“Curing” my Chiari Malformation with Keto

First, let me start with I’m not a doctor. I have zero medical degrees. Everything I talk about is from personal experience, so please consult with your doctors! 

I have been on my health journey for several years now, but keto is still relatively new to me. I dabbled with it at the end of 2020 and it has held steady since. And I love it. 

Nope, I haven’t lost much weight because of it yet. (I’m down about 3 pounds) But, since I’ve started my hardest hit months of the year for my Chiari Malformation* (Fall & Spring) have come and go without much incident. 

Many with my same brain malformation are barometers. We know when it is going to rain, snow, or even just be sunny by only understanding how our bodies feel. For me, Chiari headaches were my sign. Over the years, with my awesome neurologist, we have put together a pretty fail safe game plan of medications, back up plans, and back ups to the back up plan. Then I started keto. 

I didn’t speak to my neurologist before switching my diet, I just did it and my headaches diminished in quantity and severity. In the past 3 months, I’ve taken my medicine once compared to weekly. 

Now, the 4 months I’ve been eating this way wouldn’t count as long enough for scientific proof, nor is one person a good sample size. That being said, I highly encourage my fellow zipper heads to discuss the keto diet with their doctors to see if it is the right fit for you. 

*I was diagnosed in November 2010 & decompressed in March 2011.