M/E Beware!

[salongirl]

I have been home from the Hospital for just a week... and would have written this before, but did not know how to approach it, guess I was afraid of backlash from die hard M/E eaters... (that was me)

First let me say, I am a Low Carb Advocate... always will be... but I took things a little too far.... by doing M/E... NOT Kimmers Experiment, but M/E...

I was doing very well on Kimkins... lost a good amount of weight, then I switched to M/E... within a few days had a hard time "going"

Used a laxitive, and things were better except for some cramps...took a few days for those to go away.... back to Kimkins... all was OK...

A little stall in loss, and back to M/E... stopped "going" (again)... terrible cramps, (blamed it on the "net carb" candy for Easter)...( just 2 little Russel Stovers chocolates) 2nd day terrible cramps... 3rd day still cramps, and still did not "Go".... Passed out that evening (first for me!) an ambulance ride to the Hospital, where I spent the next 7 days, on large doses of intraveinous antibiotics.... Diagnosis??? Acute Diverticulitis! Never had it in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was SO sick, I can't even begin to express it.
When my doctors asked me about what happend I didn't know where to begin... any changes in diet?? well yes of course... I told them about the Atkins lo carb, and they said it wasn't the cause... had to be something that caused me to stop "going" I told them about M/E... Well I guess I don't have to tell you about the looks I got!!

I felt like a fool.... Now I am looking at a possible surgery, to remove the damaged part of my colon.

It was explained to me like this..... We all have Diverticuli in our colon... but sometimes when we strain to "go" or have a lot of pressure there for many reasons, little pouches form, usually not causing any problems, as we age, they become a little larger, if we are usually regular with our BM's we are fine... but when we jolt our systems into times of standstill, and non movement, things can fall into those little pouches and cause a lot of trouble. Especially if we eliminate fiber from our diet.... which as we all know can stop things up!

Anyway I was also told that Steak, was a very big culprit of this problem because is it a hard meat to digest, and eating a lot of it is not a good idea, also nuts and seeds are trouble too, especially when you can't "go" they are small and heavy and fall into these pouches, become surrounded with bacteria, and cause a major intestinal infection...

I have to be honest and admit I was eating steak 4 to 5 times a week on
M/E ...I love it... And I was mistaken in thinking it was just older people who suffered from this... one of my nurses 32 year husband (steak lover) has it too.. and so did several other people of all different ages.

SO now I am on a diet of high processed foods for the next 4 weeks, because my doctor does not want my stomach to do anything.... then I will have a Colonoscopy to assess the damage, and see if I need surgery to remove the affected area... (sheesh ... can't wait for that) ... if all goes well, I will be put on a high fiber diet...

I am not trying to deter anyone from any of the plans you are doing, but for goodness sakes if you get cramps (low) and they don't go away in a day, go to the doctor!!! You might have a problem! and it might NOT be the low carb candy!!! If I had not passed out, I would not have been taken to the hospital by ambulance, thus I would have just assumed I had a "bug" my colon could have very eaisly ruptured, and cause peritonitis, which could have killed me...

[carob]

I'm sorry that you're going through this. I take OxyClean while doing M/E every two or three days just in case. I'm so glad that you're okay.

[Kimmer]

Salongirl, I'm so sorry you got sick! How scary! I'm glad you're doing better.

[sallyT]

OMG so sorry you had to go through that , I think it's great that you posted though, there are so many people doing M/E that this clearly shows we have to be careful when doing it. I've done the M/E fast a few times but I still will have yocheese w/2-3 tablespoons flax, or flax cereal every morning to stay regular while on the fast.

I hope you don't end up needing surgery keep ups posted , take care

[Vandy J.]

Wow! Thanks for the indepth info and the warning about this possible complication. I personally have not done M/E although I have thought about it. I just don't think I would stick with it very well, so that is why I haven't. I am also a steak lover and could eat it most everyday of my life, but too much of anything is too much. Your situation points out the need for balance in all things. Different bodies will respond differntly to the same set of circumstances, not everyone that does M/E will have this severe type of complication. However, they should be very aware of the possibilities and keep an eye out for any symptoms. I am so sorry for the medical issues you have had to face, and I will pray that you will overcome them. Please keep us posted. Thanks again for posting this even though I can tell you were worried about the reaction it might receive.

[KajunDC]

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this but thank you very much for sharing your story. It is so important that people understand just what these extreme measures can lead to, even when done short term.

I hope everything goes as well as possible. Kepp your spirits up and take it slow and easy.

