TMI warning. Stool changes

auntstephie321
auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
I guess I'm going to have every keto possible side effect that had ever been reported this time around. The past few days when I use the rest room my bowel movements are like water, as if I had a stomach bug or something. However I do not feel sick also I have no discomfort in my abdomen like I normally would if I had a bug. I've googled and seen this referenced when others have gotten into keto but I can't find anything that mentions what might help it. Has anyone else had this happen? Between this and the stupid brain fog I'm really having a rough go of things.

Replies

  • SamandaIndia
    SamandaIndia Posts: 1,577 Member
    My bowel movements go from zero to hero on this journey. Chèese stops my system, as does too much percent protein compared to fat. Fibre strangely has not much influence. Magnesium and electrolytes if overdone can create what you speak of. Took until i truly had enough fat in system to create stability. Takes a day or so for mine to settle. Keep up your fluids n get well soon
  • LuizH
    LuizH Posts: 211 Member
    I've had this problem this time around, I'm about a week in now after a couple of months off and on keto (I was in ketosis for 6 months prior to December). Exactly the same as you describe and with no pain or discomfort. I put it down to my body readjusting to the high fat content of my diet. Touch wood it seems to be sorting itself out now. I'm trying to concentrate on getting plenty of fat in the first couple of weeks of the plan to keep on top of my hunger, I'm pretty sure that my %fat consumption is higher than ever this time around.
  • daylitemag
    daylitemag Posts: 604 Member
    Similar issues here but with some discomfort. I'm 3.5 months into keto and find that I will go two or three days with no activity in the bathroom and then a day or two of escalating cramps and very loose stool. I don't like the cramps but I def feel much better afterward. I'm having to time when I weigh myself based on bowel movements now, which is another change. I think I'm going to get some mag supplements to see if they might help me get back to a regular schedule.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    I take magnesium, make sure you get a highly absorbable one, if you get magnesium oxide it'll make things worse. I'm wondering if it's the new cream I bought, I never used cream in my coffee before and last week I got a local cream that is low pasteurized and delicious. I wish I'd thought of removing that before I had my coffee today.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I get that when magnesium is high and when protein is a bit low ( so fat is higher than normal 75+%).

    Cheese slows that down for me.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    The cream does seem to be likely due the timing. It could be that your belly will adjust to it. Maybe just try a smaller amount and see if it's something that you adjust to. But, of course we know that dairy in general can cause us all sorts of tummy troubles, so it might be that it just isn't going to work for happy digestion.
    The only time I've had that issue, was close to taking my supplements. But I take high dose vitamin C along with magnesium. So, I basically know when it's time to cut back the C that way.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    Thanks sunny, I'm going to try a couple days with no cream and see if that helps. I was using store bought cream before and it didn't bother me but I suspect that cream is so overly processed it doesn't have the same effect
  • LowCarbInScotland
    LowCarbInScotland Posts: 1,027 Member
    I've never had issues with dairy, unless I overdo it on the cheese, but I had the same problem with a particular brand of organic milk years ago. And it wasn't just that batch, I gave the brand another try a few weeks later with the same problem. Hope that's your problem as it's an easy fix :smile:
  • 110challenge
    110challenge Posts: 195 Member
    I kicked myself out of ketosis for almost a week at Christmas, but didnt have a horrific transition when I started this in July so I wasnt expecting the worst of things. NOPE, I was exactly as you described. The flu/fog was much worse and I had THREE days like that (not in a row either, one day on one day off...). It's enough to make me reconsider a splurge like that again! I thought a 'weekend off' every 5-6 months might be nice but not sure now!
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    I've never had issues with dairy, unless I overdo it on the cheese, but I had the same problem with a particular brand of organic milk years ago. And it wasn't just that batch, I gave the brand another try a few weeks later with the same problem. Hope that's your problem as it's an easy fix :smile:

    I do have issues with dairy, milk and yogurt specifically. But since being lc I had been fine to put heavy cream in stuff. I suspect this cream has more fat or something, I don't know how commercially produce cream is created, but this is literally the cream that rises to the top and skimmed off. It's possible my belly can't handle that, or I need a smaller amount.
  • Kitnthecat
    Kitnthecat Posts: 2,073 Member
    I experience a similar reaction when I allow myself to eat ice cream. I don't think my body likes too much dairy anymore, except butter of course.

    I also notice that when I eat more carbs, I will not be as regular, but as soon as I cut down on carbs and raise my fat again, my body wants to flush out again.

    On a similar note, when I transitioned to zero carb last year, I noticed the same effect. No cramping or discomfort or sickness, but just a flushing out, then a new normal afterwards. I find digestion and elimination to be the most effortless and regular when eating the lowest carb amount while maintaining high fat. My triggers to discomfort are nuts, cheese and other dairy, and wheat. My body feels discomfort after eating wheat, then reacts violently to get rid of it. Yikes it's just not worth it.

    So maybe the change from a higher carb intake to a lower carb goal is felt in your body too?
  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    I can guarantee a "cleaning out" based on the amount of hwc I put in my coffee each morning. Sometimes there's cramping with it, but it doesn't last long.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    @Kitnthecat Yeah thus morning was worse so far and I attribute it to the beer I had with dinner and the stupid candy hearts I ate way too many of. Felt more discomfort this am, plus gas and reflux. I truly think I can't handle regular beer at all :(
  • Kitnthecat
    Kitnthecat Posts: 2,073 Member
    I actually like it when I feel crappy after thinking I could get away with eating an off plan "treat". It really makes me not want to touch that food again. Reintroducing certain foods back into our routine might not be a good idea, due to so many ill effects felt afterwards. Live and learn.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    Yes it's so true, when it literally makes you sick it's really easy to stay away.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    Kitnthecat wrote: »
    I actually like it when I feel crappy after thinking I could get away with eating an off plan "treat". It really makes me not want to touch that food again. Reintroducing certain foods back into our routine might not be a good idea, due to so many ill effects felt afterwards. Live and learn.

