Scott F.

Impressive.
Scott

Nothing wrong with a vent here and there. LOL
I get it. If there is one part of the process that gets me a tad bit irritated is the order in which my appointments/infusions go. I see the Neurologist first thing, walk down the hall for bloodwork and then the 6+ hour infusion. I would rather have the bloodwork first, come back so we have something to talk about and then use the information to make the call on the infusion. Prior to carnivore when I thought the infusions would be life-long, it didn't bother me as much, thinking I would be having the infusions regardless.
Fast forward to 12 months into carnivore and having the infusion before the bloodwork is reviewed feels like taking medicine but not really knowing if I'm sick, just taking the medicine.
The frustrations are real.
Scott

Pretty cool you and your wife can do it together. Almost like 'in-house support'.
I'm a big fan. I have yet to nail down the ending of the fasting, but I guess I will eventually get there.
I'm about 27-28 hours deep. At this point it is sort of like a normal day. I do feel a tad bit hungry, but I think it may be mental. If I did not say I was 'fasting' out loud I would eat about every 24 hours anyway and not be hungry at all. Not sure.
Good luck with the Wednesdays. I'm sure it will be just as effective.
Scott

Welcome back.
I don't think there is much of the carnivore police here. LOL
Based loosely on your account, i would imagine the beans and mushrooms 1-2 times a week is better than you are doing right now. Improvements are improvements, regardless.
Congrats on making the decision to give it another go. Best of luck.
Scott

Congrats and welcome.
I can only speak for me personally. I have had bouts with constipation but most of the time it has been the lack of fats. I have adjusted proteins up and down trying to hit protein targets for muscle gains. In some of those times I concentrated on hitting protein targets to the point I sort of lost any and all forms of fat to protein ratios. This led to some constipation issues for me. Once I upped my fat content to a higher fat/moderate protein approach the bathroom issues sort of fixed themselves.
Carnivore can exploit out individualism as it does not affect everyone the same nor at the same rate. The healing starts quickly for most every one but the total adjustments can vary. Sometimes the variance is by the personal health or the dietary habits, but mostly a combination of the two.
After the individualism part of carnivore the most important thing to remember is that the carnivore approach is much more about what is not being eaten more so than the foods being eaten. I don't see anything wrong with eating vegetables or fruits but vegetables and fruits were never meant to be chemically treated so they can be shipped all over the country/all over the world year around. Vegetables and fruits can be used to supplement the diet on occasion but I don't feel like they should be a staple of a diet nor should the percentages be very high at all.
I believe a person has to figure out which approach works best for them and strict carnivore, which works for me, may not work for everyone. It also may be best to ease into the change vs. going strict carnivore all at once.
Good luck. This is a great place to research as well as ask questions.
Scott

Wishing the best for him/for you,
Do your best and hopefully the burrito is not the long term answer.
Good luck.
Scott

Welcome.
The results will be very individualistic. We don't all respond the same, especially the same rates.
In general, as Bob said, most can expect weight loss and for most it is accelerated compared to other "diets". Glucose and blood pressure numbers normally drop as we get away from the sugars and the inflammatory foods we have always eaten.
As Bob said, cholesterol can do any number of things. Most are using carbs and sugars for energy, coupled with a statin, the cholesterol numbers can be driven down. Once on carnivore the body switches to primarily fat for energy, dabbles in and out of the lower ends of ketosis, and the ketones in the body increase.
The two positives from ketones is sustained energy (for most) and the brain fog/brain clarity a lot of people talk about. During this time the body is using fat as energy in an accelerated weight so at any given time there could be more 'fat/cholesterol' in the bloodstream. Cholesterol numbers could go up but once on carnivore and fat adaptive it is not the 'big-bad-scary LDL' we have been programmed to believe.
Good luck. And welcome. I'm about 18 months in now and it was one of the better decisions I ever made ( making it sound like I made a decision with some facts and research and look smart but not so much, I stumbled upon it as nothing more than a weight loss hack. Then all these metabolic improvements started and within weeks I was healing but I totally stumbled upon the rewards. The good Lord looks after drunks and fools-and I quit drinking over 20 years ago so that sort of narrows it down, LOL)
Scott