[cindysandia]

Hope you feel better!!!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by KajunDC

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this but thank you very much for sharing your story. It is so important that people understand just what these extreme measures can lead to, even when done short term.

I hope everything goes as well as possible. Kepp your spirits up and take it slow and easy.

Exactly.

Me too!

[Mack]

Hey Salongirl,
Can appreciate what you are going through and BESt possible recovery to you.
Thanks for posting.
Interesting about the digestibility of steak.
5 times a week you had it ? A lot, yes.
Sounds a lot like the cool Asian guy on Survivor - Bruce? - (I watch it every week and forgot his name already.) Anyway , to see his cramping was painful to watch.
They medivac-ed him off the island.

Constipation was a big problem for me.
Even before adding yogurt to diet though , shelled sunflower seeds were definitely a stool softener and 'mover' for me. I know nuts and cheese can bind but sunflower seed are good for me.
Along with celery, yogurt and 'fish,flax and borage' oil daily I have not had a problem in ...months ?
There was a good Oprah I happened to catch months ago on how important our colon care is. Wish that segment was avail. as a health aid CD.

Jars of Gerber's Premium for four weeks ? Cool
best to you.

[Cheyennedawn]

OMG!! How horrible for you! I hope everything is ok and you won't need any surgery!

Thanks for sharing your story!

[veronicac]

Wow that is scary,Im so glad your better

[beachlvr58]

my boss just had a large portion of his colon removed from this inflamation. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get rid of these toxins in our colon daily. I fell so bad you had to go through this and I hope it all works out for you. Thanks for sharing, Lisa

[ixtapacheryl]

Would Extra Virgin Coconut have helped? I take 2T a day (not together) and don't have problems going....

[iluvgreys]

Man! How horrible for you! I skip days without going....and I usually eat lots of fiber. I have always been like this not just since low carb. I see many people who don't eat low carb have trouble getting enough fiber. I guess I am surprised your doc put you on processed foods. I would think that would be harder on your system. But then again I am not a doctor LOL! I am going to try some epsom salts to get things going each day. Very scary! Glad you are okay and hopefully you won't have to have surgery. Good luck!

[mikeysmommy33]

I am so sorry that you had to go through this. How scary! Wishing you a speedy recovery. This post caught my eye because this morning my husband called me and told me that his step Mom found out that she has this! She has been bleeding for many days and then finally went to the doctors and she was diagnosed with this. Evidently the doctor said that if she continues bleeding she is having surgery in her intestines/colon not sure where - not exactly sure what it all involves and something about a coloscopy bag (spelling). It's crazy -I asked my hubby what happened - like how this happened and in a nutshell my hubby said probably from eating like crap! (that's his assumption and not what the doctor said) I am not sure how she was eating but the typical American diet I am assuming and not enough fiber. Geez. Lovely!

[Nicashel]

I am glad you posted & I hope the damage is fixable. A lot of people can take heed from your experience.

I really changed my mindset at the beginning of the year. Yes, I still want to lose quite a bit more weight, but becoming HEALTHY & FIT is far more important to me than being able to say I dropped X-amount of pounds in a brief period of time. I have found a level of LCing, including yogurt, fiber & plenty of veggies and regular exercise that I have lived with and will continue living with. Becoming a size 6 at the expense of a colon (or any other body part for that matter) is not an equal trade.

I no longer say I want to be a size 'whatever' or I want to be under 'howevermany' pounds. I want to live a healthy & active life that my daughter can see & benefit from my example.

Good luck with your procedures. I am really sorry you had to learn such a painful & expensive lesson.

[Rosetta]

Oh wow, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm SO glad you're okay! I think everyone doing m/e needs to read this post without automatically becoming defensive. Just think about it, please.

I'd like to lose a few more pounds, but not at the cost of my health. I know Atkins works for most, without damage. Thank-you for taking the time to spell out everything they told you at the hospital, you could help many if they learn from your terrible experience.

Take good care of yourself, and hopefully this will wind up becoming just a really bad memory. I will pray for you, that you heal very quickly, and that the colonoscopy does not reveal the need for an operation. I've heard the colonoscopy is best done while being completely under, and then the worst of it will be the prep. Apparently, the procedure is not as bad as people think it will be.

Being regular is an issue for many, and a healthy diet is needed. In addition, I personally take probiotics and magnesium because I've always had IBS w/constipation. Please make sure to stay regular, folks! Once or twice daily bowel movements are best.

Thanks again for posting this, you did it very tactfully, and it's very important to warn people.

[BeyondClueless]

I am so sorry you are going through this, thanks for sharing your story. You probably just saved someone else from going through the same problem.

