It's been a long time since I've checked in. I hope everyone is hanging in there! Lot's of new faces/names. I'm just wondering if anyone has attempted the Atkins or Keto diets (short term 6 months) and had any adverse effects on their livers? I'm PBC stable right now. My last lab showed an elavated alk-phos only. (160)
I'm wanting to try Keto to get some weight off fast as I need hernia surgery in December. Bikini-line, (hysterectomy scar) a hernia that I'm babying under my doctors care.
Thanks,
Stella
DX/PBC 2016
This was "last" spring. "Hurry up Spring!"
**Just read the past posts on my question. I should have checked those first.**
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Ktltel
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I sent a reply but I don’t see it. I’m doing good. I bet you will do just fine with your surgery. But I would be anxious too so I can’t say don’t worry. I’ve wondered many times about Shelsey (is that correct?). Do you ever hear from her?
Well, I have not heard from her for atleast 3+ years. I wonder how she's doing as well. I hear from Jennyhadenough (Jenny) on occasion and since before covid-19 I haven't been on here very much. I concentrated on my family. My older brother was sick and has since passed. And an older sister as well. She's doing ok. So, besides keeping up with taking my URSO everyday, I just kept busy. How about you? Are you taking OCA?
several months ago my Alk phos jumped to 160 and they gave me a choice if I wanted to try 10 mg. I did and it made me so sick I had to drop back to 5 mg. I’ll never take that dose again. I shouldn’t say that but I absolutely would not be willing. I was nauseous, zero energy and all I wanted to do was sleep. I still work do the 20 mg became no option any longer.
Glad to hear you are stable. Or it sounds like it👍🏻. I will try to reach out to Shulsey and see if I get a response. I have a lot of fatigue in the afternoon as well. I just try to push through. Enjoying the little things. I hope you are too. Thank you for your condolences. My brother Joseph was a sweet guy. He was 69. Heart issues he ignored caught up with him. 😔
Hi Stella, good to see you, lovely photo of you, glad to read you are doing well even though you have an operation ahead of you. Sorry to read of the loss of your brother.
The time of Covid-19 was tough for the world I am not sure there were many countries unaffected, I am thankful that we have moved to an endemic stage now, family near me have just had a bout of it and are slow to get over it.
As to weight loss, I opted for a mediterranean style diet additionally I cut out bread, potatoes, rice and pasta. Stopped all naughty sweet treats and over a period of a year lost around 20 kilos. During the pandemic I regained about 5 kilos but with summer on the way I will get back into losing that. I had bought some nice clothes which I cannot get into now!
I wish you well for your weight loss and for the forthcoming surgery.
This is strange. I've written you "two reply" posts but they aren't posting. Anyway, HELLO!! And thank you for your post. I hope you're doing well. Nice to see some familiar PBCers!Stella❤️
Glad your doing well! I started a keto diet 2 1/2 years ago at diagnosis to be kind to my liver. Sugars are hard for it to process. I "accidentally" went from 150 to 122 and maintain that easily. I lean toward keto- vore. Most days.God bless... Anni
Based on my experience and some of my friends who have tried both mentioned diets, I feel neither are sustainable for the life long changes. Keto can increase your cholesterol levels due to the increased fat intake and Atkins can cause cravings which make it difficult to stick with it. After losing 43 lbs last year and keeping it off, it has been my experience you/me just need to eat healthy foods in moderation giving you a well rounded diet which can be sustained. It's not a quick fix but will continue to give you energy and loss weight weekly 1-2 lbs with moderate exercise. I've been walking, riding my Peloton when my knees don't bark back at me, and going to Pilates 2 days per week so my core becomes stronger providing better balance overall.
Recently, my primary physician has prescribed Phentermine to assist with weight loss journey along with Metformin which increases my metabolism. I'm having knee replacement surgery in May-June timeframe and don't want to carry this extra weight while doing physical therapy multiple times a day. Trust me when I say, losing weight is not for sissy's. It's extremely difficult and challenging to stay away from sugar, white flour, and all those delicious foods I used to over eat in abondance.
I began gaining weight after my 20 year marriage broke up and change of life began. Both were emotional for which I turned to food to make my happier. Especially since I love to cook for family & friends making highly caloric dishes. Now I'm learning to make swaps which are healthier for me and them. I still have a long way to go on my weight loss journey but I'm determined to get there while enjoying yummy food just not as much in one sitting...lol.
Thank you Terri. I agree with you. Actually, Keto isn't my doctors favorite either. But, because of the impending surgery I need, I have to lose weight fast. After the surgery I will most definitely try something different and more sustainable for sure. For now, and the next few months, I think Keto is the fastest way to lose the weight. Especially belly fat which unfortunately is my problem. And, I can't exercise right now either. That will have to wait until after the surgery as well. I developed a hernia on my bikini-line hysterectomy scar. It was a weakened area already and I lifted something I shouldn't have. I thought I pulled a muscle. Nope. CT scan showed a small hernia, but, it also showed a very, very weak pelvic floor. So, the hernia has a low risk for strangulation, giving me a bit of time to lose some weight. But, the area there is really, really, weak. I'm not on my feet too much, just enough for light cleaning, and making meals. Thanks for your post.Stella❤️
Since the Dr wants you to lose weight then why doesn’t he/she prescribe Phentermine to assist your efforts. It will give you a jump start.
