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JennG's avatar

I lost 54lbs doing a keto-style program (it was called Code Red), but have since kept it off for almost 5 years. 2.5 years in I ended up in the emergency room with what I thought was gallbladder issues (was told when 29yo I should have it removed, had surgery scheduled, but got pregnant so canceled it). The ER doc 2.5 years ago said “Your gallbladder should come out. Here’s the name of a surgeon.” Went to the surgeon I had never met and he walked in, said “Hi. Looks like you need your gallbladder out. Let’s schedule it.” I tried to talk to him about just how bad it really was and asked for alternatives and he told me there were none. I asked if the stones could dissolve, he said no. Maybe with a medicine but that they would come back. That I was full of gallstones, likely because of quick weight loss. I left there angry and frustrated and walked past the schedulers waiting to schedule my surgery. I met with my PCP and gastroenterologist who both said that although I had gallstones, I had no inflammation, no blockages, nothing that should have been causing that pain. It made no sense and they advised me to not get surgery at that time, but down the road, it may be necessary. (Since then, I believe the pain could have actually been from Slipping Rib Syndrome, not the gallbladder at all but 🤷🏻‍♀️.) I listened to them and did not have surgery.

I continued eating keto and then after a severe flare of scalp psoriasis (I believe caused by a bout of debilitating anxiety and the medication it took to break me free from it) I went to the dermatologist who said I’d likely need biologics to take care of it. I was not going to take biologics unless it was the absolute last resort. I decided it was time to contact this sarcastic, tell-it-like-it-is doctor I had been following on social media who had a practice called IMW. :)

Enter Dr H and I went from keto to carnivore, and in just over a year, the scalp psoriasis is almost 100% gone. (If you don’t know how bad it can be, think of the scene from The Breakfast Club where Ally Sheedy makes a snow picture by shaking her head - yeah. It was like that.) So the psoriasis being almost gone is amazing, esp because a group I am in everyone says biologics are the only answer. Nothing else can be done. Maybe there are some temporary fixes, but medication is it. When I tell them my story, no one is interested. It’s too hard, they say. So anyway, carnivore, LDN, and some a couple of other supplements healed the psoriasis. Typical healthcare would say it couldn’t be done. So that is one amazing story.

Two weeks ago, I had an abdominal ultrasound and it showed that I no longer have gallstones. I believe the carnivore/ketovore lifestyle are responsible for them dissolving on their own. Another healing that goes against conventional doctoring wisdom.

And…this is not a paid advertisement, lol, but for anyone following and considering Dr H as your doctor, I say DO IT!! I am a high maintenance patient and the the amount of time and patience he has shown me is something I truly don’t think could be matched. After a visit in which my husband was with me to be able to remember the info I knew I’d forget, my husband said, “You are lucky you found him. He is so patient with you.” I agree wholeheartedly and truly value his time, patience, and expertise. And oh, he has really cool and funny signs on his walls - that in itself is worth going to see. 😁

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Anne Warburton's avatar

I suffer from dopa responsive dystonia. The most meaningful assists that I have discovered are: The Feldenkrais Method(neurosomatic movement therapy), Bemer (PEMF) and photo modulation Helmut. I would dare say they have altered the trajectory of this diagnosis.

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Sarah Christensen's avatar

I have a diagnosed mood disorder, Bipolar 1, and was previously also diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I no longer meet criteria for GAD and consider the bipolar disorder to be in remission. How? I threw caution to the wind and tried a ketogenic diet. Not one with keto products. Not one with recipes. One with tons of fat, mostly saturated fat; one with macro tracking, and protein limits, and yes even eating straight butter or drinking oil if necessary to meet my macros. (note, I no longer need to keep it that strict but I did for several years)

My family physician suggested it could help. No drug treatments were working very well - I've tried 46 that I can say FOR SURE, mostly in various cocktail situations, and have been hospitalized 12 times for both manic and depressive episodes, including suicide attempts. Yes, plural - and I was already eating low carb at his suggestion for weight loss. So when my desire for carbs just kept decreasing, I asked him if there was such a thing as "too low" and he said no, it would induce ketosis and actually it might be useful for me. That was all I needed. I didn't fear the fat, the potential cardiovascular risk - after all, with a psychiatric illness my life expectancy is already around 20 years less than my peers, and the early death comes from CVD or suicide (generally speaking). So whether I died from CVD brought on by metabolic disease caused by meds, or whether it was from CVD brought on by diet? At least if it was from diet I'd go out enjoying my food, right?

Turns out it was the best middle-finger-to-big-M-Medicine gesture that I've ever made. FORTY SIX MEDICATIONS FAILED TO HELP ME, beyond just keeping me "not dead." I was considered "treatment resistant," and granted social security disability on my first application (anyone who's ever applied knows how shocking that is - and what it says about my prognosis). I was on a path to death and destruction by my own hand or by medication. I was chemically dependent. I was an absentee parent, physically present but not cognizant or participatory. I was cognitively impaired, "zombie-fied" as my husband says, a lump on the couch and not much more. Now I'm none of those. Now I'm clear-headed, sharp, bright, unaffected by drug shortages or supply chain issues, and starting my own little hobby farm to be sure I always have access to the only mood stabilizer I need: food.