[turtlegirl115]

First of all, I'm glad you're home from the hospital and doing better. That must have been scary!

I recently had some digestive problems as well and found out I have diverticulitis also. And I'm only 30 years old. Luckily, I don't have a bad case of it and my doctor recommended that I eat 25 - 30 grams of fiber each day and prescribed a daily laxative. We discussed my diet and I told him I'd been on Atkins for about 3 years in the past (just started back LC vegetarian) and he said that could very well have contributed to it.

I'm not blaming Atkins as I've had a poor diet (not enough veggies) most of my adult life. But it's just a good reminder to make sure that you do get enough fiber, whatever it takes.

[Greek Godess]

This just makes me rethink the whole diet situation?
It is so scary.
Wishing you a very speedy recovery.

[Rosetta]

Originally Posted by Greek Godess

This just makes me rethink the whole diet situation?
It is so scary.
Wishing you a very speedy recovery.

Crash diets are dangerous and bad in various ways. You are right to rethink that sort of approach. However, that doesn't mean there isn't a good eating plan for losing weight. Being over weight contributes to health risks of its own. Eating a good, natural diet and not binging on carbs (reasonable LC) can often mean weight loss AND better health, because we live in a junk food society. It really pays to learn about nutrition and be a little patient (and very committed) in weight loss. It goes on a little at a time, and best comes off that way too. For those who resist veggies and salads, please re-think the need for that and the proper fiber & nutrition that goes with it. Diet sodas are pure poison, and make it harder to lose weight, too. Just something to chew on, and I suggest chewing on some celery and other veggies, because they help makes our skin beautiful, too.

[slimforever06]

The girl I work with had the same thing - not from Atkins or m/e fast - but just poor eating habits. She ended up in hospital and had a colon re-section. She is doing fine now but it took a while. I wish you the best!

[Greek Godess]

Rosetta

I eat all food groups,
I love veggies, fruit, legumes, beans, meat, diary, So when I first started Atkins, i had no problem letting go of the processed stuff, sugar, flour, pasta, rice, but I had and still have a hard time accepting that fruit is bad for us, I know it has natural sugars and there a lower carb fruit out there, but it still sits wrong with me, THe whole M/E was too much for me, I couldnt stick to it, thank God, I needed my salads and veggies at supper, .

[salongirl]

Originally Posted by Kimmer

Salongirl, I'm so sorry you got sick! How scary! I'm glad you're doing better.

Thank You all for your kind words, they are so appreciated

Kimmer, I have to say, the whole time I was lying there I was not allowed to have anything... not even water, just ice chips... Now I know what it is like to fast... ( I thought of You)

The first three days, I was too sick to care... but the 5th day I was so needing SOMETHING in my mouth... so I was put on a liquid diet, the next day I had food in the evening... but I wasn't even hungry, and only ate half, amazing... the next day I had tea and toast... and a light lunch... and I shared my dinner with my daughter.

I managed to lose another 6 pounds, (no wonder)
But I have to completely forgo my low carb plan for a while now I am nervous... But I haven't been very hungry, especially at night... all I want to do is sleep.

[Rosetta]

Originally Posted by Greek Godess

Rosetta

I eat all food groups,
I love veggies, fruit, legumes, beans, meat, diary, So when I first started Atkins, i had no problem letting go of the processed stuff, sugar, flour, pasta, rice, but I had and still have a hard time accepting that fruit is bad for us, I know it has natural sugars and there a lower carb fruit out there, but it still sits wrong with me, THe whole M/E was too much for me, I couldnt stick to it, thank God, I needed my salads and veggies at supper, .

You're way ahead of most people with your pre-Atkins eating habits being healthier. Remember, fruit is not bad, it's good food, but in excess it is fattening. Portion control, not binging and eating it in moderation means I can have fruit. I eat it all, even bananas. I buy smaller size ones, and cut them up, I don't eat them all the time, either. I balance calories, carbs, and nutrients. By cutting alcohol completely along with refiend sugar and white flour, and never ever cutting corners with junk or fast food, I can eat more carbs. I just had to be SO patient climbing and cutting back, and always careful. Even now, I'm off nuts and cream in my coffee, will get a grip, and do it right someday soon. It's all been a learning experience, but you're way ahead. Congrats!

[Greek Godess]

Originally Posted by Rosetta

You're way ahead of most people with your pre-Atkins eating habits being healthier. Remember, fruit is not bad, it's good food, but in excess it is fattening.

There is still so much to learn, I am study and learing to add more carb back and I want the fruit back, I love berries so they will be the first to be back in since they are Lower carb...

Wishing you and everybody her