I Am Finally on the Right Path to Optimum Health and Happiness
It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!
Mark,
Whenever someone asks me about my history with Ulcerative Colitis I respond with something along the lines of, “It feels like a bad dream that will forever be imprinted in the back of my mind.” It was 2006, my senior year of high school, everything was going fairly well. I was a healthy (or so I thought) 6’3″, 180 lb. 18 year old about to graduate high school and head into the next stage of my life: college. However, life had different plans in store for me. Around my second semester I began to feel consistently nauseous. It felt like anything I ate (S.A.D. mind you) would just pass right through me as though I hadn’t absorbed any energy/nutrients. I figured it was a relatively normal side effect from consistent partying that year, though it persisted. Bouts of nausea would come and go, as would horrible abdominal pains that would make even the toughest man curl into the fetal position. I decided it was time to get checked out. I had my first colonoscopy done within weeks of my first symptoms.
“You have Ulcerative Colitis,” the doctor said. I remember my mother and I looking at each other absolutely confused. Neither of us had heard of this illness before. He proceeded to inform us that Ulcerative Colitis is a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which is an inflammation of the colon. I remember pondering for a moment about what all of this could mean. I finally looked up and asked, “So what do I do?” He responded with, “Well, we can treat it with different medications depending on which one you is most beneficial to you.” “Treat?,” I thought. “You mean I have to live like this for the rest of my life?” I remember the doctor’s face vividly…it was an expression of reservation, confusion, and sadness, as if he were trying to formulate the wisest, yet least alarming way possible. “Not necessarily. A lot of people go into full remission with the right medication.” I carefully considered his response and asked, “How is this disease caused?” He looked back at me regretfully, “Unfortunately we don’t really know.” I didn’t know what to say to that. Still completely shocked and puzzled at what I was told, I continued through the next few months now under the supervision of a gastroenterologist and given several medications to take daily.
Sadly, things only got worse from there, I missed my college SAT tests on three different occasions due to having virtually no energy, constant joint and abdominal pains, as well as never-ceasing nausea. My friends and family would wonder where I was, why I wasn’t answering their phone calls, and why I would never leave the house anymore. My attempts to eat were pitiful, and as a result I was losing weight fast. Fast-forward two years later…After several failed medications and treatments from pharmaceutical to alternative, I ended up at a emaciated weight of 127 lbs only sleeping perhaps 2-4 hours per night.
I’ll never forget the feeling I had during this period of my life. It was as if I was on the brink of life and death, a sort of limbo. Nothing seemed real anymore. After stubbornly refusing to go to a doctor (due to my strong distaste for the medical field at that point), my father more or less forced me to our family clinic. My family doctor looked me over with noticeable concern, checking my blood pressure/pulse three separate times. He looked up at me and said, “You need to go to the hospital immediately.” My dad quickly rushed me to the E.R. and within an hour or so I was wheeled into a room and pumped full of pain-killers and fluids. I remember my father telling me what the doctor had told him, which is something I’ll never forget, “If you would have brought him in any later, he could have died.”
The good news is I stabilized, albeit only temporarily. Through the following months my weight shifted like crazy, the medications stopped working, and I was back at square one. All of the false hope I was getting from each new medication I would try and ultimately fail was taking its toll on me not only physically but mentally as well. My only other option to consider was surgery, in which I finally agreed to. My doctor recommended a three-step surgery. My first surgery was a total colectomy (removal of the entire large intestine) resulting in my need to wear a colostomy bag for nine months while my surgery site healed. My second step was to construct a “J-pouch,” which is basically the conversion of part of your small intestine into a a “J” shape to form a make-shift colon. Step two lasted a few months to let the J-pouch heal up while I still used the colostomy bag. My third and final step was to reconnect the plumbing, so to speak. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I don’t regret it for a minute.
My symptoms decreased to a manageable level, allowing me to eventually become independent, living and working on my own. Though the actual Colitis was at a stand-still, I was constantly bloated and sick, and my J-pouch would develop chronic pouchitis (infection of the pouch) which would be temporarily resolved by very powerful antibiotics such as Flagyl and Ciprofloxacin, but would eventually reappear. All of these chronic infections I was getting didn’t make sense. I was cured right? This shouldn’t be happening.
Well that’s when I really began analyzing my diet, which eventually brought me to your book, The Primal Blueprint.
When I finally ditched the SAD diet and started living primally, (eliminating processed foods and most importantly, GRAINS and adding more healthy fats, plants, and animals) I noticed the pain had been reduced to a minimum, my weight stabilized, and I had no more bloating which would usually appear after a good carb/grain-dense meal. This seemed to be working for me, so I stuck with it. After several months of living primally, at the age of 24, a stable weight of 182 lbs, and a height 6’4″ I can safely say that I am in the best shape of my life and feel better than I ever did pre-Colitis. My energy levels are stable. In fact, I hardly ever get mid-day crashes unless I eat something I shouldn’t (which only reminds me that I’m moving on a path towards the dark-side and I better recalibrate.) I lost over 30 lbs. of fat and gained a significant amount of lean muscle mass, but most importantly, is that I feel healthy. While I may never be “normal” again, I know that I am finally on the right path to optimum health and a life full of happiness. Thank you Mark for the selfless wisdom that you have imparted to myself and many others that have conquered their trials and tribulations via The Primal Blueprint.