    Me too! Strengthens my commitment! I've actually only had one off plan food in the last 8+ months due to sugary sauces at an Asian buffet, but over consuming alcohol took me a few more lessons before I learned. Lol
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    I've never had issues with dairy, unless I overdo it on the cheese, but I had the same problem with a particular brand of organic milk years ago. And it wasn't just that batch, I gave the brand another try a few weeks later with the same problem. Hope that's your problem as it's an easy fix :smile:

    I do have issues with dairy, milk and yogurt specifically. But since being lc I had been fine to put heavy cream in stuff. I suspect this cream has more fat or something, I don't know how commercially produce cream is created, but this is literally the cream that rises to the top and skimmed off. It's possible my belly can't handle that, or I need a smaller amount.

    I used to have major issues with all soft dairy, but I don't anymore... But I don't know that it was an actual dairy sensitivity specifically.

    But me personally, I have that reaction any time I have coconut oil (or anything super fatty) anywhere near anything with vinegar or high acids (lemon or lime juice). I also have that reaction with super high or super low sodium meals/days. So it might not be the dairy - or might not be only the dairy...

    If you aren't tracking closely, it might be worth doing so. Oh, also, if I feel full and try to go at night when my body doesn't quite cooperate, it's super loose for me. But if I wait and go in the morning, my body absorbs most of the liquid, and it passes normally. Using my "Squatty Potty" generally helps me determine if I truly need to go - or if I'm just in that habit...
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    I didn't have cream in my coffee today and things were better, not 100% yet but better. I'm having a rough transition this time, but things are looking up so far.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I didn't have cream in my coffee today and things were better, not 100% yet but better. I'm having a rough transition this time, but things are looking up so far.

    Yay that's great to hear :smiley:
  • danidanibobani
    danidanibobani Posts: 125 Member
    I had similar issues and had to give up dairy. It has made a difference, but it took two weeks. I miss cream in my coffee.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    @knitormiss thank you for that, I was thinking all yesterday, oh I didn't have anything acidic with it though. then I remembered it was in coffee, duh, and a super dark Italian roast at that. I don't think the mct oil is bothering me as I had some last night in hot cocoa and no issues.

    But this morning I literally feel like something died in my intestines. its horridly painful and makes me want to throw up. the only things that I had today that are the same as yesterday when I had the same pain is the coffee and mct oil. But like I said the mct didn't bother me yesterday after noon so I don't think its that.

    I don't know, this sucks though. My mental alertness is good. I swear I've gone through every crappy thing so far trying to get into and stick with keto this time, the first time was so much easier.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    @knitormiss thank you for that, I was thinking all yesterday, oh I didn't have anything acidic with it though. then I remembered it was in coffee, duh, and a super dark Italian roast at that. I don't think the mct oil is bothering me as I had some last night in hot cocoa and no issues.

    But this morning I literally feel like something died in my intestines. its horridly painful and makes me want to throw up. the only things that I had today that are the same as yesterday when I had the same pain is the coffee and mct oil. But like I said the mct didn't bother me yesterday after noon so I don't think its that.

    I don't know, this sucks though. My mental alertness is good. I swear I've gone through every crappy thing so far trying to get into and stick with keto this time, the first time was so much easier.

    When I started readapting after my week off at Thanksgiving (US), I didn't have any issues or complications, etc. When I started back after Christmas and vacation, I was off plan almost 2.5 weeks, and I didn't have any major issues aside from having to sodium up significantly and being super sensitive to carbs that didn't bother me prior to going off plan. For 4 days. Then I had a 3 day crazy carb binge, around 400-500 carbs DAILY. Yup, not a mistype.

    Then that next Monday, fully back on the wagon. Have had problems adapting, have postprandial somnolence after every low carb lunch meal (even 2-3 carbs has me narcing out like I ate a Snickers or something stupid)..., having to major sodium up, adding MCT oil because my intolerance to coconut oil AGAIN was causing major distress bathroom wise, etc. Trouble sleeping - getting overheated at 2-3 degrees below our normal sleeping temp to the point of waking up sweating. MAJOR muscle fatigue, like DOMS from carrying in groceries, needing to damned near take a nap after shopping at Walmart. All of that. Getting enough fats has been a pain...

    So I think particularly for us Insulin Resistant folks that going off plan for more than a meal or a day starts resetting that "countdown to diabetes" timer, and frankly, that scares the he!! out of me. I wish there was a balance, but the insulin reactions to sugar makes me a binge eating carb *kitten* junkie addict (not offense intended to anyone to whom any of these apply), and that makes me feel a bit insane. I think that for me, the addiction (uncontrollable when in full swing), the binges, the mental effects (hypomania, hyperfocusivity), and all that, it just well, I'm terrified, because I don't know how to live without balance, and my body is addicted to that balance, and it's just too overwhelming to think in terms of never or always and forever... And I think this undermines all of my progress. Yes, I know all this here <^> really tells me I need all kinds of therapy, but I'm not there.... Hope your struggle is less of a giant tornadic mess.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    well things seemed to be getting better, but today the issues are back. idk anymore