Ketogenic Diet: My Treatment For IBS

_{* WARNING: If you are easily grossed out by talks of bowels and pooping, you probably shouldn't read this.  *}

In the beginning...

When I was nearing the end of elementary school, I started developing very odd digestive issues.  Every time that I would eat (what seemed like anything), I would immediately have to use the bathroom.  My stomach would cramp, excessive gas would develop and I would get terrible diarrhea.  So many times I would have to leave class immediately and pretend I was throwing up, when in reality, all hell was breaking loose in my bowels.

I went through many specialists to try and solve my tummy troubles.  Without hesitation, they all quickly gave me the diagnosis of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

"Oh, you just have a nervous stomach."

" You're just too stressed, relax a little bit."

"More whole grains, you need more fiber."

One physician prescribed me Nexium. Another told me to cut out dairy.

"How about probiotics?"

These things would help me initially, but my symptoms always came back within a weeks time.

I had almost completely given up on trying to find proper treatment for IBS that would actually work.

Unexpected Treatment for IBS

Fast forward to March 2013.  At the time, I had pretty much given up on trying to find something that would cure my stomach issues.  I found myself constantly choking down at least 3 Imodium everyday just to be able to get through my day comfortably.  Must have been my "nervous stomach" talking.

In addition to the constant bathroom trips, I was still surprisingly overweight and at the same time trying to shed some excess body fat.

I stumbled upon the Ketogenic diet on Reddit and was amazed at how many people experienced not only weight loss, but their ailments lifted by following a low carb, high fat, and moderate protein diet.  Now, I thought about this way of eating in the past, but just assumed because of my stomach trouble it would make it more unbearable than it already was.

I started the next day.

The first week was rough.  I had constant diarrhea for a week straight but noticed that it wasn't uncontrollable like usual.  Hey, I will take what I can get!

After that initial week, everything started changing.  For the first time in my life, I woke up in the morning and didn't (for lack of better words) shit my brains out.  I made it to work without the need to "go as soon as I get there or I'm going to die."

My stool started turning from a brown sludge into nicely formed logs. I was going to the bathroom once per day. I had no gas and my shit didn't smell like a rotting corpse.  In fact, for the first time ever, I even went a day without dropping a deuce.

What sorcery was this?!

Where Am I Today?

Since then, I've been trying to follow a strict ketogenic diet as treatment for my IBS.  I've been very successful, but not perfect.

When I eat too many carbs, my diarrhea comes back, and usually with a vengeance. It usually takes a few days to a week to regulate. It's difficult sometimes, but constantly being aware of the closest bathroom is hard too.

Nowadays, I poop once or twice a day, usually a nice log.  If I have too much coffee or fat, it will sometimes be watery, but it's not an all day, uncomfortable ordeal.  I'm officially down 80 pounds and am full of energy.  I go out on weekends, have dinner dates and do activities all without a supply of Imodium and the constant fear of shitting my pants.

I am eternally grateful and hope that anyone else with this problem can help solve theirs!