Good to hear.
For me, mostly because I am dumb like that, in the near future I would ease up on the supplements I just added to see if the issue returns. If so, then I need that new amount. If not, it could be something else and the electrolytes and extra hydration is hiding it. (I'm not much on medicine at all, so I need to know I am not just taking something to be taking something. Again, 'cause I'm dumb like that, LOL)
But it is great to hear you worked thru the issue and got to better ground.
Always good to hear when something works out to the good.
Scott

Good luck. Chasing issues sometimes is worse than the issues themselves. LOL
Scott

Welcome.
The results will be very individualistic. We don't all respond the same, especially the same rates.
In general, as Bob said, most can expect weight loss and for most it is accelerated compared to other "diets". Glucose and blood pressure numbers normally drop as we get away from the sugars and the inflammatory foods we have always eaten.
As Bob said, cholesterol can do any number of things. Most are using carbs and sugars for energy, coupled with a statin, the cholesterol numbers can be driven down. Once on carnivore the body switches to primarily fat for energy, dabbles in and out of the lower ends of ketosis, and the ketones in the body increase.
The two positives from ketones is sustained energy (for most) and the brain fog/brain clarity a lot of people talk about. During this time the body is using fat as energy in an accelerated weight so at any given time there could be more 'fat/cholesterol' in the bloodstream. Cholesterol numbers could go up but once on carnivore and fat adaptive it is not the 'big-bad-scary LDL' we have been programmed to believe.
Good luck. And welcome. I'm about 18 months in now and it was one of the better decisions I ever made ( making it sound like I made a decision with some facts and research and look smart but not so much, I stumbled upon it as nothing more than a weight loss hack. Then all these metabolic improvements started and within weeks I was healing but I totally stumbled upon the rewards. The good Lord looks after drunks and fools-and I quit drinking over 20 years ago so that sort of narrows it down, LOL)
Scott

I have had a ton of the condescending looks. LOL
I don't let it bother me at all because there was a time when if carnivore was explained, especially the healing effects, I would be an 'eye-roller' too.
There are times when I think my results from carnivore are too good to be true, but I have had the benefit of the personal experience. I see that same 'questioning' in a lot of people.
Now if they are doubters, but open minded and want to hear more, that is as natural as anything. There is nothing wrong with doubt.
It is having the closed mind but all the answers it what helps me walk away.
Scott

Yep. I had some of those same experiences.
I don't mind sharing my thoughts and my story when people are willing to listen or thinking about giving carnivore a try.
When they balk, or start giving me medical/nutritional advice that it is obvious they are not adhering to themselves it becomes a quick disconnect. From there, I just move on. I have a guy that works with me that is a Type II diabetic with glucose numbers that are high enough for hospitalization at times. The food he bring is crazy in both type and amounts. He is eating three or four times in a 12 hour shift because his doctor has told him that smaller more frequent meals would be his best practice. I explained I understand this is youtube, but check out these videos and when they reference medical studies follow up with research of your own.
He said his glucose had been as high as 300 the week before and then asked about mine. I told him mostly it is in the 70's but every now and then it gets into the 80's, especially coming off a fast.
His words nor his sentences called me a liar, but his grunt, rolling of the eyes and the , "yeah, right" all but did.
Great conversational topic. I think all of us have experienced this is some shape, form or fashion.
It is like a brick is falling out of the sky and I say, stand over here with me under this shelter, and they say, "Nope, my doctor says standing in the sunshine is better for me". I guess sometimes people can't see the forest for all the trees in the way. LOL.
Scott