From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.
Kyel
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
It’s such an amazing thing to go from feeling malnourished and in almost constant abdominal pain to feeling healthy, stable, and pain-free. Between Celiac and IBS as a teenager, I can’t sayI suffered to the same degree (I never had to be hospitalized) but I do to a point. The mental effect of dealing with this is devastating. Accepting chronic pain and all the other symptoms that come with diseases like this wears you down as a person, not to mention feeling helplessly undernourished in spite of eating “healthy”. It’s nice seeing the variety of stories on here, because the Primal Blueprint isn’t just about weight loss, but about regaining your life from all kinds of disorders and finally feeling like you’re doing something right, because the results are tangible and real. Congratulations :]
You made me cry. I’m happy you are well.
Congratulations Hon!!! I know exactly every word that you so kindly shared here..My fiance goes thru the same EVERY day of his life. I am as primal as i can can be meaning that i am TOTALLY primal as well as my teenage beautiful daughter…But he is not getting any better with darns sodas or BAD healthy habits like SLEEPING. He eats and love my primal cooking since i always have been doing it all my life without knowing that it was the right healthy way of eating all along. I thank you so much for sharing your amazing,inspirational story…No he can see something that he can 100% relate and maybe change does horrible habits that are taking a toll on this gorgeous,perfect family man. Thank you and Keep on Grokking!
Thank you so much for sharing this inspirational story. My husband was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis about a year and a half ago and our world has been turned upside down. It is wonderful to read this story, it gives me hope that we too can get on the other side of this!
Wow, truly amazing. I know it isn’t the same as UC, but I have suffered from IBS since the age of 12. I started taking medication when I was 13; medication which I still take today. I’ve read so many testimonials about how eating Primally can cure IBS symptoms but I still have fear about going off. When I have in the past it was hard for my stomach to handle food, so it never lasted. My goal is to be med-free at some point.
If you take the plunge, just know that you can find support here :] Intermittent fasting and coconut oil have been immensely helpful for me (in addition to the Primal diet and lifestyle). You may be surprised at how much your body can heal living this way. Also manage stress (a huge trigger for IBS) and if you have a flare-up, keep your meals light and mellow. Being med free AND pain free is such a wonderful thing.
Just go gently with the coconut as it can be an irritant to some people with IBS.
I was diagnosed with UC a few years ago as well. Speaking for myself, I can say that coconut oil is definitely not an irritant. In fact, it has helped me tremendously and is added to my daily cup of coffee. Coconut milk, butter and other coconut products, on the other hand, are very fibrous and irritating and should be avoided.
This story is VERY similar to that of Jordan Rubin, founder of the company “Garden of Life” who in many ways has a similar approach to Mark IMO including a strong belief in the ingestion of soil organisms. Anyway, Kyel is a very courageous and inspirational young man, about the same age as my son. I bet he can overcome just about any obstacle from this point on and I wish him all the happiness in the world, he deserves it.
Congratulations!! You look great!
Amazing story. Thanks for writing it.
Kyel: Many congratulations on finding the Paleo life and the WONDERFUL results you’ve experienced. I too have had surgery, but for repeated bouts of diverticulitis. I had 14 inches of my colon removed which weighed almost 3 pounds. I had been living gluten free for about 8 years before the surgery, but had little to no relief. I continued to eat gluten free after my surgery, but continued to have ongoing pain and overall discomfort. Almost immediately after going Paleo I have lost 11 pounds (in 5 weeks), have lost 3 inches around my waist (much of it inflammation) and am feeling better than I have since I was a child. No more urgency in the bowels and much more energy. Thanks for sharing YOUR story Kyel. Keep spreading the word and changing lives with your good news.
Your emaciated picture reminds me exactly of Jordin Rubin and his story. You may enjoy the book The Maker’s Diet!!
Awesome story Kyel, I am always so impressed with people who take control of their own health. You look close to death in the first pic, and fantastic in the last (you must have a huge wardrobe of clothes!) And congratulations on having a very balanced view of your past treatment. I think doctors are (mainly) brilliant, but it frustrates me that they don’t present other dietary options to patients they see.
Rachel : I have had IBS for 30 years too. Being Primal for 12 months gave me energy, helped me lose weight but made IBS worse. Someone suggested I needed to combine Primal with excluding FODMAPS and within days I felt the best I EVER remember feeling – EVER!. IBS all but gone for the first time in years. This discovery is only recent so don’t know which FODMAPS are my problem foods, but I will stick to Primal now because I know it is right for me, and just test out the FODMAP stuff. Have a look at http://shepherdworks.com.au/ for more info.
Phenomenal! As a physician, I’m inspired by your success and am saving this article in my e-mail so I can distribute it to my IBD patients for consideration.