I gained the mental clarity to study and learn, and have addressed and seemingly cured my lifelong insomnia issues. I have tapered off a benzo for sleep and my antidepressant, wellbutrin, in the last 10 months. I am almost off the last med, lamotrigine, but have opted to pause for a while whilst I address sex hormone levels. Since my condition has a strong seasonal component, I may hold off finishing the taper until spring, we'll see.

Far down the list of benefits resulting from a ketogenic diet: no more debilitating back pain, no more insulin resistance, no more cystic acne, no more PMS/polycystic ovaries. Oh and I lost 110 lbs to boot.

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JennG's avatar

Wow!! This is such an inspiring story!

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Bill Stevens's avatar

I have shared this story before but I love telling it. At age 50 I was diagnosed with HBP. I also was carrying some extra lbs. I was put on 2 different medications for my BP and was told that was the fix. Nothing I could do about it. Will need meds the rest of my life. I had been on these meds for 10 years. Then on a weight loss bet at work I lost 35 lbs. I did it by eating mostly protein and low carbs. I also walked and hiked quite a bit. Then I met Dr. H. Complaining about being lightheaded and dizzy he took me off my meds and monitored me closely. I’ve been off all meds for 5 years now and my BP and labs are fine. I continue to eat more protein than anything else and have kept the weight off too. Thanks for keeping me on track Dr. H. Like someone else said, “pass the meat. “

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Lysander Spooner's avatar

A single visit to IMW where the right questions were finally asked for the first time in 3 years of seeking answers, along with a follow-up visit to the in-house dietician at the time.

Unfortunately within another few weeks the world decided to hide in their homes and trash the supply chain.. so implementing her dietary recommendations turned out to be more expensive and difficult than would have otherwise been the case. But once I was able to locate the items necessary to make the changes discussed with both of you, things began to improve for the better.

Hell, I survived 2020 on a fat-and-cholesterol-rich diet of Schwans frozen foods and some much needed nutritional supplements, kept carbs under 100g a day, never went hungry but for 18.5 weeks there had every reason to stress-eat (my disabled partner's parents banned visitors from their residence for 4.5 months until those soothing talking heads, those glowing gods on the TV set spoke to them and brought word that it was once again safe to go outside and let others inside.. holding dependent adult children captive because the media says so, talk about caretaker abuse amirite?) and on that pseudo-keto meal plan I was down 20lbs and back to my highschool weight within a 2-3 months.

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patannobetz@gmail.com's avatar

Although I am not the most healthiest person, I think mostly because of my family background.

Not to blame them for my health issues, but my early years, was food from cans and boxes.

I believe for my family, the changes we have made for the better have been:

1) 80% protein 20% seasonal veggies

2) When needed, intermittent fasting

3) That 20% of the food we eat is fresh and not processed

4) Making and storing sauces, veg's, and veg. condiments with good ingredients (homemade garlic

mayo is the best)

5) Only using olive oil, avocado oil, grass fed butter and bacon fat for cooking.

6) Obtaining good meats where the animal was not stressed out upon slaughter.

7) One of my Doctors that is knowledgeable, always learning and sharing sensible idea's.

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CindyArizona's avatar

If you’re plagued by weird symptoms and general “dis”ease don’t overlook the idea of mold poisoning. Fifteen years ago, after moving into a new home, I began having many serious health issues and symptoms. Memory loss, food sensitivities to ALL FOOD, vomiting, diarrhea, neuropathy, weeping total body rashes, vertigo, and a 40lb weight loss in six weeks! I was sure I was dying. Not one allopath had a clue and nothing they prescribed worked. I had thousands of $$ of tests. I began planning my funeral.

Then one day while doing more online research I saw a study about mold illnesses. And realized I was at the highest level of those symptoms. I found a biologist near my home who came out and tested my house. Every surface he tested was covered in Stachybotrys spores. The entire house and interior of the HVAC system. Every time the heat or AC kicked on the spores were spewed everywhere.

We immediately moved out of the house. I found a good naturopath to work with me and in a few years I was back to vibrant health. We never saw one speck of mold. Never smelled one bit of musty odor. Yet the house was full of it.

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Jude stomel's avatar

I had been primarily a plant eater from my midteen years. Never really did much eat meat at all. I thought I was healthy. I had a very active lifestyle for both work and for health reasons. In my mid 50’s I had an occurrence of an autoimmune condition called PMR(polymyalgia rheumatica). It lasted a year. I ended up having another occurrence and that is when I sought the help from Doc Steve. He recommended I try changing my diet and go for a 90/10 protein/carb ratio plate. I cried. Never thinking I would become a carnivore. That was probably 5 years ago. I am now 66 and EVERYTHING is better for me. Any arthritis that once bothered me has disappeared , my weight is at a more desirable place(never was I considered overweight)and I just plain ole feel better!!

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CindyArizona's avatar

I had the same results when giving up eating almost all plants and eat a high protein/moderate fat/ low carb diet. I still eat cruciferous vegetables because they’re well tolerated and I enjoy them. But always a smaller portion than before. I’m 65-years-old, take zero meds, have a personal trainer three days a week and weigh now what I weighed at 35 with no effort. Pass the meat, please.

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