Enjoyed the conversation last night. I forgot the cord for the laptop, and it dropped from 30% to zero unexpectedly. Apologies for the abrupt exit.
I thought about 'carnivores lying' for a stretch last night afterwards. Did they mean carnivores are lying in general about the positives of carnivore? Did they mean the individual carnivores are lying about their personal health? Good conversation on the topic.
Like said from the beginning, going into carnivore I had no idea of the health benefits other than from the weight loss. On the day I started carnivore was nothing more than another weight loss hack, the latest in the yo-yo dieting approach. I was going to drop 15-20 pounds (if it actually worked) and then go back to eating like normal people. I had already lost 10-12 pounds before I watched my first video or read my first article about carnivore. The weight came off so fast (averaged about a pound per day the first thirty days) when I was asked if I thought it was healthy to just eat meat and drink water I pretty much said, " I don't know, but the weight is falling off so I'm going to roll with it for now". I started reading and watching videos and one of the first videos that popped up was by Cabana Chronicles and her using carnivore for her MS. My autoimmune disease is really similar and that triggered me to watch a ton of videos that evening. Over the next few days I was in constant research mode.
I never used the term lying but I was skeptical, even a nay-sayer, about the results people were sharing. As soon as I would start seeing the light (LOL) they would ask me to subscribe, or hit the LIKE button, or buy this product, and that became the catch/the automatic disconnect.
I was on gabapentin/Neurontin and prednisone for pain and inflammation and there is no way those can be replaced with a rib eye. As Mrs. Cabana Chronicles talked about not taking medicine I was waiting for the hook, "what is for sale today?". Then it sort of dawned on me that I had come off my long stretch of nights (six 12-13 hours shifts) and I didn't take the medicine for pain and inflammation. I immediately tagged it as a coincidence. The following week I pulled my four shifts and then two more slots of overtime and no medicine during or after the six shifts. Then there was third week and (I'm sort of slow) it started to resonate that there may actually be a connection to carnivore and inflammation. I think my first true lesson in carnivore was that it is not the rib eye nearly as much as it is the elimination of the carbs and sugars.
Withing 5-6 weeks of eating strict carnivore (other than the drink mixers to help with drinking water) I was off medicine I had been on for six years. From there I was 'curious' maybe even 'intrigued' by the effects of the elimination diet. I scheduled blood work, both my regular blood work for NMO/SD and my HAZMAT physicals for work. I staggered them to get bloodwork every 3 months or so to check my immunoglobulin numbers. Within three months on carnivore the lower numbers were inching up and the higher numbers were inching down. After 12 months as a strict carnivore my immunoglobulin numbers have returned to what is considered normal. I have one number that is just a few points high but nothing like the previous six years.
When the post was made about lying I wonder if it is suggesting I am one of the people lying about my individual successes. I am no longer taking medicine for pain nor inflammation. I have lost between 90-95 pounds. My energy levels are not super human but they have returned to levels that I had as a much younger man but coupled with regular fasting (longer fasting 72 to 96 hours) the energy levels are super crazy high. Do people think I only lost 75 pounds and exaggerated my claims so it sounds better? Do I secretly take medicine and just claim I do not?
I get it. I was that guy too. I was skeptical/didn't believe from the very beginning. Carnivore was just another weight loss hack, nothing more/nothing less. It was the same as any other hack that used large weight loss as click bait to get me to buy something.
I would never use the term 'lying' but I can see where I came from that same sentiment for a stretch. If you look at each of our stories, how far we have come, I won't say we have all experienced miracles, but I will say for me, I've headed down that path.
Sometimes, stories like these are hard to believe.
babbling, waiting for the gym to open. Great conversation last night. Enjoyed it.
Scott

Maybe, maybe not. I don't think it is a bad idea to add some of the electrolytes back, especially if you are sweating and exerting energy. Keeping hydration and electrolytes correct is as essential as it gets.
I get the 'ansy', maybe could be described as 'jittery', feelings when my sugar drops into the 80's. If stays in the 80's/90's during the day I don't have any issues, but if gets to the 80's, especially in the mornings, I have a feeling similar to what you describe.
Stay on top of it and maybe it is nothing more than some healing and some adjusting.
Scott

