Note: If you are still affected by withdrawal, it is advisable to wait before trying any changes that could result in Herxheimer or Herx reactions. This is a detoxification process that can last from days to a few weeks, and symptoms experienced include: dizziness, headaches, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, sweating, chills and nausea, In withdrawal, these can be felt quite intensely. Also, electrolytes and other nutrients must be monitored and balanced. If you are very symptomatic, you will not want to risk further discomfort and exacerbation of symptoms.
After my recovery from the effects of taking the clonazepam which was prescribed for my dystonia, I continued my search for relief from the dystonic symptoms, but this time I decided to explore a change in diet rather than taking a pill. I had already tried every possible alternative or complementary remedy, to no avail.
I first heard about the ketogenic diet for epilepsy while watching a movie starring Meryl Streep called “First Do No Harm”. I bought a book about the diet that was written by a medic and took it to my doctor. My poor doctor seemed so stressed and overworked, he took the book from me (with that glazed look in his eyes) and put it aside with a promise to have a look at it, but never got around to it.
The ketogenic diet was first introduced in the 1920s as a treatment option for children with epilepsy whose seizures were not controlled by traditional medicine. It is a high fat, low carbohydrate, controlled protein diet that has now proven to be beneficial for people with dystonia and other movement disorders and for autism.
How it works is that the body normally uses glucose, a form of sugar derived from carbohydrates, as its main source of energy. By eating as recommended with the ketosis diet, the body uses chemicals called ketones instead of glucose for its energy source. Decanoic acid, a saturated fatty acid, is also produced by being in ketosis and along with ketones, they help to reduce seizure activity.
Some people have reported a more settled nervous system, due to using this diet. Further, there is evidence that supports the use of this diet as being beneficial for epilepsy, autism, dystonia and other involuntary movement disorders and neurological conditions.
I tried this ketogenic diet on three separate occasions and I love it. However, I struggle with meeting the required fat consumption. If you are recovered from withdrawal and are going to try this diet, you must research how to deal with and/or avoid “keto flu” and how to find the ratio that is best for you.