Another thought, have you tried a belly band so you can walk with ease?
Suggest to start reading labels to reduce all sugar, flour unless gluten free, and watch your salt intake. I use a smoothie regularly as a meal replacement. It has spinach or kale, blueberries, small apple, plant based protein powder that I buy at Costco. It does have a very small amount of sugar but works well to fill me up & provide energy. It’s low in calories plus its chocolate flavor but does come in vanilla too.
Please let me know if you need encouragement or are facing challenges. It’s good to have a team. I hired a personal trainer/certified nutritionist who works for United Healthcare diabetic patients. We speak weekly reviewing my spreadsheet of everything I eat, exercise, how I feel, weight, BP weekly. I can send it to you if you’d like. As you can tell, I’m trying everything so I’m successful.
You are kind. Thank you. My doctor actually prescribed the "diet drug of the moment,🎉" Ozempic, but, all pharmacies are completely out of the initial doses of .25 where I'm supposed to start. Really though, for me it doesn't matter. Because Ozempic works by making one feel full. The thinking is, feeling fuller, means you will eat less. And that's true, only I'm not struggling with cravings or over eating right now. Infact, I can't get all my Keto macronutrients in. (Carbs/fats/protein). I'm working on it. But, one has to do Keto "just so" in order to lose weight. And, yes, I have my General practitioner involved and two other friends who are on it with me. One of which is a Pro. with Keto. She's a HUGE fan of Dr. Ken Berry. She helps me the most with the app we're using to keep track of everything and with any questions I have. So, yea, I've got that part covered. You're getting checked weekly? Wow. That's great. I'm only getting checked monthly. My baby sis Janie is a personal trainer out in California. She sent me a box of Skinnyfit protein powder and some sort of essential green smoothie individual packets she swears by. Lol, it was sweet, but, I haven't tried them yet. I do a morning plant based smoothie as well! Garden of Life organic plant based protein powder for breakfast. I too use Spinach and Avocado, a few walnuts, and strawberries. It's sounds like you're doing great with your weight loss strategy! Good for you!💪🏻❤️ Hopefully soon I can feel as confident with my new way of eating. 👍🏻Thanks for the support!
Congratulations for having partners work the program with you. Very smart. I haven’t tried avocado in my smoothie. May have to give it a try.
Very sweet of your sister to send you some products she recommends to her clients. I use the Garden of Life vitamins and love them. They have almost everything I need in them except extra D.
Some info about me. I’m 70. I was married for 20 years which I consider successful; however, he became an alcoholic. We have a daughter named Tamara who lives in Las Vegas for the last 25 years.
I’ve been in a very long relationship but we have our own homes. He’s very special and loving providing incredible support. We both volunteer for a nonprofit who provides support to first responders such as FBI, LAPD, LACoFD and others during large scale disasters and unusual research for them.
I’ve attached a picture of Baron, my new rescue puppy. He has enhanced my life except for the potty training. I’m very challenged by it since it’s been 30 yrs since I had a puppy. But he brings a smile to my face even when he’s naughty.
Awe, what a cutie. All our animals are rescues as well. Gets expensive with the older ones, but, we make it work❤️. I'll be 64 in May. The last 13 years have been crazy, full of surgeries (7) of them starting with my infected Appendix being removed, to 2 meshes being removed because my hysterectomy surgeon accidentally clipped one of them during surgery, and a month later it curled around my intestines causing a blockage! Ugh. Lots of stuff like that. But, if it wasn't for all that stuff happening they never would have noticed my elavated Alk-phos after one of many blood draws. So, here I am. As of 2019, when I had my last MRE, it showed I was in stage 1 with mild fatty liver. Things could be different now though, but my current Ultrasound was good as were my labs. I will be having another MRE in the Fall to check for fibrosis. Otherwise I feel pretty good, mild fatigue etc., but I just continue to take my URSO religiously and continue on. Speaking of religion, lol, (nice segway) I was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1987 and then I got married in 1988 to the sweetest man. He's been there for me (all those surgeries, recoveries, more surgeries..) through it all. Plus, he's a big softy for animals as well. That's important ☝🏻😁. So, that's me. Joel and I have eachother, our ministry, and a positive focus that keeps us going.. albiet s l o w l y. Lol.
Wonderful picture of you both. Your road the last 7 yrs has been rough. Now your next surgery Will improve your life quality so you can be pain free.
Brent & I love animals too. He lives up In Malibu where there are lots of wildlife roaming but it can be dangerous for smaller animals in the garden without supervision. He’s been lucky none of the recent fires have affected his home since the 99’s. So we’re keeping our fingers crossed more residents harden their homes.
I too take Urso religiously along with many other meds for my Crohns, Von Willabrands & other minor issues.
Thank you. And you as well. See ya on here periodically. ❤️P.S. I'm originally from Central California. Santa Clara County. That's where all my family still is.
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Ultrasound with shear wave elastography
Elevated ALT at 65 u/l
Diagnosed and confused 
Irish liver specialist 
Vitamin/mineral deficiencies