Maybe, maybe not. I don't think it is a bad idea to add some of the electrolytes back, especially if you are sweating and exerting energy. Keeping hydration and electrolytes correct is as essential as it gets.
I get the 'ansy', maybe could be described as 'jittery', feelings when my sugar drops into the 80's. If stays in the 80's/90's during the day I don't have any issues, but if gets to the 80's, especially in the mornings, I have a feeling similar to what you describe.
Stay on top of it and maybe it is nothing more than some healing and some adjusting.
Scott

Coastal SC is one of the hottest places on the planet. Most look at the thermometer and say, "Just 94F" but it is not just 94. LOL
I lived in Louisiana on the water and in a small hole in the wall town in Texas for a bit and was stationed in California. I spent time in the Middle East as well.
SC is the only place I have ever been where you can hold the air in your hand. It is that thick with humidity.
Go ahead a get another drink of water while we are talking about it. You will need it.
Scott

Way out of my wheelhouse on this one but really interested in the replies.

Welcome. Congrats on 8 years. I'm just a beginner at 18 months. I too have seen a number of metabolic improvements as well as no longer needing medications for an autoimmune disease (NMO-SD).
Without prying, which numbers? Strict carnivore? Other changes?
I don't see myself moving away from carnivore but interested in your question as I have not heard of or read many that have issues after such a long time (especially relating the numbers to carnivore).
Again, welcome.
Scott

Welcome, and congrats on your and your wife's progresses.
We are in similar boats. I lost 30-31 pounds in 31-32 days to get started and after 18 months I am around 95 pounds lost. My wife has started and stopped a couple different times and started off with 7-8lbs the first couple weeks and then sort of planed off with not much showing on the scale.
The first rule of thumb is not to use the scale as a measuring device. (listen to what I say, not what I do, because I can't help myself, LOL) Sometimes the weight will stay the same but the body composition will change. As my weight dropped I could go a week or so with no change in the scale, bouncing up and down a couple three pounds but at the same time I would have to cinch up my belt a notch or two. The scale said one thing but my pants were a tad bit baggier.
Secondly, sometimes the weight falls off fast and the metabolic changes come after some time. And the reverse can be true as well. The weight sort of hangs out while the body is healing.
Everyone handles dairy differently. Some frown upon it while eating carnivore and others it is no big deal. I still drink milk on occasion, not a ton but some a couple three times per week. For me, as an individual if my weight were falling, both on the scale and in composition, it was like a glass of milk would put the breaks on the fall and send me into what most call a 'stall'. I'm not opposed to dairy, and I still drink it, but I have found that for me milk is a weight loss killer.
It could be a combination of things. I'd say ditch the milk for a stretch and see if that is the issue, especially if the milk is early in the morning when the 'dawn effect' is in play with blood glucose. The milk (sugars) will push that glucose level up and then the insulin response creates insulin resistance over time. Battling insulin resistance can be an uphill battle is so many things that affect our health, weight loss being one of the primary ones.
Good luck. Keep pushing.
Scott

Agree with BillyGoat. I found mixing my own is botch cheaper and easier, plus I can use it as a 'table salt'.
It took a few months to work itself out but now I only salt my food, and that is not every time. If the salt does not taste good or appealing at that time I am guessing I have enough.
As mentioned, if I know tomorrow is going to be a hot day with a heavy workload outside, I do pre-hydrate with a 'salt' solution.
Great topic as it is useful information from the beginning stages of carnivore up to and after the 'adjustments'.
Scott

Mostly for other reasons. I have an autoimmune disease called Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder which is basically the same as MS, just with different treatments.
The fasts help reset the autoimmune system. it switches you into autophagy which helps clean the body of older cells, it gets you into ketosis where the glucose has been depleted and the body burns fats/ketones. From the human growth hormone production goes up by four or five times the normal amounts and then stem cells increase which can help heal.
I find huge amounts of energy the second/third day into the fast and that energy lasts til a day or two afterwards. I try to fast three days one month and then a 4-5 day fast the following month.
I am no expert but I think the best connection/benefit with carnivore is that I am already fat adapted. My glucose levels are relatively low so I get into ketosis a little quicker and the ketone levels start increasing early on. Again, not an expert by any means, but I think the carnivore community gets to the benefits of fasting quicker so the first 12-16 hours the body does not have to deplete glycogen as the glucose/sugar levels are not what they would be for someone who eats sugars/carbs as a regular part of their diet.
Since carnivore (May of '24) I stopped all medicines for pain and inflammation. No more prednisone and Neurontin. My bloodwork suggests this will be my last six hour infusion. Carnivore has did me wonders and fasting give the health change a boost/kick in the pants. LOL
Scott