Kate, thank you for being an open-minded physician.
I wish you could have considered a fecal transplant before having your colon removed. But it is great to see that you are doing so well. You are an inspiration!
I love your inspirational story. Can you tell us how you arrived at Mark’s door?
My 17 year old daughter was just diagnosed with Crohn’s last month. As concerned and helpful as the doctor’s were, none of them think diet can do all that much to heal her, only to lessen the flare-ups. I am going to have her read Kyel’s story; I found it si inspiring!
Congratulations! You are such an inspiration! I am so excited for you and wish you all the best!
And you look fantastic now, by the way.
Pity he didn’t change his diet before having his colon removed!
Why is it that until medical orthodoxy changes, 99% of doctors will ignore reports like this, and what does it take to change medical orthodoxy?
Of course this is “anecdotal evidence which will never be turned into “scientific proof” while virtually all medical research is sponsored by pharmaceutical companies who are only interested in inventing new drugs.
Wow
Great job Kyel! It takes a lot of determination not to give up when life drags on hopelessly over a long period of time. To keep your mind open to new solutions is difficult when the temptation for despair is so strong. You have demonstrated great strength and will. I don’t know you, but I am proud of you.
Thank you for sharing your story.Inspirational and just at the right time for me to show a love one who is going thry something very similar. Grok on and best wishes
Wow!! I bet your story brought tears to Marks eyes – it certainly did to mine. I’m so glad you finally found the site!!.
Like many have said, you look like a different person. And what a good transformation it is! I’m so happy that you have found relief from your prior struggles and for your new found life! Congratulations!
great story! Thank you for sharing it with us. I love MDA Fridays.
Did you take accurate as a teen? I was just reading that one of the side effects is ulcerative colitis.
Great Story Kyle. Mine is similar. I lived with UC for 11 years, initially managing it well (I thought) but in 2011 I deteriorated rapidly, living on prednisone and stays in hospital. When the specialist told me I must have the colonoscopy and J section you described. That was the turning point for me
I changed my lifesytlye and discovered MDA. Now I am 30kgs lighter and take NO medications. Three months since I stopped my Pentasa that I had been taking daily for 12 years. At present I am symptoom free and feeling great. Time the doctors listened to all of these stories.
Hot! You look hot!
Hey Kyel,
Reading your story was just like reading my own, taking me back to the exact way I used to feel.
I feel better than I have ever felt before.
I suffered with UC for 16 years, from the age of 24 to 40, having my babies in that time and constantly trying to battle this disease with a cocktail of medications, including very high doses of Prednisone. It all got to a point where my body couldn’t take it anymore, my whole colon being inflamed and nearly dying from a UC related infection.
I finally decided to have the same operations as you but continued to have severe bouts of pouchitis that would lay me out for 7-10 days.
Now, through meeting my second husband who was already paleo/primal and after a bit of convincing, I read everything on Mark’s site and it resonated big time!
I am now following a primal lifestyle and have managed to get myself off antibiotics. Still taking an anti-inflammatory (Salazopyrin) but who knows…maybe one day I’ll be able to give that up too
Well done and thanks for sharing!! I wish you all the best
Congrats on your success with the Primal blueprint. Thank God you found it!! Such a great story! Stephanie
I sympathize with you. At the age of 36 I was also diagnosed with UC and I went through the same steps as you but in a shorter period of time. My diagnosis was in February and my colon was removed in April. Thankfully, I did not have the pouchitis as you but once in a while I get them. I’m 52 now and became Primal/Paleo a year ago. Lost 25 lbs and look great. The only thing is that my knees have some artheritis but that doesn’t bother me in my daily life. I do not regret the surgery either but wish I had known about Primal/Paleo then.
I get pouchitis too in my BCIR (no jpouch), small bowel bacteria overgrowth due to most of my stomach removed and now on a Candida diet, I almost think it is more strict than Paleo but same rules. Just can’t eat any sugar, not even fruit. It is rough to lose a colon though so I can relate! I can’t eat any veggies besides cucumber and have to chew them to death. I crossfit and lift heavy and for me I can’t get off antibiotics, the loss of 60% of my gut has a reoccurring overgrowth even on a diet but the diet change DOES help. Very hard for anyone to relate that has not had this surgery. It is a major change in your system since it is basically a new organ and the body treats it as an obstruction.
You look great!
Very inspirational!
I’m wondering how does your body process food now without a colon, because I’m guessing you have a smaller intestinal tract, do you have to eat more often?
I’m just curious?
Most of the nutrients from food are absorbed in the small intestine, which is still intact for people like Kyel and I who have J-pouches. The colon does absorb some things, but as far as I know, not having a colon doesn’t give people major nutritional deficiencies. Although it probably does in some rare cases! The colon mainly absorbs water, so some people have issues with dehydration, but I never have.
I haven’t had to eat more often because of the surgery, and I don’t think that’s an issue for most people, but you DEFINITELY have to use the bathroom more often. Hopefully that answered your questions, although of course I can’t speak to Kyel’s personal experience with his j-pouch (: