every time I ate but if it is a temporary measure I am willing to give it a go.
I don’t want to mess up my liver with this keto diet so I am close to giving it up although I have had great success- maybe fasting would help…?