I'm a big fan of slated pork as well as fatback and such. I also salt the other foods I eat as well.
I missed on the electrolytes early on, simply knowing better, but not doing better. I tried some salt/electrolyte additives but couldn't find one that tasted good enough to consistently buy. I then started to make my own electrolyte mixes at home with some really cheap salts/potassium from the grocery store. From there adding them to water no longer tasted all that good so I used my electrolyte mix as a "table salt" of sorts.
If I know I'm going to be outside in the hot working I will add some extra salt, most of the time the day before, but at least that morning. On average all I am getting is what I am adding or from one of the salted pork selections.
90% is thru food, either salted or me salting it.
That drops a bit when I do my 4 or 5 day water fasts. I take salt under the tongue followed by water.
Scott

Welcome.
The results will be very individualistic. We don't all respond the same, especially the same rates.
In general, as Bob said, most can expect weight loss and for most it is accelerated compared to other "diets". Glucose and blood pressure numbers normally drop as we get away from the sugars and the inflammatory foods we have always eaten.
As Bob said, cholesterol can do any number of things. Most are using carbs and sugars for energy, coupled with a statin, the cholesterol numbers can be driven down. Once on carnivore the body switches to primarily fat for energy, dabbles in and out of the lower ends of ketosis, and the ketones in the body increase.
The two positives from ketones is sustained energy (for most) and the brain fog/brain clarity a lot of people talk about. During this time the body is using fat as energy in an accelerated weight so at any given time there could be more 'fat/cholesterol' in the bloodstream. Cholesterol numbers could go up but once on carnivore and fat adaptive it is not the 'big-bad-scary LDL' we have been programmed to believe.
Good luck. And welcome. I'm about 18 months in now and it was one of the better decisions I ever made ( making it sound like I made a decision with some facts and research and look smart but not so much, I stumbled upon it as nothing more than a weight loss hack. Then all these metabolic improvements started and within weeks I was healing but I totally stumbled upon the rewards. The good Lord looks after drunks and fools-and I quit drinking over 20 years ago so that sort of narrows it down, LOL)
Scott

Agreed. He may have swayed the younger voter more so than any other person ever. His impact will be generational. Sad for his family.

At three months in I would think there is still a lot of healing out in front of you. The irritability could be from any number of things and possibly changes to eating carnivore. I'm not irritable but I have managed to turn one of the more normal positives of carnivore into a negative.
Another part of the individualistic parts of carnivore I suppose.
I am a life-long rotating shift worker. I worked normal dayshift for maybe two weeks just after I got out of the service in the early 90's. From 17 to 56 I have been swinging shifts in any number of rotations/schedules. My sleep patterns have been crapped for as long as I can remember. I sleep really good in the daytime when working nights and struggle to sleep at night when working days or off.
I have not found the brain clarity with carnivore a lot of people talk about. The closest thing is that when I wake up, I am immediately ready to go. No dragging out of the bed, no slow to get going, just eyes open and the feet hit the floor.
That has translated to tonight. I have been off for a week, and my sleep has been less and less with each passing day. I woke up last night a 1AM, up til I got paged into work and then came home dragging last night. I stayed up as late as I possible could and was in bed by 8:30 and again tonight up at 1AM.
The negative since carnivore is there is no going back to sleep once I am up. So now I will be up all day and will try to figure out how to rest/sleep before returning to night shift tonight. Prior to carnivore I could go back to sleep.
Babbling, and I don't think I am irritable, but I can see me getting there with an erratic sleep pattern, especially around those times when it swings to times off and I am on a normal people schedule.
I would look into rest/sleep/relaxation as much as I would 'carnivore', but again, totally individualistic.
Scott